Summer 2022

 Colin had his 11th birthday party at the parks and rec basketball court with I think 10 of his friends.  It was a mix of chaos and fun and Kayla even brought some friends too.  We played lots of dodgeball and basketball with a little bit of kickball thrown in too.  Afterwards, we went to dinner and to the movies to see Maverick!

Colin and Ash & Colin and Jett.  He loves to take naps and cuddle with his pets.

Finally made it back to Six Flags.  Somehow Colin managed a picture with three looney toons!  It felt so nice to hang out in the hot tub afterwards.

Went to the county fair and Colin made friends with a shetland sheep.  He loved this guy so much I actually considered how we would make it work to get a sheep. 

Framily camping at Kickapoo State Park 💖

Our prairie is looking so pretty!

Kayla had another fun softball season. 

One of the few monarch caterpillars we saw this summer on a whorled milkweed

Summer camping

Colin helping Dad out on the roof.  We're taking the satellite down as we finally got some fast internet!

Smudgey...how did you get outside?

Kayla and Colin helping out at the BASE duck races

Hanging out at Lake Ripley

Packing up for our big camping trip and someone fell asleep on the job!  Next post...vacation.  :)

Spring 2022

 Probably one of the last pictures of Colin on the bass, unfortunately.  He decided to switch to one instrument, the trumpet, going into middle school.  

Also the last Pinewood Derby as Colin moves out of cub scouts.  This we had a Ford GT, a minion car, and a duck.  No winners this year but some cool cars!  Colin graduated at the end of the school year although will not be moving on to boy scouts.

                              

Jordan doing his thing and burning our prairie which lasted into the night.  Made for some pretty pics!

Happy Easter!  Dying our chickens' brown eggs made for some very bright colors.

Best soccer buds

Volunteering at Ruby's Pantry

Kayla and Smudge 💕

Hiking at Parfrey's Glen State Natural Area

Oh hey, we saw these boys before.  Waiting their turn at the 5th grade track and field day.

Celebrating Colin's birthday at his favorite hibachi restaurant and Kayla's eating ramen!  

Probably one of the last pictures of Glacier.  It was his time to go when he started attacking me unprovoked.

Last day of 5th grade with alllll his buds.  He was voted to be most likely to become a millionaire.  I'll take it!

Arizona 2022

 For spring break, the kids and I went to the Phoenix area to visit some of my family.  :)  Unfortunately, Jordan had burn season (or so we thought) so he wasn't able to come with.  If only we had known it was going to be so rainy...

We started our leg by heading down to EGV to go bowling one last time at Elk Grove Bowl.  

Hanging out in the hot tub and pool.  Despite the relatively cool pool temps, the kids defied all odds (Dad's mostly) and went swimming most days.

We went on a desert walk (not hike) and let the kids take pictures with my phone.  They've got some good camera skills!

And us of course

Went to a trampoline park and the aquarium.  Colin thought it was the best to touch anemone and only have it sting "a little."  Plus there was a view of a tank from the bathroom!  I may have snuck Colin in to get a photo.

Photobomb!

Passed out

Being goofy at the Italian restaurant where they give you pizza dough to play with.  Best kid distraction ever.

Highlights from the lake cruise...that last one is Colin's highlight!  We even met someone from EGV around my age!  Neither of us remember the other from high school but what a small world.