Quick 5

We're home and we're alive!

1.  Just a few leftover pics from our vacation:

Bria LOVED sitting on Grampa's lap.  I've never seen her just sit that way with anyone.  I consider her to be a momma's girl, and she doesn't even sit with me like she did with him.

Last Saturday we went to Art in the Park in Raymore.  The girls got to participate in a community art project by coloring on plastic water bottles that were then cut and made into a sculpture.  They always enjoy a good art project.

2.  The whole reason we went to Missouri at this time of the year was to celebrate my grandparents' 60th anniversary. I've always thought that it was pretty neat that my grandparents live about 30 minutes away from Lee's parents, so we can see my grandparents when we visit Lee's family or stay with Lee's family when we need to visit my grandparents.  That shindig took place on Sunday, and it was also fun to see cousins in a different place than we normally see them.

Joya, Alaina and Oliver chasing bubbles that Grammy was blowing for them

Playing in the toy room at the clubhouse

Joya getting beaned by a ball thrown by Apple Ben

3.  The ride home was...long.  Longer than it was going out.  We got to have breakfast in Junction City with Grammy, Grandad, Apple Ben, Uncle Nick, Aunt Jamie, Naomi, Oliver and Ellie.  Not only did we get to see family on the road, but we ate at an actual restaurant, rather than the typical McDonald's.  When we got out of the car for breakfast, Alaina spotted Nick across the parking lot and shouted, "There's Uncle Nick!  It's a miracle!"  I don't think she knew we were going to see them in such a random place.  Anyway, we stopped a few extra times to let Bria out to run around.  We hoped it would curb the fussiness.  It sort of did, I guess.  Really, all it did was add an extra two hours to our trip home.  It is what it is, though, and we think it's worth it.

4.  Bria is learning all sorts of new skills.  In Missouri she learned the art of saying, "No no no!!" to anyone and anything that is preventing her from fulfilling her agenda.  She learned to correctly identify an actual puppy and say "Ruff ruff!" (much to the chagrin of Henry, Aunt Mindy's basset hound.)  When we got home, she learned how to climb up on the couch all by herself.  And if we'll let her, I know she would be happy to quickly learn how to climb out of her high chair.  I'm praying that the Lord protects her from her own foolishness, because I can't keep my eyes on her every second of the day.

5.  And in Big News To Us, we've been enjoying a brand new smart TV.  It was an anniversary/Christmas gift from Lee's parents and it has been so fun.  Not only is it a TV from this century, but thanks to a well-timed sale we were able to spring for the upgrade for the actual smart TV, and once linked to our Amazon Prime account we've had a whole new world open up to us, beyond the over the air channels we usually see.  It's a fun new toy.

I'll let these girls send you off today:

Does this picture creep you out?  She was eating cherries, not trying out for a zombie flick.

Kansas City Quick 5

Adventures in Road Trip.

1.  The drive out was fine.  Okay.  Good, not great.  Bria fussed about 60% of the time (although Lee thinks it was more like 80%.  But let's not exaggerate.)  There was no ice storm this time, but there was some crazy wind.  And we had one small incident where we literally almost ran out of gas.  We were pushing through from breakfast and realized that we maybe should get gas.  I pointed out a sign for a station coming up, and then I got a text from my mom and Lee was enjoying Switchfoot and we blew right by the exit.  And then there were no more gas stations.  We have a Distance Til Empty gauge on the van, and it literally hit zero when we finally rolled into a station in Salina.  I was freaking out.  Lee wasn't.  But we won't make that mistake again.

Breakfast picnic in Kansas

2.  It's been non-stop fun since we got here.  Sunday was church and fun in the yard with bubbles and balls.  We were trying to get a specific picture of Bria for Melonie's wall, so she and I took about a hundred while she toddled around.  Alaina and Joya spent the afternoon splashing around in the puddles in the yard, having the time of their life.

None of these are The Picture, but they are some of my favorites

3.  Monday morning we picked blueberries.  Jim and Melonie have a friend who has a blueberry patch, and we went bright and early with Alaina and Joya.  We spent 45 minutes there and ended up with 10 pounds of blueberries.  To be honest, Joya might have eaten a half pound while we were there, but who can tell?

4. Tuesday we went swimming.  It turns out Joya is pretty fearless.  She was wearing floaties and at one point jumped into the deep water without asking for help.  Of course she went under and bobbed right up, but it scared her pretty good.  She got over it and went right back to paddling around. 

5.  Wednesday night Uncle Josh and Aunt Mindy came and Thursday we went to Deanna Rose, a children's petting zoo/farm.  It was raining when we got there, but we decided to push through anyway, since it was free to get in.  But the rain stopped shortly after we got there, and the girls got to see their fill of goats, ducks and pigs. 

There has also been some fishing and splashing in a wading pool and Angry Bird playing and Uncle Josh wrestling and dessert at every meal.  And we still have a couple of days of fun left.  It's been a good vacation.

