best memorial day ever

i dont actually remember any other memorial day in my life, other than when we used to walk on stilts in the parade in Bloomfield, waaaay back in the day. But I can't imagine I have ever had a better one than this.

It started out with the best husband ever being super nice. He cooked the kids breakfast and kept them occupied and wouldn't let them near my room. I slept in and even had an undisturbed quiet time with God (a miracle in itself).

Later, we met Harry at Riverside park for a picnic and playing. And then the Yarnell's and Dustin and Ashton showed up. We had a fabulous time in the fountain (see yesterday's blog for photos.)

And the day ended with a BBQ and Aunt Marcia and Uncle Don's house. Here is a look at that fun evening.

Jacob helps uncle don flip burgers
Our long lost cousin Leah and her new husband John enjoy the yummy food
Nancy also enjoys the yummy food.


Uncle Don shows Nancy the neighbor dogs

Nancy orders people around with her big stick
When she doesnt get her way she comes and beats mommy and daddy with it.

There was a lot of frisbee going on at this BBQ, and let me tell you- most of us totally stink at it. But not John.


Brendan attempts to catch a frisbee
Ty and Nate playing ladder golf- a great game I just learned how to play. Abby and I beat Jared and Ari 21 to 20.

Then the boys found a super soaker


Then Jared gets a hold of the super soaker...Brendan totally had it coming.
The horse tank! I used to swim in this thing when I was their age.

Playing in the fountain at Riverside Park

my beautiful nieces with my beautiful daughter

Ariana and Mak being adorable sisters.Ashton in a fabulous shirt
Ty and Dustin find themselves in an embarrassing moment.
Jacob sits on a fountain
Jacob's bum is showing, like usual.
mmm...cookies.
messy face

Seth lounging on daddy
nancy and uncle ty (photo modified by brandy)
nancy looking very Top Gun
so pretty
Nancy is a popular baby


Jacob is having so much fun!Seth getting soaked.
Mak getting soaked
nancy and i get soaked
Jared and I surprised Abby
She wasn't very happy about it.Jacob gets soaked
Brendan gets soaked
Ariana is soaked but happy

bowling

the johnsons, the awalts, the yarnell's and the witt's went bowling. here are a few shots of the night.

adorable maknancy is obviously an awalt....
brendan coaches jacob
serious bowling talknot so serious girl talk
We played guys vs girls. Brandy, and I were the women's champions while Uncle Don and John kicked all the guys booties. I decided to leave everyone their dignity by not showing scores. (although I got a 126, and a 117- the best I have bowled in years!) No matter how well we all did, it was a fabulous time, as bowling always is, and it is great to have Leah and John back from Colorado for a couple of days!

MUD!

Seth and Nancy play in the mud!









Seth is being a wild animal
Here, he is a frog

Nancy having fun around the house

Nancy, Wyatt, and Shelby have a tea party





Nancy plays our new organ

Life group BBQ! part 2

More pics from our fun barbecue. Heather showing off her mad balancing skills.
Jeff is cracking up while Alex loses his pants.
the three stooges.
I love this one of Jeff and Alex
poor sad batman.
something funny is going on
cute babies
Jacob eating a real worm.
Seth eating a real worm.

Brendan and Jared blow a giant bubble together.Brendan actually blew small bubbles into the giant bubble, but the big bubble popped before the picture was taken!
Kia concentrating hard on her awesome bubble.

the ladies being silly.

I love my girls!

Life group BBQ!

There wasn't actually any barbecuing, but there was cooking on the stove, eating, and lots of playing. It was so fun!

Here, our photographer gets ready. "Dude, check this out!"
Zac impresses us with his eyelid flipping skills.
mwahahahaha! (that is the sound of evil laughter)
"oh man, that hurt."
I am watching the kiddos being crazy
Jeff is so cool, isnt he?
Me with my ladies: April, Sarah, and Heather.
And here are our feet.
Baby mechanics, Nancy and Shelby
cool color thingy
I love this one of Seth. It's very symmetrical.
Sarah on a little girl bike.
Heather on a little girl bike, and I'm not sure what Zac is doing.Me on a little girl bike.
Jeff, the human jungle gym.Funny picture of me and Nancy having a conversation.How cute is this girl?Shelby and the magic Spiral.
So cute!
The creator hard at work.

Me in The Spiral.
April in the Spiral (I love this one!! So cute!)
Kallie looks so pretty in The Spiral.
Tough Brendan in The Spiral
Andi and Jared being in love in The Spiral.
Yay! Kissing in The Spiral.
Contemplative Jeff in The Spiral.
Happy Sarah in The Spiral.
Sarah and I hanging out on The Spiral.
Sarah, I'm going to miss you.

projects with g'pa

birthday CAKE

My birthday was on Saturday, and for once, I got to have my cake and eat it too. Jared and I went to Kansas City with a bunch of friends. We didn't take pictures but here are a few taken by one of the teenage girls that were with us.

First we went to dinner at the cheesecake factory (where I got to EAT my cake). Here is Jonathan, Emily, Katy, Jason, and you can see half of me and Jared in the background, while we were waiting for our table.

And then we went to see Cake in concert (where I got to HAVE my cake, or at least WATCH Cake). It was really fun. They were great performers, and they gave away a redbud tree to one of their fans. It was a fun birthday. In the end, i got to bed at 3:30 in the morning and woke up at 6:30. Remind me not to do that anymore.