Leah's 11th Birthday

Leah's 5th grade graduation

5th grade party at the Buhler Park

I was in charge of the T-Ball station, and the Kansas wind made the ball chasing through the parking lot SO MUCH FUN.

The kids opened up clues to Leah's birthday surprise everyday leading up to her actual birthday, which included these hats and shades, and Blake's sand bucket.

Church carnival to wrap up the 2-day celebration. With a Unicorn face paint.

The day before her birthday she was a nominee in her Library's Emmy Awards for the Best Movie Category. They didn't win.

Their 5th grade music class sang to the parents

Here's a quick snippet of their performance.

Leah said it was her "best day ever" because she also earned her Sunflower Reader points and bought a high-top pair of gray Converse tennis shoes, she got 2 new strappy tank/bra's from the Buckle, and she had her friend Madison Staib over for a sleepover. They did their nails, hair and make-up, watched movies, and played hide and seek.  

First Feels of Summer

We absorbed as much sunshine as we could the first weekend of May.  Between Blake's Kiwanis Adaptive Track Meet, Leah's birthday celebration, and Girls on the Run 5k, visiting Aunt Kate and Luke at Milford Lake, and playing all day prairie surfing in our pond and flood run-off...it was a near perfect 3 days.

Here are some snapshots of Blake's Track Meet: He ran the 50-yard dash. Softball throw and Standing long jump. He competed with his 1st grade classmates, Bella, Josh, and Jacob.

Then that evening, we headed to Carey Park in Hutchinson to celebrate Leah's Girls on the Run 5k.

She, my mom, and I ran 3.1 miles with her. She's been training with other girls from her school, along with mentors to help empower young girls to more in life!

Then the following day the kids spent their hours playing in the pond, in the yard, and in the mud!

Visiting Dillon Nature Center!

And then we traveled to Junction City, KS and Milford Lake..

I LOVE days like these where we can shut off all social media, unplug, escape the noise and rat race...and breathe fresh air, be lulled by the waves of the water, and laugh with those we love.  

I am re-awaking this blog to continue to document my kid's childhood for their benefit as they grow up...because most of all, I want them to remember THESE days.

Month of May

 May-June.

Redneck tubing in the pond...it's like 2' deep :)

Blake at swimming lessons.

4-wheelin'

Babysitting.

Backyard swimming.

View out my kitchen window <3

Fishing in the neighbor's pond

Blake caught his first fish ever! HE LOVED it. Daddy was pretty proud too.  He clapped. Jumped. Yelled. Threw his hands in the air... (Blake did, that is)

Autum helped Blake catch a fish, and she accidentally hooked one...realized it was on her line, dropped the pole and ran for the car.

I took a snooze sunbathing while they were swimming...I woke up and looked up to see this. :)

Backyard fun!

Swim lessons :)

Date night with Daddy.

Autum wanted to mow too, but hated the grass getting her shoes dirty...so we compromised.

Did some home workouts.

Went out to eat with Mimi and Papa and Baby Luke

Took a tired, worn out before a long trip home family vacation pic!

Went swimming!!

Started summer school...rode the bus the first time!

Loved on our little explorer buddy, Luke

Rode the 4-wheeler

Wanted "hugs"

We tried to play Daddy.

We went to CoCo Keys Water Resort for Leah's 9th birthday! Celebrated with the fam.

Completed "Murph" CrossFit HERO WOD as a family

Played at Mimi and Papa's in Oklahoma

Started mowing the grass at the ripe 'ol age of 9!