Two Things

Well...there has been a bit of swirl around these parts here lately. I will do my best to catch you up, while sharing two things about everyone:

ZANE

1. Loves the pool and specifically the diving board! He has worked hard this summer to be able to jump off the diving board and swim to the side with no help (or flotation devices). And now that he has conquered that - he will go off the diving board no less than 50 times anytime we are at the pool! 

2. We have had some issues with his skin recently (infections and allergic reactions). I think he is on the mend - finally! He is a rockstar at taking yucky medicine and has been a trooper through a few days of not feeling well.

JAXEN

1. Finished his summer basketball season with a bang! It was a little rough there for awhile (playing kids who were older, more skilled, and they just were not winning games). Then they won their last two games! The very last game was a little intense.... down by 13 points at half-time, came back and went ahead in the last few seconds of the game....but fouled the other team, who missed their throws and so the Jaxen's team won! You would have thought they were the greatest team ever by the celebration that followed - such good memories!!!!

2. Jaxen was able to attend the Nazarene Kids Camp for 2 nights and 3 days. It was such a good experience for him and I hope this is something he wants to do every summer!

NIK

1. Since I last blogged, Nik had hernia surgery and is recovering nicely from it. He has a follow-up appointment next week, but we expect him to be back at work soon. He does not have his strength and stamina back - it's a slow process - but he is doing well!

2. With his extra time at home, recovering, he has been able to do some fun things with the boys! This past week they went to the movies and another day, went to eat at a Pizza Buffet - which they thought was the best thing ever!

CARLA

1. I have taken on some different responsibilities at work recently - in the areas of finance. It was a bit stressful learning new tasks - but now, I'm kind of enjoying doing something different! We are looking to hire a replacement - but until the right person comes along a few of us will be sharing this responsibility. The girl that left gave me a sweet "departure gift" - Diet. Mt. Dew / PB M&M's and a card!

2. The season is changing around here. According to the weather - summer is sticking around, but our summer is coming to a close. School starts in two weeks; Nik goes back to work after being home for a few weeks; and our wonderful friends who have been staying in our downstairs apartment are heading out. Changes. They are good - it just sometimes takes me time to process them :)

Zane: 5 Year Well Check

Zane went for his 5-year Well Check last week.

He is so big! His weight was 43 lbs and he is 44 4/3 inches tall. 

He had a good visit - no issues physically or developmentally. 

He did have to get 3 shots - which is never fun, but he was a trooper. In fact - he put on such a brave face he would not let the nurses see him cry. He was silly and fun with them until they left - then he cried in my arms for a few minutes, because it had hurt. Sweet boy. 

Upon leaving, he did receive some prizes for being so brave. He got to pick out 3 suckers, 3 stickers and 1 freeze-pop. I asked if I could take a picture of him and look what happened...

 

The freeze pop fell out of his napkin and I caught in on camera - haha!

Yes, he still ate it :) And I got another picture.

This boy is all ready for Kindergarten!!!!

Kanakuk Kamp

Kanakuk Kamp:

A 5-Day traveling day camp experience for Kampers ages 5-12 featuring the excitement of the Kanakuk experience in locations across America. Kanakuk brings the exciting adventures in Christian athletics of Kanakuk to your community. Activities include Zipline, Slip-n-Slide, Euro-Bungee, Climbing Wall, Archery, Putt-Putt, Inflatables, Interactive Games, Water Events and more!

Kanakuk is a discipleship Kamp! Everything done at Kanakuk is designed to build strong disciples who will impact their world for Christ. This devotion is integrated into each day’s activities, equipping Kampers of all ages to represent Christ in all they do.

Jaxen attended this camp in Summer 2018 and 2019. It was cancelled in 2020, 

and this year both boys were able to attend!

They were dropped off each day by 9am and then picked up at 4pm. 

I was able to grab some pics (online) of the time the boys spent at Kanakuk Kamp!

Jaxen's group (he is in front of the trash can)

Zane's group having fun with water (he is 4th from the left)

Jaxen (in the background)

 

Zane on Euro-Bungee

 

Love the group pics of the littles

 

Think Zane had fun, or what

Jaxen's group (he is in gray shirt, gray shorts - two over from leader in red)

 

Jaxen and Zane with their counselor on the last day (both with blue hair)

This was when I picked them up on their last day

 

Each kid receives an award at camp, given to them by their counselors.

 

Jaxen's is for the outstanding qualities of Fortitude and Aspiring Others.

If you can't read it, his counselor wrote:

Jaxen has great determination in his daily walk through life. He faces each new thing with courage. Jaxen also seeks out how to grow each day and become stronger in his faith.

Zane's is for the outstanding qualities of Obedience and Enthusiasm.

If you can't read it, his counselor wrote:

Zane is quick to listen and slow to speak. Zane seeks a deeper understanding of the truth. Zane has a great  passion for God and for those around him.

 

Also - Zane received the Bumblebee Award one day!

