Helicopter

When we were out laying out on the dock a helicopter flew by and we all waved because he was pretty close but didn't know who it was.  Pretty soon he circled again and then we all knew it was Larry De Vries.  We all thought oh my he is going to land right here!! He did and the kids all got a big kick out of watching him land and take off right in front of them.  Even the dogs thought it was pretty neat.  Below are some pictures and I am not sure why the first one is sideways but I couldn't change it so oh well.

The boys posing by the helicopter.

Everyone checking it out.

Beckym in timeout on the raft for biting Cadynce.

Taking off.

Airplane

While we were in Iowas Dad had the crops sprayed.  Mom and I were inside having chai when we heard a plane buzzing around really close.  We looked outside and sure enough there it was right outside the house.  It was 5 so we got Beckym up who thought that it was pretty cool.  Here are some pictures of the airplane spraying.

Nana's pond

When we went back to Iowa the boys had a lot of fun swimming in Nana's pond.  Cowman's were there on Father's Day as well and we all hung out and had a great time swimming and eating.  Beckym was too scared to get in the water which I didn't mind and so here he is in the boat with Nana.

Josh and Lake swimming.

Now that is a full boat of boys and their Nana.

Beckym safe on a raft.

We needed another raft so Dad and Mike went to blow it up at the shop and came back with it on top of the car.  It was pretty funny watching them pull up:)

Here Lake is trying to get Vicky off the small raft that she was on.  He tried for about 20 minutes before he finally got her off but she did save her hair!

Everyone out on rafts.

Beckym floating with Papa.

Josh tried to get Mike off his raft but it didn't work.

slip and slide

While in Iowa the weather was nice so Chelsea and I got a great idea to find some plastic and put soap on it for a slip and slide.  Dad found some and we nailed it in the ground with boards so it wouldn't blow away and Chelsea poured soap on and away the kids went.  Below Cadynce and Lake are going down.

Lake posing for the camera.

These boys really love the camera.

Tackle on the way down as well.

Look at all that soap:) Mom thought she was going to run out the way Chelsea poured it on.

Even Bray was brave enough to go down.

Here Beckym had just woken up from a long nap and wasn't so sure about getting wet yet but had to try it out.

Later they all needed a break with a juice box.  These two are a lot alike and can be very sneaky.  Who knows what they are discussing on the ranger in these pictures.

Mulberry picking at Nana's house

In June Beckym, Cadynce and I went to Iowa to see everyone because Scott and Payton were in St. Louis for a baseball tourney.  This is one of my first posts from Iowa.  There will be more to come.  The first day we were there we all found out that the mulberries were out.  This is something I can remember doing as a kid as well and eat these berries all day long.  My kids on the other hand were not so sure about these berries you can pick from a tree and pop right in your mouth stem and all.  They kept trying to eat them but I dont really think they liked them.  They just liked the idea.  Below Lake and Cadynce are wanting to go exploring in the timber.  They loved just roaming around in the trees even though there is a fox in them somewhere and possibly a bobcat.  Which was spotted after we left or they probably wouldn't have gone in the trees!

The three boys off on a walk through Nana's little path.

Here Nana had found the tree. 

Cadynce's face shows it that he isn't so sure. 

Harper wanting her shirt off like Beckym.

Cadynce eventually was feeding the mulberries to Cubby.

Nana reaching high for the bigger juicier ones. 

Half Ironman in Lawrence

In June Josh decided to do a tri in Lawrence which was great because then we could all go and watch! They are really neat to watch and Scott or the kids had never seen one.  Below his age group is taking off on a long 1.2 mile swim.  Don't ask which one is Josh because none of us had any idea at this point. 

There was a lot of waiting around.  Here is Cadynce waiting for Josh to come out of the water. 

Josh coming out of the water.  Here he sees Payton ready to give him a high five.  Payton is ahead of me with the orange shirt on. 

Getting on his bike for a 56 mile bike ride. 

Here dad and Mike are checking their phones while we all wait.

The boys all playing football.

Here the guys tried to go and enjoy some peace and quiet but all the kids found them.  

Harper playing with an umbrella.  It was supposed to rain all day so we had all kinds of rain gear but thankfully it never rained. 

Back from the bike ride and now off to run 13.2 miles. 

During the run we were able to see Josh a lot so here the boys are waiting  along the road to see him run past.

We brought along all kids of snacks so here is Beckym sneaking some licorice. One in his mouth and one ready to go in.

Scott enjoying a bag of Doritos.

Cadynce loving life.  Sitting in a stroller with food all around him.

Mike wanted to take a nap but that was impossible.  We were out the door at 5:30 a.m. that morning so everyone wanted and needed a nap.

 Harper blowing bubbles.

Giving high fives.

Waiting together to see Josh again.

Cadynce got the high five here. 

This time Lake and Harper were ready for their daddy.

Josh at the finish line.

Way to go Josh we all enjoyed watching you do your thing.  

 Here he is trying to think about what he just accomplished I think??