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!

Wrapping up the 1st part...

of baseball season for Trey Man...

Despite missing the first 5 weeks of the season with a broken thumb, Trey J is having a blast playing baseball and tonight marks the end of the 1st session. He's already signed up for the 2nd session and is super duper pumped that he'll be playing in the 7 & Under group with his buddies from school....

Season pics...the morning after he broke his thumb!!! (And, only ONE game into the season!!!)

Ready to hit...

Gotta love fence pics...

Seeing a little first base action....

Down and Ready...almost!

Working on getting back to the bag instead of just watching the play unfold....great job, Buddy!

Good cut....you got the next one!!!

Keep up the great work, Trey! We've had fun watching and cheering you on. Here's to a great 2nd season and let's stay away from those broken bones, okay Dude?!?!?

Lots of Hugs and BUNCHES of love!!!

~Mommy

Our little SIBS weekend...

up in Chicago was a BLAST!

Cory, Calie, and I all hit the road and met up in Chicago to stay with Aaron for a couple days!

It was a fun weekend of hanging out, laughing, trying new things, dancing in the streets, listening to live music, meeting friends, extreme boat riding, walking our butts off, people watching, and enjoying every single second in between....

Started out the visit with my first REAL sushi!!! It was delish!!! Good thing Aaron and Calie knew what to order...Cory and I might have sat there for two hours pondering the menu!!!

Our feast! My favorite was the Sea Monster...followed by a close (I forgot the name but it's up in the top, right corner. White fish something, maybe?!?!)

At the "Do Division" street fest!

All (dry) and ready for our Extreme Sea Dog boat ride....VERY windy, though!!!!

Ready to board....

Before....

After....

Cory & Cal...notice that they ended the adventure just about as dry as they started it. Aaron and I think the captain OBVIOUSLY favored turning and spinning the boat in whatever direction soaked us!!! Ha!

Part of the view from out on the boat. The sun only made a couple appearances this day, but that didn't put a damper on our fun!!!

Hanging out at Big Star (Aaron's favorite) and attempting to wait out the random rain showers!!!

Back at the street fest!!! Shortly after this pic was taken, we met up with Fortman and finished the night laughing even more and playing a few rounds of darts. Let's just say the laughs were way better than my dart throwing. Apparently, I'm out of practice!!!! 

FANTASTIC seeing you three and here's to making this an annual thing!!! 

(And, Zac...you are so joining us next time!!!! Have fun in Spain!!!)

#sibsweekendsROCK

Last School Days for...

EVERYONE!

At least for the next couple of months, also known around here as SUMMER BREAK!!!

We are thrilled to say the least!

Thrilled about sleeping in...

Thrilled about picnics in the park....

Thrilled about late movie nights...

Thrilled about visiting the gym when we want to, not when we have to...

Thrilled about mini-vacations....

Thrilled about our Summer Fun list...

Thrilled about cleaning out the garage and finishing the patio...

Well, maybe the last one, not so much...although the patio is going to be FANTASTIC!

Ty, Tay, and I all finished up last week and Trey & Jason are finishing up TODAY....

Girls all ready for their last day of "school" for the next few months....goodies for everyone in hand!!!

Trey's THANK YOUS for all the wonderful people who worked with him all school-year long....We made these because he said he wanted something a little more "Man-ly" than the girls' pink & purple cards!!!

My little man...leaving home today as a first grader and coming home as a SECOND GRADER!!! I cannot believe it!!!

Love you, Munchkins, and SO PROUD of the awesome school-years each of you have had. Another successful year of learning and growing in the books!! And, Daddy, I'm proud of you, too!!! 

Here's to an AB-FAB summer for EVERYONE!!!!