Florida 2016

We LOVE Florida and we LOVE fall break!  This year we were blessed to be able to spend 9 days in Florida!  The weather was perfect (even though on the other side of the State of Florida a hurricane was causing destruction), the kids got along well and Jason and I were able to relax!  Mawmaw and Pawpaw always try to get the kids something special on vacation.  This year, the boys were going to go on their first deep-sea fishing adventure.  Unfortunately, the water was too rough - BUT - we were able to rent a pontoon and spend almost on entire day on the bay!  The kids loved it - got to fish and crab hunt.  They even caught enough fish to weigh in at the annual Destin Fishing Rodeo!  The best part is that at one point, Conner had a huge fish on the line so he decided to give Jason the pole.  Jason tried so hard to get the fish in (all the boys think it was a small shark).  During the 5 minute fight (before the fish/shark broke the line) - no one was driving the boat...as you can imagine - things went south very quickly.  No fish and the pontoon was getting sucked away by a current!  At least we will always have something to laugh about!  We were safe and that's all that matters!  Another blessing about this trip is that we were in Destin at the same time as our friends/Neighbors Lois, Woody and Deb.  We were able to see them for dinner one night and they went out on the pontoon with us as well!  We are lucky to have such wonderful people in our lives!

We will miss Florida - getting up early, playing in the sand, finding sand dollars and hermit crabs, eating lunch on the balcony, throwing footballs in the pool and the ocean, making new friends, eating crab legs (even the boys), shopping, eating ice-cream and crab hunting day after day!  Thank goodness for awesome pictures and even better memories!

Happy 200th Birthday, Indiana

 Indiana is celebrating its bicentennial this year!  In order help the entire state participate, a torch is being "carried" through every county in Indiana.  Brenna and I were there when it came through our county and through Heritage Lake!  She loves horses right now so it was extra special that the torch was carried on a horse!  This was also the first time that Brenna was famous - Front page of the Banner Graphic...however, you did have to zoom in to find her!

Bucket -list Check Marks!

We had a summer of checkmarks - checkmarks off of our bucket-lists!  

Brenna loves (LOVES) horses - so this was her checkmark!

Conner has dreamed of catching a small-mouth in a creek - this was his checkmark!

Drew wanted to take his friends kayaking on the creek - this was his checkmark!

We all unexpectedly got to ride in a hot-air balloon - Check, Check, Check, Check, Check!

The kids got their "Oakleys" they asked for - Check, Check, Check!

Conner shot a goose "accidently" during target practice.  He quickly learned about hunting licenses and laws (this was a CHECK for Mommy!!)

Daddy had the kids out fishing when a storm quickly blew in.  A float plane had to make an emergency landing right in front of them.  Daddy and the kids spent the next hour talking to the pilot in the marina!

The boys finally beat the girls in a kickball game - no check here - I think they paid the umpire.

Fishing, fishing and fishing for big monsters - 8,000 checks since the kids fished all day every day!

Daddy got to take both boys to the 100th running of the Indy 500 and was able to sit in his old seats - HUGE CHECK for Daddy!

First day of Third and First Grade

Each year, I dread the start of school more than the kids.  In the summer, the days are so long that all my working mom guilt gets washed away.  I get up early to go to work and no matter how late I have to stay, I know that when I get home the kids will be up, we will have nothing to do but go skiing or fishing or swimming or kayaking, I won't be raising my voice that they need to finish homework or finish chores or get ready for bed - instead we race to eat lunchmeat sandwiches so we have more time on the water.   See the summertime is the only time I feel like I am the person I always wanted to be: I work well during the day, I am a great mom at night and on the weekend; sure I get exhausted from staying up until 11:00 and getting up at 4:30 but it is worth it to hear the kids laugh like they do in the summer, to watch them accomplish all of their goals with water sports, to see them run to the fish cage to show me all of the fish they caught throughout the day to come home to three kids in swimsuits with popsicile stains all over their tan body and food caked in Brenna's hair - the smell of their summertime routine that is the smell of dead fish and pure sweetness.  Each year when school starts, I get sad - sad that summer is over and sad that the kids are another year older and will face another year of pressure but with the pressure - growth.  These are the days and these are the years.  Cheers to Conner and Drew as they begin third and first grade!

On the water...all the time!

Some of my absolute favorites from this summer!  I am amazed that all three kids developed this fearlessness when it came to the water this year.  They try everything - even jumping high into the air!  Little Drew, whose bindings come up to his knees, is doing toe forward jumps about 4 foot in the air!  Conner got barefooting and slalom skiing down this summer  and Brenna is always wanting to go faster!  I love summer!!

2016 Ski Show!

The ski show this year was amazing!  Conner, Drew and Brenna each participated!  Conner slalomed, Drew wakeboarded and Brenna rode the wake sled.  Conner also participated in twelve wakeboarders wakeboarding at the same time.  It was amazing to watch!  Jason did a great job not only getting up and pulling all twelve wakeboarders but also pulling so many kids in the show.  I love our community and the ability for the kids to participate in these types of events!

Uncle Brad and Aunt Amanda's Wedding - 7/8/16

We had SO MUCH fun at Uncle Brad and Aunt Amanda's wedding!  Mommy had been praying for this day for years - she is so excited that Brad found such a special person to share his life with!  This was Brenna's debut as a flower girl and she did a great job!  She walked down the isle (very slowly) but made it all the way to the front!  She forgot to throw her flowers until the very end but made up for it by dropping huge handfuls!  Conner and Drew were greeters and welcomed everyone to Brad and Amanda's wedding.  So many people complimented them and their manner.  Jason and I were so proud of all three of the kids!