Viva Las Vegas

Before we knew about our no-kids trip to Colorado for JUCO, Tim and I planned a mini vacation to Las Vegas for Tim's National Athletic Training Convention.  It was a great trip mixed with a little working for Tim, relaxing for me, and spending time with each other.  On our first day there, we already had tickets to see the Cirque de Solei show Beatles' "LOVE" at the Mirage.  After getting checked in at the hotel and at the convention, we headed down the strip toward the Mirage for dinner and the show.

The show was AMAZING and definitely a highlight of the trip for this Beatles fan.  I'm so glad we had this opportunity to go to this awesome show.

On our first full day, Tim went to several morning sessions at the convention which meant I went to the pool for some kid free sunbathing.  What?!?  Going to a pool alone?  That is crazy talk! :-)

We met for lunch at our hotel, the Luxor, before Tim went off for the next part of the convention.  That night, we took the bus to the very north end of the strip to an outlet mall and then to the old downtown section, The Freemont Experience.  This is such a fun part of Vegas with an awesome light show at night.

On our final full day, we decided to make a little trip north again to check out the Pawn Stars store.  Tim even brought a silver ID bracelet just so he could "pawn something."  When we got there, the line was around the block and it was really hot outside.  We settled for  a photo op instead.

After some more time at the convention, we headed out for one last night on the town.  We were able to get cheaper day-of tickets for one more show and chose to see the musical "Rock of Ages."  Before the show, we went to a great steak place, Smith and Wollensky's, for a nice dinner.  It was a great last day in Vegas.

It was such a great opportunity to spend some quality time together away from the kids.  We plan to do the same next year for Tim's NATA Convention in Indy!

Fun in the Sun

Last year, Hannah had her first set of swimming lessons.  They were super successful so it was definitely on our list for this summer.  Cameron also did...let me rephrase, tried...lessons this year too.  Here is the whole crew, minus Ella, on their last day of lessons.

All of these kiddos did a great job and really learned a lot of of new swimming skills.  Cameron, on the other hand, didn't do so great.  I knew it was a risk because he was a pretty young two year old, but I also knew he loved the water.  He still loved the water (and swam like a fish all summer) but didn't quite like to sitting and listening to a a teacher.  He did not pass the first level and will be doing it again next summer.  Hannah did great this year as well.

Here she is playing the wrench game.  Still isn't quite ready to go all the way under yet.

End of the summer update:  Both kids have made a ton of progress swimming.  In the middle of the summer, Hannah finally got brave enough (with a little "peer pressure" from her best buddy Emma) to take off her floatie, jump into the pool, and swim under water to me.  She also likes to dive under water for her diving toys.  I am so, so proud of her and her accomplishments in the pool this summer.  Cameron also continued to enjoy the water.  He loves to float, jump in, dive under, wear his "eye goggles" and so much more.  I love our little fishes and spending our summer days at the community pool.

Let's Go Birds!

Schools out, we are home from Colorado, and I'm done with my summer graduate class.  Let our summer officially begin!  We kicked off our summer with a family night at Busch Stadium.  This year, my parents bought a ten game package with four tickets per game.  Tonight, they gave us their tickets.  Before the game, we ate at one of our favorite downtown places, Caleco's, and then walked to the game.  My parents' seats are awesome and in the front row of a section.  This especially helped because Hannah and Cameron could move around a little bit.  This game was also fun because the Birds won big time and there were 5 home runs!  A Busch Stadium tradition is to shoot fireworks with each home run and the kids LOVED that!  The weather was awesome, the family time was memorable, and the Cards won.  Welcome to summer!

JUCO

Tim has really enjoyed working at Kaskaskia College these last two years.  It has been a great fit for our family and has allowed him some stepping stones in his career.  This year, several teams had very successful years.  The baseball team was one of those teams.  For the first time in school history, they made it to the JUCO World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado.  Of course, Tim planned to go as soon as they won the final game.  It didn't take me too long to realize I too wanted to go.  Tim and I met through baseball at WIU and had taken many baseball trips together so we were very excited to go on another one.  Tim left this past Wednesday for the two day bus trip with the team.  As soon as school was done Friday, I caught a flight with the coach's wife and a few others.  We flew into Denver and made the four hour drive to Grand Junction.

The next day was KC's first game of the tournament.  The stadium was beautiful and the whole atmosphere was fun.  This town really gets behind this tournament.

Unfortunately, the team lost the first game.  I think the nerves kicked in a little.  However, this was a double elimination tournament so we got another chance.  We headed back to the feel for game two on Sunday.  I didn't get many pictures, but did get a few of Trainer Tim in action before and during the game.

Although KC played better than the day before, the team still lost game two and was officially out of the tournament.  It was still a great year with so many wonderful accomplishments.

The coach decided to spend another day in Grand Junction before making the two day trip home.  On Monday morning, we headed out with a few of our friends and fans to the Colorado National Monument Park.  We found an easy trail, one accessible for a jogging stroller, and took a little hike.  It was so beautiful and not at all what we thought Colorado looked like.  We got some really good pictures on our hike.

After our hike, we went downtown to walk around a bit.  It was a cute town and we had a late lunch at local brewery.

The next day, it was time to head back.  Tim decided to fly home with me and the others instead of riding home on the bus.  We didn't fly out until late that night, so we took our time getting to Denver.  On the way, we stopped and put our feet in the Colorado River.

Once we got to Denver, we checked out the downtown area then found an outlet mall and shopped before we went to the airport.  It was such a fun last-minute trip.  We got to watch baseball, hang out with some of our KC friends, see a part of the country we've never been too, and spend time without the kids.

3 Year Old Preschool "Graduation"

Hannah has had a great year at preschool!  She has learned so much both academically and spiritually during Jesus time.  Even better than that, we received glowing reports at both conferences saying she is a joy to have in class and a great friend to her classmates.  Music to any parents' ears.  I am so glad to have the summer to spend with her, but feel blessed for this awesome preschool!

Tonight, Hannah had a graduation program.  

All of the kids, both 3s and 4s, sang a few songs from throughout the year.  Students also recited Bible verses in between the songs.  

Then, each child was called to the front to receive his or her certificate or diploma.  

At the end of the night, families were invited for cookies and punch in the cafeteria.  It was a great night to end the school year.  We can't wait to go back next year!

This Sweet Girl

is growing and changing every day.  I love watching her become a little lady right before my eyes.  She is a great big sister and I love watching her and Cameron together.

She is learning so much at preschool!  Her vocabulary has come leaps and bounds in the last year.  I love that she loves going to school and then telling me all about it when she gets home.  I pray she will always have a love for learning that will guide her whole life.

She loves for me to snap pictures of her being silly or goofy or just looking cute.  I also find many pictures on my phone of stuffed animals or toys all lined up ready to go.

I love that she still lets me pick her clothes, but that she also wants a say in what she wears.  It's fun to see her personality come out in her choices.  I know this may not always happen, but it's fun for right now.

Hannah, I enjoy watching you grow and change right before my eyes.  I constantly pray for you and for Jesus to take hold in your heart.  Thank you for being an awesome daughter!

Cowboy Cameron

Our future cowboy loves this rocking horse!  This was rocking horse was my moms and both of the kids love it.  One day, Cam also found my cowboy hat and was going to town!  He was Yee-hawing and giddy-upping away.  What a cutie!