July 4th

Nothing better than a 4th of July filled with parades, swimming, BBQ, friends, and fireworks!

So thankful for such great friends!

 

 

 

The fam

Sparklers!

Gavin is 3!

We went to a park for Gavin's birthday this year and took most of our sports gear with us- basketballs (and Gavin's hoop), golf clubs, footballs, and a baseball bat and tee. Gavin loved it! It was windy with cotton blowing everywhere, but it was still enjoyable. I feel horrible that I didn't get any pictures of all of them playing- I forgot about pictures until we pulled out the cupcakes and candle!

Shatto Farm

Hailey, Jackson, Gavin, Rielly, Hannah- love these kids!

This cow really liked Rielly- she just kept getting closer to Rielly, trying to nudge her head up against her

Baby cows!

One of our favorite things about Kansas City: Shatto Milk! It is amazing! With flavors like Root Beer, Orange Dream, and Pumpkin Spice- you can't really go wrong! Not to mention the sweet glass bottles it comes in! So we drove out to the farm in MO to see how and where that wonderful milk is made. It was really fun and extremely delicious! I even got to milk a cow, because my kids wouldn't dare!

Dance Recital- ballet

my camera was full so I didn't get the whole thing- but that was most of it!

Dance Recital - Tap Dance

St Louis

Went to St Louis with the Hoopes family for spring break- it felt more like winter though! At least we got to go swimming in a warm hotel!

Poor Boyce had a bad fall and busted his lip the first day- nothing that the ipad can't heal though ;)

Looking out the window on top of the arch

The view of the courthouse from the top of the arch

The kids rode this train at least 10 times- they loved it!

Climbing in the City Museum- there was so much to explore there!

Snow Days

We didn't go anywhere for a few days- good thing school was cancelled!

Cleaning off the cars

Gavin's bike was how we measured the snow throughout the week- this was the last day of the snow.

Playing computer games- Gavin is more excited than he looks

The trees were so beautiful

This is how we shovel snow in Kansas City

I think these snow piles will be here for a while

Hot Chocolate!!

We almost lost Gavin to the snow

We had 2 really bad snow days, had the weekend to shovel, and then got hit again with snow on Monday! It was so much fun to play in the snow and to have Chris home- 3 snow days for him! We had lots of time for hide-n-seek, making tents, baking, dancing, and hot chocolate!

Christmas

We had so much fun over the holidays!! We saw tons of Christmas lights with various friends and family in various places, and went to lots of Christmas activities for the kids. Then we drove to Albuquerque and stayed there with the Steffensen clan for a few days before driving to Arizona where we spent actual Christmas day with the Atkin clan. Then it was back to ABQ for a few days before we had to go home. Lots of family and TONS of fun, despite all of us getting sick at one time or another! So thankful we were able to be with everyone- LOVED it- totally worth the drive! After being gone for almost a month though it is good to be home. Here are just a few of the pics...

Gavin with cousin Behr (2 months apart)- both LOVE balls

Monster Truck!!!

Chris, Gammy, and Treh

Opening presents with cousins

BEST FRIENDS! And cousins- a mere 3 days apart

Shooting with Ryan, Wesley, Addie, and John- I really want a gun now! It was so much fun- and thank you to Grandma and Grandpa for watching the kids!

Christmas at home- yes our kids had 3 different rounds of Christmas presents- spoiled?

Nativity dress-up

What a handsome guy!!

Gavin loves anyone that has an ipod- this time it's Justice

Rielly and Aubrey had so much fun playing together- finally in real life and not just skyping!

Gavin is my musician- Brandon started playing his guitar and Gavin went and sat right in front of him- completely captivated

A monster tent!

Matching jewelry boxes and dolls

Sisters :)

A few of the Grandkids at Liberty's baptism

SMORES!!

Princess pajamas