Kid's Fishing Derby

This was the second year Eli, Noah, Drew, and Zach participated in the fishing derby on my parents' lake. Katelynn was a new addition, and she was so worried that she would miss it that she didn't sleep past 6:00 this morning. I said she is a mixture of her parents. She doesn't want to miss out on anything which comes from Craig's side of the family, and she gets SUPER excited about little things like her mom. She was so cute!!!
Katelynn was VERY happy with her 5 fish even if they weren't very big and her dad did the catching.
Noah didn't last very long. We took him back to G&G's after an hour.
Zach was the only one who actually fished most of the time.
Drew was content on Grandpa's lap!
Did I say this was a kids' fishing derby?
All of the kids who participate get prizes, and they are unreal! Noah and Eli both got fishing rods, life jackets, and a 12 pack of pop. Noah also got a tackle box and a pack of outdoor balls. Hopefully the kids will get better about actually fishing, and this will become an annual event for all of us!

Hard up for entertainment

We went to visit the Wienermobile yesterday. Noah decided to yell instead of smile.

More Landscape Pics

Landscape Pics

A week of family fun

We spent last week with my mom's side of the family (38 of us). They rented a big house on my parents' lake, so our family along with Krista's and Craig's were able to stay at my mom and dads which worked out quite well!

There was a boat parade on the lake July 3rd. Most of the kids got a little bored on the pontoon, so a few people got dropped off at my parents' during the parade (Eli was still on the boat).
We took the kids to the 4th of July parade in Erhard. They had a lot of fun meeting this nice lady and her dog, getting candy, and jumping. I, however, have decided that I am not a parade person.
The cousins (Brady and Austin had to go to bed) piled on a loveseat and watched a movie while we waited for fireworks. Grandma picked us up on the pontoon so we could watch them from the lake. There must have been close to 20 of us on the boat, and we saw a great show!
It was a fun week, but it is nice to get back to reality. I have had enough late nights, sun, chips, and drinks to last me for a while!! Well.... at least until next weekend!

Weekend at Grandpa Jim's

Potty Party

Tonight we celebrated one week of not changing diapers (and only one accident). Noah got to pick the activity, and he wanted to go to a park.
We picked up some KFC and had a little picnic before the boys played.
Then it was off to the DQ for ice cream treats followed by a much needed bath! We're so proud of you Noah, and Mom is very thankful that you'll be able to go to preschool this fall (I was getting a little worried!)

Pool at the park

We finally got to go the wading pool this afternoon.

Noah could've done this all day! He's crazy!!

Testing out the swingset

The boys and I went over to my parents' with Craig and Jen on Friday night. We had to try out the new swingset. The kids loved it!! They even got to have supper on the picnic table. Then, we played in the lake and had a campfire (which we can no longer have without making s'mores). It was a late night for the kids, but we still got a couple games of CLUE in after they went to bed.
Yesterday was a PERFECT lake day!

The Zarm

We needed a a place to go today where we could be close to a bathroom for the little man who is now on his 3rd day of DRY underwear, so we took Craig and Austin to the Zarm. What is the Zarm??? This is Eli's name for the zoo which he really thinks is more of a farm. He comes up with all kinds of names for things. He wants chonilla cones at the Dairy Queen, chwhite milk (a mixture of white and chocolate milk) at Grandma and Grandpa's, and my favorite was him telling Aunt Jennifer that he left something in his sheans. Sheans???? Those are his shorts with so many pockets they look like jeans.
Noah has come up with his own language too. Unfortunately, his favorite word is a four letter one that starts with an "F". He has different versions of it, and he has NO IDEA that it's a bad word. It usually starts with rhyming words, but eventually he gets to the "F" word. I just keep reminding him that we need to use real words, but so far this isn't working. Any suggestions?

BTW I'm not sure why some of this is underlined, and I can't seem to get it off.

rainy day

We stayed inside today. Eli discovered his sudoku for kids book, and Noah spent the day in underwear without any accidents. We needed the rain outside. We did not however need the rain shower coming from our kitchen sink when I turned it on this morning.

