Water Park

One day while spending too much time on facebook I came across a deal for Cowabunga Bay in Vegas.  So I bought tickets to take the kids.  It was an excellent purchase.  The kids area was amazing and worked so well for all three kiddos.  Liam ran around like a maniac going down every little slide there was and we could barely keep an eye on him.  The nice thing was there was only one way in and out so he couldn't go too far.  

Colin who the day before was very nervous/scared of the slide at swim lessons, LOVED the slides!  It was perfect for him.

The water was only about a foot and a half deep at most and she had a great time.

She went down all the little slides by herself

and the bigger one with me or daddy

Grandma and Colin going down the bigger slide together.

Liam

There were big buckets that fill up and eventually tip over and pour water out.  The boys went to stand under it

They thought it was a good time.

Liam must have gotten bored sitting normally so went down the slide all different ways. Head first on his belly and his back.  The lifeguard didn't seem to mind especially early on since it wasn't too crowded yet.

These two skimmed the bottom looking for treasures.

Chris took Liam to one of the bigger slides.  This is the one he went down.  He was too light to make it up and over the second big hump so the lifeguard got him and he walked to meet up with his daddy who was heavy enough (not making it to the end was pretty typical and lots of kids and small adults don't so the lifeguard is there waiting).

Sadie and Macey came too but ran around most of the time, as teenagers do.  Sadie is not a fan of water slides so she and mom watched the littles while Macey, Chris, and I went on one of the bigger slides and it was AWESOME. Then we met back up at the lazy river which the kids liked but weren't thrilled with.  At that point Liam really wanted to go to the wave pool so Chris hung with the kids at the wave pool and I grabbed some lunch for everyone.  We all ate and went back into the wave pool.  The kids loved getting nailed by the waves.

They were all so tired but kept asking if they could do the wave pool one more time, about 3x over, ha! We left and went to Costco and then home.  They all crashed quickly in the car.

Wichita and the Train Park

The weekend of July 23-25th I flew to Wichita to see one of the girls I played volleyball with and also former roomie get married!  Shari was so kind and took me in, she picked me up, fed me, gave me a place to sleep, and was absolutely wonderful!  I can't thank her enough!  I got in Friday night and Shari, Steph, and I stayed up way to late catching up and did a little shopping at Kohl's.  Saturday morning the girls took me to work out with them at Orange Theory.  It was a tough workout but I survived, we ate, got ready, and off to the wedding we went.

We happened to sit at a table with and old picture of all of us 13 years ago! Shari was MIA.

and here we are now!

Morgan was going to bring her whole family but her littlest was sick.  So she came with her older to girls but then her oldest started running a fever.  She didn't get to stay too long but I am so glad we were able to catch up a little!

Me, Shari, Chandra, and Steph

Chris survived and everyone came to pick me up in Vegas and it was so good to see all my babies.

This girl cracks me up with her cheesy smile

always the same smile, ha!

I purchased a bubble machine at the end of last summer and finally pulled it down for the kids.  They loved it.  They loved it so much it no longer works.  At least it got some good use!

One night we made some brownies and it was such an awesome evening as a family.  We all had dinner together, played outside, and came in for dessert.  The kids told stories and were completely engaged in conversation which doesn't always happen so it was really nice evening.

One Friday night we went to dinner at El Palacio with G&G Casson.  Scarlett's parents were having a date day so I asked if they'd be okay if she came with us.  It was not a problem and she had a great time.  Luckily we were in a corner so the kids could play a little.

They drew pictures

Watching the train go by outside the restaurant

After dinner we took the kids to the the train park and picked up some ice cream from Mr. D'z.  They love it and had a great time.

Enjoying their milkshakes

Amelia loves her some Scarlett time

Baby girl

Kiddos

I convinced Chris to come take a picture with me on the steps so we could compare to this other one taken just over 6 years ago.  Crazy!

Paige Comes to Visit!

Sadie watched the kids a few times in the month of July and one day I came home to a pretty impressive blanket fort she had built in their room.  They loved it and wanted to sleep in it.  So, we let them.  Amelia attempted it but kept getting up or bugging the boys so she was kicked out, ha!

Sweet little gal playing her harmonica with mom's sunglasses on.

I found some little 1lb weights at the 99 cent store.  I had to get them because the kids are always trying to carry my weights around and they are a little too heavy.  They all thought they were great and had a little workout session going.

I took a few pictures of this boy looking awfully handsome

and so grown up!

Amelia wanted her picture too.

Recently, we had a visit from Paige!  It was so great seeing her and I think she had a blast hanging out with everyone.  The kids had a wonderful time and they played in the pool for a while and then did some running around.  Colin is pictured but under the water near Amelia ha!

Amelia loves Paige.

Liam was pretty excited to see her also.

I mostly failed at the whole picture taking thing but they had a great time and hopefully we will see her again sooner than later!

Planned Lake Day

The kids had so much fun on our impromptu lake day we decided to do it again when daddy could join us.  We packed up a few snacks, water, and Aunt Sadie and off we went.

Liam jumped right in 

Amelia floating around.  She refused to keep her hat on.

Liam and Aunt Sadie

Colin and Aunt Sadie

The hubster and me

Building sand castles and taking a break from the water

More building

My sweet boy and me

Cheesy smiley girl

Sadie and Colin

Sadie and Amelia

The kids had a great time. We had some splash fights, played in the sand, ate some good ole snacks, and swam around, When we left we thought for sure everyone would crash.  Liam and Amelia were out pretty much instantly but Colin did not fall asleep until 15 minutes from Kingman!  I hope we think to go to the lake a little more often next year.  We always have fun and the kids LOVE it.