Fourth Fun

On July 3 we had a little Christmas in July, or it seemed. Hail, but not enough to do any claimable damage (darn the paint on the house could use a new coat!).

On the 4th we stayed in KC for the first time; we usually travel back to Clear Lake for the holiday weekend. Since we had just got back from Vegas a few days earlier, traveling again just did not seem like fun. Although we missed seeing family and friends, we had a nice time. Rarely do we all get such a large chunk of time where we are off from work together. Here is a picture of Walter when the kids participated in a neighborhood parade on the morning of the 4th.

Gus and Garret, a neighbor boy a few houses down in our cul-de-sac who is one grade older than Gus.

Ms. Liberty

Hazel and Kourtney, a girl a few months younger than Hazel that also lives just a few houses down from us. Hazel calls her her best friend.

All the kids that participated.

Me and my baby man.

The neighborhood all grilled and hung out together later in the day, and the kids all played. Here is Hazel wearing her 'skaters' as she called them, AKA standing on little piles of chalk that she made. Guess she wants some roller skates, huh?

Love this picture. Daddy and Hazel having a little heart to heart.

The Varner family stayed in KC for the holiday as well, so they came over for a little outside fun.

Almost like brothers and sisters... :)

We had a little 'parade' where the adults walked around the back yard and threw candy at the kids. Cheesy, very cheesy, but they loved it.

After the Varner crew went home we hung out with the neighbors and went to watch fireworks a few miles away.

A Four Day Weekend of Fun

Since we stayed in KC over the 4th, Josh and I were both able to have a 4 day weekend home with the kids with no work (other than a little grading for me of course). We tried to keep the kids busy. We told them it was their weekend so they got to pick what we did. So, we visited the neighborhood pool.

We went to our favorite self serve yogurt spot. The kids love choosing their own toppings.

We went to the McDonald's play land down the street.

We went to the KC Zoo and saw the polar bears, among other things.

And we worked on power washing and painting the garage floor. Obviously not the kids' pick, and honestly, probably not ours, but it really needed done. And boy does it look better!

And lastly, Gus wished for Buster to come back (to life I am assuming?). He walked up to me with a whited dandelion in his hand, told me he was going to make a wish, closed his eyes and mouthed his wish for a few seconds, and then blew with all his might. Afterward he told me his wished for Buster to come back from being with God. A little too Pet Semetary for me... I think it's time for a fish.

Sunny (and incredibly hot) Las Vegas

We went to Vegas a few weeks ago to celebrate my grandmothers 80th birthday. Josh's parents came to KC to watch the kids in our absence and brought cousin Rian with them to help out. I took this pic the morning of the day we left. Although I was really excited to go and did enjoy a little time away from the kids, the hotel bed felt pretty lonely for Josh and I with no one there to kick us in the face or wake us up before we wanted to get up :)

Enjoying a delay and layover combo in the Denver airport. 

The Beatles Cirque De Solei show at the Mirage was amazing. We had incredible seats and really enjoyed the songs.

This was our first time staying off the Strip. Freemont Street was a totally different experience. There was a Live, Filter and Everclear free concert one evening. It was our music genre from high school- although a little harder rock than we really listened to regularly, but we knew many of the songs from them being on the radio.

Bingo! $72.00!

The granddaughters that were able to make it on the trip. Annie, Lindsey, Stacie, Jess,Emily, Natalie, Gma Janice & me.

My family.

Hanging out on Freemont Street. 

Nick and I. I hadn't seen Nick for awhile so it was good to catch up. Lots of laughs. Great memories.

Well, I learned a hard lesson. Always max bet. Had I been playing max bet, I'd have won the $1.5 million progressive jackpot. Instead I won $200. Still not bad for a penny machine.

View from our suite. We were surprisingly upgraded upon check in.

Took this pic to show to the kids, found this big guy while we were searching for souvenirs.

And to end our trip, we found a flat tire when got back to our car. I guess we left our luck in Vegas :)

Fun With Old Friends

Wally getting a push from Wes, one of daddy's friends. A few weeks ago some old YMCA friends, the Hayes family, stayed with us and Wes & Bri Simoneau and their two boys Will and Drew came over to visit with all of us. Pat and Arica Hayes moved away a few years ago, but we have been able to keep in touch. Our three families have children all around the same ages.

Drew and Jett.

The older boys are all getting so big. It seems like just yesterday when these guys were babies. Will Simoneau, Brody Hayes, and Mr. Big Muscle Gus, sporting his Labron James jersey.

 

Pat helping Hazel roast some marshmallows for s'mores.

Arica Hayes and Jett, their youngest boy. He and Hazel are just a few months apart.

Drew and Hazel. Drew is just a few months apart from Hazel and Jett too.

We went to the pool as well when the Hayes family visited. Here is a picture of some cool dudes in their sunglasses.