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Tyler's 8!

Saturday, Tyler turned 8! 

Friday was Breakfast with Moms at his school. I joined him at school for a school breakfast. I think we were both happy that he normally eats breakfast at home. But, it was nice to spend time together.

That afternoon, I brought Whoopie Pies for his birthday treat. My favorite part was being able to take him to and from school that day since he normally rides the bus.

Saturday, after the breakfast of his choice (hashbrowns, eggs, toast, and sausage), we headed to the kids' Dentist's office for their Patient Appreciation day. The kids enjoyed checking out the fire truck, police car, and playing some games.

We came home and let Tyler open his birthday gifts from us. Including a Leatherman multi-tool. (Daddy thought this was a good gift for camping trips). A package from Grandpa Norm and Grandma Carol arrived just as he finished opening our gifts. Great timing! With lots of safety advice, and direction from Daddy, Tyler carefully used his new knife to open his new toys. I was scurrying around getting prepared for the afternoon party and came upstairs to find Wayne washing Tyler's finger at the sink. Tyler was trying to open the knife and cut his finger. Wayne told me he thought Tyler might need stitches. So, Tyler's first trip to the ER was on his eighth birthday. I told Tyler this would be a birthday he wouldn't forget. (He argued that it ruined his birthday, but I think it turned out alright after all). The doctor suggested that he could glue it, but it would heal with just a bandaid, so we just did that. Whew!

Here he is, after we made it back home.

In the afternoon, he had a few friends over for a Ninja/Ninjago themed birthday party. (I must credit most of my ideas/planning to Craft Interrupted).  We had originally intended to start the party with a game of minigolf, but Saturday was the coldest day we've had yet this fall (I think it was in the upper 40's) and it was spitting rain on and off. So, we just stayed at our house.

We started with a treasure hunt. Here, they are hunting for a clue in the Legos.

Here, they were instructed to each pop a balloon by sitting on it to receive their next clue. (I didn't realize Wayne was video taping...but you'll see that I wondered if this was such a good idea after all...).

Their "treasure" was personalized Ninja headbands.

Next, they all worked on decoding their "Ninja names."

 Then, of course, we needed to take some Ninja pictures (with Sensei Wu beards).

There was a game of "pin the beard on Sensei Wu" which they got a kick out of.

Then, they decorated their Ninja stars and practiced throwing them.

I made a Ninjago pinata. (Something I've never done before, so Wayne and I worried it would all be over too soon). Luckily, it lasted for everyone to have at least 3 turns before it finally opened.




Afterward, they jumped on the trampoline with the pinata until not much remained...



A little picture of the table, (Chinese takeout boxes held the party treats).  We had snacks, including Fushi (fake sushi from rice krispie treats).

We played a little game that we planned to call "Poor Kitty." But, true to the ninja theme, it morphed into "I'm Sensei Wu, I like to drink tea..." (The goal is to try not to smile, or you are "it"...I don't think anyone was able to stay out of the middle).

 

Happy Birthday, Tyler! We love you!!!

We ended the evening with dinner at Ziggy's - Tyler's (new) favorite pizza place.

Sunday, we celebrated with Ted and Sue. Dinner was Tyler's request - we had shrimp cocktail, chicken curry with rice, pickles, spinach salad, cheese, etc. We skyped with Aunt Rachel, Jillian and Reid, and later talked to Grandpa Norm on the phone. What a great way to wrap up a fun birthday weekend!

Wichita Air Show

Last Sunday, Wayne and Tyler went to the McConnell Air Show. They had a great time. Wayne took a bunch of pictures and video, and has been wanting to share that with my Dad. Here is a little preview, Dad.

 

(I don't know why it's not letting me make this picture bigger).

Aubrey

I feel like it's been busy around here. Last weekend while Wayne and Tyler were at the air show, I got a few pictures of my little muffin. She cracks me up!

 

And on another day.
I guess paper becomes old news as a canvas...

Daddy's shorts

 My little lady is growing up so fast...but she still looks tiny when she's "wearing" Daddy's shorts.

So, after my attempt at getting a picture, I handed Wayne the camera. Much better!!



Gathering

We had a long overdue gathering with the Pankratz's, Jaberg's and Bartel's last weekend. For those of you who know our little ones, I thought you might want to see how big everyone is getting.

We have a 2nd grader

Stuckeys in St Louis

We usually make a trip home to Indiana in the summertime. This summer, my parents had a trip to Alaska. The timing of their return to Indiana didn't coordinate well with my week off of work. So, though we  missed seeing a lot of friends and family, our trip "home" just didn't work out this year. Instead, we were so glad that Dave and Teneesa Stuckey (and their kids Amelia and Owen) could meet us in St. Louis for a couple of days.

This time we did bring our camera. But, most of these pictures are from Dave and Teneesa's camera. They have a great camera and did a better job of documenting our trip than we did.

We started our mini vacation off with a little dip in the hotel pool. It was a bit green and it was rumored to be freezing (I was the only one who never ventured in), but it didn't bother the kids.

Some bedtime reading. I find it endearing when Tyler looks after Aubrey...and when she lets him. 

We ate some good food while we were together. Our first breakfast was at a diner. I think this is a cute picture of Teneesa and Amelia.

Aubrey on Teneesa's iPhone. Another reason I need an iPhone. ;)

On our full day together, we started with a trip to the zoo. Here we're petting/touching (whatever you call it) the stingrays. A few of our crew touched the sharks too.

At the children's zoo, they enjoyed brushing the goats.

A ride on the carousel.

Since the temp was over 100 degrees that day, we took the train as often as we could.  (Sorry about the pole, Dave)!

Getting a bit worn out.

Tyler and Owen looking tough with the Rhinoceros Beetle statue.

Hot and tired after a long day at the zoo.

After a little rest, we headed back out. First we found a delicious Italian restaurant for dinner.

 Then walked to the arch.

Tyler and Owen checking it out at the base.

Dave, Wayne and the kids (sans Aubrey) getting ready to ride the elevator to the top.

The view from the top.



Checking it out.

We had a great time! :)

Washington Visit

My sister, Lynette, celebrated a milestone birthday on June 29. Rusty coordinated a trip that weekend to celebrate together in Washington. My cousin, Trina, and her husband Trent and daughter Tipper Olive were able to fly out for the weekend too.

I went alone, and I worried before leaving how Aubrey would make sense of my absence. Of course, she was fine. Somehow, even though I didn't have to pack for children (think DVD players, snacks, toys, etc), I forgot to bring my camera!!!! What!?! So, thanks Trina for sharing your pictures.

I know I've said this before, but living hundreds of miles away from most of my family makes me really treasure the time we do get to spend together.

I really loved seeing where Rusty and Lynette live. We stayed next door to Rusty's parents with neighbors who welcomed us like family. We experienced some incredible hospitality while we were there.

We went to see Deception Pass.

Lynette, Trina and the snugly babes. :)

Rusty, Lynette and little Hank



It was so good to just be together. The delicious food and shopping was the icing on the cake. (That I can't stop thinking about).

Now...when is that next trip? :)

Silly Girl