Summer dazes

As July slips away, we are keeping busy. Matt is working most of his summer to set up his shop in their new building. Brenner has football/weight training on most days and continues to work on the farm. Nola plays a lady of leisure and doesn't so much - but doesn't complain (most of the time) when I give her extra chores! Me - work as usual. I did get to go on my first work trip in 2.5 years this past week - back to one of my favs - the Grand Canyon!

Brenner was the animal caretaker for our neighbor's while they were on vacation. There was one pesky chicken! 

And Oakley and Harley literally gave him a run for his money lol! They are only 8 months old - pyrenes/lab mix so they are HUGE and energetic.

When you go to start a project and find this mess. Nola!!!! 

The deer have been eating the cucumbers and jalapeno plants. 

Flexing and skin. Lots of that these days. But at least he will let me take his pic...

I had to go buy makeup before my work trip lol! So while in Columbia, Matt, Brenner, and Nola all asked for Pho. I chuckled, but Nola and I went and brought everyone's favorite home for dinner!

A visit to Gramm Vo's means fishing! Nola caught this nice one

She still refused to take it off the hook - girl you need to step up!

Grammy and PawPaw Floyd (and the fattest cat ever!).

Next it was to Aunt Therea's and Uncle Chuck's house to drop Nola off for the week. 

Theresa likes to makes sure that I get in the picture lol! Brenner is going to catch Matt really soon.

Red Butte (or Wii Jigwal Gwa as the Havasupai call it). I am working on a project with the Havasupai to translate mining risk models into their language and include their traditional ways into exposure scenarios. It is fascinating! My meetings with tribal members went well.

I also met with NAU researchers and NPS staff. My friend Jan and I watched the sunset at the south rim after our meetings. The clouds on the north rim are from the Dragon Fire. Made for some color but also haziness when the smoke settled into the canyon. 

Grandma Val came to hang out with us Saturday afternoon/evening. Girl time! I smoked them in Uno :) 

The boys went to the cabin for some relaxation (and a bit of work).

Brenner and Drystan spent all of Saturday swimming and kayaking. 

Matt worked on tiling the shower a bit but found some time to relax!

The boys worked up an appetite. Totally worth it to see their faces not in computer screens! 

Doctor's visit and midnight melee

Summer has just wizzing by in a sizzle. Yes - it has been so hot here....but that is summer in Missouri. We had a full week with celebrating the 4th in a low key style, getting annual checkup for the kids, having a quick visit with friends, helping with VBS, and watching Brenner play in the Midnight Melee.

Wren getting a little down time with Matt!

We headed to some friend's for a 4th gathering. The kids loved playing with the pooches.

Brenner was excited when I told him he could drive home. He does a really nice job driving!

Nola "fixing my hair"! 

Annual checkups with Dr. Swofford - my how they have grown - Nola is 5'3" and 100 pounds. So tall!

Dr. Swofford chuckled as she looked UP at Brenner. A far cry from when she delivered him! Brenner is 5'9" and 125 pounds. No wonder I can't keep him fed!

Matt just had a to buy a throwing ax.....he is teaching the kids too. 

The Ritchie's stopped by on their way through to Colorado! We love visiting with Jenny and Steve!

Onto the 4v4 melee!

Grandma Val and Richard joined us!

I took a few pictures but the fields are so small and crowded that I couldn't move around much. 

First game was against some familiar faces. The boys got pounced pretty good!

They were on their toes ;)

Brenner explaining something to their coach?

The second game was a bit easier with an easy win. 

Smiling faces of Kai, Brenner and Drystan as the sun went down. 

The last game was at midnight. Nola and I had went home because we are watching the neighbors pets and then Nola didn't want to return. The melee lived up to it's name - all you know what about broke loose with the other team trash talking our boys. They let into it and it was hard to watch according to Matt. They lost 9-5.  Super disappointed that the other team's coach was laughing along with his players. Glad we don't play for Sporting Columbia- poor sportsmanship. Boys earned 3rd place - nice work guys! 

Nola loved helping with VBS this week. Only a few picture of her as I wasn't there! She helped with the K-2 age group and their leader Sara said Nola was a tremendous help all week. Great job, girl! 

 

While mom's away.....

Matt and the kids definitely stayed busy while I was at the Navajo Nation! Matt is such an awesome dad keeping things running smoothly!

Nola went to the Howard County horseshow on Sunday. Cindy kindly did her hair since Matt hasn't mastered French braiding!

Nola and Erica prepping Cocoa.

It was a hot one and Cocoa was feeling it. Nola was competing with a broad age range (11 and up). 

Our beautiful girl!

Nola and Erica - no ribbons this round for Nola but we are so proud of her!

I forgot this a week or so ago - they got the bench set!

Nola and other Defenders headed to CMU basketball camp on Monday.

The rec center was a huge hit!

Some tired girls! Nola had a bit of a rough time the first night - calling Matt in the middle of the night. We think she was missing home and was overly tired. She pulled through the next day!

Love this picture - go Defenders!

Friday night fun with the youth group!

Brenner is actually a really good driver - albeit a bit competitive!

Nola was in on the action too!