Basketball Hoop

We surprised the kids and got them a basketball hoop. They're always dribbling in the driveway and shooting it up in the air---with no hoop! It was a two-day process. Before we left for Lake of the Ozarks, the bottom part of the pole was put in the ground with cement. We told the kids it was a new sprinkler for the lawn--they believed us. They didn't install the rest of the hoop until the day we came back----I brought the kids outside and they said, "That's not a sprinkler, that's a basketball hoop!" They are enjoying it. . . . and so is their dad!

Lake of the Ozarks

The day after Olivia's birthday we drove down to Lake of the Ozarks to stay for a few days. We went with Angela, Tyler and Millie, my mom, and Tyler's parents. The house we stayed in is one that Angela and Tyler stay in each summer when they go there for his work. They had access to it and asked if we would like to go. It's not far from where we stay in Osage Beach. It was wonderful having a kitchen, so we ate some great food--mostly prepared by Tyler and his dad.

Once again, Olivia and Ben were excited for vacation. Olivia got some binoculars from her grandpa for her birthday and luckily we found the old ones we had at our house, so both kids had a pair for the trip. They used them A LOT!

Sam is a great traveler. . . . . he sleeps well in the car! Olivia wanted me to give her credit for taking this picture.
We sat outside a couple of nights around the fire pit and made S'mores. . . . .the weather was great!
Our pool overlooked the lake, so it was a beautiful view. The kids spent most of their time in the pool.
There were lots of games around the house. Olivia was trying to organize a game of Cadoo, but Ben was only interested in wearing the glasses and Sam just wanted to eat the box. I should add that their cousin Amelia was there, but being only two months old-----she just did a lot of sleeping and eating:-)

The basement of our house had two bedrooms, pool room, workout room, family room, laundry room, and kitchen! Our room was in the basement, so the kids "played" pool when they weren't outside.

We had jet skis one day. It was our first time riding on them. John and Olivia liked them better than Ben and Mommy! Angela and Tyler were old pros!
John went pretty fast when he was with Olivia. . . . .
. . . not as fast when he was with Ben and me.
The kids were EXHAUSTED on the way home. Lots of sleeping. . . . .not sure how they ended up in this position, but they were both buckled in:-) Olivia never complained of a sore neck. . .

Olivia Turned 7!!

Olivia turned 7 on July 9. She has been talking about turning 7 since she turned 6! She didn't have a kid party this year, but John worked from home in the morning and then we took her out to lunch. Her Grandma Jane, Aunt Amy, Aunt Angela and Uncle Tyler and Millie came over to help us celebrate. She wanted me to make cupcakes this year with pink and chocolate frosting, so that's what she got:-) She received a lot of nice cards and gifts!

She is reading like crazy this summer, so she got a lot of books from Aunt Amy and Aunt Angela and Uncle Tyler. She got two folders to use for her "papers"--that can mean anything from drawings, to math worksheets, to stories she is writing!
Some new Nikes for school this fall. . . . .Ben liked being in almost every picture because he was wearing a party hat.
The only thing she really asked for was a swimming Barbie and some new Barbie clothes. . . . she still likes to play Barbies!!
One of her favorite gifts was her new watch. She does very well telling time. She tells us the time A LOT now.

It's already July!!

We had a fun 4th of July---we watched the annual neighborhood show put on by a few of our neighbors--they do a great job. The weather didn't seem like usual holiday weather for the 4th, but we managed to stay warm with blankets and sweatshirts! Sam made it until 8:00, and Olivia and Ben stayed outside until 10:00!! They almost made it to the finale. . . .they heard that when they were in their beds:-)

We went to the zoo on Grandma Jane's birthday--Sam and his cousin Millie slept most of the time!
The animals were all very active, so we got lots of good pictures---I'm not sure who was more scared here: Olivia and Ben or the peacock.
Olivia got her first pedicure (we used my Mother's Day gift finally)--she also got some flashy shoes--we enjoyed our "girls day" together.
Sam is starting to want to play with Ben's toys---sometimes Ben likes it, and sometimes he doesn't! He's learning to be patient.