Welcome KC!

We had a big week - we welcomed a new puppy into our family. KC (after Kansas City Royals) is a black lab and not quite 7 weeks old. It was the right time and it is amazing how much fun she is!  The kids also had swimming lessons this week.  Grammy and Aunt Theresa came down, and Grandma Val came and met me for lunch (what a great time that was - we could actually talk with no kids interrupting!). School supplies were also bought  - only 2 1/2 more weeks until classes start! Where did the summer go?

We picked KC up on Friday evening - the kids were so excited!

Brenner and Nola don't realize how much a puppy sleeps. KC was a little sad on Saturday but has been running around like crazy today! She is getting into the groove!

Brenner is very loving toward KC. Matt and I both commented that this may be a very good thing for him - gets him focused on something besides himself. I don't mean that as a criticism but his mind runs a million miles an hour - just like mom! He is so sweet with her (making Nola a little jealous truth be told!). But - if given a choice, KC likes to go and lay in Nola's room - we think it is because of her nice fuzzy rug!

Nap time!

KC attacked my hair! Nola has learned that she needs to wear her hair in a pony tail to keep it out of the way!

This really doesn't need a caption - just laugh and enjoy it!

Grammy brought Brenner a huge geode from Colorado. They got to crack it open - it was quite the hit. Way to go Grammy!

Aunt Theresa and Grammy went to the pool with the kids. Looks like they earned a treat!

Nola and her swim instructor. I don't remember her name, but she told me that Nola was her favorite student ever! Another one falls to Nola's charm!

Brenner also did well with his instructor. B is timid of the water but vastly improved this week. He didn't want to take the deepwater test, but his instructor said he could pass it. May be one day soon!

Sweet, sweet girl!

Nola drew some American flags while watching the DNC convention this week. As a parent, I feel responsible to instill a sense of what it is to be an American.  While I don't wan them talking politics with an adult (or even another child because they don't understand the complexity), even a 5 year old knows we don't call people names. Kids are pretty perceptive, right?!

A fun story by Brenner about the Royals. Homework continues - just in time for school to start :)

Garden time

The heat dome is taking its toll not only on our garden but also on our moods! We are thankful that cooler weather is on the way this week! Things have been good on the home front. We had excitement on Friday when the fiber optic folks cut through one of our lateral lines. Hot and stinky - and still unfixed at this point. Saving grace is that we don't have to pay for the repair! Last week was VBS and I failed to get pictures - kids had a ball and Matt was as super helper. So many fun crafts, fellowship, and worship - our education committee is awesome. Now we are also gearing up for school to start. The kids do work everyday - Brenner has learned multiplication over the summer (but has lost his interest in reading other than baseball cards - sigh) and Nola is working on her writing and reading. Not too much - just keeping them in practice so transition back to school isn't a complete shock!

Nola with one of our HUGE tomatoes from the garden. They are coming on slow but they are tasty. We had our first BKTs (bacon, kale, tomato) this week and were they tasty!

Our blackberries went wild this year - this is one days worth. We have picked everyday since we got back from vacation (July 6). We had to start given some away but the kids think we should have a blackberry stand next year!

Nola making the crust for the blackberry cobbler!

Brenner helps us keep the insects out of the produce. Here are a couple of his non-garden finds including a velvet ant. He is funny at the blackberries - telling Nola that the Japanese beetles are mating and we need to get rid of them.

Matt and Brenner went fishing one night because Brenner had been begging to go. No surprise with the heat that they didn't get anything but did get some important Father-Son time.

The full moon this week in the mornings was amazing. The picture doesn't do it justice.

There was a need to help a incoming college freshman get things for his apartment. It was an excellent learning experience of service and grace to others.

Look at these two cuties!

On Saturday, the kids went to Grandma Val's house so that I could spend some girl time with one of my besties. Rhonda and I celebrated by getting new hair-dos and having lunch. What a great day!

End of vacation and kids mud run

We wrapped up our vacation and headed back to the Missouri. We missed the cooler, lower humidity instantly! But all good things must come to an end and now we are back to reality! The garden went crazy while were were gone and we have many squash, cucumbers, basil, and blackberries! All the rain is causing some bottom rot on the tomatoes - trying to fix that! Saturday we headed into Columbia to participate in Splat Jr mud run. The kids had a ball!

We spent the morning of the fourth at Granite Mountain outfitters. Grandma Val, Grammy Vo, and the kids went on an hour horseback ride. A first for Nola - the rest had been on horses before.

Nola on Wonder with Mt Ouray in the background. What a gorgeous morning for a ride!

Brenner coming back in on Farrah. He couldn't wait to tell us that Wonder farted and pooped most of the ride. Just perfect for an 8 year old boy - sigh!

Our gang during our last night at the house. We watched the fireworks from S mountain from the deck. Notice is was chilly - even Grandma Val had a blanket!!!!

Bye bye Colorado!

The fireworks were HUGE! It was a wonderful show!

We drove to Newton on Tuesday to visit with Jerry and Itati. We took our same group picture - just love visiting these good people!

Hahaha - Matt is classified as a "mature" American :)

Nola starting out on the mud run!

She wasn't totally committed to getting dirty. Her age wave (4-6 year olds) had 6-7 obstacles - some muddy some not!

The trench!

Nola running and seeming to notice the mud on her hands! What a girl sometimes!

Check out that form! We taped their shoes on because the mud can suck the shoes right off of little feet. We saw numerous kids who had lost their shoes!

Up and over! We ran the course with her to take pictures - she is a fast little booger!

Spiderweb called "Where the wild things are" - reminded me of Grandma Hunt.

Great determination!

The big Splat obstacle before the finish line - go Nola!

Everyone got a medal - way to go!

Nola and her buddy Corbin. We also found out that they have the same kindergarten teacher this next year - yeah!

Brenner was a little more committed to getting dirty. He ran with a couple of friends, Cooper and Xander, were on his heels!

He had some more advanced obstacles compared to Nola (her course was 3/4 mile). His course was a little over a mile.

This was his favorite -the three little pigs - the mounds to get over - it was super slick!

Yes - committed to the mud!

What faces!

Love this picture - mud mohawk - such athleticism!

Bear crawl!

Out of the big splat to the finish line.

Brenner was determined not to let the kid next to him finish line! Great effort buddy!

The muddy amigos!

Post race face - I LOVE IT!!!!!!! We definitely want to do this again next year!