Homemade Ice Cream

I love homemade ice cream. It bring back memories from when I was little. Our neighbors would get together to make it, while us kids played late into the evening. The good old days!
I found a recipe I wanted to try so I let the kids help me. Maci and I mixed it up while the boys ran the freezer and added ice and salt. It was nice having the help. And the ice cream turned out FANTASTIC!

My days...

seem to look like this every day. I have the hardest time keeping clothes on this kid. He was fully dressed going outside, but when I looked out... this is what I found.

Muscle Man

Family pool fun

We got a call from Uncle Josh inviting us to come eat and swim. Of course we never turn down
an invite!

Maddox was a little tired, but the other two couldn't wait to get there!

After a little rest, he was ready to go. Is there a better place to rest?

Another problem with being the 3rd child... your mom puts you in a PINK life jacket

Maddox and Maci enjoying some time with Aunt Heather

We had so much fun, thanks for the invite Josh, Heather, and Maverick!

Fun day at the Park

We love playdates and we enjoyed a fun one with our cousins on Friday.

How many kids can get on one toy?


The whole group!

There's nothing this kid won't climb

Basketball Camp

We made it thru our busy week. We had several things on the calendar, but the days started with basketball camp. Maci attended her 2nd year of camp and loved every minute of it.

Her highlight was the last day when she got her shirt and gatorade! (I know, I know... you shouldn't wear a tennis skirt to basketball camp... but my little princess only has 2 pair of cotton shorts. She only wears skirts and dresses. oops!)

Wednesday Movies

We hit up the movies again this week and enjoyed it with our friends. Clifford was playing and the kids loved it!

Calvin, Maddox, Camden, Trenton, Oliver, Beth, Violet, Lincoln and Maci

Maci's favorite thing was holding Violet

Afterwards we hit up McDonalds for a little play time and lunch.

Number 3

You know it's your 3rd child when you get to the store...


only to find out the shoes your child put on look a little silly!

Fathers Day

I have been blessed in my life! Over and over again! And on this Fathers Day I will share about the fathers in my life.

I was blessed with an amazing dad. One that always was/is there for me, always willing to help in an instant, and always proud. I can't think of a time my dad hasn't had a smile on his face for me. No matter the circumstances, he's there with a smile. I've been a proud daddy's girl from day one, and today is no different. I'm that girl that thinks her daddy can do no wrong. That looks up to him regardless of how old I get, and love to see the same admiration from my kids for him. I love my daddy!

My father in law... a man I completely respect. I've never seen someone so giving, loving, selfless, and sincere. A man that shines from the inside of his love for his family, lives the life that shows he's a Christian, and is an amazing example for his grandchildren. I love my father in law!

And my hubby... If I give my kids anything in life, it will never beat the gift of their father. You talk about a proud daddy! Eric is amazing with our kids. He walks in from work, and hugs come running. The nights are filled with dancing, wrestling, reading, and fun. He can't leave the house without morning kisses, or go to bed without final tuck-ins. The pride that shines thru him for his kids is amazing. He's amazing! I Love my Eric!

So what did we do to celebrate... We enjoyed the afternoon with family.


the girls enjoyed their time in the pool,


while the boys rough housed on the trampoline



We enjoyed some mexican (Maci's all over her face and Linc showing us his fries)

and just enjoyed our daddy!

Fun Days of Summer

While working outside the other night I had to pull out the big guns so we could get some stuff done.

As I was refinishing a china cabinet

and Eric was doing the mowing

we pulled out the sprinkler!

It's amazing how a little spray of water can entertain kids for so long!

Corn

Our family loves our sweet corn

and even thought Lincoln just got to suck the buttery yumminess off the cob

he was as happy as could be!

Fun Days of Summer

The school has been doing "Fun Days" for the kids this summer, where on Tuesdays and Thursdays they take them for a couple hours to go have some "fun!" This weeks fun was "A Day at the Carnival" and my kids came home with great faces.

Maddox and Camden

Maci and Julia

The kids have been loving these little outings and I'm so glad they get to spend some time with their friends during the summer. What a great activity they get to take part of!

Snuggles

My little boy is changing, so fast, and right before my eyes. This little boy is wild as can be. He NEVER slows down! At bed time it's a matter of closing the door, and he's out. Don't count on ever seeing him go to sleep. If someone is there for him to entertain, he must entertain.

However, the other night I just wanted to lay beside him. To my surprise, he cuddled in with me. As we laid there he didn't make a sound, he didn't try to make me laugh, he just relaxed. His breathing slowed, his body twitched, and all of a sudden, he was completely out. It took all I could do to get myself to leave. It was such a wonderful feeling.

Today was another wonderful change. During the movie we went to, he wanted to sit on my lap. Not me holding him down, just him wanting to snuggle. Again... I loved it!

I still get lots of cuddles from Maci, occasionally from Maddox, but now even a rare occurrence with Lincoln makes my heart fludder!

Grant's Farm

Our week has come to an end. We are ready to get home, but we decided to visit Grant's farm on the way.

The biggest thrill had to of been feeding the goats their baby bottles. When we handed Lincoln his bottle, he immediately put it in his mouth and started drinking, but we quickly made sure he realized it was for the goats, not him.

There's nothing better on a hot day then to run thru the water sprinklers. I think the kids would of stayed here for hours.

And Maci and My favorite part... The Clydesdale horses! Maci has put this at the top of her Christmas list!

We had a fantastic time and will definetly visit again.

Movie Time

We took off today for the free movie at the Legends 14. Monsters Vs. Aliens was playing, and even though the older kiddo's have seen it, they were eager to go.

We broke the rules and took our own food and drinks. But I had happy kiddos!


This was Lincoln's first movie in a movie theater! He was so excited!

However, the storyline seemed to be a little scary to the little ones. And when one has to go to the bathroom, we all have to go. So instead of heading back in for the last half hour, we decided to head to McDonalds to play with Chasity and Blayne.

The Arch

Who can go to St. Louis without visiting The Arch?

Not us!!! Even though Maci and Eric were the only 2 that went up to the top

the rest of us enjoyed the view from below

And taking a break to enjoy the Mississippi River. St Louis has had some recent high waters so the water was up on the steps. Maddox asked if this was where God parted the waters for the good guys to get thru.

Another Great day!

What an adventure

A family vacation has to have something crazy happen, so this was the day we had our fun. After breakfast we headed out the door to go to the Science Museum, but had some other stops first. Maci decided to sit in the very back of the car, and we made several stops along the route. As we were turning into the parking spot, she announced "I need to go to the bathroom." I got out to open the door only to find out that the back of the Durango, and lots of stops and goes, doesn't do well for her. She threw up all over the car! Luckily she felt much better at that point!
We got back in the car, drove to Target, got her a new outfit and me some cleaning supplies and got to work. She changed while I cleaned and scrubbed and cleaned some more. After that fun, we continued on with the plans. Science Museum here we come... again!

the first challende was to build an arch with the blocks. It took my smarties no time at all to figure this one out!


then off to power the place. Maci and Lincoln took their turn in the mouse wheel, and Eric and Maddox followed

The big kids loved the dinosaur, Linc however wasn't a big fan

We enjoyed our time here with the interactive activities, and even managed to leave without buying anything at the Build A Bear that was inside!