To the Beach!

It was definitely time to spend a day at the beach!  Everyone was in on spending an afternoon playing in the sand, soaking up the sun and getting in the ocean.  The only problem was that the water was freezing.  Many people braved the cold and had a fun time jumping in the waves.  It was a beautiful day and just the sound of the ocean makes me happy! 

Sam digging in the sand! 

Playing in the waves with Grandpa

I love this one...jumping the waves

Everyone getting in the ocean

The boys heading out to find the bigger waves

Sam getting ready to catch the wave

More fun in the sand

After beach manicures

Pool Day

After waking up to this gorgeous view you knew it was going to be a good day! 

Some of the boys headed to the golf course, while others headed to church, and some opted to stay and enjoy the pool.  The afternoon and evening though the pool was the choice for everyone!  It was fun to just soak up the sun, relax and play. 

A game of the famous Fireball while the kids hang in the side pool. 

Enjoying the pool

John working with Sam on egg rolls to improve his diving.

Picture time! 

All smiles

OBX!

This last week we enjoyed a beach vacation in Duck, North Carolina with a lot of my family.  I am going to break down the posts by day so I don't overwhelm you (or myself) with too much information and too many pictures.  The first day was mostly travel.  We left the house by 7 am to head to the airport and did not arrive at our beach house until around 7 that night.  It was definitely a long day of travel and there were a few hiccups along the way but once I walked on the beach that night and saw my family enjoying time around the pool it was all worth it!  Special thanks to Lauren and Brian for getting the house keys and making dinner for all us weary travelers.  

I am going to pretend Sam is winking at the camera instead of closing his eyes.  Our seasoned travelers on the plane.

The moon over the beach, so beautiful! 

Wasting no time enjoying the pool. 

Surfing With the Spirit!

Last week our church held vacation bible school.  The theme for the week was Surfing with the Spirit!  We all had a great time.  Sam missed the first two days because of his basketball camp but picked things up right away for the three remaining days.  Ella and I were there the whole week.  Ella made a little friend and really enjoyed herself and learned a lot too!  I was in charge of the second and third graders and while they kept me on my toes I enjoyed spending the week with them.  We learned some new songs and dances that can still be heard around our house this week since they are stuck in all of our heads.  It was a fun and faith filled week. 

Ella with her new friend Emma.

Look who wanted to do the skit his first morning there!

Sam helping to lead the songs. 

Ella surfing with the Spirit!

Ella in the skit.

Mizzou Basketball Camp

Sam's last camp of the summer was Mizzou Basketball Camp.  It was a two day camp held at Mizzou Arena that was lead by Gary Link, who is a former player and works for the Tigers with the help of some past and present Missouri basketball players.  Sam had a good time and enjoyed playing on the arena floor and seeing the Mizzou practice facilities.  Three of his friends from school were also in the camp which always makes things more enjoyable.  

Setting up for a pass on the Mizzou practice floor. 

Sam with his buddies. 

Dribbling down the court at Mizzou Arena. 

Bombs Bursting!

Fourth of July is one of my kids favorite holidays.  Sam said it even ranks above Christmas, which is hard to believe.  He was excited to celebrate!  For weeks he was asking us when were going to go to the fireworks tent.  He did not want all the good things to be gone before we bought ours.  With bags of fireworks in hand we went to the annual party at the Siegels.  Here are some pictures of the days events...

Mindy and Ryan were there for the afternoon.  We had to check and see if Sam was taller than Mindy yet. 

There would not be a Fourth of July as far as Sam is concerned without some Bobby Bombs.  Sam is holding one of the buckets that Bobby blew up this year.  

 

My two American cuties! 

The bottle rocket boys.  Sam was so excited his dad let him light bottle rockets this year. 

Kid picture (Aiden was upset at the moment and didn't want to participate). 

Ella was so excited to light things on her own for the first time.  We did have some ashes fall from her punk and cause a burn but I think she was proud of herself for lighting things.  

One of the "big kids" who loves the Fourth as much as his grandkids.  He is smiling after letting off a string of firecrackers. 

Me and my favorite girl!

Sunday Steps

Last weekend Dana and Hannah came for a visit.  While we would have loved to have their whole family just having the two of them gave us more quality time together.  They came Saturday early evening and John cooked out a delicious dinner for us.  

Posing at Rock Bridge State Park

Ella stops for a picture.

Sunday morning after church it was time to get some exercise.  Dana has a pedometer called a Fit Bit and she tracks her steps every week.  This is hooked up to the computer where she can compare her steps to those of family and friends.  Ella decided to make it her mission to pass Grandma Jeanie and Dana's friend Laurie.  We started this with a nice long hike at Rock Bridge State Park.  It is a great place to hike because you feel like you really are out in the wilderness.  We ended up walking a little over three miles there.  It was a nice way to get some exercise, fresh air and have time spent sharing stories.
Those three miles were not enough to put Dana in the lead though so she,

Ella and Sam went for a long walk around the neighborhood and to the park while we cooked dinner.  Ella was worried after dinner though that we still did not have enough steps so it was time for another neighborhood walk.  She would stop Dana occasionally to check their progress.  The poor girl walked in flip flops that night and wore a blister on her foot but did not want to stop until she felt they had enough steps.  You have to love that competitive spirit!  It was a fun and active few days and we hope Dana, Hannah and all the Lowes can come back for a visit soon.  

Slides and Rides

Ready to start the day

Our second day in Branson was a full one!  With this new workout kick and trying to lose weight for the beach Sam and I started the day at the hotel gym.  I can say I think I've worked out in a hotel gym maybe twice in my life before this trip.  It wasn't so bad though to get up and exercise while Ella and John slept.  Sam had a bit of an ADHD workout with hitting the treadmill, bike, elliptical, scale and water cooler all while I ran my twenty minutes but I was glad he got up and went with me.  

Hanging out under the sprinklers

After a little hotel breakfast and getting ready it was time to head to White Water!  I must say it is one of my favorite places to spend the day with my family.  It has rides, relaxation and sun; not so bad when you can not just drive to the beach for the day.  Once again, the mat ride was the favorite for most.  John still loved the lazy river the best.  It was nice day spent together.  

Sam coming down a slide

Cruising around the lazy river

After White Water we went back to the hotel to change for dinner and the The Track.  Since we were so tired from our fun and sun earlier in the day (the kids were almost falling asleep at dinner) our track trip was a short one.  John and the kids rode the large go kart ride, The LumberJack.  They all three really enjoyed it Ella and John even came in first place!  We went inside where Ella and I played a few games of skee ball and John and Sam challenged each other at pop a shot. Then it was back to the hotel for a night of rest after a busy day. 

Sam, John and Ella on the go karts (excuse the photo but I only had my phone)

Hot Night on the Course!

Last week we headed down to Branson for a mini-vacation for a few days.  The day we got there was super hot!  The kids and I shopped the outlet mall that afternoon and I had promised them a round of miniature golf.  We waited until 9:00 that evening to even arrive at the golf course and I'm sure you can tell from the pictures still sweat our way through the round.  It was a fun night though despite the heat.  We played the harder course since a whole baseball team of boys started the easier course just before us.  After a few holes we decided not to keep score and just enjoy playing.  The kids did a great job and we had a nice night.  

We may need to work a little on Sam's photography skills, but Ella and I enjoying the course. 

Sitting in the "sand"

Sam focused on his putt. 

All smiles after our hot round.