Fishing with Friends

Sunday evening we went over to our friends the Nicholson's house. They live right on the pond in our neighborhood. Everyone brought their fishing stuff and we headed down to the pond after the random down pour subsided.

Owen was the fisherman of the day. I am pretty sure he caught the most fish, because every time I turned around he had another one.
Poor Drew and Andy didn't catch any, but we had a 30 minute time out in the middle. Drew said that his tummy hurt and I thought maybe he had to poop, so we trekked all the way back to the house and then he just wanted to play with toys. Of course Jillian was letting us go with out her. So I have both wild ones and Andy is just enjoying himself down by the pond, so typical.

We brought Jillian a fishing pole, but she just swung it around. She didn't have a hook on it, so it wasn't that dangerous of a weapon. I brought Cheese-its and juice boxes to keep her occupied.

Jillian cruising and socializing while everyone else is fishing.

I love the Nicholson's dog, Bailey. He is a 12 year old black lab and such a sweet boy.

Drew faking it. The Nicholson boys and their dad caught a fish and Drew posed with it. He also gave it a kiss.

Daddy and Drew trying out another spot.

Todd Nicholson giving all the boys a fish lesson. They had caught a bass and he was telling them all about it and one of the boys touched it and said "he's soft." I thought that was funny.

We headed up to their house for some snacks and more play time. We had to leave pretty early because I had to work that night. But I think they were going to build a fire and make smores, so sorry I missed that. Our friends are so much fun.

Sprinkler Fun

After a long week I need this. Our neighbor invited the kids and me over to their house for dinner and sprinkler time. Her husband was out mowing on their property, Andy was doing his practice trial (and I didn't think he would be home until late) and Monica and Levi were there too. Their dad was on a bachelor float trip. So it was just mamas and kids. We had dinner and some much needed adult beverages and headed outside for the real fun.

In the picture above, all the kids were gathered around Dora and then all of sudden the water was turned on and every one scattered except Jillian.
The kids were so funny running through the water.

Then Andy got home earlier than I thought and crashed our girl party. Doesn't he look handsome all dressed up.
Bikini Baby

Drew and Levi

Drew mid fall, Levi post fall and Emily watching the crazy boys.

Then came out the squirt bottles. I told them to say time out if they wanted the other person to stop squirting them and Levi said I don't want a time out. So I told him that just meant for the other person to stop. I think he just heard time out and thought they were in trouble. They got the hang of it pretty quickly. They weren't allowed to squirt in the face, so I told them to aim for belly buttons and they thought that was funny.

They kids had Capri Suns that had a blue tongue side effect.

They kids got out the bikes and scooters and of course Jillian wanted to try. She could she barely touch the pedals and needed dad's assistance to even move.

Shannon then brought out apple pie, ice cream and strawberry/blackberry short cake. Jillian was all about the blackberries in my bowl. She ate all of them but one. I didn't even know she liked blackberries.
Poor Jillian, this is how we decided to clean her up. Sacrificed to the sprinkler.

Jillian, helmet on and ready to scooter.

She seemed to get the scootering pretty well. I think that scooters would make a great Christmas present this year.

Emily and Jilli painting.

Owen taking his buddy Drew for a ride on his 4 wheeler.

Enough is Enough

Jillian started the sickness with high fevers on the 10th and she has been on and off with the sickness and fevers ever since. We have finally started her on antibiotic and I am hoping that she will soon have a full recovery. Drew started with fevers the 13th and we ended up at Children's Mercy Urgent Care at 4:00 am on the 17th because he was having difficulty breathing. He had croup and was wheezing on and off the whole day prior. The week of the 17th - 23 Andy had an intensive week long summer course that was from 8:30 - 6:30 everyday and then he would stay late to study. I honestly only saw him for about 30-40 minutes a day. That meant I had to get the kids ready for school, drop them off, pick them up, fix dinner, clean up, give baths, prepare for the next day and then put them to bed. I honestly don't know how single parents do it. One of those days Jillian stayed home and I only got 2 1/2 hours of sleep while she was napping. That made for a long night at work. I am praying that things smooth out quickly. We have had some mishaps with school/daycare and it is really stressing me out, so please pray for a solution and my sanity. Like I said, enough is enough.

