Uncle Dave and Aunt Katie

My brother, Dave and his wife, Katie came to visit us on Friday and we had a great time. Thanks for coming to visit!! Friday we took them to Old Town Spring to walk around and check out the shops. It was fun and we were able to make it out of there just as the rain was pouring down. Katie and I were on our way to the car (Paul and Dave wanted to look in the pepper shop before we left) as the rain started to fall. We ran to the van and drove back to pick up Dave and Paul from the pepper shop. While we were quite wet, Dave and Paul were a little wet. After we picked up Nathan and Kayla from school, we came home to go for a swim in the pool. Once we arrived at the pool and we were all getting ready to jump in the water the lifeguards informed us that there was thunder so we would have to wait 20 minutes before we were allowed in the water. While we waited we chatted with the lifeguards and harassed them about when we could get in the pool. We were like six 4 years olds on a long car ride continuously asking, "Are we there yet?" After waiting for what seemed like forever we were allowed in the water. WE swam for a little over an hour and I think that all of the harassment hat they received worked because while we were in the water they never made us get out even when there was thunder. After the pool we headed back to teh house to get cleaned up and eat dinner and play for a little longer. Once the kids were in bed we played some Rummikub and talked of Big Foot.

Waiting and waiting...

Saturday morning began at 7:30 and we were all so ready to play. Uncle Dave fell asleep on the sofa with Madeline at 7:35 while the rest of us got ready for the day and made breakfast. After breakfast we sat around played, painted toe nails and discussed what to do with the rest of the day. We decided to go to the Children's Museum downtown for the day. This was our first time there and had a good time. it was really clean and the toys were kept cleaned up and tidy. I can safely say that everyone had a good time even the adults enjoyed playing on the toys. It is definitely somewhere we will go back to, someday!! After the museum we headed to get some lunch and do some shopping, then it was off to the house to relax and play some more games.

Toys for grown ups...

time to milk the cows You must always taste the food before you buy it!!

Puppet Show Gone Fishing Building a Bridge Making Glasses Cool Glasses

Sunday morning we went to church and came home for breakfast. After breakfast we went to the pool where we played for a couple of hours and there was no thunder which was a good thing. After the pool everyone was exhausted. Well, everyone except Nathan. Nathan talked Uncle Dave into playing guns with him and there were Nerf bullets flying all over the house. While they had a gun fight Kayla and Emily napped Katie cuddled with Madeline and eventually fell asleep with her. There is just something about babies, they pull out all of your energy and make you want to sleep. Then it was dinner and ice cream and one last game of Hi-Ho Cheerio, in which Aunt Katie finally won a game!! Then it was time to say good-bye and take them to the airport. We had a great time with you both and look forward to seeing you two again, soon!!!

Madeline in her Sunday dress Catching some rays... Gun Fight...

Even Aunt Katie needed a nap... One last game of Hi-Ho Cheerio

First Day of School

Last Thursday, Aug 14th, was Nathan and Kayla's first day at school. Nathan did really well, he went in put his stuff away and sat in his seat. He was a little reluctant to say goodbye, but we went through our little routine and he was set. Kayla however was reluctant to put her stuff away and she was in tears when I left her. Her teacher was with her and helped her to get over her anxiousness, but in time she will get use to the routine and settle into her new school. When I picked them up at the end of the day I could tell Kayla had been crying, but in the car both her and Nathan were talking about how much fun they had at school and they liked their teachers and are making new friends. Kayla had some tears this morning, but not as bad. She went into her classroom all by herself, I left her at he front door of her building. Nathan even went into the school all by himself and did not have any issues. Hopefully by next wek I can dropthem off in the car drop off line and I will not even have to get out of the car. I can dream, right!!

Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Mark Hellen

This past weekend Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Mark Hellen came for a visit. They arrived Friday night and played with the kids for a few hours before it was time for bed. Nathan was so excited ALL day to play with Uncle Mark, he would change his mind every 10 minutes with a new game to play with Uncle Mark. Madeline tried to stay awake for them, but she fell asleep about 5 minutes before they arrived, after having been awake for 2 hours.

