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??

baby birds

More critters to take care of.  There was a nest of birds in our neighbors yard that were scared out of their nest too early.  So they could not fly yet and made their way to our yard and then one fell in our window well again.  We saved it and they decided to hang out by our front window for the rest of the day.  I dont know if they thought I was their mom or what but it was pretty cute.  They were a little noisy though during Beckym's nap time.  Be;low is a picture of one of them at the front door.

Elley went nuts as they went fro one window to the next.  She just wanted to get them and play with them.

After hanging around for a couple of days and being fed by their parents they did fly away safely.  I really hope next Spring isn't as eventful.  It is a lot of work to take care of these babies. 

bunnies!

Well this Spring we had a bunny nest in our backyard.  I dont know why a mother bunny would make a nest in a yard with two dogs.  So I had to protest a family of 6 from my dogs and whatever else came in the yard.  I rigged up a chair and flower pot so that the dogs could not get the babies yet the mother could still get in.  I went outside with the dogs every time they went out to make sure they stayed away.  Then they started moving.  Two fell in the window well but only one of them made it:( This one below stuck around for about two weeks in our backyard.  He wasn't scared of me talking to him every night when he came and ate my plants.  I hope he is off somewhere having a good time:)