Busy Times in August

For the month of August we were pretty busy getting everyone ready to go back to work and daycare. We did take some time off to attend the West Point Sweet Corn Festival. The kids loved the rides and Braden enjoyed competing in the Big Wheel Race. Joe and I ran in the 5K run, I am already working on him to run with me next year!!! We also met some of our friends, Andy and Lacey Charles and thier 3 boys, in Kansas City. This was a pretty relaxing trip just hanging out. Braden and Kyra had a blast just getting to play with Jameson and Carter. Braxton and Maddox didn't really do much playing with each other. The last couple of pictures is Braden at the driving range. Joe bought him his own set of clubs and Braden, Joe and Grandpa F. went golfing all together for the first time. That is the first time that everyone actually got to golf and not just watch!!!

Braxton's Baptism

On July 19, 2008, Braxton Michael was baptized at St. Mary's Church in West Point. Jesse and Karen were his godparents. We had lots of family help us celebrate this important day in Braxton's life. Braxton got to wear his Uncle Jacob's baptismal outfit. Thanks Jake!!!

Family Time

On Saturday, July 5th our family was extremely busy. The morning was spent hanging out at Grandma and Grandpa Fullenkamp's house. Then we took the kids to Willie and Lu Wards to join my cousins for some slip and slide fun. After naps we headed to Grandma Thannerts for our annual 4th of July Shish Kabobs, boy were they good!! Then we ended the day at Joe's aunt and uncles wedding anniversary party. The kids did great, probably better than their parents with all the running around. However, it was well worth it!!

Fish anyone??

On the 4th of July we were extremely busy. We went to Grandma and Grandpa Denning's house and took Kyra and Braden fishing for the first time. They both caught some small bluegill. THis was after they went and dug up worms in the horse weeds. I let this be a father/children activity. I am not a fisherman!

One room school house!

On June 29, we took the kids to visit a state park not to far from our house. There is a one room school house located there that the kids were able to go in and see what the desks and chalkboards looked like. When we first got there we had a picnic lunch and then we went on a nature walk. We finished up the trip going inside the school and both kids got to ring the school bell. There was a old park located there as well so the kids played for a while. I think they had a good time!

Visiting Springfield Zoo

In order to keep the kids occupied we try to do some type of outing once a week. This not only gets them out of the house but us as well. On June 21st we took the kids to the Springfield zoo. This was Braxton's first trip to a zoo. The kids seemed to enjoy the animals, big surprise. After we finished looking at the animals we went to a park that overlooked the lake and had a picnic. Both Kyra and Braden are really into picnics this summer!

Starting Hockey!!

After going to Colorado over spring break Braden started to talk about his friend playing hockey. So we decided to sign him up for hockey school this summer. He attends school every Wed. for 45 min. Once he gets out there he really seems to enjoy it. After the first day he came off the ice and told me, "Mom, my butt is freezing!" I never know what is going to come out of his mouth!! We currently have one more week left. Then Joe and I will have to discuss if this is going to continue or not. I never realized how expensive the actual hockey gear can be!!

Braxton's First real Bath!

Braxton took his first tub bath on June 16. Up until this point we had to give him sponge baths due to his umbilical cord still being attached. At first he thought the bath was nice but once he realized that we would be pouring water on him he got a bit upset. He has since calmed down and seems to really like bath time. After the kids all took thier baths for the night we had some family bonding time.

Joe's 31st Birthday!!

On June 4, 2008, we celebrated Joe's birthday. It was pretty low key since we just brought Braxton home. We stayed at home for the day and then grilled steak and walked to the local ice cream shop. The kids and I made Joe a cake and we ate ice cream and cake after supper. The kids also were just starting to get used to having baby Braxton home. They really seem to like him.

Braxton Michael joins our family!!!

On June 1, 2008, we were once again blessed with a VERY healthy baby boy. Braxton Michael entered this world at 11:35 a.m. and was 8 lbs. 9 oz. and 20 in. long. He too had lots of black hair just like his siblings. Braden and Kyra both adore him and were so excited when they finally got to take him home with them. I do, however believe it will be a big transition for the both of them. We are all doing great, hope you enjoy the pictures and we will be updating them soon.

Braden riding his bike!!

