Kansas visitors go to Holiday World!

What a fun place this Holiday World. It is located in Santa Claus, IN. This alone makes me grin from ear to ear. What a great place to call home.

It has a Water park and an Amusement Park. We spent the majority of a day here when the KS folk came to visit. It has the World's Longest Water Coaster. I didn't take pictures of that ride because I kept going on it myself. The other rides I sat and was the bag keeper, but that one was ride worthy!

The boys got along so great. I miss having friends here who I enjoy both the kids and the adults.....

Mr. A will always be my boy scout hubby and Mrs. A will always be a bestie. The boys are also my boys. They are well behaved and fun to be around. I'm blessed to have friends drive the 11 hours to come hang out with us for the week!

Visit to Natural Bridge with Miguel's Pizza

An amazing time was had last week when our Boyscout friends came out for the week. I'm so glad I decided to have my little guy join the world of Cub Scouts or our paths wouldn't have crossed with this family. Our boys age in range from 13, 12, 11, & 10. It is the perfect mix. They also have similar personalities, so this allows them to get along as if they are family.

We took a different path than we normally do and we got our work out on this day! This path was straight up and with slippery turf too. We managed and no one was the worse for the wear.

Natural Bridge is a nice hike for even the most out of shape. It is a little over 2 hours from our house, but the drive is not bad. It is worth it for Miguel's Pizza! It is truly delicious.

Nana visits the Knob for Grandparents day!

The best part about Nana coming to town is the boys will play games. We taught them the art of playing Spades. It was quite humorous. Zachman won; he had more Spades every hand than I did. It was hard not to lose my patience with his luck. I wish he was old enough to take to Vegas, because, darn it, if that boy didn't have MAD skills.

We didn't do a whole lot of anything other than go to soccer, ran to Wal-Mart and lived at the school for book fair, but it was nice to have family here. Some times it is harder than I would like to admit living so far away from everything and everybody I know.....

Vote Trump who is the size of J-bird in his soccer gear!

Little Fish grow up.

It was bitter sweet to take the Hollands to the pool. We would take the kiddos to the Augusta pool and McDonalds the past few summers and our friendship grew leaps and bounds. I had never had a mom who I saw eye to eye on parenting until I met the Hollands. The kids are the same ages and are being raised in similar environments with similar rules, morals and values. It is a breath of fresh air to hang out with them. It makes me miss the days of ole. I'm glad they are still in our lives and hope to keep it this way.

Selfie Mom Moment! 

Escape Plan Adventure & Trampoline Park in Louisville, KY

 
All the rage these days is the secret rooms you can trap yourself and friends in and have an hour to escape. I had a Groupon for the Escape Room and SkyZone, so for a few bucks we had a great afternoon! It was fun for the kids and after walking 8 miles the day before at Clifty Falls State Park, we needed a break. It was fun. I didn't know the Little Lady had it in her, but she took control of the hour we had and didn't let the boys tell her what to do. I was SHOCKED! :) It was a great day!

Rose Hill people visit the Knobs!

Right after the 4th of July, the Holland Family drove the 11.5 hours to come spend a week with us. I have always loved the expression my friend's mom uses for guests: House guests are like fish; they start smelling after three days. :)

This was not to be the case with the Hollands. We had a week together and there wasn't a moment when I wished they would go home. The kids played all day/night and I have another mom/woman in my house who I adore! It was wonderful. We spent time at home blowing up the rest of the fireworks! (Little Lady got hurt, but this is her MO.)

We drove up to Indianapolis, IN for the Children's Museum one day. It was busy as it was free night, but well worth it for it being FREE! 

A trip to Natural Bridge, KY

My Dad, StepMom & the four of us

What a great way to spend spring break---in a cabin in the middle of NO where! It was only for 3 days and two nights, but it was fun. We enjoyed time with my Stepmom's family. They are very different from her, just as there are times when I can be different than my siblings. It is fun to hear stories from the past and there were plenty of stories to share! We spent one day just the four of us. We thought we would go on a Zipline tour. I was even mentally prepared to spend a small fortune, but thanks to J-Bird's weight we couldn't go on the tour. Oh DARN! You had to 70 pounds and the poor guy is only weighing in at 62 right now.

There's my Dad waving at those of us who hiked!

J-Bird adored StepMom's nephew--he is 17 and graduating this May. He was super patient and kind with J-Bird!

Yep, so the grandparents, Ryan, and my boys all rode up on the Skylift. Suckers.
While Jennifer, Jared and I walked.

Never far from work that one. Stupid phone.

Natural Bridge is in the far left side. You can see it if you squint.

The group of us. Stepmom and her sister are in this shot. Night & Day different! :)

J-Bird kept getting super close to the edge. He was really freaking out his father! 

NCAA Elite Eight Game in Louisville, KYI

My Dad, who is a huge fan and alumni of KU, was coming to town for Easter. It just so happened to be at the same time as the NCAA tournament was being played in Louisville and who could resist NOT getting tickets to that game? Now, I'm not a huge basketball fan and the thought of attending the game would not have even entered my brain, but Prince Charming thought it would be a kind gesture for my father. (Suck up!) I found tickets ranging from $20-9200. I went with the cheapest option possible and landed nose-bleed section tickets. They truly were horrible seats, but that was rectified by moving to new seats! :)

 I called up my next door neighbors who love anything and everything sports and asked if they would like to go or at least their son who is my son's bff! They said sure and let their son, Squared, come with us. J-Bird was not too willing to go even when he found out Squared was going. Prince Charming and Obe Wan decided to sit this one out. I can't say as I blame them.

We had a good time. My Dad kept his manners in check which is always a concern of mine with his temper. He did yell out to everyone we passed when we were leaving, "Go Oklahoma!" HA. It was a good game--a few bad calls, a few bad passes, or maybe, just maybe the better team won? I had a good time and yelled a lot. J-Bird curled up in a ball and looked as if he might go to sleep despite the row of Villanova college kids down the row from us! J-Bird got a shirt and I will add it to his graduation t-shirt quilt one day.

Volleyball Tourney visit in Indy

Last Sunday I drove up to Indianapolis to return Mavis, the Australian Shepherd, to her original owner, my sister-in-law. SIL and Niece were at a Volleyball Tournament in Indianapolis and it made more sense for me to travel up there than to meet her halfway between my house and Kansas. I was excited to see my niece play some games--it was  bittersweet for me as she is a Senior this year and I probably won't ever be able to see her play in College. She is very talented and it was fun to watch her.

I'm going to try and get a scrapbook together for her graduation. We'll see if I can round up enough pictures. I made sure to take plenty this past weekend.