There's never a dull moment

when all of the cousins get together. Since my dad is going on a fishing trip next week, we did an early Father's Day celebration at Krista and Brent's this weekend. We had two beautiful days filled with lots of fun! Eli got to sleep both nights in a camper with Zach and Drew, and woke up this morning not feeling well. He's had this happen more than once after a couple days of not eating, drinking, or sleeping enough. Luckily, he was feeling much better by this afternoon. When Noah realized at breakfast today that the other boys slept in the camper he said (with a very sad face), "I thought I was going to sleep in that campfire tent"...poor Noah.

The "kiddie cruise"

Matt and Tyler are here!

We had some rock delivered on Monday hoping to one day finish our landscaping. I made a quick phone call to my Dad yesterday, and less than two hours later my parents' were here to help. Dad and Joel got a lot done last night, and when Grandpa Jim and the boys showed up at 4:30 this afternoon, Joel put them right to work. It's nice to have that project finished, so thanks everyone for the help! Eli and Noah are in HEAVEN with Matt and Tyler here for the night. Eli has playstation buddies, and Noah has been sword fighting and wrestling. Eli had a GREAT time in Iowa (thanks Grandma, Jennifer, and Grandpa). I'm pretty sure he didn't miss us one bit, and he was fighting with Noah 2 seconds after he got home. Ah...back to normal.

Missing My Brother

Eventhough we've been trying to keep busy, poor Noah has not been the same without Eli. We met Craig and kids at Chuck E Cheese's today (which Joel informed me is just mean to do when Eli isn't here). It was fun, but as soon as we pulled into the garage, Noah said, "Is Eli here NOW????").

Eli is in Iowa

Grandpa Jim stayed with us on Friday night on his way down to Iowa, and he had this brilliant idea to take Eli with him. Matt and Tyler are going to spend a few weeks in North Dakota, so they'll drop Eli off on Wednesday. It sure has been quiet around here. Poor Aunt Jennifer is probably not having that same experience. I stole this picture from Jennifer's blog. Grace and Eli played a few games of Guess Who in the basement tonight as tornado sirens were going off.

**It just happens to be Jake's birthday tomorrow. Last week Eli told Jen that he was going to Jake's b-day party. Hmm......

Busy Boys!

Eli was supposed to have his first day of parks and rec golf at 8:00 this morning. We drug him out of bed, and the whole family went to the golf course to find out that they are waiting another week to start since school isn't out yet. We decided to hit some balls anyway. HAPPY GILMORE!

My wonderful husband had already taken today off, so I could have a day off. After the driving range, I left to get my haircut and to do some shopping. Joel had a dentist appointment at 1:30, so I came home a little after one. Noah was already napping. They had been to two parks, the zoo, the flower store, and Joel had done some planting.

The Boys

I spent two hours with the boys at Concordia today trying to get a good picture of them, and all I got was frustrated. It must be time to call Ria!

Buland Park

Today was our first day without Jack and Ella. I must admit that I have been dreading this a little bit. Although I'm looking forward to warm weather, being outside, and having a little more freedom, I'm not really thrilled about trying to entertain the boys all summer. They tend to fight a lot and listen to me very little. Luckily, it was a beautiful day. We met Craig, Austin, and Katelynn at the park this morning. Eli was INSISTING that we go to "Bulard Park" with the orange fire pole and rocks to put in his shoes. I explained to him that I didn't remember how to get there (we were there once last summer, and it is on the other end of town), and I would have to look up the address. He was sure that I just had to go towards Walmart and then take a right. I told him I'd find the address so we could go there after nap. It was exactly the way he remembered it; however, it was not to the right of Walmart.

Yum

Jack and Ella walked in with 4 HUGE chocolate covered doughnuts and a little bottle of sprinkles today. As you can see, everyone enjoyed them.

Memorial Day Weekend

* played cards

* played Clue

* played in the sand and water

* pontoon ride

*Joel, Craig and Brent stayed with kids (Joel prepared spaghetti and meatballs), so the girls (and Dad) could go out for my Mom's birthday Sat. night.

* Sun. morning the guys went golfing before we all met at my cousin's graduation.

* Joel and my parents did a little fishing but didn't catch much. Katelynn and Eli planting a tree with Grandpa
7 busy kids digging in the sand