Tuesday is Zoo-sday!

We've taken advantage of Twilight Tuesdays at the Zoo a few times this so far this summer. We pick Daddy up from work and get there in time to have a nice picnic before exploring the Zoo until they close at 8:00pm. As always, it's entertaining, educational, and fun for all of us!

the girls stop to pose on the bridge
I didn't even tell them to do this!

Paul and the kids check out the buffaloes

the kids and I rest in this fun area of the new Tiger Trek (Pres was not in the mood for pics this day and wouldn't smile)

the tigers catch a few winks

Ma and Pa Lion just chillin

the adorable baby giraffe trying to find his Mama

Independence Day!!!

We congregated in our garage/driveway again this year for our annual 4th of July Block Party. We fried the fish that my Dad had brought down, one neighbor smoked a couple meatloafs and some brisket, another neighbor BBQ'd some ribs, and yet another brought hotdogs for the kids. Everyone else filled in with side dishes, fruits, veggies, and desserts - and then we feasted! After we were all stuffed, the kids hit the waterslide again while we had the egg toss and then got started with fireworks. Some guys from another cul-de-sac were flying their big remote control airplanes overhead and came over and challenged us to shoot them down! The guys had a blast shooting at the planes with roman candles and saturn missles, but they went unharmed! :) The only damage from the whole night occurred after we cleaned up the street. Apparently, some of the fireworks were still smoldering and ended up catching fire in a neighbor's garbage cart several hours later! The guys were able to put it out with a garden hose, but not before it melted the cart beyond repair. It was a hilarious ending to a great night of celebrating our great nation's independence!!

Chris W., Mitch, and Paul fry fish and hushpuppies in a turkey fryer
Breckyn, Ava, and Kellyn show off their patriotic tattoos

Mitch, Paul, Chris P., Dana, and Kevin, with Aden and Andrew in front

lining up for the egg toss

so glad Christal was here!!

Christal and Mitch humor me and pose for a quick pic

Breckyn with her flag pinwheel

Christal and Triston

a serious Mitch prepares to take down the airplanes with his very own IED - a saturn missile glued to a 2x4!

the planes, the planes!

the guys take aim from the street

Brian and Debra's garbage cart after it melted!

Watersliding

My neighbor Debra rented a waterslide again for the 4th of July. All the kids were playing happily on it while I was inside getting food ready for the evening. Suddenly, I heard Preston's blood-curdling screams and rushed outside to find his eyes as big as saucers and blood pouring from his mouth. Apparently, he had thrown himself down the slide and caught his two front teeth on the canopy above - they were both GONE! They had been loose, so it was no big deal, and after we got him some ice and calmed him down, everything was fine. Fortunately, all the kids went "fishing" for the teeth and were able to retrieve them so that the Tooth Fairy could visit that night!

Preston launches himself down the slide
Triston and Preston

Kellyn, with Breckyn on the side (where she sat nearly the whole time!)

some of the kids stop to pose for a minute

all I want for the 4th of July is my 2 front teeth!!

Celebrations!

Christal and Mitch came to town on July 3rd, so we used it as a great excuse to go out to PF Changs to celebrate their anniversary on the 1st, and my birthday on the 2nd. Good friends and good times!!

Paul and I celebrate the 3rd anniversary of my 29th birthday! :)
my BFF and the Great Wall of Chocolate!

Christal and Mitch - 14 years!

Wheat Harvest '09

In late June, we ventured down to Attica to see Papa and Grandpa Dennis harvest the wheat. The kids got to play in the wheat truck and even ride to town to dump a load! Afterwards, we went out to the house to visit with Grandma Judy and make dinner for the hungry harvest hands.

the kids and I walking out to the truck
Daddy and the kidsPreston does a cannonball

wow!! - actually helping his sister! :)

Preston plays in a full truck while Grandpa and Papa unload in another

taking a load to town with Uncle Johnny

the Attica grain elevator as seen from Grandpa's field

Grandpa Dennis and me - this is what 12 hours in a Kansas wheat field looks like!

Memaw and Papa!!!

My parents were here from Alaska for a few weeks to visit and help my grandparents harvest wheat. We had such a great time while they were here, having cookouts and reunions, going shopping and eating out, and just hanging out and visiting. They left last Wednesday on the new motorcycle my Dad bought in Chanute. They're taking their time going back, stretching it out over 2 weeks so they can sightsee along the way.

Memaw with her granddaughters and granddog!

Mommy and me4 generations of girls sit down for a tea party

my Mommy and her Mommy

my Mommy and her Daddy

Papa and the troopsmy Mom and Dad

Fun on/in the water!

Went down to the farm a few weeks ago and had a blast swimming, fishing, and boating on the pond! Not to mention the fun we had hanging out with family and eating all the yummy cookout food! Good times!!

Preston goes fishing on the boat with Brandon and Austin
Kellyn jumps on the trampoline after swimming out to it with Uncle Bobby

Breckyn goes for a paddleboat ride with Daddy and Brayli

Kellyn, Breckyn, and Paul stop to pose for the camera

fishing, swimming, and boating all at once!

Baseball Star!

Preston had a great baseball season! He was so excited to be playing with 3 other kids from his class, and one of the kid's Dad was the coach. Nana, Memaw, Papa, and Gram all got to attend a game, which Preston was pretty excited about! He was a great hitter, only striking out for the first time in his next-to-last game. He hit numerous RBI's and scored lots of runs for his team. He also did a great job playing first base, getting lots of outs and catching several pop-flies. In one memorable inning he got all 3 outs single-handedly! The team finished off the season with a trip to a local pizza place where they all chowed down and then received their trophies from Coach Rob.

playing first base
eating pizza at Luigi's

getting his trophy from Coach Rob

the team and their trophies!

Wipe-out

Ouch!! Breckyn's face collided with the pavement when she fell off her scooter the other day. Here's the result: