The Band

Here are some new photos of the band.  Since these were taken, Cameron got a new drum practice pad for his birthday and we fixed the guitar so Ethan can use it for lessons.  Both the older boys will be in lessons this fall.  Ashton got one of my "sparkly" microphones for singing into.  The future for this band looks bright.  Now, does anyone have any soundproof padding I can have?

Happy Birthday, Cameron

Cameron is 9!  Can you believe it?  We started his special day with presents and chocolate chip pancakes.  Then we joined Grandma at Chuck E Cheese for pizza and games.  Then we went shopping with his birthday money to buy a new sparks scooter which he has been wanting.  We finished celebrating yesterday with a swimming party with some of his friends.

First Day of School

We started school yesterday!  Only two days in and I'm exhausted!  The boys love the new school and their teachers so I'm happy.  Here a few photos:

Cameron starting 3rd grade, Ethan 6th and Ashton kindergarten

Ethan and Cameron walking to school
from where we parked

All three doing homework around the table

Ashton headed off to Kindergarten so very well.  The school had a Kindergarten back-to-school night prior to the first day, to help them get adjusted to their new environment.  So he already knew what his teacher looked like and where to find the bathroom, his cubby and hang his backpack.

Our Colorado visit

We had a really nice visit with family in Avon, Colorado.  Here's a few photos that I took while we were there.

Ashton and Sage playing Candyland

Cameron and Talon

Jim's two brothers (Don and Dean), Jim, Derrik, Trent, Talon
Cameron, Ashton, Blaze, Ethan, Stone and Ridge

Trip to Topeka

We took a trip to Topeka to see Grandma Bonnie and hang out.  She treated us to yummy food and took real good care of us!  I love this photo!

Family at the Lake House

Sisters (minus one)  :(

Cousins photo (minus 4)  :(

Stephanie and Suzanne chatting on the boat

Our time all together was very short but very sweet.  The boys really got to know their family better and I had much more time to talk with everyone than in years past.

Papa Ron and the boys in KC

Don getting a workout while
wrestling with Cameron and Ashton

Cruising around Lake Wabunsee

Captain Ron

With Papa Ron as our captain, we cruised around the lake in style!  We did some fishing and tubing and had a really nice time.  The boat was a lovely addition to our time there.

Ethan and Cameron taking a spin on the tube.

Elizabeth, Danielle and Dalton

Niece Elizabeth and I feeling brave

Cameron fishing off the side of the boat

Suzanne and Ethan having fun

Ashton was a casual observer
of tubing this year.  Maybe next year?

Visit with the Siscos

Ashton and Cameron had so much fun with Max!

Sisters

We stayed with the Siscos in Mulvane to begin our summer trip to the Midwest.  Stephanie and Greg treated us to the Mulvane water park, yummy food and Stephanie was kind enough to take us to our next stop, the Lake house in Eskridge.  Thank you, Siscos for your hospitality!  We love you!

Ethan at the Mulvane water park

Cameron recovering from the waterslide

Ashton floating in the pool

Hurricane Harbor

We enjoyed our local water park in late July and I wanted to post some quick photos we took there:

Goofing Around

Tuffy the Tuffer and Mr. C The Inspector

Here is Ethan and Cameron goofing around.  They are playing Tuffy the Tuffer and Mr. C, the inspector.  Tuffy's a construction worker and he feels good about his weight (Ethan has a pillow stuffed under shirt) and Mr. C wants to put Tuffy on a diet.  This went on for some time until I was prompted to get out my camera.

Ashton lost another one!

Ashton has lost his third tooth!  He's officially lost both of his central incisors and because one of his lateral incisors grew in to close to a central, it fell out as well.  So he's lost three on the bottom.  The front teeth are loose, but aren't ready to fall out yet.  Just another reminder of how quickly he's growing up!  The tooth fairy picked up his tooth and left his a dollar.  He was very excited!

VBS 2010

The boys attended Vacation Bible School at our church the last week in June and I wanted to share the photos I took on the last day.  I usually work at VBS, but this year I took some "me" time and enjoyed a few coffee dates, sitting and reading a book and just relaxing.  It was a nice break from everything!  They had a great week, too!

Our Fourth

I managed to injure my back at the end of last week so our weekend included a lot of laying around while I recovered.  On Sunday, we went to Magic Mountain in the early evening and the gang rode some rides.  I took Ethan and Cameron up to the sky tower (38 stories up) and we caught a few different firework shows.  Ashton didn't want to go up that high so he and Derrik rode the carousel and waited for us.  It was a fun weekend!

Father's Day

We celebrated Derrik with breakfast in bed and homemade cards.  Then we spent the day at Magic Mountain.  The older boys and Derrik got season passes and Ashton and I went as visitors for the day.  It was beautiful weather and we all had a blast!  We then send Ashton to the Grandparents and I got to join the gang for the scarier rides!  Yikes!