Quality Time.

Todd's brother, Kevin, and family made the 20+ hour drive to Kansas from Virginia Beach this month.  It was so nice to see them.  Once or twice a year just doesn't cut it. 

Distance sucks.  Literally, when it comes to family.

Our beautiful nieces, Morgan and Emily, somehow managed to avoid my camera.

But my nephews were eager to pose for some pictures.



Jacob is now 2 and such a happy, go-lucky guy.

He can definately put a smile on your face. 
Just watching him is pure enjoyment.

He loved the farm set full of tractors and animals.

Michael will be 4 in September.  He reminds me so much of Matthew at that age.  He is very methodical and intelligent.
Such a sweet boy.

He has a new love for baseball.  He could of played all day long.

Hannah enjoyed the time with her cousins.

Matthew spent most of the week with his dad and enjoyed the time with family, sleeping in, and hanging out.

Mallory loved entertaining everyone.

It was time well spent.

New Roofs.

Our contractor, Jesse Howard Roofing, has been hard at work on replacing our roofs that were damaged in the hail storm.  After 5 days of work, it is complete and looks great! 

Rolling Hills Zoo.

A few weeks ago, my whole family met at Rollings Hills Zoo for an afternoon of fun.  It was a beautiful,warm day.  Almost too warm for several of the animals.  We decided to take the tram around since there is quite a bit of walking.

It was so much fun watching Brogan.

It wouldn't be a family trip without Dad entertaining everyone with his musical talents.  I'm sure the tram operators thought we were all a little CrAzY.

My mom and Hannah got a some time to hang out between exhibits.

Maxton checking out the flamingos.

I love all the sights at this zoo.

The rhinoceros was one of the kid's favorites.

With Mallory's knee giving her problems, she shared a stroller part of the time with Brogan.

She also got a little nap on the tram.

Matthew enjoyed hanging out with Dedric all afternoon.

Dedric

We tried to get a picture of all the grandkids together.  But getting 7 kids to look in the same direction and smile is nearly impossible.

Hello Summer!

Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.

-- Russel Baker

King Solomon Camp

Matthew and his friend, Casen, just got home from spending 3 days and 2 nights and King Solomon Christian Camp.
This has became a rite of passage for summer.  The boys love it.
This year, when we dropped Matthew off he barely took the time to say good-bye.  He was off and running to meet friends.

The theme for camp this year was- Warrior....a heart after God.
It was centered around the story of David and Goliath and focused on facing our own giants.

Matthew enjoyed everything about camp.  He even liked the chores they had to do.  The only complaint he had was that his mom forgot to pack 2 sets of pajamas.  I guess, he will be packing himself for next year's camp.  :)

Maxton & Brogan.

Knee Deep.

Wishing I was knee deep in the water somewhere

Got the blue sky breeze and it don't seem fair

Only worry in the world is the tide gonna reach my chair

Sunrise there's a fire in the sky

Never been so happy

Never felt so high

And I think I might have found me my own kind of paradise

Knee Deep- Zac Brown Band featuring Jimmy Buffett

We visited the Council Grove Reservoir this last weekend.  Matthew and Hannah couldn't wait to get in the water. 

I was a little less than prepared.  No suits. No towels.

But... I did bring extra clothes so I let them swim.

I am so glad I did.  They really enjoyed it.



They weren't quite sure of what to think of the feel of the lake bottom on their feet.  Guess they are a little spoiled always swimming in the pool.









Mallory loved hanging out on the swings and following her cousins around.

Hannah decided to play in the sand after swimming in the lake.
Perfect Combination.  Complete Disaster. :(

Sand was everywhere.

On a brighter note, Mallory obsessed over a loose tooth.  She fidgeted with it till it finally came out.