Splashing, Golfing and Go Kart-ing!

Before John's big fishing trip we wanted to have another mini family vacation for the summer. So, we packed up and headed down to Branson for a few days. The first day we all played miniature golf. Well, three of us did anyway. Ella would just put the ball right by the hole and knock it in from there. John and I like to have a friendly little competition and were tied after fifteen holes until I hit the ball out of bounds. With no time to catch back up he was the big winner for the day. It was hot but we all had a nice time.

Then we headed back to the hotel where the kids and I did some swimming in the pool. After that it was off to dinner and then the go kart track. Sam wasn't able to drive the regular go karts on his own so he rode those with Daddy. But they did have rookie go karts that don't go as fast and he enjoyed driving those. Ella had fun riding on the bumper cars with me and some bumper boats. We ended the day with some yummy Andy's custard!

The next day we went to White Water. John has been wanting to take the kids since it was one of his favorite places to go as a child. We all had fun going down the tamer water slides together, playing in the wave pool, and riding along the lazy river. John and Sam tackled some of the bigger slides while Ella and I played in the kid area. Sam and I hit his last ride later in the day and John got to play with Ella. I was very impressed that Sam was eager to go down the big, steep slides and he loved them! Can't wait until we are all big enough to do everything together.

Landscape!

A look at our landscaping!

Back/side view

My favorite this summer are the hibiscus!

What this bed looked like when we moved in the house.

The pineapple fountain!

I am excited about how the new landscaping is starting to really fill in this summer. There are of course things I am still learning how to take care of better and a few changes that we want to make but I really like what we have going on now. It is such a huge improvement from the way the house was when we moved in two years ago!

Also, loving my pineapple fountain that I don't think I have posted yet on the blog. We got a great deal on it thanks to my Aunt Carol who works for a landscaping company. I think it completes the space and I love that I can see it from my couch in the living room.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

Last night we went to see the Springfield Cardinals baseball game. The Springfield Cardinals are a minor league team for the St. Louis Cardinals. John's work has some great tickets five rows up just behind home plate that he can get.

We went early so the kids could play on the playground and the bouncy houses that they have set up at the ball park. They had a great time! While we were standing in the concourse before the game one of the players came up to her and gave her a ball they had been practicing with before the game. She was so excited and kept track of it all night long.

Sam really got into the baseball game. He was reading the players names on the scoreboard and cheering for them as they came up to bat. He also said that he enjoyed all of the little games that they play between innings. Ella didn't watch much of the game but enjoyed being outside and all of the activity. We will have to go back sometime soon.

Happy Fourth!

The kids and I headed to Kansas City for the Fourth of July weekend. Unfortunately, John had to stay behind to work. He was working Sunday night and was very disappointed to not be able to attend the party at the Siegels' this year.

We started the afternoon with Aiden's birthday and some yummy lunch. Then it was on the the wiffel ball game. I don't know how many the hours the boys (and a few of the girls) played ball but it was a good chunk of the afternoon. Sam was very excited that he got to play this year. He even made some contact during his at bats and reported that he had a hit. Ella enjoyed spending the afternoon doing snap pops and playing with the doll house in AC and Uncle Al's basement.

The kids and I also did some day parachutes, smoke bombs and snakes throughout the afternoon. Sam was very anxious to light some things on his own this year. We started with the smoke bombs and then I let him do some lady fingers and his Uncle Jono even let him light some fountains and a few other things.

Everyone had a great time with Bobby's explosions and watching five gallon buckets fly into the sky. The night fireworks were done quickly since the rain started coming down but we all had a nice time and plans were already being discussed for next year's event!

Pool Time!

A lot of our summer this far has been spent poolside! We joined a club this spring so that we would have a pool and a place for John to play golf. The kids would go to the pool every day if possible. They both absolutely love it!

Sam has really improved his swimming. He can now get around everywhere in the water and is going off of the high dive. He is working on his swimming strokes and trying to learn how to dive. He thinks next year he would like to try to do swim team.

Ella loves to play in the water but isn't a huge fan of going under the water. She will jump in from the side and kick herself around in her inner-tube or life jacket. She also likes running through the sprinklers at the pool.

I am enjoying having something to do each day, getting the kids exercise and as a bonus I've gotten pretty tan in the process.