Trick or Treat!!!

Field Trip To Hee Haws

Ward Halloween Party

Cornbellys

Corn Maze Pumpkin Tower The Thing Pumpkin Chunkin Go Carts Haunted Houses Hay Rides Yummy Food

Happy Friday Boyyzzzz!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

2011 Stewart Falls Hike

Miles Traveled: 4
Complaints: 0
Bags of Beef Jerky Consumed: 2
Caterpillars Caught: 15+
Walking Sticks Found: 3
Happy Campers: 5

Soccer Mom

And soccer coach...As I taught the 4-6 year old pinks this year I was teaching myself. I learned all about dribbling, scoring goals, drills, and scrimmages. I learned that coaching the little girls is much more challenging than helping with the boys teams. I learned that you-tube can help you with many things, even if it's making you look like you're a real coach. I learned that no matter how much time you devote to volunteering, there are some parents that just aren't happy with anything you do (especially those ones that fail to step up and offer a helping hand). It was a great season and all three of our kids had a blast. The big pay off was seeing all those girls have fun and really start to work together by the end. Most of Abby's games were at the same times as Isaac's so I didn't get many photos of him, but he did awesome! Now, we're glad for life to settle down to a little more of a normal pace for a little while.

Our Team...appropriately named the "Pink Sparkles"

It Was An Epic Time!

It's amazing to me the synergy that happens when you get all the right people together, at the right time, to do something bigger than ourselves. This was such a day. I feel so grateful to my awesome team of helpers, to the donors who gave of their goods and money and time. I want to give a shout out to my friends at KINDLE CREEK who sang their hearts out for us. The grand total was just under $21,000 in donations and I'm tickled! I've already accepted the job again for next year!

Here's Proof...

Of How Much FUN I had yesterday...more to come...

Today Was The Day...And I'm Blown Away....

We made a start to put an end to Alzheimer's Disease.

Thank you to all of my friends, family, co-workers and professional colleagues

who took it upon themselves to engross in this cause.

It was a wonderful day! I had a great time!

It was so much more than raising money.

It was celebrating the lives of those we have lost to this disease.

Thank you , thank you, thank you!

We raised over $21,000 go HERE to see for yourself!

It's All About Family....

There is no greater joy than spending the weekend with family. This is my big brother...We had such a great time at my grandparent's home in the Lake of the Ozarks catching up and having fun!

My Uncle Gary and Cousin Chris

My bro and his new love.

One of my favorite cousins and best pals growing up, Annie.

The Lake, endless summer memories growing up here.

Time for a boat ride to our favorite hang out The Red Fox.

My cousin Annie (another Annie), together we make mischief of all sorts :)

Happiness.

Gus, my buddy!

Reese and I taking a night time boat ride.

Silliness.

My grandma, my love.

And Grandpa too!

Images of KC...

Oh boy, I LOVE this city! Kemper Museum Helzbergs Topsys Crown Center Gates & Sons The Plaza Nelson-Atkins Art Museum Streetcar Named Desire Milano Halls The Fountains Liberty Memorial Union Station Kauffman Stadium The American Resturaunt Westport...and that's just to name a few of my favorite places!

Dad's Girls...

My "baby" sister (ha ha) and I had a great visit with our dad the first night I got into Missouri. You can see the sheer joy and happiness just written all over my face. He made dinner for us and we just sat around for hours catching up and telling stories. It was a wonderful way to start what would be one of the most amazing weekends of my life (but more about all that later):

Our dad has spent his life as a general contractor. He's a very hard worker and this shirt just fits him so well because there's nothing he loves more than "playing in the dirt" well, except his daughters of course.

The sweetest thing is this. If my dad were a dog, we laughed that he would be THIS dog. "Lightening" and dad are perfect companions for one another. I always adored that my dad had a love for animals growing up. When I told him that I was sad that dogs only live such a short time he sweetly replied, "Yeah but then we would only get to have one or tow dogs our whole life if they lived longer". He's had a lot of four-legged buddies in his lifetime. They tend to bring out something soft in him.

Heading Home...

This weekend. Every summer as a child we would travel to The Lake of the Ozarks where my grandparents owned a summer resort. That last trip of the season was ended with roasting a pig in the ground and a big family reunion. I remember knowing that's when it was time to go back to school. I'm heading home this weekend to see so many of my family that I love, share stories, take pictures and laugh. I get to spend some time in Kansas City and remember what it was like to spend my college days there. I even get to have lunch with a life-long friend of mine who just had her first baby! I can't wait to tell you all about it.

Things I'll Miss Most About Summer...

The sight of three perfectly happy children playing in the sand for hours on end....

Tan babies sleeping in my bed...

And my garden, I did a pretty good job this year!
So long Summer!

It's A ZOO Out There!