Americus Day 2010

The first weekend in October is always Americus Day. Joshua and I have run the softball tournament that last few years, but with the kids getting older we opted not to. We didn't want to be stuck at the softball fields all day because the kids miss out on everything going on at the city park.



I don't have too many pictures on here b/c this is all stuff we have seen/done before. However, the Americus Rec. Organization (ARO) was the Parade Marshall this year and since Joshua is on the ARO board Cooper was able to ride in the parade too. Cooper was so excited. He didn't care at all that he didn't get to collect his own candy because he got to throw the candy to other kids.

I know, bad mom, but I couldn't help but snap a picture of them during the Star Spangled Banner....he looked so cute standing there at attention.


During the parade, Maylea wanted to hang out with Jana, our sitter. Maylea LOVES Jana.

I only took a picture of this because when it went by, Cooper (who had joined us by this time) said, "look mom, the Cruella Deville car."

Gotta support the Breast Cancer tractor :)

Maylea was not scared of Bubbles, the clown, but she would not go up to her and get a sticker. She just smiled and waved while staying close to Jana.

Maylea had her first experience in the "jumpers". She thought she was hot stuff and did not stop smiling and laughing.....until too many big kids crowded around. She wanted to keep playing, but finally we had to lift her over the side and get her out. I am sure next time she has the chance at one of these she will be big enough to enjoy it.

Weekend with Grandma Sheri and Grandpa Doug

Joshua and I had bachelor and bachelorette parties in KC a couple weekends ago so the kids got to enjoy some time in Wichita with grandma and grandpa. Maize was having their fall festival so grandma, grandpa, Aunt Cori, Uncle Luke, and the kids spent the afternoon up there.

The rides are the same old rides that they have been on before, but they still always find so much excitement in riding them.

Cooper was just riding around and around in the helicopter while everyone was yelling at him to push the button. Once he understood what they were saying, he realized that he could move up and down. He thought that was pretty cool.

All three of the kids riding with their hands up!!!

Uncle Luke wanted to play too.

That evening they all went to the Indian Center. They walked around, looked at the exhibits, and enjoyed the nice night that it was.

While they were there they walked out to the statue of the Indian that is along the Arkansas river. They were telling Cooper how it was called The Keeper of the Plains. Cooper looked at dad and said, "grandpa, does he keep the helicopters too?"

Soccer

On Sunday, Cooper has his end of season soccer tournament. His team did really well and ended up taking 2nd place. Losing one of their games in a shoot out. Cooper was the goalie during the shoot out and really did a good job. He stopped a few of the shots, but there were a couple older boys that just kicked harder than he was used to :(

Grandma Sheri, Grandpa Doug, Aunt Cori, and Uncle Luke were all able to make it up to watch. I would say that they all got a few good laughs!

#30 (first white from the right)

Darn corner flag got in the way.

Maylea kept squatting down next to daddy....it was just as entertaining as watching 4-5 year old children playing soccer.

The shoot out.

Getting recognized as the 2nd place team.

Cooper kept waving at the crowd while they were up there!

During the ceremony Maylea spent her time playing in the soccer net.

Camping- Labor Day

Over Labor Day weekend my cousins from Colorado came to Kansas for a short visit. We were able to get them to come Melvern Lake for a day to have lunch and swim. The kids have grown up so much it was great to see them!

In this picture is Alex and myself. Alex was 3 years old and in a diaper when I met her. She is now in 8th grade. We have always had a little bit of a bond....I always look forward to seeing her when they come to Kansas.
Uncle Jerry with Maylea and Cooper
Some of us hung out on the beach b/c it was a pretty cool day (WINDY).

It was cold enough that they boys just took off running and dove in!

Cooper wanted to be buried in the sand.

Then- monkey see, monkey do!