Summer Fun

Our summer is about to come to an end with Ben starting another year of preschool right after labor day. So I thought I would do a post of a few of our summer activities. Just recently, my parents traveled to Sturgis with a group of friends, and on their way back home, they stopped by for a couple of days to visit. The kids were delighted because they got Papa to take them for motorcycle rides. Maddie did a lot of begging Papa everytime they went outside. So he gave them both one last ride right before they headed back home to Kansas.

Ben is big enough now to ride alone with Papa. His feet his the pegs, which is good. Maybe we should invest in a motorcycle helmet instead of a bicycle helmet! Maddie patiently waiting her turn with Nana.

Another activity this summer, was Ben took swimming lessons for the first time. He did really well. He sure isn't scared of as many things now. He goes down the big swirly slide all by himself, and he has jumped off the board a few times, as long is someone is there to help him.

There was a lot of swimming or playing in water this summer as it was hot. One day I found this when I went outside. Maddie had taken her snack and lawnchair and climbed in their little pool to cool off. So Ben joined her!

Ben also got to play T-ball for the first time this summer. There were only 6 games, but that was enough. It was fun to watch...ready for there to be more coordination and maybe a big more practicing on our part!

One other things we did for Maddie's birthday was to go to Lincoln to the Children's Zoo. We invited Grandma Carol to go along with us. We had a great time. They enjoyed seeing all the animals, and even got to ride the train when we were done.

More swimming pictures of Maddie:

Playing in a sprinkler that Nana sent to the kids.

What a great summer! Hopefully we'll have lots of beautiful weather yet to enjoy the outdoors!

Madalyn turned 2...

IN JUNE!!!! How bad of a mommy am I for just now posting this? I've been enjoying my summer what more can I say. So on June 5, our little Maddie turned 2. She was so excited to eat cake and ice cream and open presents. We invited grandparents, aunts, and uncles and cousins over to celebrate one evening in the backyard. It turned out to be a beautiful night. We had a Bolt themed birthday party. (For those that don't know, Bolt is a Disney movie that she fell in love with awhile back...about a puppy.)

The cake I made for Madalyn.Opening her doll house that mommy and daddy gave her. I think it was an instant hit. She immediately opened it up on the patio and started playing with it.More fun presents. BUBBLES!A black kitty that she named "Becky". Enjoying cake with Grandpa Royce.

Wheat Harvest 2010

In June, the kids and I got the opportunity to take 2 weeks and go to Kansas to be with my parents and participate in wheat harvest. I thoroughly enjoy this time of year, always have! And we've never gotten the chance to spend 2 weeks with Papa and Nana so the kids were beyond ecstatic!!

Of course there always has to be a little bit of fun along with the work. On our last day there, Ben asked Papa if they could go fishing, and of course, Papa couldn't resist. So they went fishing in the few deeper holes in the creek by the house. I think a couple of small perch were caught. Relaxing time with Papa.

When in Kansas in June, only one word comes to mind....HOT! So what do you do on the farm with two little kids, let them play in the water. This particular day, they decided clothes were optional...actually Maddie got in the water with clothes on and then took them off. So I thought, okay let her play in her diaper...

...she had other plans...

...that is my dad's new puppy checking her out. Can you say "blackmail picture" someday?

Ahh...now to harvest. How can you resist a beautiful setting like this?

This is Maddie taking her first trip in the wheat truck to the elevator with me. She had to bring along her kitty for the ride. She wasn't so sure about the hot truck (no AC) and the loud noises. (its and old truck).

When we arrived at the farm, it was a bit wet, so Ben had to have his mud boots on to help Papa with chores.

Checking out the new puppy.

Somewhere I have more harvest pictures, but I'm not able to find them right now, so when I do, they'll probably be another post.