POOL TIME!

I'm sure most of you know just how much we love to hit the pool in the summer. Today marked our first visit...

And, it was as fun as it's always been!!!

Tay-Tay joined us this year...and had a blast (once she finally worked up the nerve to get IN the water!!!)

Guess who's finally tall enough to ride the slides?!?! He seriously was like 1/4 of an inch too short last year! 

Here goes nothing!

Sassy Pants!

Getting brave...believe it or not, this getting the foot in the fountain action took 15 minutes!

But she figured out quickly just how much she liked floating around on her belly....

This one spent the WHOLE time working on her swimming underwater skills! She said she's getting better than ever before! Cutie!

My newest little fishy!!!

I definitely had fun watching these three hit the water, like I knew I would. 

BUT, unlike last year, I did not buy pool passes for this summer. I had been kinda bumming about not buying them, thinking about how much fun-in-the-sun action I'd be missing in the next few months. I have to admit though, after today, that I am GLAD I didn't buy them. Not only did I not get anything done around here, but I also ended up with two girls missing a nap (which made for a grouchy late evening) and a sore neck from trying to keep my eye on all three at the same time. I know they had a blast and I know we will be back again soon, but we will not be going every day like we did last year. 

And, this sun bunny isn't too upset about that! 

We made it to....

the LIBRARY and everyone found a few books to take home for the time being. Visiting the library weekly is on our Summer Fun list and we intend to stick to that goal....

Happy Reading, Weite Kiddos!!! I can't wait to read those books with you and hear all about the ones you read by yourselves. 

Hugs!

~Mommy

I-Cubby action....

and, now that the weather is getting warmer, the best part of the game for the kiddos was playing in the fountains, of course!!!

But, not before they got a few autographs....

Fountain time!

Checking out the warm-ups....

Oh yeah! 

Peek-A-Boo

This was about as far as this little one would go into the fountain...cutie! (And, due for her 1st haircut!!!)

Ty tried her best to get Tay in a little further....

But it didn't stop her from playing in the water...

View from the fountain area. There seriously is not a bad seat in that stadium...

What's better than watching a baseball game in your swimsuit and blotting your owie with a wet wipe?!?!

FUNGO was a big hit...(And and great idea. We were given a bingo card as we walked into the stadium and then tried to get 5-in-a-row on our cards depending on the line score of the baseball game. For example, we looked for a F-5 on our card and circled it if the batter popped up to the 3rd baseman....)

No game is complete without a pic with Cubby Bear (Tay's still a little too scared)...

and a peek at the Des Moines River....see any fish?!?!

It's always a fun time at Principal Park! 

What a Daddy!

From the moment I found out I was pregnant with each of the kiddos, Jason has been a wonderful Daddy.

Wonderful because of the patience he shows....

Wonderful because of the funny jokes he tells...

Wonderful because of the examples he sets...

Wonderful because of the dedication he exemplifies...

Wonderful because of the boo-boos he kisses..

Wonderful because of the bed time stories he reads...

Wonderful because of the diapers he changes...

Wonderful because of the batting practice he throws...

Wonderful because of the swings he pushes...

Wonderful because of the listening he does...

Wonderful because of the little things he remembers...

Wonderful because of the forts he makes...

Wonderful because of the bikes he fixes...

Wonderful because of the bear hugs he gives...

Wonderful because of the way he loves all of us to the moon and back...

On Father's Day we took the opportunity to THANK Daddy for all the wonderfuls he is on a daily basis and for all the wonderfulness he adds to our lives. We celebrated the morning with (Daddy) requested blueberry pancakes and a trip to the gym. We had gone to the Barnstormer game the night before, so we spent the remainder of the day hanging low, playing in the sprinkler, and having a water gun fight. Daddy got a new grill and, being the wonderful Daddy he is, even spent some time working on the patio....

The patio is almost finished....and looking great, Babe!

Kiddos all ready for some sprinkler fun...

Tay taking a break from the water gun shoot-out for a little PB&J and watermelon!!

Gotcha!

Daddy's new grill...even came with a built in bottle opener! 

And, of course, we had to have an Iowa State grill cover....

Silly Shot....

Ended the day with a little homemade strawberry shortcake. Yes, I said homemade....and it was homemade by ME!!! Woot-Woot! 

Happy Father's Day, Jason! We love you more than you'll ever know and really think that you are the BEST! Hope your day reminded you of just how loved you are and just how much you really do mean to these little ones that think just about everything you do is cooler than cool. Love you lots....Always & Forever!!!

Little Miss Ty enjoyed...

her first "real" birthday party....not a family party, not a school party, but a REAL friend party. She's been talking about this moment ever since she first saw Trey head out the door with a birthday present for his friend in hand.

This is her big time and oh, was she soooo excited!

All ready...present in hand! 

Enjoying pizza at Monkey Joe's....

Posing with Monkey Joe....so cute even though the birthday girl didn't want to get in the pic. 

