First Major League Baseball Game - Royals vs. Cubs

June has been a busy month for us - but we have loved it! It has been full of road trips and vacation (post to come soon). I must say, as much as I love to be on the go, it was great to get home and to ge back to our own beds!

A couple of weeks ago, we loaded up with Grandpa and Nana and headed to Kansas City to take the boys to their first major league baseball game. The Kansas City Royals were playing the Chicago Cubs. We could not have asked for more perfect weather, especially for the end of June.

The boys had a great time and did great at the game. There is a really nice kids area complete with playground, splash pad and all sorts of other things to entertain kids. Great idea!

Boys walking in with Grandpa and Nana

Watching some Cubs batting practice


Such a big boy!

Family picture :)

Lance eating the BIGGEST flavor ice I have ever seen!

It was huge!

Grayson getting in on some of the flavor ice

We had a great time in KC with Nana and Grandpa - complete with a Cubs win! (Yes, Matt and his parents are Cubs fans - I am neutral, ha!)

Next post - Summer Vacation to Destin, FL

Fathers Day Weekend - Part 2

We continued our Fathers Day celebration on Sunday by heading to Neosho after church to spend the afternoon with each of our family's. First, we went to Matt's parents house where we enjoyed a yummy lunch to celebrate the fathers on his side of the family. After lunch, the boys wanted to go out and swim. Daddy and Grandpa took them outside to take a swim.

Grayson is not too excited about the big pool for some reason, he prefers his little pool. Notice the floaty's that he inists that he needs to wear - hey, safety first!

Daddy, Lance and Grandpa beating the heat and enjoying some time in the pool.

Next up was my family, we headed over to my parents house for dinner. Mom fixed a great summer dinner. It was a pretty low key evening - we ate then went outside and watched the boys play, it was a great evening.

Me and my Papa - love him!

Lance showing off his two-wheel bike skills! He is very proud that he has shed the training wheels and mastered riding his bike on two wheels. Another sign that he is growing up waaay to fast!

Uncle Paul, Blake, Papa EB, Dad and Grayson - some special guys!

Papa EB, Papa Danny, Lance and Grayson - Lance was thrilled to have his picture taken, can't you tell?!

Blake and Lucy - Lucy is the newest member of our family. Such a sweet dog!

Mom, Mama/GG, Aunt Debbie and Papa EB - some pretty special people in my life!

Dad and his new girl, Miss Lucy.

And the day would not be complete without a little work on the lawn mower - the boys loved being big helpers!

We had a great weekend celebrating Fathers Day! I have been so blessed with some wonderful fathers in my life! I have a wonderful husband who is a great Daddy to our boys - I could not have asked for more. My Dad, Father in Law and Grandpas are huge blessing to our family and great Papas/Grandpas to our boys. I am so thankful to have such wonderful examples for our little guys as they grow up!

Fathers Day Weekend - Part 1

Lance and Matt decided that the family should get up at 5 am Saturday morning and head to Roaring River for some good, quality family fishing time. The boys had a great time fishing with Daddy - Grandpa even came along to join in on the fun!

First things first, we had to start the day off with a fishermans breakfast -

warm, homemade cinnamon rolls.

Grayson and Daddy catching some trout.

Feeding the fish at the hatchery at Roaring River.


Snack time for Grayson!

Lance and Daddy working with Lance's fly rod.

Daddy and the boys with their first catch!

Grandpa and the boys!

Love this picture - they were in deep conversation :)

Working with his fly rod again.

Enjoying a day at the river!

We had a great start to our Father's Day Weekend! We all took LONG naps after we got home to make up for getting up at 5am! Tomorrow we are headed to church in the morning then on to Neosho to celebrate our Father's!

Weekend Getaway

This past weekend, we loaded up and headed over to Big Cedar Lodge in Branson, MO. It was just what I needed, a weekend getaway with my boys and some beautiful, sunny weather!


