Last Weekend of Summer

Last weekend was our last weekend before school started. We tried to cram as much fun into one weekend as possible before school started.

On Friday - the boys and I had a very impromtu trip to the Wilderness Drive Thru Safari in Gentry. We had such a fun day! It was just the three of us and the weather was perfect - overcast with cooler temps. We loaded up and headed to Gentry - the boys LOVED driving through the safari and looking at all the exotic animals. They had some really cool animals there! After we completed the drive thru portion, we went through the petting zoo before the rains came. Of course, my boys favorite animal was the huge, black pot-belly pig! We had to kind of rush through the petting zoo part because we could hear thunder coming closer and knew we were going to get soaked if we didn't hurry up!

After we left the safari, it was lunch time! The boys picked out McDonald's for lunch - we stopped and they both were starving and ate their lunch so well. After we left McDonalds we had to stop at the Little Debbie store, a trip to Gentry would not be complete without at a stop at the Little Debbie Store! Lance picked out some treats that he wanted for lunches and after school snacks and of course, we had to pick out a treat for the ride home!

We had such a fun day and it was the perfect way to end the summer!

On Saturday, we decided to take the boys to Fast Lanes for a fun Saturday afternoon. We bowled and had a blast! (And Momma was the winner of bowling!) After finishing up bowling we took the boys to the arcade portion and let them play a few games. They had a blast and thought it was the greatest place - they didn't even find the go carts or the laser tag, we will save that for another day!

Destin Vacation - Part 2

While we were in Destin, we enjoyed some yummy seafood - it was so fresh and good, we could not get enough of it. We found some really good local restaurants - most of them down at the harbor and they came with an amazing view which just made the experience that much better.

While we were waiting for our table, we walked around the harbor and looked at the boats, and the fish that the fisherman brought in - it was so much fun and the boys loved it!

View of the harbor and the Destin bridge

Lance took this picture of the three of us - I thought he did pretty good!

While we were waiting for our table, there was a train that would go under the balcony where we were waiting, Grayson loved watching for the train.

Our view at dinner one night

Lancer taking a break from boogie boarding

Lance learned how to jump off his Dad's shoulders into the water - he was so proud of himself for mastering this trick

And there he goes! He has turned into a little fish this summer, he loves the water!

And of course Grayson had to have a turn!

After the boys would wake up from their naps, we would head back down to the beach and enjoy a walk down the beach. We couldn't get enough beach time!

Don't worry - I still have tons more pictures to post!

Destin Beach Vacation - Part 1

Last week we loaded up the car and headed south - to Destin, Florida! This was our first family vacation of just the four of us. Usually, we travel with family, which we love, but we wanted to do something just the four of us. With Lance starting Kindergarten in the fall, we wanted to soak up some quality family time!

The boys did great in the car - we were a little concerned that with a 5 year old and 2 year old, that the long drive could have been even longer - but they did great! Thank goodness for DVD players!

Here we are all loaded up and getting ready to hit the road - we had to get a picture of all of us bright and early in the morning (notice no make-up).

Once we made it to Destin, we unloaded the car and hit the beach! The first couple of days that we were there, the water was very rough. There were actually people surfing the waves - I have never seen people surfing in Florida. You can tell from the picture below that the water was pretty rough and the waves were pretty big.

One of Grayson's favorite activities was to enjoy a snack under the umbrella on the beach. I think the water automatically makes the boys hungery, seriously, their appetite increased enormously while we were there.

My cute little beach bums!

This wagon was a life saver - Matt thought I was nuts for wanting to haul our red wagon all the way to Florida, but it was well worth it! It hauled all our stuff - beach toys, cooler, boogie boards and kids!

Will update more soon!

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!