Saturday was a busy day which started with everyone (except Madeline and myself) going to the pond to fish. Madeline and I took a nap on the sofa while they were gone fishin'. The fishing trip was an uneventful one as they caught perch and not much else. Nathan keeps going with the hope of catching an even bigger catfish or even better, another turtle. After the fishing excursion everyone went to the pool for a dip. I was even able to swim this time!! HOORAY!! Once we were all cleaned up we took off for Goodson's Cafe to celebrate Mark's 29th birthday. Mark ordered the chicken fried steak, which was larger than his plate and he was unable to finish. The rest of the day was spent in the house playing games and just relaxing. Sunday started with church and then home for a LARGE breakfast of biscuits and gravy and eggs for the kids. Then it was a lazy day of just playing in the house until it was time for dinner. Grandma Hellen made dinner, I am unable to recall the name of it, but it was comparable to meatloaf on a loaf of bread. She also made a fruit salsa to go with it. It was very good and I enjoyed not having to have to cook. Thank You for cooking!! After one last bite of birthday cake it was time to go to the airport. It was a very nice visit and would have only been better if Sharla Curt, Amy and Avery had been able to make it as well.

Gram and Pop Cook visit

Gram and Pop Cook came to visit last Saturday and stayed through the week. It was GREAT to have them here. Pop kept busy running to and from Wal-Mart and painting a cabinet for us and. Gram kept busy cooking and entertaining the kiddos. She was even allowed to get in some cuddle time with baby Madeline. It was a nice way for the kids to get to know their grandparents and for my parents to get to know their grandkids. Since we have been out of the country for the majority of Nathan's life and all of Kayla and Emily's lives it will be good to be close to the grandparents and for all to bond together. This was also the first time that I was able to have my mom come and help out with the kids after I had a baby, and I loved it!! I do not know if I am going to be able to cope next week when I have to actually cook a dinner. In true grandparent form they came bearing gifts. Two were Nerf toys (a small football, and rocket thing) that Emily was quick to break and tear a hole into within hours of arrival. They brought a fishing game that was a BIG hit with Emily. She eventually gave up on the fishing pole and began to noodle for the fish with her finger. Nathan had Gram playing everything that he could think of. They chased butterflies from the elephant’s trunk, played baseball, played Robin Hood, colored and a variety of other games. Kayla enjoyed reading books, helping Gram cook, and few games of grocery store where she was the check out girl, Nathan was the shopper and Gram was the stock girl, with a few clean-ups on aisle 3. Pop bought Nathan some new Nerf bullets for his gun and a second Nerf gun to play with. That was a big hit with some yelling at Emily to not eat the new bullets. Then there was the GIANT bottle of bubbles that they brought for the kids to play with. The bubbles were a good time and Kayla enjoyed blowing the bubbles while Nathan pretended to be a dog and try to eat the bubbles. I think the best part of the bubbles was when Gram got out a bucket of water to wash the kids feet from all of the bubbles that were spilled, and this turned into a water fight with the kids. Emily was happiest just pouring the water on herself.

playing catch with Gram Playing Robin Hood

WATER FIGHT!!!!

Painting toes and fingers!! Emily goes noodling Gram stocks the shelves at the grocery store

On friday night the kids were telling Gram and Pop goodnight and good bye (they left Saturday morning EARLY) Nathan got teary eyed and upset. We thought he was sad to say good bye, but it turned out that he just wanted to play baseball with Gram one last time before they left. So, Gram accomodated him and we went outside to play one last game of baseball.

As a full time stay at home mom I sometimes loose track of the important things in life and forget to just play with the kids and not worry about the mail, bills, and cleaning. Well, I was inspired by my mom this trip. She was always willing to just put everything on hold and be dragged up the stairs to play the fishing game with Emily, read a book with Kayla and Robin Hood with Nathan. I have been reminded of the important things in life, thanks for the reminder mom!!