It rained most of Friday evening - so we enjoyed a yummy dinner at one of the restaurants on the resort and headed to the indoor pool. We were literally in the pool two minutes and they closed it due to the weather. So, we rented a couple of movies for the boys and headed back to our room for some movies and snacks. Here is a picture of the boys watching Milo and Otis - they loved it!


The next day was beautiful! We were a little concerned that we were going to be couped up in the room due to rain all weekend - but we were pleasantly surprised. We took full advantage of the sunshine Saturday and spent most all of the day around the pool. The water was heated and just perfect! Lance picked up right where he left off from last summer with his swimming - that boy is a little fish. I am so glad that he enjoys the water as much as he does.

Grayson on the other hand, he was not too sure of the water, it took him a little bit to warm up. But once he did, he was in the water splashing around and enjoying it. It was just so nice to be outside and enjoying the sunshine and fresh air!

Saturday evening, we took the boys to see Dixie Stampede. We thought they would enjoy all the animals and cowboys - and they did! They both enjoyed the show so much. They sat still and watched the show with big eyes - they even got into the little competition of the show. Lance was not too sure about the idea of eating your dinner without silverware. The first thing he asked me after they brought his plate was, "Mommy, where is my fork?"

As you can tell, the boys were not too excited about having their picture taken at the stampede. Here is our best shots.

After the Dixie Stampede, the boys wanted to head back to the pool.

We ended the evening roasting smores over a campfire - there is just something about a nice, warm, gooey smore that hits the spot!

It was a great weekend - we had so much fun spending time together! Love my boys - all 3!

Preschool Graduation

This past Thursday Lance graduated from Preschool! They had the cutest little program, complete with little caps and gowns - too cute!

I cannot believe how fast these past 5 years have flown by - it is just crazy. It really hit me the other day that he is going to KINDERGARTEN at the end of the summer - and summer goes by so fast anyway - ugh, I am just not ready. He is growing up way too fast! I remember hearing people say, "your growing up too fast" when I was a kid - now I totally get it, it goes by way too fast! I just want to take it all in and enjoy my boys!

Walking in wearing the cap and gown - he was so cute!

After the program with his diploma.

Happy 50th Birthday, Mom!

This past Saturday we celebrated my Mom's 50th bithday! She turned 50 on May 9th and had been threatening us for months that we had better not throw her a surprise birthday party - but that didn't stop us! You only turn 50 once, we couldn't let it pass by like it was just another day.

We planned her party for the weekend after her birthday so that she would think she was in the "clear." The party was at Johnny Carinos in Joplin, we picked this restaurant because Italian food is her fav and we wanted this party to be all about her! She is alway doing for others, now it was our turn to do for her and celebrate her!

I loved planning the party for her! Although, I must admit I was very nervous the last few days before the party. She is so sneaky - it is usually impossible to surprise her with anything - but, I think we pulled it off!

She was all smiles all evening long and enjoyed visiting and sharing good food!

Her yummy birthday cake from Ricks bakery in Fayettville - it was as good as it looks!!

When she got there and knew that she had been "set-up"

Mom and Sharon -
have been best friends since high school, so glad that she was able to come!

The spread - was so good!

All of her favorites!

Mimi and her boys!

Love this picture - she looks so happy!

Jordan, Sharon, Mom and Me

(Mothers and Daughters)

The four of us

Blake, Mom, Dad and Me

Mom and her parents

The Family!

(minus Deb, how did we let you leave without

the group pic)

Soccer!

Ok - here we go again, round 3 - I am going to keep up with my blog and keep it updated! I don't know why it is so difficult for me - I really want to keep it updated so we can share what is going on with our little family and to show you just how fast these boys are growing! So, here goes!

Lance played soccer this spring and LOVED it! We think he has found his sport - he loved the constant movement and running. We are going to get him signed up to play in the fall since he enjoyed it so much. Here are a few pictures from his last game of the season - his team didn't have a "winning" season, but he enjoyed it and that is all the matters, right?!