Where did the summer go????

I can't believe it is mid-August already!! School started in our area yesterday. Most of the pools, except 4, closed August 1st and the rest closed August 9th. Our busy days are coming to an end. I think Libby is a little lonely now since she has pretty much been with other kids non-stop for about 5 weeks. We will now get back into going to Gymboree 2-3 times a week since we missed about 10 classes that we now have the time to make up. Here are a couple of pictures of Libby at art class that we go to on Tuesdays. She is an excellent painter and is learning how to use a glue stick pretty well. They do 3-4 projects per class, I am still trying to decide what do with the all the stuff once I get it home!

Omaha Children's Museum

On Saturday August 8-the 12 of us headed to the Omaha Children's Museum. None of us had been there before so it was pretty exciting. Libby loved the little house, the "shopping" areas and the science room. We all went to "The Body" Sesame Street exhibit. I think that was geared towards older kids but it was pretty interesting. I think the face painting was Taylor's favorite and the costumes were Caleb's favorite. Sylvia was getting tired so Kristin, Sylvia and Collin left for home. Libby and I will be headed back there in the near future sometime during the week. Mike was starving so the rest of us went to the Old Market to eat at Spaghetti Works. Once we got home Bailey took a nap, the boys went to the GI Joe Movie, and the girls hung around the house. Libby wasn't interested in taking a nap. When Bailey woke up from her nap, the girls went to the outlet mall for a little bit. Again it was after 10 when Libby got to sleep.

Sunday we all slept late and lounged around the house then ate breakfast. All of our house guests were gone about 2pm. I spent the next few hours picking up toys, cleaning up the kitchen and starting loads of laundry. Daddy and Libby tried to take a nap but Libby again wasn't interested. The previous days had gotten to Libby-she fell asleep in our bed watching "Scooby Doo" at 7:30, woke up at 4:30am to have some milk and a diaper change then slept until 9:30! I still don't think she is quite caught up but she should be by the end of the week with the way she has been sleeping in the mornings.

Family Fun

Friday August 7th I got up early and starting preparing myself for all of the house guests that were going to be arriving throughout the day. I took and break and Kim and I took the 3 kids to the pizza machine for lunch. They had a good time as usual with no major meltdowns. I continued my cleaning until Kristin, Sylvia and Collin got here around 3:30. The kids played and we visited. Josh had called during the day to let us know that their family would not be making the trip. After dinner I set Libby's pool up again-I had taken it down during the thunderstorm the night before. The kids had a ball splashing and running around. Taylor and Collin still played as nicely as they did when they were 2-like no time had past since the last time they had seen each other. Ben, Tina and Bailey arrived around 9pm. All the kids were still up waiting to play with Bailey. It was kind of a late night for all the kids but none of them were crabby.

busy week!!

On Tuesday August 4th Taylor and Caleb came to stay with us!! It was Taylor's birthday so their Grandma Dora and Papa Dana took the kids to the zoo for the day and then dropped them off at my house. Tuesday night we went out to the DQ to get ice cream for TT's birthday and then to Target to get her a present. Wednesday I took all the kids to the spraypark/playground. It wasn't very warm so we didn't stay long. When we got home I set up Libby's little pool so the kids could rinse the sand off themselves. It didn't work very well, so we had an early bathtime. Wednesday night after we ate dinner we went for a walk and then played in the pool again. Thursday I took the kids to the movie "Hotel for Dogs" and then to lunch at Sonic. Libby had gotten up really early that morning so she was ready for a nap by the time we got home. The big kids played in the pool while Libby slept. Again after dinner we went for a walk and played in the pool. About the time we got done with baths and bedtime snack time, Kim showed up. The kids were pretty good, I only had to break up an occasional fight. Libby was super entertained so I could get a few things done around the house. It seemed like a lot of work because I am not used to having so many kids around but it was fun to have them here.

Cabins 2009

On Thursday July 30 we left for our annual cabins trip. Mike ended up working late so I had to pack the car and get everything ready myself. I thought I was never going to leave! Finally around 7 or so I got there and Mike followed shortly behind. We unpacked and got organized before dark. Friday the boys went golfing and the girls mostly just hung out and went swimming. Friday night all the Water's girls (and their kids) and Brady and Lea came out for a visit. It was sure great to have so many visitors! The kids played, we roasted marshmallows and JJ made us pies before the thunderstorm rolled in. Libby and I spent the rest of the night resting in the cabin and listening to the rain. Saturday was a cooler day. We all just played games and visited most of the day. Gary and Michele came out for a visit, Libby and Aunt Jacque took a long nap and the ALL the boys played whiffle ball before dinner. I think Libby had an awesome time this year. She went around to all the cabins, knocking on the doors, and begging for food. She had fun playing and dancing with the big kids and eating and running around with Jordyn and Jackson. I don't think she was bored for a single minute! The weather was great but could have been a little warmer for swimming but was perfect for sleeping and camp fires. I hope we are as lucky next year!!

Michigan vacation

On Friday July 17th-Kim and I and the 3 kids headed off to Michigan. We drove overnight so the kids could sleep in the car. They all did pretty well. Libby was awake from about 3am until we got there but she just looked around and didn't fuss. Saturday we pretty much slept, unpacked and let the kids play-I didn't have the energy to do much else. Sunday we went to Judy and Rob's for Melanie's birthday party. Libby had a good time playing with all her cousins, swinging and swimming. The rest of week we didn't do much, the weather wasn't very cooperative to do many outdoor activities. Kim and I had a couple of long trips to the mall, we ate a bunch (of course), and hung around the house. Libby had a good time just being around Taylor and Caleb. Every morning she would wake up and ask what her "friends" were doing. Wednesday we went to Judy and Rob's pool for a little bit but the weather cool and cloudy. Friday we all went out to Kert and Penny's. It was awesome weather for boating and swimming in the lake. Libby had her first boat ride! She enjoyed going "real real fast". I think she would have fallen asleep had we stayed out just a little bit longer. On Saturday Joey and Ben were over to play with the kids before we left. Libby and Ben had a good time running around in the backyard picking flowers (weeds)-they are so cute together!

The drive home was pretty uneventful. As soon as we left Michigan the kids slept the whole way-getting to that point was a little trying at times. On Sunday we all just lounged around, unpacked and started the laundry-getting ready for our next vacation!