Summer

I can already tell this summer is going to be over in a flash. We've been out close to two weeks already!  So far our days have been full of Vacation Bible School (Miles), pool time, lots of baseball games and practices, and this week golf started up as well. When they aren't busy with organized activities, they attempt to spend every free moment with the neighborhood boys. 

Owen and teammates at KC tournament. 

When Miles isn't up to bat or on base, he stakes out this key spot in the dugout. 

The lifeguards allow Graham to go down the slide with Owen (so that it don't have to get in ;).

Beautiful Girls

As soon as school released for summer, I hit the road for a wedding in Omaha and Adam hit the road for his 20 year class reunion in Atwood. I was fortunate to attend Jessamie's wedding (former student/cheerleader/babysitter) and see her and many other favorites. As an added bonus I got to spend a kid-free day with my wonderful Papio friend, Lori. As much as I try to stay in touch with the Omaha people, eight years and many kids later makes it hard for all of us!  

These girls deemed themselves the "Fab Five."  I think they have turned out to be pretty fabulous ADULTS... I must be really old!

Miles' First Communion

In late April Miles celebrated his First Communion.  Grandpa Mike and Grandma Rosie were able to join us for the weekend.  He looked pretty handsome in these "itchy, uncomfortable" clothes (which have hung in the closet since Owen wore them briefly three years ago).  

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 Grandma Rosie and Miles match pretty well.

 Miles' communion class.  He is right in the middle of the pack.

 Miles and Reese.  They look so sweet.

 Decent attempt at a family pic.

He's probably smiling since he knows he gets to ditch the fancy clothes soon.

More Easter 2014

Some more Easter pictures from my phone. 

Dressed up (kind of). 

Lots of loot. 

Even more. 

And more 

Easter 2014

I've been terrible about updating this blog--trying to go back and catch up (in order).  We spent Easter Sunday in Lebo, and fortunately everyone was able to make it.  The big boys still look forward to the egg hunt, and Aunt Nancy didn't disappoint.  We are still eating the candy a month later!

Quint with Colleen and Meredith--looking very cute in their little Easter dresses.  My kids did look nice for church, but they ripped their church clothes off faster than I could get the camera out.

 Graham after getting hit with silly string.

All of the cousins pre-Egg Hunt.  They each dumped and refilled several times.

Batter Up!

We are officially two weeks into baseball season. This year we have two kids on traveling teams, so we should definitely take in plenty of games. Owen's team opened last weekend in Salina (80's and beautiful on Saturday and 40's with tons of wind on Sunday).  The boys played really well and won all four games to take first place. Unfortunately, they weren't able to repeat that performance this weekend--a strong start turned into a LOT of errors and a loss. Hopefully they bounce back and play well in their first league games this week. Miles makes his debut on Tuesday night :)

I don't have too many pics to share, but thought I should include this one of our little dirtball. 

Cousins

We've been lucky to see some cousins from both sides here lately. To close out Spring Break week we went to Lebo, and so did the twins. This trip the big boys really wanted to hold and help out with the babies; Graham--not so much, but he did take diapers out to the garage. 

And just this week the Butlers made an impromptu visit to Manhattan and the kids met up briefly. It's always a blast when they get together. Rosie and Mike may be rethinking taking Reese and Miles anywhere this summer--wild men!

Cousins Brody and Beau also visited in late winter, but unfortunately no pics from that weekend. 

The oldest and youngest cousins on one side of our family. 

The "big kids" on the other side of the family. 

Legos

Graham has really been into Legos lately. Once in a while he uses all of the blocks, but typically he carts around about 15 blocks and reconfigures them into ships, planes, and towers. Then he tries to pick them up, they break, he gets mad, repeat.  For whatever reason, everything he designs has line symmetry (an early lover of geometry perhaps?). 

Chefs

Since we didn't go to KC for basketball on Sunday, Adam and the Bigs decided they'd make a feast for dinner. They settled on a tenderloin and corn salad/dip, both courtesy of the Pioneer Woman to be followed up with brownies and ice cream. They spent a lot of time in the kitchen, and the meal turned out great. 

This corn dip was fantastic by my standards. 

Don't worry, I didn't eat it like this. 

