Summer Week 10

We hit the pool up with our friends (the ports) after work with our dads. we ate dinner and enjoyed the pool to ourselves mostly which was awesome. D was less than excited when I besought shampoo and jambes and we took our showers and hit the road. But it worked out slick. I see a lot more of that in the future.


Ells had a Frozen themed dance camp from Mon- Wed. She had a blast. Even had a visit from a very special Queen.

We've been loving these refillable squeeze pouches. Fill with leftover smoothies and store in freezer. Snacks in lunches for school and on the go.

Loving our naps and snuggles. Also lots and lots of dance parties.

Shadd finished 2nd in his age level overall (winning $25 club credit - which dad picked him up a sweet golf jacket he has been wearing constantly to school) and 3rd in the club championship tourney. He loves the game and had a blast playing. Above our pictures from the banquet program but we werent able to attend. I'm sure we will squeeze it in next year since Ells can play too. She's got her khakis ready to go.

And lastly we were prepping for Z's big day - so momma had to put them to work/play with the basket game. Thankfully they still enjoy it. Whatever works!

Summer Week 9

Our house is for sale - we said we'd list when they dug a hole. Well its dug..

Always time for playdoh

Homemade cucumbers - ate this whole bowl myself. Whoops!

We hit up the Adel pool with our cousins

We went back over the weekend as D was gone golfing with is high school buddies. Its funny but 15 years later they all look the same. Grown up but still the same!

Shadd went off the high dive. Like no low dive. first time ever off the high dive. Totally had to hold my hover parent back and relax and internally analyze the entire situation. He rocked it of course!


Ells had a birthday party and we spend the afternoon with my Grandma and feed the ducks in her backyard. Then we hung with friends later that evening.

We spent sometime with our cousins in Winterset and hit up the pool with my bestie and her kiddos on Sunday. 

games while sage crashes and we wait for z man to awake - qwirkle is a new favorite around here

Summer Week 8

After a long weekend

We hit up the home show - with the help of d's parents! 

sign made by our friends - they are all so talented

flowers from my mother-in-law and yummy tomatoes after watching our kiddos! 

In full recovery mode on monday. Good thing the British Open was so fun to watch into Monday. Plus ZJ won. Awesome since we love him for many reasons but mostly because he loves Jesus! 

We spent some days outside making our own water fun

Which in turn results in this. Gobs of laundry, wet bodies and snacks!

We filmed a good ole dance party - like old school video camera style!

And z loves his siblings and their rides. 

The bigs went to stay with my grandparents for the weekend. They had a blast bowling, hanging out at the farm. They introduced them to some westerns and probably a whole lot of great food. One of my favorite weeks of my summer was spending it with my grandma and grandpa. So thankful that they want to love on my kiddos like they did me. Kinda wanted to secretly join them. Miss those days! 

While they were away - we photographed our whole house to put it on the market. You can tell anyone you know! Its on craigslist and so far 3 calls but no showings. Bummer. 

And sunday we drove to Ames after church for one thing! FIREHOUSE SUBS! They've had our heart ever since we ate one years ago down south. So so awesome that they are in our neck of the woods. Although Des Moines would be better. 

Shaddy turns 7 - Sports Style

How is this boy 7?
I think I say that every year but it just seems like he was just a babe. Now he is maturing and growing up. He's a big boy! Like a BIG Boy! What!

He is the responsible one around here. Typically my second in command and well I kinda have to adjust after school starts to life without the responsible 2nd little parent.

This picture cracks me up. Dad serving up a fried egg on toast (egg sandwiches are his thing currently) with a candle. Nice D real nice. Plus he takes a few seconds to comply with my picture request and then back onto creating his newest lego car that he got for his birthday!

Of course we opened presents just us. We have quite the shoppers. Maybe a little crazy and trying hard how to do seven on your fingers - take a look at Sager!

Then my sweet crew - about the only time I make them pose together other than family pics is a birthday! 

Then we were off to enjoying the day with Dad pre-party with his little buddies at the park. Now cue the hottest day of the summer from 3-5. Holy hotness.

We made some sports bottles for all his pals and headed to the local park with every ball we own to play games for two straight hours.

Thank goodness for lots of water, gatorade, freeze pops and a few areas of shade.

D circling up the troops.

The sweetest boys and how much they loved to shower Shadd with gifts and love. They were the cutest taking turns making sure he opened and loved their gift. It was fun to watch the art of the gift giving. I always waver on this. I mean I hate to make kiddos and parents have to spend money on my kid but then I'm reminded of how much joy and pleasure Shadd has in shopping and looking for a gift for one of his buddies and the importance of teaching your child to enjoy giving and also how to be a grateful recipient.

The crew minus a couple - so thankful that he has great friends from all over the place and many more that we didn't invite. He is one blessed boy!

Then if we weren't crazy enough we packed up our big three - z would have never made it - and headed to VI (village inn) a favorite spot of our kiddos for supper pancakes. Then d scored some Menace tickets and we hit up the hottest soccer game of the year. Thankfully we coaxed them out early with a bribe to get some ice cream. And well this mama and daddy were also super duper tired. 

Then party number two the next day with the family. And this is what your house looks like after a day like that before! Holy Cow! Can we say tornado? 

We had the birthday boys' favorite - chili (yep on a super hot day) and dogs for those in the mood for a chili dog. We broke out the squirt guns, water balloons and pool and had a blast playing in the backyard. 

All in all it was a great day - celebrating one of the best boys I know.

Shadd,
You are sweet, sensitive and kind. I'm so lucky to have you! In fact you are what keeps your dad and I sane sometimes - its the ray of hope we see sometimes in the whirlwind of raising your brothers and sister. Thank you for being easy. I love your love for Jesus and I can't wait to see it grow more and more. You have the biggest heart for us and for others. Continue to let it lead you! You are getting so good at golf, soccer, basketball, baseball - well just about everything. And you rock at games. You are such a fun age. Love you so and can't wait to see you Rock 1st grade!
Love Mom