New Year's Resolution Reveal

I'd like to read the following books this year:

1.  Desiring God, John Piper
2.  The Bible all the way through
3.  The Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer
4.  The Invisible War, Chip Ingram
5.  The Ministry of Motherhood, Sally Clarkson
6.  Interrupted, Jen Hatmaker
7.  Large Family Logistics, Kim Brenneman
8.  Created to be His Help Meet, Debi Pearl

I'd like to add 2 more, but I haven't thought of them yet.  =)

My other goal is to be SURE to read to the boys everyday.  At least 15 minutes, or 3 books.

Summer Fun (Part 1)

We got to go to Worlds of Fun this summer with our friends!

These two are besties.

This poor family was trying to get a pic of their kids and Gabe would NOT stop hugging Snoopy.

We love this family.

 

This was the cutest thing that happened all day.

 

I think the highlight of the day was taking the kids to the Oceans of Fun side of the park.  It was nice to cool off, and once we laid some ground rules, the kids stayed close by and we got to relax...for a few minutes.

Milford State Park

 

The State Park that is closest to where we are is Milford State Park, home of the largest lake in Kansas.  We spent a lot of time here this summer.  (And we might visit some more!)

 

We actually hadn't been in the State Park part of Milford Lake so our first time we took the boys swimming and drove around the park to check it out.  It was a very windy day, and the wind was blowing the water in waves right into the shore.  It was like being at the beach in Jacksonville, FL.  The waves were very big.  Gabe LOVED it.  We couldn't get him to stand up, he just kept diving into the waves.  Ell was more cautious, as usual.

 

As we were driving around, we found a friend and Gabe was eager to jump out and say hello.

 



 

On our next visit, we took the boys on a hike.  It was the longest hike they had been on so far and they did great.  It was shady most of the way and they didn't complain until the very end.

 

 

Jake and I tried a longer hike on a date night.  It was over 100 degrees and we went 6 miles.  I had been running consistently, but this made my leg muscles very sore.  Great date, but next time we'll wait for cooler weather.

 

 

We usually tent camp, but they have these tiny cabins you can rent so we tried it out.  This was such a fun time.  We would do it again!

 

 

We didn't technically do the boating at the state park, but this was such a blast!  Gabe skied with Daddy!  AND, he knee boarded alone.  Awesome!

 

Heating up!

It's hot in Kansas.  And that means Swimming, Harvest and the 4th of July!

 

My little boy (not so little these days) went off the high dive!!!

 

 

Swimming lessons was a great experience for this little fish.  He loves the water and he did great!  He had the sweetest teacher and the entire pool staff was so encouraging and nurturing.  Can't wait to do this again next year.

 

Harvest has come and gone again.  It was a great year, one of the best this area has seen.  We are blessed.  It's always a great time with extended family, too.

 

 

Independence Day was a blast.  As long as Gabe had his sound proof headphones, he was loving the fireworks.  Ell was nervous and cuddled in close at all the loud noise, but I think he liked it (?)  We also got to hang with some of our besties!  All the grown ups ran the local 5K.  I think we were all happy with how we ran.  And my sweet, mild mannered running friend SNUCK UP AND PASSED ME at the last moment.  I had no idea she was right behind me so I crossed the finish line laughing.  So fun.

 

Flag Handprint shirts!

"Make a sad face"

"Make a scared face"
Lily totally won the face making contest.

Abilene, KS July 4th