Youth fair and Katy Trail

Busy times continue - we are only three weeks away from the beginning of school! We have been spending a lot of time outdoors despite the heat. This week the kids went to the pool with Papa, we attending a BBQ with my co-workers, checked out the Cooper County Youth Fair, and hit the Katy Trail with some friends.

 I love this picture!

 Nola got a new comforter. It was 80% off at the store so Brenner asked if he could get something. I said sure - if it was 80% off! He came up empty handed!

 So....this is what we battle with Nola on an almost daily basis. She puts on 10 different outfits, throwing clothes all over the floor and shoving them in the bottom of her closet. Ugh.

 My work BBQ was along the Missouri River and the location of Boathenge (http://www.boathenge.net/)

 Brenner got a new bike on Friday. Impulse buy by Papa, and Mommy wasn't the biggest fan of the purchase (given that Brenner has a couple bikes and his attitude hasn't been the best lately). Here is the promise he made.

 On Saturday, we headed to the youth fair to see our neighbor girl (who watered our garden and watched Emi) show her goat and calf. We were running late as it was an impromptu outing. We were rolling out a little late. About half way there, Nola asks Brenner "Where are your shoes?" Ugh - he forgot to put on shoes so we had to turnaround and go back home. Fortunately, the fair was running a little behind and we still got to see Katy show her goat.

 Here is Katy taking her goat in the obstacle course.

 Nola loved the chickens. And this kind girl got out her grand champion for Nola to pet.

 Nola in one of her crazy outfits ready for church. She also dressed Doodle :)

 On Sunday afternoon, we met up with our friends the Heaths to ride bikes on the Katy Trail. The weather was perfect and the company was even better!

 Nola singing with the windows down after our bike ride. Pure summer joy!

 Packages arrived from Aunt Theresa and Uncle Chuck!

New backpacks for school. Nola loved her Frozen backpack...Brenner was having a moment but he was excited about his Star Wars backpack :)

Summer craziness

Last week was absolutely gorgeous weather with highs in the 70s. So we spent some time outdoors, took a trip to the zoo, and went to a fish fry. Nola also got invited to an evening VBS so even our evenings were busy!

Brenner toasting some marshmallows while Nola was at VBS. He has started to throw up peace signs - we aren't for sure why!

 

Roasting battle!

With the weather this good, I took Wednesday off work so that we could go to the St. Louis zoo. Every one else had the same idea - it was packed but we had fun. Plus, Grandma Val came along to make the day extra special!

Looks close in the water - you can see the hippos! These were a real hit with Brenner and Nola!

In the kids area, we could get up close and personal with the animals. Here the kids are looking at tree frogs. There is one above Nola's head!

Nola petting a collared lizard!

Brenner loved the insect house. He was taking it all in.

Nola insisted on seeing elephants. She was quite pleased when we finally came upon them.

Grandma and Brenner petting the sting rays. Nola wanted no part of this!

It was a long day...guess who is having a moment on the train?

Next stop, the Conservation Carousel. Brenner chose a river otter.

Nola picked the polar bear because it didn't go up and down.

The herp house - Brenner's favorite!

Ice cream before we headed home.

Nola got some new shoes and was quite happy. We told her that she had to have on socks so they didn't get stinky from her Parker feet. The next day she was putting on a pair of socks and said "Ok mom, these have herpes on them so I don't slip." Interesting, sweetie!

On Saturday, Nola and I went to Krystee's baby shower. Here is the outfit she picked out...a bit more tomboy than usual!

Nola and Eadlin photobombing the picture!

Cute cousins :)

Nola helping Eadlin out. When Eadlin's grandma told her to give Nola a turn, Nola said "It's okay - I need the exercise." That cracked Grandma Nancy up!

Brenner and Nola went to VBS on Thursday and Friday. Here they are waiting for their ride down to the church.

It was a small country baptist church. The kids had a ball!

Star Wars battle with corks!

Some of our garden produce! Breaded zucchini, heirloom tomato and kale salad and salmon (not ours haha) with pesto (which is ours).

Many variety of heirlooms. Unfortunately the high winds and storms broke some of the vines but the tomatoes are still ripening.

