Branson!

The last weekend that Grandma was here we went to Branson. We love to go down there and it is so much fun! The above pictures are taking from a ride called "Ride the Ducks" They are truck type vehicles that travel on land and water, the ride takes you around Branson and to the overlook point of the lake and the pictures of Macy and Tyler we are out on the Lake and the driver lets any kids drive that want to. Mark had fallen asleep on the ride and so he didn't get to drive. We went to the Dixie Stampede later, and after that Macy said, "Mom, I want to go to another show and have more fun." Branson had built a new shopping center where they have a water, fire and music show. So we took the kids to that, it was pretty neet, They play cool music while the fountain does various things and they have these huge chimney type things that shoot fire out of them. Our motel had a indoor swimming pool and so we took the kids swimming the night before. On the way home from Branson we stopped at my parents house the show Irene where my parents live now and their ranch and take my Brother Bill a birthday cake, which Bill turned out to not be feeling well but my dad gave Mark some chaps and spurs and Macy some spurs, they were really excited about that.

This dinasour was at a mini golf place, we like the dinosaur so we decided to stop and take a picture.

A Princess Party!

Macy turned 5 on September 12th, she had a wonderful party with lots of friends! She is so big and beautiful! I worked on Saturday morning and I was really having issues that I wasn't at home for my little girls birthday, so I called her on my break and told her Happy Birthday! and then I said Macy, would you like me to sing to you? She said, "Yes mom." So I broke out into the Happy Birthday song and I just couldn't believe my little girl was 5, so about half way through I was getting pretty choked up. I finished and she said, "Mom that was really pretty." She had a wonderful day, She got a Cinderella dress and one of her presents and put it on right away, So as her dad was helping her get ready to blow out the candles, and I was taking a picture of my sweet princess blow out her princess cake and was in awe of my beautiful princess and how time really flies!!!

The lovely Powell Gardens!

Chas' mother came to visit for a couple of weeks, the time flew by, but while she was here we went to Powell Gardens a couple of times. It is about 10 minutes from our house and it is beautiful. The have flowers galour (sp?) and this new huge fountain that they let the kids run through. The first time we didn't have swimsuits so the kids got refreshed, Mark didn't care how wet he got, Macy was a little more careful. The second time we took their swimsuits and they loved it.

This is Grandma showing pictures to Macy, and Tyler is quite the climber. He is such a big boy.

A picture of total exhaustion. We had ran through the fountain, walked all over, and played in the sandbox, I look over and Tyler is laying down, looking totally exhausted.

The sandbox is a lot of fun. The kids dig up things and built towers and mountains. I need one in my back yard! Below, Mark loving the fountain!!

Park and a Horse Show

The first week of September my dad had a horse show in Columbia. I took the kids and they loved it, loved seeing Grandma and Grandpa and Bill and riding on a horse with them, playing in the dirt and watching. My dad is the one to the right in the plaid shirt, when we got there they kids were surprising him and trying to get his attention. They loved seeing all the cowboys on their horses and seeing Grandpa at the horse show.

One handsome dad and two beautiful kids!

For a play day we went to a new park in Lee's Summit, it was a lot of fun, but really hot. Tyler found this pine cone and was enfatuated (sp?) with it.

Mark and Tyler and a little dinosaur thing, Mark was more worried about Tyler falling off than Tyler was. Mark loved playing with his brother. What handsome boys! and we love their smiles!

On Saturday the kids and I went to mom and dad's for their anniversary. The kids had a great time, they got to ride horses, play in the barn, and Mark didn't want to go home. He cried and cried that he wanted to stay at papa's house.

All of the kids love riding and Kyrell is a great sport to help them.

Watching Kyrell saddle the horse. They just couldn't hardly wait. I can't believe how big they are, Macy was such a little cowgirl and Mark really wanted some boots. The next day, Sunday, a lady brought some cowboy boots to church for Mark that she picked up at a garage sale. Mark loves them and I can barely get him to take them off for bed. He said he wanted to put them up high so baby wouldn't get them.

This baby blanket was Chas' when he was little. Tyler loves this blanket and this particular day the blanket was bringing him lots of comfort. He would wrap it around him, lay it down and snuggle with it, and just snuggle with it. It's super soft and a great material. It has been a great blanket as I'm sure Chas loved it and now Tyler is using it.

Mark helping me snap green beans. He was doing such a good job and we all loved the green beans for dinner.

Tyler was being a great sport to just sit in his chair and snack while Mark and I did the green beans and Macy was making a fruit salad.

Mark licking the beaters after making brownies.

Macy made a great fruit salad! She was so proud of herself and that she had helped contribute to dinner.

Family pictures

We finally took family pictures and they turned out wonderful! The kids were trying really hard, but it was difficult to get three kids to smile at the same time. Hope you all enjoy.

Maranda and Tariq

Maranda and Tariq came to visit for a couple of days. We had a lot of fun in a short period of time, Maranda was baking up a storm and the kids were having lots of fun playing together. We tried to take more professional pictures all by ourself and it didn't work very well. Well, I guess it was okay, we got a few of them smiling. Macy is always the hardest to get to smile and I don't really understand this since she is the oldest and should understand when we say smile that means smile, but she tries to do everything but smile and be cooperative. Tyler was the easiest, go figure.

Macy protesting

Macy didn't want to take pictures at all. She wanted to be the one taking pictures. So Mark and I were trying to be good sports, Mark was so sweet, he was sqeezing me so hard.

Tyler is liking pictures right now and I'm grateful for that. Lately he loves clapping, dancing and jabbering away. He loves climbing things and he loves Marks tractor.

Here she is trying really hard not to smile:) I said Macy do you like ice cream? She wanted to smile but was pretty determined.

Tyler with Mark's new hat. He is always so happy, he loves being outside playing in the dirt or mud.

I went to a consignment shop and Mark found this John Deere hat. He said it fit him and wore it the whole time we were in there. I couldn't resist how handsome he looked and so we had to buy the hat. Mark was really excited to show Dad his new hat

Fun in the Sun!

Just like my mom!

The kids were playing outside and helping me clean the car. Mark had climbed up this tree and was so proud of himself, Macy found a berry on our bush, Tyler had crawled up the slide and stand when he got to the top and the fly down, loving it. Here lately the kids put the towels on top of their heads, "just like mom does". I think it's funny and they love doing it. Macy tries to tell Mark that he doesn't do that cause he's not a girl, but he doesn't care and none of us do because the smile they have on their face is wonderful. It's a beautiful day here in MO, 70's with a wonderful breeze and no humidity (which is hard to come by).!! Loving the weather, this wonderful world, our home and each other's company.

Daddy helping Mommy

Tyler is having so much fun. He loves to swing on this little airplane thing with Macy and Mark. Chas helping put the kids down for a nap.

We have two new Siamese kittens. They are adorable. Mark named his Bob and Macy named hers Wendy (from Bob the Builder). The kids have been having lots of fun playing with the kittens and the kittens are taking it pretty well. Tyler loves, absolutely loves riding on the tractor.

Big Water Park!

I took the kids to a water park and they loved it. This is Macy pretty much swimming. Mark had a ball and loved the water, loved it splashing on him and loved the slide. Tyler even loved it.