Back to School!

By all accounts, it's been a great summer.

We have taken several trips.

We have spent lots of time with friends and family.

We have used our pool and Adventureland passes to the max.

We have had all the Nerf Wars and backyard football games.

We have baked many, many cupcakes.

We have made all the necessary back to school preparations and been to all the teacher meetings.

But I'm still not sure I'm ready to see Summer 2017 go. 

Kase will be off to kindergarten tomorrow and my house will be way too quiet.  I intend to spend my day having coffee and going on walks with friends, but mostly, hanging out on my porch hoping to catch a glimpse of my littlest buddy at one of his three recesses.

I'll also keep my eye out for Kylee, who says she isn't ready to go back to school.  She is, though.  I can feel it- she went for a run this morning and talked about how she can't wait to get back into cross country and I know she'll be anxious to see some of her running friends at school tomorrow. She spent a lot of time perfectly organizing her desk last night at Meet the Teacher Night, and I'm certain she's ready.

Kael has an easy confidence about being in seventh grade.  He hardly glanced at his schedule, assuring me he'd have no problem finding his classes on the first day. He also intends to ride his bike to school on his own, even though it's my carpool day.  When he realized that he said, "Mom, I'll definitely ride with you instead if you want me to."  He's thoughtful, and he's definitely matured in the last few months.

I know they're all going to have a great year and while I am definitely not looking forward to an empty house, I'm sure I'll get used to having some more time to myself.  And Summer 2018 will be here before we know it!

A wedding and vacation (Part 2)

I was trying to go in order but I found a couple other photos that should have been on Part 1.  Here is group shot from rehearsal!

And one more of the wedding party!

This was a running joke the whole time in Key West- Kase didn't walk hardly at all.  He always wanted on Kent's shoulders!

These next few are just some random pictures in no particular order. There were lots of chickens/roosters all around town.  Kase loved going on Rooster Hunts with Kent each morning that he woke up early.

These iguanas were so fun for the kids to see! There were also tons of little geckos all over!

The day after the wedding we went to the aquarium.

Kylee loved holding all the creatures! Her excitement was contagious and she convinced her brothers to hold them too!

The kids got to feed the fish and a huge turtle.

After the aquarium we did some souvenir shopping.  The boys got a little goofy during this...

But in the end, Kylee came away with some fantastic shells and other souvenirs!

Then we went for lunch and...Key Lime Pie!!!

Then back to swim and relax.

Some of us relaxed more than others.

Later we hit a different beach and had fun walking down the pier.

Ran into this scooter crew on our way there! Cousins Jake, Kelsey and Kate!

Smiling contest at breakfast.

One funny story here to go with this blurry photo- parking in Key West is difficult and expensive, to say the least.  We drove a golf cart around most of the week and one night we found a *tight* spot but Kent maneuvered the golf cart mostly into it.  Then, we hopped out and he literally lifted the golf cart the rest of the way into the parking spot.  Ha! Those big muscles come in handy sometimes.

Eating ice cream, wearing his new shark shirt.

Kael LOVED his "flat bill" orange hat we found!

The kids meals at Hard Rock Cafe were served on guitar shaped plates, which the kids loved.

So patriotic.

Sunday morning we went on an Eco Tour, which was the highlight of the trip for the kids (besides the wedding, of course!)

The kids loved the boat ride out into the gulf.

We spotted several dolphins! They swam right up to our boat! So cool.

Then it was time to snorkel! Kael and Kylee especially loved this.  We saw a huge sting ray, lots of cool fish, and Kylee saw a shark!

Kase did OK with snorkeling, but Grandpa Keith was happy to take a break with him and look at picture of the fish.

After snorkeling, we went out to a beautiful sand bar.

The kids all got to try paddle boarding- and did great with it! Kent and I got to kayak, and the kids also had fun snorkeling some more- Kael saw a crab and Kylee found some cool shells!

I apologize for the quality of these photos- they were photos off the crew's camera from the boat but I just had to take them- I'm dying at all of Kase's poses!

What a great day out on the water- something the kids will never forget!

Later that night we walked to the Southernmost point of the continental USA.  I'm so happy with this picture!

A few more miscellaneous photos- the start of the highway- Mile Marker 0.

Swimming fun!

Wildlife in Florida- roosters and iguanas.

 Smoothies with Kyle and Julia!

Scooter rides around town!

We walked out on a pier one morning...

...and Kylee spotted this sting ray!

The last night we found an awesome pizza place- just what we needed before boarding the plane!

The kids are making sad faces because we thought this would be our last golf cart ride.

But minutes later, Keith got home from an excursion and was able to drive us to the airport.

So long, Key West! Here we are walking to our plane.

Kase enjoyed the view of flying into Miami at night.

Thank heavens for this Sky Train- we would have had a long walk to our gate in Miami.

Sweet Kylee helping entertain Kase while we waited.

When we landed in Kansas City, it was about 11:45 PM and Kylee's birthday was the next day.  So while we waited for our luggage, the clock turned to midnight and we all wished her a Happy Birthday.  Kael even sang to her right in the airport! I had a small gift for her that I had been carrying around in my purse so that she would have something to open right away on her birthday. What a fun memory.

The next morning she woke up to gold balloons in the hotel room for her golden birthday. Then, after breakfast we headed home.  

Here are a few more photos that should have made Part 1's post. 

Our ride from rehearsal to rehearsal dinner. 

What a truly amazing and memorable trip.  We are so happy for Kevin and Kaity and are so thankful we got to be a part of it!