New Visitors

Spring came and went. Summer seems to just be getting started. And we have new friends in the back yard. We have a new cardinal to the neighborhood. I see it on our railing outside the kitchen window - go to grab the camera and it is gone. But we see it out feeding on the dog food each morning with all the other black birds. Kohl just stays back and lets them feed. Such a stupid dog at times.

The newest addition that I have seen in our backyard is the two baby squirrels. The older squirrel loves to torment Kohl. Just staying high enough on the tree so that she can bark, jump, and bark some more. Am sure the neighbors love her at times. I just wish to shoot the squirrel. But now I caught two baby squirrels playing in the back yard the other morning. Kohl was no where in sight - again, stupid dog. But the other morning I noticed this...
...yes, one of the baby squirrels feeding off the dog food too!! If Kohl doesn't get first dibs on her food in the morning, she will go without.
To top it off (I didn't have the camera handy) but I have seen the birds feeding on the dog food, with one of the stray cats poised on the opposite side of the garden just waiting for the right moment. And again - Kohl - no where, probably under the porch watching it all play out - stupid dog!!

Tyler's 10th Birthday - 2009

Much like Owen turning five, I am in even more awe that Tyler was turning ten this year. Really, TEN??? Time can sure fly and we are so proud of him. He has his quirks but man, I really love this guy!! We stayed home for his birthday since we just went to Kansas City the weekend before. Rather than the cake, Tyler had a birthday cookie and a song to go with it. Oh, and we went and picked up his "new" glasses! Yes, he has his mother's eyes and is now in glasses - - poor guy. But he looks so grown up and handsome!

T-Rex Cafe

One of the girls at work suggested T-Rex Cafe while in Kansas City. I checked it out online and made reservations for lunch there the Sunday after Worlds of Fun with the family. It was part of Tyler's birthday present. All the boys enjoyed it and there was so much to look at. Owen was a bit timid at first entering the restaurant but soon warmed up to the idea after he discovered T-Rex was not going to "eat" him. They have huge aquariums and animated dinosaurs, mammoths, underwater creatures, etc. It most definitely was an adventure and I am sure glad we stopped to visit. Oh, and the food was delicious!!

Worlds of Fun - Family Vacation 2009

For the past several months, Dustin's mom has talked about taking a "family" vacation to Kansas City this year. Bert and Joe (Dustin's mom and step-dad), Aunt Debbie, Cousins Rachelle, Mason, Jayden, and Dawn, and the Mullen Clan drove to Kansas City on a Friday evening and spent the night. The next day began with breakfast at Waffle House (meeting up with Dustin's brother, Tommy, the night before). We started the morning with the family picture... ...then came the rides. Immediately it was off to ride the Patriot. After that I took Owen over to Snoopy Camp and he rode and rode and rode... ...afterwards, all of us stumbled into this "indoor" netted building (much like the playgrounds outside McDonalds or Burger King). What a blast...they had these contraptions (compressed air guns) that shoot plastic balls at what ever target you have in mind. The adults got in on the action and personally, I think they enjoyed it just as much as the kids. What fun it was to watch them. I told Dustin that would be perfect to have in our backyard, even when the boys are older. Well, the day continued, full of rides, walking, waiting, and more rides. It was a blast!! Dustin and I left early, I had a headache brewing, and the boys continued to ride more rides into the night. Tyler and Austin had a blast on the roller coasters and I don't think that they could get enough. Rachelle, Mayson, and Jayden were the first of the family to dare the Rip Cord, then Dustin and Tommy somehow talked Bert into it. Over 180 foot drop - then swing above everyone. It was something to see for sure.
All in all, the everyone slept well that night and were refreshed enough to go home the next day. Thank you mom, Joe, grandma, and Aunt Debbie for an awesome time and memories that will last a lifetime!

Camping - 2009

Well, one weekend we decided to break out the tent and camping supplies and head to Cheney with the jet ski. It has been over nine years since we have been camping with just a tent and supplies and the last time that we did go we didn't have three boys to mind to.
We arrived Friday evening to high winds. Sustained atleast at 15-20 with gusts upto 30-40. Nothing like a good Kansas windy day. We came upon our neighbors from home by surprise and camed next to them. The boys enjoyed playing with Blake and Parker. We set camp and got the boys fed. We enjoyed a very windy evening and night on the lake edge.
The next morning we played frisbee while trying to decide what to do for the day (since it was so windy). The boys later combed the beach and found shells and threw rocks in the lake.


We finally decided to pack all up and head home as the white caps at 10am in the morning indicated a rough day for the jet ski.

4th of July 2009

We celebrated 4th of July by spending the afternoon over at Butch and Debbie's. Much like most other weekends, time was spent in the pool. We came back home and enjoyed the fireworks to ourselves. The boys got 20 or so parachute men and spent a good hour chasing the "little" men.

Later we shot off the colorful fireworks and watched as the neighborhood gave us a beautiful show to watch. Every direction from our driveway, we saw mortors being shot high above the rooftops and trees. Absolutely beautiful (and cheap)!!

Owen's 5th Birthday - June 2009

My baby "O" has turned five!! It's unbelievable that he is five. Wasn't all that long ago that we were welcoming home from Wesley Hospital.


A big day was on tap to celebrate Owen's birthday. We decided to have a pool party at Uncle Butch and Aunt Debbie's house. Owen has been into Transformers for some time now and with the fast approaching new release of Transformers 2 (movie), it was more important than ever that there be a Transformers' theme. Owen did great and fun was had by all.

WOW!!

Really it has been a long time. Sorry to not keep all of you updated. We have been having a busy, busy summer. It won't be long before school starts again. Tyler and Austin start school the 17th and Owen begins on the 19th. Owen will be joining his brothers in all-day school finally this year. Unbelievable!!!

I have posted highlights of our summer above. Enjoy!!