Jamaica 2019

Our big family vacation this year was to Montego Bay, Jamaica for Ashley and Dom's wedding. We had an amazing week: lots of time with grandma and grandpa, aunts and uncles, beautiful weather and many, many strawberry "dokies" (as Henry would say). The resort was beautiful, the pool and ocean were great, and we made lots of memories.

The view from our room.

New Jamaican swimsuits!

Room service for breakfast.

Lots of pool time. The pool was great because there were ledges all around the outside where you could sit and hang out. Henry couldn't touch in the main part of the pool, so he burned lots of calories swimming back and forth to the swim up bar for drinks.

Hanging out at the beach. Henry spent several hours one day making an amazing sand creation. Jack also made friends with the lifeguards after he cut his toe snorkeling. 

Wedding time! The ceremony was beautiful and they had an awesome reception right on the beach. 

And now, the best part of the resort... the sweet shop! Needless to say, we came here every day. Henry was a big fan of the chocolate fountains. 

The food was great all throughout the resort. The boys loved the breakfast buffet and got smoothies every morning. Henry loved the pizza at the restaurant by the pool, and Nathan and Jack loved the jerk chicken hut. Henry and Nathan also loved the Asian place. And we can't forget the coffee shop that also had a donut bar!

We also went on a catamaran trip and snorkeled in the ocean, and then went to Margaritaville to play on the inflatables in the water. We didn't get any pictures that day, but it was super fun. Here are the boys hanging out in the lobby waiting for our shuttle to go to the airport. 

And one last look at the pool and beach from the lobby. As a wise Henry once said, "This is not what I was expecting... marble staircases and ladies bringing me drinks." We'll just choose to forget about a certain 11-year old puking on the plane to Miami, those weird foot rashes and the nurse telling me Henry needed to go to the Jamaican hospital, and the delay on the way home that made up get back at 3 a.m.  Oh, and the swimmer's ear after we were home. It was all worth it for an amazing trip!

Colorado 2017

Our summer vacation this year was a trip to Colorado. We started in Colorado Springs, and then drove to Montrosse to see the Cheezums! After a tearful goodbye (for Kim and I), we headed to Durango and then to the Great Sand Dunes.

In Colorado Springs, we hiked at Red Rocks and Garden of the Gods. We also drove up Pikes Peak, which I never need to do again in my life. The boys loved climbing the rocks at Garden of the Gods and exploring with Daddy on the top of Pikes Peak.

Our only picture at the top of Pikes Peak.

The next morning we set off for Montrosse. We had such a blast with the Cheezums. The kids all got along like they had been friends forever. We swam at their community center the day we got there. The next day we went to a beautiful mountain town called Ouray.

Back at Kim and Jeremy's house the kids had an epic water balloon fight.

All the kids except Fletcher, who was in Phoenix at a basketball camp.

Lydia and "Nicky"

All too soon, it was time to say goodbye. It doesn't get any easier to say goodbye to Kim! You can't see our tears, but they were there.

Our next stop was Durango. We rode the Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and it was great. We also stopped at the Great Sand Dunes. I wrote this post 2 years ago and somehow it didn't publish. So I can't find those pictures, but I'm going to go ahead and publish what I have!

Poppy

Against our better judgment, we got a puppy. Her name is Poppy and she is pretty annoying, but also pretty cute. I guess we're stuck with her now. The boys are really enjoying her and she is sweet when she isn't having accidents in the house.

Jack is 11!!

Sweet baby Jack turned 11 a couple of weeks ago. We had a blast celebrating him three weekends in a row... first Grandma Sue and Grandpa Bill came, then we had a friend party at a trampoline park and last we had a party with Grandma Pam, Grandpa Glen, Great Grandpa Bill, Aunt Regina and Uncle Will.


His birthday morning turned out to be exciting because the power went out and he opened his presents in the dark.

Don't let them fool you into thinking they aren't best friends.

Poppy wanted to give him a birthday hug.

I went and got him from school for a special birthday lunch. He chose Corner Cafe and got a humongous cinnamon roll (which he wouldn't let me share because he said he was going to eat the whole thing)!

His party at the trampoline park was so fun. He had 10 friends come and they basically had the place to themselves since it was a Thursday night. These boys have been in school together since 1st grade, in the same class every year. It is fun to see what sweet friendships they have developed. Next year they will scatter to different middle schools.

His last cake was his good old standby -- chocolate. Notice his Jayhawk sweatshirt and hat in almost every picture.

Jack is awesome. He is a great big brother and wonderful friend. I love his curiosity and determination. He is so smart and will work to figure something out as long as it takes. Current favorites include: Fortnite, Plants vs. Zombies, playing outside with Henry and neighbor friends, March Madness, Takis, candy and sleeping really late. Jack, we love you so much and are so proud of the sweet boy are have always been and continue to be.

A Special Piano Recital

This winter's piano recital was extra special because the boys each played a duet with Grandma Pam. They all played beautifully, including Grandma. :)

They also played on Christmas Eve and we went up to church to practice a few days before. They enjoyed being the only ones in the sanctuary, especially wearing their Santa hats. Then they went home to play Santa basketball.

Henry is 8

We have an eight year old in the family! Henry had a blast on his birthday and was super excited to get his very own robot. Lucky the Elf also turned the Christmas tree into a birthday tree. For his birthday dinner we went to Red Robin and he enjoyed the bottomless mandarin oranges and a yummy ice cream sundae.

He also had a blast at his friend birthday party. We went to Mercury Gymnastics and they got to run around, jump and play games for an hour before cake.

He requested a Pokeball chocolate cake and cheetos.

Henry and Porter! I think they have been to each other's birthday parties every year of their lives.

We also had a fun family party, complete with breakfast for dinner and chocolate peanut butter pie.

Jack made him a puppet theater and Aunt Regina and Uncle Will got him puppet stuff. It was a great birthday for sweet Henry!