June 10th - Daddy home from NTC

This has been a very busy year for Josh and continues to be. So, when we had a chance to watch his plane land after a month long stint at NTC, we took it! It was nice that the plane was landing at Manhattan Regional Airport. It was nice that Josh actually got to wave to us (see the last picture) and it was nice that the rain held off until just after we got into the car.

Waiting for daddy

Notice the plane in the background?

It was his!

If you click on the picture to enlarge it, you can see Josh waving from the middle of the group.

Kansas City Zoo - July 6th

On July 5th we were between Lawrence and Kansas City for a going away party for one of Josh's army buddies. Actually our families are friends and Reggie is a company commander in the same battalion as Josh AND they are riding buddies (as in off road biking - the kind with pedals). We used this opportunity to make a mini-vacation. After the party we drove to a nice hotel that was on the way to the zoo, played in the pool for quite awhile, watched a movie and had a great night's sleep. The next day we were off to the zoo, after a stop for breakfast at a cool little neighborhood coffee house!

We were able to get half price admission since we are members of our local zoo and decided to splurge a bit and get the ride bracelets for the carousel, train and tram.

The children wanted to feed the fawns but after two quarters and only getting 4 tiny pellets of food we pulled an "Oma"! Which means picking some of the grass and feeding it to the animals. I think the fawns appreciated the fresh food and the children enjoyed feeding the "baby deers".

We all enjoyed a break from the heat and walking with a ride on the train. It was a little train (as you can see in the picture) but it was just right for us. The girls liked going into the tunnel the best.

There were pictures to be taken (the girls were using Emma's camera) and rocks to be climbed. In fact, I think our children had more fun climbing EVERY rock at the zoo. Maybe they should make a rock park just for climbing on....

I love these pictures of Eric. The first one to me looks like Josh at two and the other one I just love his sweet smile.

My girls!

My mini-me and Emma looks so much like Josh but in a very cute girly way.

Josh and I took turns being the parent who walked with Eric and this was our view.

Emma really enjoyed using the map and deciding where we were going next.

Erin is looking out of a "window"

We really liked this gorilla and how he was just relaxing with his feet propped up on the rock.

There was a lady from the Kansas City Star taking pictures of people at the zoo. Once she got her shots of our family, I asked if she wouldn't mind taking a few with my camera. Yea!

A family picture!!

July 7, 2009 - Our 8th Anniversary

Josh and I celebrated our 8th Anniversary earlier this month. I think it is only the third or fourth time that we have actually been together on our wedding anniversary so I was really excited. Also, I was treasuring it as I know next year Josh will be on the other side of the world.

One of Josh's soldiers, a very sweet man who will someday make a great father, volunteered to watch our children for us. We went to a few places in Manhattan nibbling on appetizers, salads and cheese plates. We were able to have uninterrupted conversations, enjoy a few moments of silence, eat slowly and just enjoy each other. It really was a wonderful anniversary!

We came home to happy children who ate popcorn after dinner and talked Mr. Mike into making them fruit smoothies. It was a great night for all!

Paul Bunyan

Meet Paul Bunyan!

This is what happens when you chop down dead trees, without a shirt on (Josh rarely has a shirt on while doing projects) and it was pretty hot outside so it stuck to his body.

Afterwards, he rinsed off with the hose and got into the kids pool.

They were pretty excited to have daddy in their pool and were on their way to play.

Josh couldn't pass up the opportunity to splash the Erin and Eric, who were already wet from playing in the pool earlier.

When Eric was getting into the pool he slipped and went under water. Of course Josh was in the pool already and "rescued" Eric while Erin thought it was wrestling time.

One last goofy picture.

Haircuts and Goofing Around

Emma and Erin got new haircuts after we returned from Georgia. Yes, those pictures will be coming but not until after the wedding in IL this weekend! Here are the before pictures

And here is the after -

This one is just scrumptious! I sure hope no one is offended but this little bottom is so cute and squeezable. Thanks mom for the BOY dress up clothes. Also, check out Erin posing in the background! :-)

Having fun with goofy glasses!

Emma wouldn't pose with the goofy glasses so Erin put a pot on her head and asked me to take her picture instead!

Family Bike Ride

We finally got a two seater trailer and a seat for Josh's bike so that we could all go riding together as a family. Since Josh is my Superman, he got all three kids. It also makes it easier for me to keep up, hence I say pull ahead of Josh a few times, while riding bikes. We have gone on a few bide rides already and really enjoy it. We ride the Linear Trail which is a 16 mile loop around Manhattan. The ride usually includes a stop at the new water park at City Park, sometimes lunch and a good workout for me and Josh. I am glad that we can go as a family!

The picture below is just a cute one of Eric and Josh at the kitchen counter.

Introducing.......

Yes, it has been way too long since my last blog but our relaxing summer has turned into a busy one, but we are having fun. The people who suffer most from my lack of blogging is my family. Sorry! The following is a picture of my parents taken earlier this year.

They are sweet and loving couple and they love their grandchildren and great-granddaughter very much. Since they live in Michigan and we are in Kansas they like to stay in touch with pictures via my blog. Needless to say they are missing their grandchildren and the follow has occurred.

1. Email from mom;"Dear Heather, The attached picture (below) shows how old I was the last time you updated your blog with pictures of my grandchildren. Love, Mom

2. My dad called TWICE and left messages sounding like a VERY OLD man asking about the grandkids and if Eric had grown a beard or if Emma had gotten married yet. It had been so long since I had posted pictures.

It really is all very funny and is shows that my personality is genetic!