Max

Max passed away during the night last night.  He had been failing since the beginning of August.  We got Max on Nov 11, 2001.  His birthday was August 6, 2001 so he had just turned 12 years old.  He was such a part of our family and we are going to miss him dearly.

Sand box

We graduated from the turtle to a REAL sand box.  The kids all loved building it.  Chase helped Shannon every step of the way.  The boys LOVE playing in it.

VBS at our church

John helped with it.
I had a board meeting the first night.  Callie, Chase, and Shelby went.  They separated Chase from Callie and Shelby.  Not sure why as it is not done by age.  He was upset and they were upset that he was upset.  He wouldn't go the next night.  I sent the girls with John and took him myself.  I asked their teacher if he could be in their class and of course he could.  I stayed for awhile and then left when he was in the market area where John was.  He was fine.  And went back each night fine as long as he was assured he would be in their class.  He loved bringing home all the projects/crafts they did each day - big as Callie.  The program was Sunday night.  My parents came down for it too.  Chase had a REALLY hard time staying put on stage and acting appropriately - he was fine I am sure - just a four year old boy - but when he is YOUR four year old boy :-)
They loved it and had a great week.

4th of July

On Thursday the 4th we went to Shannon's Uncle Jr's house for a cookout with his mom's family.  Afterwards we went to Pittsburg to watch the fireworks.  Callie and Chase loved them.  John volunteer stay home with Cole (who was sound asleep in bed) while we went to the fireworks.

Saturday we all went to Mom and Dad's.

A makeover by Aunt Alisha:

 You have to look thru these in motion:-)

 The dad's and kids:

Summer fun

 Silver Dollar City- we left Cole with Shannon's parents and headed out early.  AFter a quick stop in Springfield we arrived at silver dollar city.  It was the first time we had been there since having kids.  We did the cave first and then lunch.  After that it was to the rides.  The kids did great and we had such a fun day.  Chase did have to nap on my lap for awhile in the afternoon.  Callie rode all the rollercoasters with Shannon and LOVED them all.  We stayed until close at 7PM, ate and changed at a mcdonalds on the strip and then headed home.  It was a long day and we were exhausted but it was so much fun.  We are all ready to go back!

I can't believe I didn't get any pics from the 6 weeks of swim lessons at the Y.  Callie and Chase both loved it and did so well!

Mini Golf on Shannon's birthday after eating at Chili's.  The kids loved having them sing happy birthday to him.  Cole clapped forever afterwards - singing, clapping, and ice cream - he was one happy kid!


Despicable Me II Movie with Mommy.  I can't remember Chase going to a movie before and it had been a long time for Callie and I.  Cole stayed home with Daddy.  The kids both loved it.

Swimming at family night at the Frontenac Pool.  It was not busy at all.  All five of us for two hours.  Fun!  We had not gone to a pool together except for the Roberts house a couple times.

Bowling with Daddy.   Callie and Chase went twice this summer with Daddy while Cole stayed home with mommy.  They loved it!

Smurfs 2 Movie with Mommy.  Chase got more restless at the end but still did fine and Callie LOVE it and is still quoting it.

 
No pics of most of this so here are some random ones:

Read to head out to SDC.

  Just cute Cole:

 This is the hair you wake up with when you have a rough teething night:

 

He kept walking around with the hard hat covering his eyes but when we tried to get a picture we weren't too successful!

 

They wanted their pic taken too:

 Rotten: