Happy birthday Eli!

Thought I would finally post the pics I took from Eli's birthday party. Eli wanted all his cousins to come so we had a cook out and everyone had a great time. Eli had his friends over Memorial Day weekend. I didn't get any pics bc keeping nearly 10 14yr old boys feed- was a full time job! He had a great time playing video games with his friends. 

I think the big kids like the park as much as the little ones do.

Yee-ha!!!

Gotta be like Eli!

This could end badly.

Boys will be boys!

I love seeing the kids play with Colin. He runs around with them and always asking them to pick him up. Noah was great giving him a piggy back everywhere.

The master minds! Growing so fast!

Where is Cassi going?

Thx Andrew for doing all the grilling!

Yummy food!

Cassi likes her cupcake!

After dinner, the kids wanted a kids vs grown ups volleyball game. Andrew, Jen, dad and myself took on the challenge. We played the oldest 5. After beating them badly, Eli and Scott decided to join the winning team and Jen played with the other boys. All the boys were shocked at the adults diving for the ball-even Papa! Hopefully we can get together again before school starts again. It's been a busy summer so far and can't believe it's almost July!

Nana and Papa Adventure 2013

Since its summer- it was time for another Nana and Papa adventure. With everyone's busy summer schedules - they did just one with all the older kids. The boys begged to know where they were going, would they have fun- so many questions. And I of course had no idea where they were going until after they left. But Nana and Papa pulled through with another fun adventure.The salt mines. As kids we went to the salt mines in Germany but I didn't know that there were salt mines in Kansas. Noah and Lucas liked this best.

Getting their tickets.

       

All aboard!

Lucas really liked the red salt.

Day 2 the cosmosphere- Eli's favorite.

Everyone with the Titan rocket.

Lighting liquid oxygen on fire.

Noah doing a space simulator.

How much does Eli weigh on the sun, mercury, mars, Jupiter, the moon. . .

They had a great time and loved their souvenirs. Have a good day!

Happy 4th of July

The boys and I went up to my parents to celebrate the 4th. Unfortunately, my sis-in-law Julie and my nephews were out of town but otherwise the whole gang showed up. Loud and crazy family! It seems like now that the kids are older it is harder and harder to plan family get togethers with everyone's busy schedule.  We had good food and this year we thought we would shoot off our own fireworks since the kids love it so much. And I am happy to report the long injury was a bee sting for Eli-well I am not happy the bee stung him - but happy there were no firework accidents. 

Lucas has moves!

Noah got to go first.

And it's a ...smoke bomb! Thanks again Mom and Dad for letting us trash your driveway!

Eli with another smoke bomb!

I don't remember what these were called but the were cool- lite up and spun around.

I love fireworks.

Ummm no more throwing the smoke bombs down the street.

They love smoke bombs.

Oh look a plane- oh no that's not a plane.

Got love being Harry Potter.

Meeting of the minds.

Do not try this at home!

These would be much prettier at night.

Lucas loves the worms.

They are not fighting (like their older brothers) but trying to light the sparklers at multiple points.

Look it's wolverine!

Ohhhhh!

Awww!

Pretty!

And more smoke bombs! Can't have any fireworks left over! Hopefully you all had a fun and safe 4th! Enjoy your day!

Happy 13th Birthday Eli!

Yesterday we celebrated Eli becoming a teenager. *tear* They really do grow up too fast! Sadly Papa and Davids' clan # 2 ( aka Trevor, Ty and Colin - sorry Fred and Julie :/) were out if town. But we did out best to party on.

Eli didn't care what we ate so we went for Memorial Day fair of burgers and hot dogs, chips/dip, veggies and watermelon. However, the burgers went to fast to get a pic of them.

Eli definitely cared about the cake and decided on his favorite- the cookie cake!

Presents!! Gotta love money!

Cards sometimes hold the best presents!

Popcorn!?!?! Or not!

Thanks Nana and Papa! The pic doesn't do this marble justice. It is of the earth and one of the coolest marbles I have ever seen. As it turns, it looks as if the clouds are moving.

Cake! Cookie!

 

Make a wish!

 

Victoria really wanted to play outside and Lucas was nice enough to play with her. What a great cousin he is!

Youngest and oldest cousin.

Xbox- enough said!

I can't believe that I have two teenagers! Eli you make me so proud to be your mom each and every day! I love you!