Weekend Wrap-Up

We are still trying to squeeze every last drop of fun into our summer weekends around here. I can't believe it's almost August! I'm not ready for summer to start winding down at all.

Friday night the Pattersons all came over to celebrate the August birthdays.  We met at El Azteca for dinner, then came back here.  We were excited to host since we had just gotten all our new furniture! We all love the new living room furniture and Kylee couldn't be happier about her bedroom set.  She is thrilled to be able to sleep in her own room again!

As you can see in the photos, Kylee adores her August birthday buddy, Uncle Kevin.

We also had a super fun surprise that night- Kevin and Kaity revealed the gender of their baby that's due in January! We also got to see some adorable ultrasound photos.  We're just so happy for them and really thankful for a wonderful evening of family time with the Pattersons. We played KanJam and spent the rest of the evening talking out on the deck. The weather was perfect.  Later Kase fell asleep in our new chair in the living room while I read books to him.  It was so sweet.

Rewinding a little- I got a few more photos from our week at the lake that I wanted to share.  There are still a ton more but I just don't know how I'll ever post all the ones I want!

Saturday Kylee and I spent almost the entire day sorting and organizing her room.  We went through every article of clothing, every craft item, and found the perfect spot for it in her new room. She's like me in that she loves to have everything have it's perfect spot and loves things to be neat and tidy! Sorting things for her room made me want to do that to every single room in the house! Maybe I'll get to that when Kase heads to kindergarten this fall and I'm looking for things to do.  Anyhow, we're so very thankful to have Kylee's room all put back together and I just know she loves it.  She's so appreciative- it's very sweet.

Later that afternoon Kent took the kids to the pool while I ran a few errands and started birthday shopping for Kylee. After that, Cindy came down to stay with the kids while Kent and I went to the Home Show Expo with friends.  This is our fourth year in a row going with these same friends and we all agree it's one of our favorite nights of the year.  Had dinner out on our way home and enjoyed being able to sit outside on the patio at Jethro's! It was gorgeous out.

Sunday after church we visited Kyle and Julia at their new house! I'm so happy for them.  They have a great place in an awesome location and I can't wait to visit them again soon and let the kids run to the park that's so close to them! When we got home Kylee played with a friend, the boys played football in the backyard (where Kase chipped his tooth when he caught a football with his face then later declared "It was totally worth it because it was an awesome catch.")

Later that night we debated for awhile about whether to go to the Balloon Classic with friends.  We really wanted to go but knew it would be a late night at the end of an already busy weekend.  Ultimately I fun bullied Kent into agreeing with me and we headed to Indianola! We had a great time- the kids had fun dancing to the live music, playing football and frisbee and exploring the balloons during the Night Glow.  It was really cool- we got to walk right up to all the balloons and the kids had fun getting each pilot's trading card. 

Planning to squeeze more fun in today- our oven gets fixed (the very last thing on our to do list from the lightning strike!) then the kids and I are heading to Adventureland! 

Weekend Wrap-Up

I don't have all the pictures from my mom and sisters from our weekend but I really wanted to get something posted.  So that means you might just get to see more pictures later this week. 

Saturday morning was the Ankeny Youth Triathlon! We just love this event so much. The kids have worked so hard training and we really enjoy cheering them on! It was a great morning and we appreciate everyone who came out to support them.

They were excited and a little nervous before the race started. I'm glad we've done it several times before because there was a mix-up with Kael's race number but we got it all squared away and he handled it really well.

Kylee's favorite part is the run portion of the race. 

And Kael was all smiles on the bike portion! I just love seeing them give it their all.

Both were really happy with their times and how the race went.  They both improved times from last year.

Kylee came in first in her age division. She was so happy- I know she was feeling the pressure from having won last year too!

We had lunch out with Keith and Cindy after the race to celebrate and Kent found a cool spot to take photos with Kase and Kylee.

Then Kylee went to a birthday party while we got everything packed.  We picked her up and headed to the lake!

We've all been looking forward to this week at Lake Panorama all summer! We had only been there for a few minutes and the kids were jumping on the trampoline, sitting in the hot tub and playing at the beach. 

We fit in lots of tubing and hot dog rides!

Kael and Berkley were best buddies all week.

And these three amigos kept us on our toes. 

The kids got braver and braver and caught lots of air on the tube!

Early morning breakfast and book reading on the deck.  And that view.  Sigh.  

The sunsets over the lake were just breathtaking.

Kase declared my mom's punch to be his favorite part of the trip. 

Beach fun!

Kent and Kase clocked a lot of quality time fishing.  They didn't catch a lot but they had a great time.

The boys.

And the girls.

The fun never ended! Basketball and big wheel rides out front kept everyone entertained between boat rides.

Kase found a good spot to lounge.

He was resting up so that he could get on the ski trainer and show off a little bit!

Kael did a lot of tubing.  He really had fun.

Hanging out with my best guy.

And with this fun crew! Who wouldn't want to hang out with this group?!

Of course we had a fire pit and s'mores one night.

Photos with Grandpa.

More fishing.

We did have one rainy day.  That meant it was time to bust out the karaoke machine! We also played some great games- including a Guess Who game with our own faces on the cards!

Then the weather cleared in time for Kylee to ski!

We attempted to get a picture of everyone with the muscle pose (inspired by Kase).

I love capturing these sweet moments.  Kase was "reading" to Huston.

This sunset boat ride was one of my favorite moments of the trip.  It's just gorgeous out on the water. So calm and peaceful.

We wrapped up our morning with one last dip in the hot tub.  All the cousins are going to miss each other this week! 

It has just been the best week.  There's nothing better than time spent with family.

We're looking forward to the week ahead too- our furniture gets delivered tomorrow, which means that by this weekend Kylee's room should be totally put back together! It's been one month since we got struck by lightning and we are all ready to have our house back, but especially Kylee.  She's so anxious to have her own space again!

Have a great weekend, all!