Making lemonade

Okay - you know the saying - making lemonade out of lemons when things seem a bit hectic. That is how our week started with a big storm coming through - damaging trees and other property in at our house. The wind was shaking the windows so hard - Brenner never woke up and Nola was only disturbed when the power went off and her night light was no longer on. Thank the Lord no one was hurt! We also had vacation bible school this week and our niece Lauren and her son came for a visit!

 Nola is in the habit wanting to wash her own hair.....she scrubs it into tangles!

 One of our ash trees blown over from the storm. Glad it went along the house and not onto the roof!

 Here is some lemonade :) Papa made a bench to set by the fire pit! Love the way all three are watching for Papa.

 More lemonade - the winds blew down some of our tomatoes - so fried green tomatoes. Nola and Brenner don't care for them but Matt and I love them! Matt liked them so much he couldn't take his plate over to get more and used his hands instead.

 Brenner showing off some of his crafts from VBS. He got awesome reports for the directors and his teacher. He was one of the few kids that consistently said please and thank you. Way to go, buddy!

 The bible verse from this particular day was "You are the light of the world. Love one another." Here is a night light that they made for that verse. Brenner even recited it at the closing ceremony.

 Nola was at VBS too but no pictures of her :( It must have worn her out - here she is having fell asleep reading National Geographic with Doodle!

 Closing ceremony! Brenner still isn't really into singing in from of a crowd! Nola seems fine with it.

We loved have Lauren and Vash down. The kids showed Vash the ropes, and Vash latched on to the kids Woody doll. He was a bit upset that it had to be left behind. We hope they come back soon!

Proud to be Americans

We enjoyed celebrating Independence Day by taking a little road trip to Springfield. We went to Fantastic Caverns and shot off fireworks with mommy's college roommate and her family. It was a great time!

 This picture cracked me up! Brenner was waiting patiently to throw water balloons that Papa had gotten for them.

 Throw it down, Nola!

 Brenner getting ready to take aim!

 Nola called me into the bathtub to show me the clock she had made.

 Fantastic Caverns is a ride through cave. I had been as a small child but the kids were excited - bearing the 3 hour car ride to get there! The guide was knowledgeable and gave us time to ask questions. Nola commented rather than questioned - saying "some bears live in caves" which cracked people up. The guide didn't skip a beat saying that she ran all the bears out before she started her tour.

 The cavern was discovered in the 1860s and was first explored by 12 ladies from Springfield. Way to go, ladies! The cavern has a big room that was used as speakeasy and casinos, concerts, and even Klansman meetings (this was all explained in a video that we watched). A bit later Brenner asked they guide why there were men that looked like ghosts in the cave. She again was quick and said that she would leave that to mom and dad to explain.  Good answer!

 Some of the formations - very cool.

 After the tour, we took the trail to see where the sinkholes that we saw in the cave drain. I am not sure Brenner wants to stand next to me and Nola!

 A little silliness before we broke out our picnic lunch!

 We spent the rest of the day with the Ritters. Gotta do smoke bombs to kill the time until it is dark :)

 Nola doing some snaps.

 Okay - this one was funny. While at the fireworks stand, we noticed a sign for the "poopy puppy". I was talking with my friend Rhonda about the sign when a staffer brought out a new box and said they are very popular. So - why not? It is essentially one of those snake things that expand when lit. This was a no-brainer hit for Brenner!

Brooke, Hannah, Brenner and Nola eating some food before dark.

 Matt LOVES the 4th of July. I think it is okay in terms of fireworks (dangerous). He was a geared up!

 One purchase was apparently not impressive to Matt!

 Brenner running away from a firework - yes - this makes mommy nervous!

 Nola and Brenner finding the right seat to watch the bigger display at the country club.

 Rhonda and mommy - we had a ball. Thanks for hosting us!

 On our way home we stopped past Hermitage to check on everything. Lots of ticks - go figure! Nola got one on her and then insisted on being carried.

 Ah - love those blue eyes :)

 On Sunday, we had a special service since our pastor was on vacation. Mommy and Papa's Sunday school class led the services and the kids helped with the offering and communion. Brenner did a wonderful job!

Nola chilling with Emi Sunday afternoon.