Season Finale

Owen's basketball team closed out their season with the Midwest State Tournament in KC this past weekend. Unfortunately the potential bad weather prompted all of the families to go home Saturday night to avoid getting stuck in KC in 8 inches of snow. Even though we didn't end up with nearly the snow they predicted the team decided not to drive back to KC on snowy roads. Owen was bummed to miss out on the opportunity to play, but ended up enjoying a day off at home.  He is looking forward to the end-of-season party coming up this weekend. 

They beat this team which happened to be the Missouri state champions. Owen was lucky to have lots of fans on Saturday:  Uncle Quint, my cousin Wyatt, and the Stockwells. The boys were disappointed we didn't get to have a sleepover at the Stockwells. 

Between games on Saturday we visited the twins.  This was the best I could get from these five. 

Heat, 6-1

Miles' team (the Heat) wrapped up their season this past weekend. They won all but one game (lost that by one point). Miles had a great time playing "real" basketball. He was very aggressive on defense and spent a lot of time on the floor diving after the ball. Once again we were lucky to have a good coach who made things fun while also helping the boys become better basketball players. 

State Champions!

Both Owen and Miles had basketball practice and/or games this weekend, so we had to do a split.  Adam and Owen opted for a "man weekend" in Kansas City.  Turns out, it was a great weekend to be a Wildcat--at least a 5th grade Wildcat.  After five tough games, the boys won the USSSA state tournament.  I hate to miss any of their activities (especially these exciting games), but was happy that they got to spend a weekend together doing/watching something they both love.

Miles' team also won their game, and he had another basket.  He's playing with older boys, but definitely holding his own.  Although he does get bummed out when he isn't able to go to Owen's tournaments.

Kansas Day Program

Miles entertained us last Thursday with his school music program featuring sings about Kansas. He was excited to have a speaking part--one line about 34th state and 34 stars.  He wasn't excited about dressing "old-fashioned" so he stuck to neon. Very 1800's right?

Life As The Littlest Brother

Graham is such a good sport to take in all of the big boys' games and events. He's even starting to hang out with his own friends (Bodyn, little brother of Dayne) at Owen's games. He especially likes watching Mickey Mouse with him, even though they argue about who gets to sit closer to the screen. On this particular Sunday (in Independence, MO) he crashed out and spent the entire game sleeping in the bleachers. 

That's A Lot Of Basketball

A bleacher butt kind of weekend for our family!  We took in the high school games Friday night, three games in Chapman for Owen on Saturday plus the KSU vs. KU game for Adam and practice for Miles. Then three more (Manhattan) games for Owen and Miles' first game on Sunday.  My parents were able to see both kids in action on Sunday; they definitely got a kick out of Miles' aggressiveness. Unfortunately the MHS and KSU games didn't go our way, but team Owen/Miles went 7-0. We are having a lot of fun watching Miles finally get to play "real" basketball and continuing to see Owen's team progress. Apparently a win does not equal a smile (Owen).

Christmas in Atwood

We spent the first week of winter break in Atwood.  Adam had to work all but three days, so the kids and I drove out early and stayed late so that they could maximize their cousin time.  There wasn't really any hot item on any of their lists this year, but they were very happy with their goods.  Santa brought Owen neon orange shoes, Elite socks, sweats, NCAA14 football, and an iTunes card (since he is really into "his own" music nowadays).  Miles desperately needed a bigger bike, so Santa came through with that, along with a racing game for PS3, sweats, and neon orange shoes.  Graham's best gift was probably his hoodie.  He always asks for one, but usually everything in his size is still zip up jackets.  Now he can also wear the same thing five days in a row like his big brothers!
The week went fast, and we had a great time.  For the kids--lots of PS3, playing at the grocery store, movies, art sales, staying up late, and enjoying/bothering each other.  For the adults--lots of food :)  I've been switching back and forth between two phones, and some of my phone pics are missing (from Christmas in Lebo).  Onto looking for those...

Church on Christmas Eve.  Not the professional picture I planned to get back in October (and never did, hence no Christmas cards from us this year) but at least we are all looking at the camera.  The boys must have been in the Christmas spirit because as there was only minimal complaining about the nice shirts and ties.

Christmas dinner--still in PJ's and hoodie.

Graham also asked for his own bed lamp since the bigs both have one for reading.  

All of the cousins with Grandpa Mike and Grandma Rosie.

New bike!

New shoes!

When they have it, my kids go through gum like crazy.  This rally bucket didn't last long.  

Pondering life I guess.