Fall Ball {It's Outta Here}

We were back at it this weekend - after a break since July

Same team. New name {The Bombers}
New affiliation {Independent}

Wish us luck!!!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

NYE Lake Style

Another year. Another NYE party at the lake with Grandma and Poppy.

This a tradition that my kid's look forward too.
And Grandma and Grandpa too  
(and Emily. And Luke, before he got too old)

Sadly, this may be Emily's last year.

The kid's love that, at 13, she still wanted to attend the party where they write on the windows, eat special food, drink "Burping Cows," play games, watch movies and blow horns loudly.

And stay up until midnight, sleeping on the living room floor.

Here's to 2017 lake-style

Just a Small Snippet

Of an afternoon Christmas at Grandma and Poppy's.... 

 

Mannequin Challenge

When you spend Christmas in a hotel room, it's not uncommon to find yourself at a bar that night, watching the Chiefs game with all of the 20-somethings in town for the holidays.

Totally, weird, I know.

But it's also weird to wake up on Christmas morning and swim.

Anywhoo, Christmas night, we made all of Tyler's dreams come true by doing the "Mannequin Challenge."

It took me a long time to get why this was such a big deal: people sitting/standing around not moving, but when you actually participate, it's a hoot watching people trying not to move. Do you see anyone move?

Merry Christmas

You know the day is going to be crazy when you pack 30 people into a two bedroom town house and the 90 year old matriarch opens a bag of "poop."

And "The Donald" makes an appearance.

Just another family holiday with the B clan.

This year, everyone was able to make it to Grandma Roof's house for Christmas.

From age 1 to 90, the house was packed not only with people but with food. And presents. And brown bags.

After our traditional brunch and present opening (scrub brushes for you. And you. And you. And you!), is the brown bag, or white elephant as some call it. It's the highlight of the day. 

the four youngest or the great grands (missing Luke)

Tyler even bought his own gift this year (the poop game grandma opened!)

Everyone (except Tyler) is trying to NOT get the underwear that has been making the rounds since the 90s. This year, it made its first trip to school where Tyler showed it off to the class as part of his "heritage."

Who ever thought a giant pair of tighty whiteys would be used to show our family heritage?

Goes to show you the fun of the family!

Tyler ended up with the Trump mask. We totally didn't want it coming home but we lost that battle.

At the end of the festivities was one last bag for Justin. We knew what was inside; we knew something would happen regarding the bathroom disaster; we just didn't know what! 

 

At least we can blame Brett instead of me for it - as it wasn't my fault either!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Eve

 On stage with the pastor during the reading of Baby Jesus' birth

Just 'Cause...

When you child asks to go to grandma's house just 'cause she's watching a movie, you let her.

And when you find out she cuddled up with her teenaged cousin on the living room chair, your heart melts.

She loves her Emily.

And when your daughter paints her nose and decides she wants to be Rudolph, you let her.

Even if it's out to dinner in a crowded restaurant.

If she's happy, we're happy.

Happy early holidays everyone!

Wordless Wednesday {Another Tooth Down}

*Grandma pulled this one

Cookies with Grandma

Gluten-free, of course!

Happy Thanksgiving

From our family to yours

Paradise Drivers

Grandma and Poppy took Emily, Tyler and Ashlee to their favorite kid's place today since there was no school for Thanksgiving. And surprisingly the go karts were open!

And for the first time, Ashlee could ride them, by herself!

Ever since that go kart experience on our road trip a few years back, Tyler doesn't so much care for them, but he was in for the ride today - especially if his sister was.

Ashlee, on the other hand, she's always down for an adventure! Look at that smile!

40-Some Candles

Happy Birthday Justin!

Tonight, we celebrate you!

We went out to dinner with Justin's parents and followed it up with a small bundt/birthday cake and singing at home...and, of course, presents.

Poor Tyler missed the festivities because of basketball practice.

Our kids love to celebrate birthdays. They don't care if its their own or someone elses. Ashlee helped Justin open his presents - and probably would have helped eat his cake, too, if she could have!

Here's to another year, my love! May it be as exciting as the last 40-some.

Another year older, but not another day looking older!

Seventh Birth"day"

Telling Moose it's her birthday

I still miss our day long birthday excursions.

This whole school thing, it sure does mess up a birth"day."

Two years in and I'm STILL having problems dealing with the "new" normal ... but I'm slowly learning to take what I can get....

Ashlee was ecstatic to celebrate Pajama Day at school. On her birthday.

Does it get any better than that? 

Dressed in her fav nightgown, she went to school with the biggest smile. And it got even bigger when I showed up at lunch with another fav: Chik-fil-A.

We sent birthday snacks to school; her pick: fruit snacks and fruit roll-ups, which she shared with her buddies as they sang Happy Birthday to her. While there is no crown this year, she did get to carry around a special animal (her class has a jungle theme) and be line leader.

Again, does it get any better than that? 

I picked her up from school and we went anywhere she wanted.

Her pick: Build A Bear.

Of course, the pink bear had to have donut jammies with a matching sleeping bag and pillow.

From there, we went to one of her favorite pizza places, Old Town Pizza, for GF breadsticks with daddy, Bubby and grandma and Poppy.

Daddy picked up some yummy GF treats from the bakery, 3 Women and an Oven, next door.

We all sang Happy Birthday in the restaurant and although she acted shy, secretly we know she loved it.

While the family headed off to Luke's football game, Ashlee and I keep the birthday festivities going by seeing a showing of the Trolls movie with her best buddy, Cali.

And guess who we ran into? DEXTER!

It was a great way to cap off her day - before heading home for a sleepover with Cali.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRINCESS

Baking Beauties

Peter Picked a Pumpkin

When school is out for the day, you head south for the pumpkin patch - with grandma and Poppy.

Mom tags along because she doesn't want to miss the fun.

What I learned: pumpkin patches are turning out enormous profits!

What I saw: my kids having fun on only 2 things.

It cost us about $50 to get into this patch where the only true activity for my kids was the bounce pillow - and the "hidden" slide.

We had to wait nearly an hour to ride the hayride to the slide. The kids were patient only because they could bounce on the pillow.

Watching them have fun on the pillow was enough to cover the cost. And their faces while enjoying the nice day with grandma and Poppy. They sure do love them.

The patch is hooked onto a Cider Mill so we were able to stop by there and grab some apple cider slush and kettle corn. We hoped to get some caramel apples but they were out.

A sign our pumpkin patch days are coming to an end: he's taller than the maze/activities, sniff, sniff...