6 years of Marriage and 12 years Together

Andy and I dropped the kids off at Nana and Papa Thursday and headed out on our belated anniversary trip to near by Rocheport.

We checked into our B&B and went for a walk down the Katy Trail. Rocheport is right on the Missouri river and the Katy Trail parallels the river.

Super high cliffs.
The River

The two love birds. Happy 6th Anniversary!

Our Bed and Breakfast. We have stayed at this same place before. One Labor day, prechildren, Andy and I biked the Katy Trail, stayed and this B&B and attempted to bike back. I had no idea how long 26 miles on a bike was until that day.

The Yates House

Our Room

That evening we headed out to the local winery, that has an awesome restaurant that is on top of one of those gigantic cliffs and over looks the river. The view, the food and the wine were so wonderful. Andy and I after lots of wine tasting and drinking. We left with 3 bottles too.

Attempt #2 for a picture wasn't much better.

We had a lovely night and then the best breakfast I have ever had the next morning. On the way back to mom and dad's we stopped in Columbia and watched Angels and Demons. The first movie we had been to in a year. A wonderful 24 hours spent with my Husbandy.

Sleeping Pups and Mama

Andy took this picture while I was napping on the couch. Right between my legs is Bailey's typical spot, even when I am sleeping at night.

Can you tell the girls got new summer cuts? Makes a huge difference in my house.

Topeka Zoo

Finals are finally over and we are definitely overdue on some family time. Jillian was sick the Sunday, Monday and Tuesday prior to our Wednesday Zoo trip. She seemed to be better, so we were excited for a fun day. The operative word is seemed.

Sunglasses.....check, Sunscreen.....check, ready for some fun.... check.

The kids in the Cadillac of wagons, I don't know why I even put sunscreen on them if there was permanent shade. Oh yeah, because the majority of the time we pulled around an empty wagon.

The Topeka Zoo lived up to all the hype from my neighborhood friends. Very child friendly and the animals were very close. So child friendly that every school in a 50 mile radius was having a last minute field trip. It would be idyllic on a not so busy day.


Andy pulling the empty wagon.

Jillian checking out the tortoises, I had to hold her shirt because it was making me a little nervous.

My monkeys with the monkey (I am sure that it is really a gorilla, but I don't call them gorillas).

Jilli's funny face. She was stealing sips of my soda. Check out her knee, the first of many and ultimately the cause of her down fall.

Drew wanted to see the Zebras the most and enjoyed the lovely shoulder top view.

Jillian what's that?

I loved this elephant, she had her back legs crossed, just enjoying the hay.

They had an exhibit, I don't really recall the name of the building, but I am assume rain forest because I definitely remember how hot and humid it was in there. The picture below looks fake, but I promise that is a real live rain forest duck :)

Checking out the flamingos.

I am sure that all the animals that are captive in the small building, loved my little boy screaming cheese.

Not lawn ornaments, I think? I thought these things were supposed to stand on one foot.

There was a place to feed the farm animal and Jillian made a fast friend.

Pants check

Feeding the goat - an action shot.

I had to go get some quarters because Drew wanted to feed the animals. So I go to the gum ball machine like thing and all of these field trip kids are trying steal our goat food and asking me to give them some. I gave them a big negative, not a single one asked nicely.

Just after this picture Jillian fell down and did a number on her knees and that began the crying.

Drew was beginning to get tired too and failing to follow the rules.

A black bear - I have seen one of these up close and personal. You will have to ask me the next time you see me.

Jillian strapped in the wagon and mid melt down.

Recovering with a snack.

We left and ran some errand and then went out for a late lunch and Jillian cried almost the entire meal. When we got home Drew was running a fever and Jillian was still a little puny plus exhaustion. Needless to say it was a early night for the Roberts kids.