Fun yet Educational

Over the past weekend we went to Wichita, KS with my parents. It was sort of a combination vacation trip with the purpose of visiting my grandma. We left late Saturday morning and our first stop was Tulsa. Potty breaks, stretching our legs at a place we like called Garden Ridge, and then lunch at Zio's. YUM! From there we continued toward Kansas stopping once again in the town called Ponca City, Oklahoma. There we visited the Pioneer Woman Monument. My dad had gone there when he was a kid and wanted to take us all. It was neat, but VERY hot!!  Once we left there we were Wichita bound. Arriving in Wichita we went and checked into our hotel and dropped Chris off. He had worked all night (literally) at the church the night before, so he was exhausted and needed some rest. Me, my kids, and my parents all loaded back in the car again and headed to down town to see The Keeper of the Plains. This was really cool and the pictures don't really do it much justice, but we all enjoyed it.  

The next morning after breakfast it was time to head to the Zoo. Everyone had a good time there. We had to leave about half way through to go visit my grandmother and eat lunch, but then we came back to finish the animal tour. I think everyone's favorite part of the zoo was the Silver Back Gorilla, except Poppy. He liked the Fruit Bats in the Rain Forest Exhibit. I have to admit, they were really cool. This day we ate at our Wichita Favorite called Spangles for lunch. And for dinner we ate at Chipotle. Our first time, but we all enjoyed it as well.

The next day before coming home we went back to visit my grandma again and then decided to go to the Kid's Exploration Place.

 It was a hand's on museum that had lots of puzzles to figure out, a place to learn about water current and building dams, wind, a miniature train track exhibit of early day Kansas and a imagination area that looked like a castle for the kids to run around in and dress up in Medieval costumes. From there we were supposed to be coming home, but we were all having so much fun that we decided to extend our trip one more night in Tulsa on the way home. So on Tuesday morning before coming back to Alma we managed to squeeze in a tour of the Blue Bell Creamery in Broken Arrow, the Bass Pro Shop, lunch at Famous Dave's BBQ, and a game of Laser Quest. The creamery was very educational and lots of fun. Not to mention we all got a serving of one of their signature flavor ice creams.  All in all we had a great time. I am so thankful to my parents for taking us along with them. This was a trip that will not soon be forgotten!!

Let the good times ROLL!

We had Elijah's birthday party last night at Wheels in Motion. Here are some pics we took during the madness!!

The birthday boy and his new roller blades!! He thought he was hot stuff!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is Elijah with his best friend Jackson!

Meme and Poppy with Elijah

This is Meme's brother Ron and sister Donna

Our cousin Gracie from Florida

Emily and Aunt Lori

Aunt D didn't feel very well, but we were very glad she was able to come! Birthday's just aren't the same without everyone to help celebrate!

Alex was gettin' with it on these little scooter things. He could make them go all by himself!! It was so cute!

Ethan Kyler

 It was a fun time!! 

Super Summer Crew

  These are the little blessings that I get to see every day!!

This is Landon. I have kept him for the past few years. He went to preschool last fall but is back to visit us this summer.

This is Brycen. I went to school with his momma. He is such a sweetie.

This is Jocelyn. Her and brother Dante are new to the gang. We just met them this summer, but we know they are going to be good friends!!

This is baby Ty. I started keeping him after Thanksgiving last year when he was only 9 weeks old.

 

 

 

This is Dante and my big helper Shay. She likes loving on the kiddos and she is good at it!!

Everyone probably recognizes this little man. I think he enjoys having playmates everyday though.

I enjoy my job, but these smiles just make it even better!! We are playing the summer away. . . lovin' every minute of it!!

 

 

Summer Update #1

  This summer has been a good one already, and we are only half way through with it. It's going by way to fast, but we are definitely making the most of it.
  Chris started us out with a bang by having back surgery, which by the way he is recovering "supernaturally".
   Eli has conquered a couple of milestones this summer. So far he has already learned to swim well without floaties above and under water. He jumps in at both the shallow and deep end without assistance, and can also go all the way to the bottom at either end to pick things up. He is pretty pleased with himself over these "big boy" accomplishments.  He has ALSO learned to ride his bicycle without training wheels.  He learned a bonus lesson on the second day. . . ALWAYS WEAR SHOES WHILE RIDING A BIKE. . . Long story, but I'm sure he'd love to tell it if anyone is brave enough to ask him. (:
  Shaylin went to her very first week at church camp. They went to Dry Gulch and she loved it. From hearing her talk she had a good time and made a couple of new friends there as well. She also went to her very first Airedalette basketball camp this summer and is planning on going to art camp in a couple weeks as well.
   I, myself, have managed to keep the house clean for more than an afternoon at a time. Listen, if you know me, you know that is a BIG DEAL.
   Our family as a whole as made a couple of outdoor camping trips and we are coping with the heat by doing lots of swimming. Not to mention we have made several emergency ice cream runs. ;) 
   All in all we are having a blast just being and enjoying US.        Let the good times roll.