Thursday blurrrsday

When I got home from work, we decided to go to the lake with grandma and Clayton.  Mallory and Olive decided to go with us.   Mallory was babysitting Evelyn so we had to wait for Madison to drop her off.  We made good use of our waiting by flying kites and looking in on the broilers.  It was pretty windy today, so it was a great kite flying day!  

The broilers are 2 weeks old.  They grow so fast!  

When we got to the lake, the beach was jammed.  The kids were bummed because they know what that means.  We did let them play near the shore a little ways up the lake.  We also had a little snack and visited a while.  Evie sucked down her juice and then stole Aunt Bubba’s!  (Bubba is what Evie calls Harper!). 

It was a really fun, super fast afternoon!  

When we left the lake, we had to pick up Jewwy, who got fixed yesterday.   He is very sleepy but seems happy to be home!   

Sweet summertime

This picture cracks me up for so many reasons.  Evie has us all wrapped tightly around her fingers!  Notice who has the remote?  Notice who has a mouth full of Harper's cereal?  I might also point out that she knows how to use the remote, and she had already eaten!  :)   Her mom came to get her not long after this was taken.  She was not too happy about leaving!  We all know by now that we are in a weird time with life in general.  We are trying hard to stay close to home, avoid crowded areas, we are not playing any sports, most of the summer camps and activities our kids have always loved in the summer are cancelled this year.  It makes me extra thankful for this beautiful little baby girl.  She is a good distraction for all of us!

The city pool opened on Monday.  We are still waiting for the pool guy to come to our house to install our pool.  The girls were really wanting to go to the opening day.  We did head in, but when we got there, the pool was so full of people, that we decided it maybe wasn't safe.  So we went to the farmer's market instead.  The pool manager asked Jim why she hadn't seen the girls yet this year, and Jim told her that I wasn't letting them swim if it was crowded.  Yesterday afternoon, she sent me a text and said that the pool was pretty empty!  I guess it is nice to have informants!  I told the girls they could go in for a little while!  They were more than ready!  Of course, we had to stop off and pick up Landrie, because Quincy cannot possibly swim without a friend!  I didn't get any pictures of Quincy or Landrie!  They all said it was nice to be back in the water!  Saige was the happiest though, because she got to see her friend Lylah.  She hasn't seen Lylah since before school let out for spring break.  I am going to say that if the kids are expected to be socially distant when school resumes, Saige and Lylah are going to be in trouble!  :)

We are finding that although are kids are ok with the pandemic guidelines, staying home when we can, being socially distant when possible, etc, they also soak up any little piece of normal that they can.  I think when this pandemic is under control, they will appreciate the little things so much more!  

Saveworthy photos

Spencer took a few photos when the kids went to the lake with them.   Even the ones who are new (ish) around here know how much I love photos!  

This little girl is a highlight of all of our lives.  She is the sweetest, happiest, funniest and greatest gift!  We all just love her. 

Such a good weekend.

In addition to a fun dinner at Madison’s, and Saige’s first communion, we also had an opportunity to see all our kids and their significant others.   Oh and their puppies!  Colin and Spencer’s puppy is hilarious.  He weights about 10 pounds and has a high pitched bark but still thinks he is the most ferocious dog in the universe!   After mass and breakfast, Colin, Cameron and Spencer took the kids and the puppy to swim at the lake.   It was the kid’s first time to swim this summer.  If you are familiar with my kids at all, you will know that the lack of being in the water has been hard for them!   They swam for a few hours before Colin, Spencer and Volt headed back to Wichita.   It was awesome to see them all!  

We got a huge kick out of this kid eating her weight in breakfast foods at Saige’s reception.  She loves eggs.  Oh and donuts.  She’s the sweetest baby girl.  

After the breakfast, while the kids were swimming, Jim ran and picked up my new washing machine.  We have been hand washing the clothes for several days now.  I am so happy that the machine came in as promised and that Jim and the boys were able to get me up and running.  I bought a speed queen.  They are supposed to be amazing machines. I have been very happy with my dryer so far.   Of course, if it lasts more than 6 years, it will have beat the last machine. It comes with a 15 year warranty...something that you just don’t see much anymore.  Fingers crossed!  

This evening, Lauren drove down and spent the evening with Cameron and us.  We were happy to get to see her too!   Cameron and Lauren decided to go fishing.  They took Preston and Saige with them.  They all caught several and Lauren even took photos!  It was nice to visit with both of them!   

Having all of our kids home at the same time doesn’t happen very often anymore.  I am thankful for days like this.  Of course, I could use another weekend to recover from the weekend!  

Saige’s First Communion.

Saige was supposed to have her First Communion back in April.  The pandemic definitely squashed those plans!   When mass resumed a few weeks ago, Father Jo told Saige he hadn’t forgotten her!  He wanted to do her first communion today, since it is the feast of Corpus Christi!  

When the first date was cancelled Saige was pretty upset.  She said “but I learned all the prayers!” She was also worried she would have to re-do her classes next year!   Luckily it all worked out!  We were very blessed today that all her siblings were able to come home, her Godmother and her RE teachers were also able to come over for her!   

I am stoked because this is my last first communion!   I have 2 more confirmations and then my religion Ed teaching, Wednesday night going, parental  sacrament duties are finished!   It may be a sin to count down, I don’t know, but I couldn’t be happier!  

I am pretty proud of Saige.  She really did a nice job and was very patient while we waited to see what would happen!  

If you feed them, they will come

There are certain benefits that go along with a big family.  For example, let’s say you buy a house with a lot of stuff piled in the yard.   It is city wide clean up weekend, and you would like help getting the piles to the curb.  You can do this work by yourself, and it will take you a couple days.  OR you can offer up bbq food, invite all your siblings over, feed them, and they will help you and it only takes about half an hour!   

The kids worked pretty hard.   They really will work for food!  They also had fun!   Andrew and Madison’s yard is all cleaned up, and Andrew’s grandma even got them s’mores!  We had a Jim sized fire in their fire pit too!