Braden, for some reason got it in his head that he needed to ride his bike with no training wheels. I do not know if he thought that he would magically be able to do this but we gave in and took off his training wheels. He has been practicing and can make it to the neighbors two houses down driveway. He has also learned how to stop without falling over. It is still a work in progress but he thinks he is hot stuff. Kyra didn't want to miss out on the action so she gave it a try as well. I think that she needs to get a bit bigger yet!!

Re-landscaping!!

So we have had some bad luck the last two years with our shrubs dying. We finally decided to give up on the shrubs and plant perennials instead. Hopefully these will survive!! We redid the front of the house and added a decorative tree to the corner. We also have always planted a garden on the east side of our house and decided to dress it up a bit. The pictures are of the awesome job that Joe did with the landscaping bricks. The kids thought that he needed some help so they joined in. Braden's truck actually came in pretty handy during this process, we could load up the back and make him take items to and from the garage. The single picture of the potted flower arrangement is from my mom! She is always thinking of me and sent it to school for teacher appreciate week. At least someone appreciates me because it is not the students!!! Enjoy!!

Our Trip to the John Deere Pavilion

On April 27, 2008, we took the kids to the John Deere Pavilion in Moline. Braden and Kyra both absolutely loved it. Braden thinks that his Grandpas both need to buy some the really big tractors that have a seat for big boys. The kids tried out four of the newer tractors and got to sit in some of the tires. We also lifted them up so they could sit in the back of the big dump truck. It was a fun day and amazing to see the kids eyes light up at the site of the tractors. Maybe they still have a bit of the John Deere Green in them!!!

Riding in our New Truck

The kids got a bit spoiled this year at Easter. The Easter Bunny decided to bring them a battery operated Arctic Cat. Braden loves driving it and Kyra loves riding, although there are days in which she thinks she needs to drive. Ever since our trip to Colorado and Braden experiencing what is like to get pulled over he is sure to always buckle his sister in with the Velcro straps.

Spring Break!

One of the benefits of being a public school teacher is recieving Spring Break. Our Spring Break happened to fall over Easter this year so I had Good Friday off as well as the whole next week. Since we probably won't be taking a summer vacation we decided to drive to Denver, CO to visit some close friends and give Braden and Joe the chance to do a bit of skiing. We started out the Thursday night before Good Friday and arrived in Denver Friday morning. The trip out went extremely well, we drove straight through!! We headed up to the mountains on Sat. We stayed at a condo in Winter Park. The Easter Bunny still found us on Sunday morning but only left candy and a note made out to the kids saying their present was back in Illinois. We then took Braden to ski school and Joe went skiing with a friend. Kyra and I hung out at the base of the mountain. We visited with the Easter Bunny and went on an easter egg hunt. I was the over protective mother so I was constantly checking on Braden at his school. I think he loved it, he told his teacher he did not want to eat lunch because he wanted to go back outside. He also decided that Joe and I should buy him his own skis and accessories. We didn't, but he did look pretty cute with everything on it was tempting. On Monday, Braden insisted on going down the big mountain with Joe. I think this was by far Joe's longest run ever! By the end of the day Braden was able to stay standing the whole time and he figured out how to turn so he could go where he wanted. We headed back to Denver on Monday night and enjoyed 65+ degree weather for Tuesday and Wed. While in Denver we visited the Science and Nature Museum and the kids and I went to the Children's museum. We then drove back to Iowa on Thursday. Again a pretty peaceful drive. I am thankful my kids are pretty good in the car!! TV's really help! Enjoy the pictures!

Mandy

It's snowy outside!!

On February 1, 2008 we recieved about 6 to 8 inches of snow. Schools were cancelled and the kids got to stay home with both mom and dad. Unfortunately, it was to cold to go outside. However, Monday brought warm weather, up in the 40's, so we took advantage of it and Braden and Kyra went out and built a snow man. Braden wanted to build a whole family but Daddy said it was to much work! Included is a slide show of our snowy adventure.

Emily's Homecoming 2008

On January 25, 2008 we traveled back to Iowa to watch Emily in the 2008 Homecoming court at Holy Trinity. She did not win but according to Braden she sure looked beautiful. However, her team did defeat Central Lee in the basketball game.