"Bumblebee awards are given out 3 times a week. 

They are given to Kampers who demonstrate a great attitude, team work, and gave it their all!"

 

On the last day, Zane was called up and received the 110% Award as well!

"This award recognizes the Kamper that goes above and beyond in all they do.

The Kamper who is not afraid of anything and gives 110% - beyond humanly possible!"

 

How cool is that!

What I thought was even cooler - is that Jaxen was the one who told me about both awards.

He was sooo proud of Zane and really bragged on and loved on him!

I wish I was able to be there, but here a few pics....

 

 The boys had fun, made new friends and learned more about God and their relationship with Him!

Tired Boys

The month of June has been a whirl-wind around our household, especially for my boys....

and they are tired! 

Jaxen is loving his new Dallas Cowboys hat so much I caught him sleeping in it one night.

 

Zane fell asleep in the "dog house" he made!

Between swim lessons, basketball practice/games, playing with friends, family/friends visiting, VBS and Kanakuk Kamp - the boys have had a wonderful (but tiring) June!

 

Here are a few pics I captured (online) from VBS at our Church:

 

Jaxen, standing in the middle (black shirt)

 

Zane is to the left (white shirt)

 

Zane is running on the left (blue shirt)


Zane's group (he is front row, second from left)

Jaxen's group (front row, kneeling in green shirt)

 

 

Stay tuned for pictures from Kanakuk Kamp!

My Birthday

Guess what?

I'm 40.

I am now officially in my 40's. 

Crazy.

Good thing I had some distractions this past weekend to keep me from spinning out :)

Thursday, my friend Danielle flew in to see me! I picked her up from the airport and then went to one of my favorite local breakfast places before heading home for her to nap and me to work. We enjoyed a low-key afternoon/evening at home with the family - visiting and catching up!

Friday we went blueberry picking!

Afterward, we did a little shopping (I bought a new hat and purse) before we headed to lunch at a favorite local BBQ place and then we got massages! The 'massage experience' was so relaxing and wonderful. I took a recommendation from a co-worker and it did not disappoint. We arrived early to change into robes and "relax" with a foot soak. Then we each received a 30-minute massage and we ended back in the "relax" area. So nice! We spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out and then we all had Mexican for dinner.

 

After dinner I was surprised with Crumble Cookies - oh so good! We ate them on the couch, straight from the box. Delicious!!!!

Saturday, the whole gang headed out to the City Market in downtown KC. A little bit of everything came home with us.... flowers, root beer, fresh corn, digging minerals, soap, a puppy puppet, pita bread.... it was so fun! 

After the market, we hit up a new spot for lunch - the Iron District. Think food vendors and small shops in shipping containers. Such a cute little area! 

 

 

I tried to take the boys swimming that afternoon, but it started raining on the drive to the pool - bummer! We enjoyed a movie on the couch instead. And fresh tamales from a local place is what we enjoyed for dinner that night, followed by ice cream from our favorite - Andy's!

Sunday (my actual birthday) was another great day! We went to church and then headed home for leftovers before driving out to the lake to canoe :) We had to wear the life jackets - but look how cute we all are!

 

We had a great time on the water. It was perfect weather too! Rusty and Diane were in a canoe, Nik and Jaxen were in a canoe and then Danielle and I had Zane - until the end, then he joined up with Nik and Jaxen. Look how cute they are!

 

We will definetely do that again!

 

After playing some cards that afternoon I ate a delicious birthday dinner...a rib-eye and salad (there was also fresh corn on the cob).

The four days leading up to my 40th were so much fun.

 

Actually - I started my birthday celebration a bit early, with some shopping and a date night with my cutie husband :)

 

My experiences were fun, my people are awesome, the food was fantastic - it was a birthday to remember!

Life Lately

Here is a little of what we have been up to lately...

 

Sometimes dads like to have fun with Nerf guns, without the kids!

 

Jaxen went off the high-dive for the first time, since summer 2019 - he loved it!


He also enjoyed the waterslide (he is on the left)


 

Hanging at the pool/water park is a favorite pastime in the summer!

 

I love dates with my cutie husband. 

Shopping and dinner outside while listening to live music is a favorite!

 

This past week I have struggled with allergies.

I spent one night laying on the couch, watching the Olympic Trials and I loved it...

minus the headache, running nose and sneezing aspects.

 

A favorite salad.... greens, turkey, ham, salami, cheddar cheese, feta cheese and ranch dressing.

 

We made a quick stop through Ikea and Zane could not get enough of this doggie.

 

Watermelon at the pool makes this boy happy!

 

We enjoyed celebrating Nik for Father's Day.

These two love their daddy big - we are grateful for him!

 

It was fun to hear some of their favorite things about Nik....

kind, willing to help, try new things, loves to wrestle/tickle, puts his family first, that he loves diving boards and water slides, he is strong, fixes technology, watches movies....and on and on!

Nik is their favorite...and I'm so glad!

I think he is pretty great too!