A few of the girls counting while Monkey Joe headed off to hide. They were all excited to figure out which bounce house he was hiding in....cute!

See, Miss Ty...I told you that you'd be heading to a "real" birthday party before you knew it! Glad you had a blast and here's to many more parties in your future!!! 

Summer Fun...

Now that we are back from Vegas, we've been able to really dig in and start to enjoy summer break as a family. It's definitely been a little adjustment for everyone....but the few kinks have slowly been worked out. Our work and school schedule is much different than this fun summer schedule!!

Jason's still busy with football...off-season strength and conditioning, football camp, and 7-on-7's. He's also been squeezing in a couple professional development courses here and there between gym visits...so busy continues to be his middle name.

I, on the other hand, hung up those coaching shoes a long time ago and have made it my goal to enjoy every second with my three munchkins, who won't be munchkins for long. Despite the arguing and bickering and tattling and fighting and antagonizing (short list, huh?!?!) moments, I'm enjoying my time off from work and relishing in the time I'm spending with them. I know they are not going to be little for long and they are not going to always want to hang out with their cool Mom.

So, the kiddos and I have spent every waking second together and have been knocking things off our Summer Fun poster left and right.......

Today was a little picnic in the park action....

FUN.

All ready for the picnic...Cheetos in the teeth (ahem, Trey J.) and all :)

Ty having a little Fun in the Shade....

And, no trip to the playground is complete without a little boo-boo action! 

I'm having a blast with you three...let's continue to check things off that summer bucket list and enjoy every second of it all! Love you more than you'll ever know....

XXX's & OOO's....

~Mommy

VEGAS, Baby!

Jason and I had a blast in (Laughlin) and Vegas last week!!!

It was a WONDERFUL little get-a-way for just the two of us and we enjoyed the heck out of sleeping in, spending uninterrupted time together, visiting with great friends, and just doing what we wanted to do when we wanted to do it!

The first few days of our trip involved flying into Vegas, renting a car, and driving about 90 miles south to Laughlin, NV, which was just like a mini-Vegas. Jason competed in a National Power Lifting meet out there and I got the chance to just sit back and watch all the lifting take place....keeping up with not only Jason, but the competition and the whole environment....

(Now, this might not sound like a big deal, but usually I have NO CLUE what's going on at the meets because (when we go) I'm manning three kiddos with coloring books, toys, snacks, drinks, potty breaks, naps, dirty diapers, etc...Which doesn't leave time for me to do anything but catch 2 and 3-second glimpses of Jason's lifts.)

THIS time I was able to not only watch EVERY second of Jason's meet, but I was also able to swim and lay out at the pool before hand....my own little piece of heaven and definitely out of the norm for me!

Jason did FANTASTIC and I couldn't have been prouder of him. If you've never been a power lifting meet, it's A LOT of waiting around until one's flight and lift times are ready. Then it's a couple minutes of lifting and MORE waiting. I don't know how they do it....lots of down time.

But, it's so awesome to see Jason in his element...loving lifting, focused, determined, amped up, intense, and excited. It's his little piece of heaven and something that brings pure joy to his life. It was wonderful seeing things go so well for him and unfold the way they should have. Jason trains hard and does all this while still working full-time, coaching, pitching in around the house, and, most of all, being a fabulous Daddy!

AMAZING.

(Bench Pics...all three lifts....I'll get weights from Jason and update ASAP!)

All 3 dead lifts...

1st place, Baby!!! Way to go....I'm proud of you!!!

After a few days in Laughlin and a successful power lifting meet, we packed up and headed north back into Vegas, where we met Erin and Jeff for a couple of days in the city that never sleeps.....

Good-Bye, River Palms. On to the Flamingo....

90 miles of desert driving. Not a living creature in sight. Too HOT! 115 degrees.....

Heading to return the rental at the airport after dropping off all of our bags with the Eblings. And, yes, I navigated the strip and all the Vegas traffic...it actually wasn't too bad!!!

Once we checked into the Flamingo, we spent a majority of the time at the pool, gambling at our own hotel, sight seeing, trying new foods, and laughing....great times! (Erin has the pool pics and will be emailing me them..I'll get them up ASAP....what a fun way to spend out first day in sunny Vegas!)

We mostly walked, but did cab to the Pawn Stars shop...we're big fans and couldn't pass up the opportunity to sneak in a little visit. We were expecting lines, but surprisingly, didn't even have to wait a minute. Walked right in....

One of those "been there, can say we did that" type of things!

Going for a spin on the big wheel...

No luck for me on the only game I played in Vegas...Deuces Wild...ha! (On a happier note, I did win 50 bucks playing it in our Laughlin casino...along with a $70 slot machine win!) Big gambler, can't you tell. Ha!

Jason and Jeff playing a little black jack...J won a little bit! 

Overall, what a great trip! Way to go with the lifting, Babe, and Eblings...thanks for hanging with us in Vegas! 

As much as we enjoyed our trip...we've love being home and back to reality!