Quick 5

Someday the girls will be able to help me pack for a family vacation, right?

1.  Last Saturday we went on the Family Hike that our church arranged.  It was our first family hike ever, and the girls did okay.  It was close and not too far of a hike.  Joya fussed quite a bit, but she IS only three, and walking 2.6 or whatever miles was a lot for her.  But she got through it.  Bria fussed quite a bit, but I guess I DID make her miss her morning nap, and I've never trained her to sleep in the stroller.  But the hike was beautiful.  I highly recommend Roxborough State Park if you are looking for a really pretty piece of Colorado.

Ethan, Josh, Alaina & Joya

A Real Life shot - since Joya refused to smile for the camera

Elyssa & Bria, BFFs (whether they want to be or not)

2.  This is noteworthy to us; it may not be to the rest of the world.  But on Monday we actually went out to eat as a family at an actual sit-down restaurant for the second time this month.  Really, it was the second time this year.  And maybe the fourth or fifth time since having Bria.  Anyway, thanks to a coupon and a gift card (you know, Kimble style) we went to Texas Roadhouse.  The girls did quite well and we really enjoyed it.  It was even Kid's Night, so the girls got balloon animals.  We opted out of the face painting because we were going right home to take baths, but I offered the girls some tattoos instead, which they gladly agreed to.  We had forgotten how much we liked that place.

3.  Alaina had her 6-year check up this week.  6!  It's still a little weird to think we have a 6-year-old in the house.  She's 3 feet, 9 inches and 42 pounds.  She loved chatting with the doctor.  At one point the doctor asked her if she had trouble sleeping, to which Alaina said, "YES!!!  Sometimes Joya bothers me, even when I face the wall and try to sleep!"  I don't think that's what the doctor meant, but it was still funny.

4.  We had fun celebrating Lee's birthday this year.  I made him a brownie trifle and gave him the present that I had been dying to for weeks: his very own ukulele.  I also had our good friends just show up for dessert on that day.  He didn't know about that either, and I couldn't very well ask him to change out of his PJ pants that he had put on the minute he got home from work, or he would have known something was up.  It was fun to surprise him.

5.  Tomorrow we are driving across Kansas.  We are spending the week in Kansas City to visit Lee's parents and to celebrate my grandparents' 60th anniversary.  We have plans to swim and play and visit a petting zoo and maybe see a movie or two.  It's always a nice break and we're looking forward to it.

That's all, folks!

Quick 5

Oh hail.  Seriously, last night we had TWO hail storms.  I hope my poor little tomato plant and zucchini plant survive to bear fruit.

1.  We've been very busy celebrating Alaina's birthday this week.  On Sunday we had a birthday party celebrating her and two very good friends Hayley and Ethan, who both turned 10 this week.  It was a gorgeous day and Lee was able to do one of his favorite things: grill.  Alaina received some great gifts, including her beloved ukulele.

This cake was not only professional and beautiful, it was DELICIOUS.  Thank you Christina!!

Three birthday kids, three moms, three cakes

Lee's proudest contribution to the party: grilled corn on the cob with homemade garlic herb butter

2.  On Alaina's actual birthday we went to Red Robin for dinner.  We love that her birthday burger and Lee's birthday burger coincide.  Alaina loved hearing the servers all sing her happy birthday and happily shared her birthday sundae with Joya.

Bria occupied herself by tearing up a napkin

3.  On her birthday Alaina opened some really cool gifts too.  She got her own digital camera and some awesome Birthday Bucks from Uncle Josh and Aunt Mindy.

4.  Bria had her 15 month well check-up this week.  She is growing as she should.  She's now 22 lbs and 32 inches tall, which puts her in the 90th percentile for height.  Which explains why she really can't fit into 12 month clothing any more. 

5. And finally, debuting their summer hair cuts, here are Joya and Alaina!

Thus ends week 2 of our summer break.  Peace out!

Happy 6th Birthday Alaina!

You are 6 years old today!  You're no longer a little kid...you're now a full-fledged kid.  We love watching you grow and learn and listening to you tell us what you've learned.  You thrived in kindergarten like we knew you would, and you diligently teach your little sisters all you know.  We love that you're so helpful and trustworthy.  We pray that you would have the mind of Christ and that you would do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but that in humility you would consider others better than yourself.  We pray that your life overflows with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

We love you so much and can't wait to see you live life as a 6 year old.

Happy Birthday Alaina Gisele!

Love,
Mommy, Daddy, Joya and Bria

Alaina - Age 6

Favorite Color - Red

Favorite Toy - all my stuffed animals

Favorite fruit - apples

Favorite TV Show - Qubo

Favorite thing to eat for lunch - Daddy's Noodles

Favorite Outfit - my Easter dress

Favorite Game - Hi Ho Cherrio

Favorite snack - apples and peanut butter

Favorite animal - kittens

Favorite Song - Let It Go

Favorite Book - A Monkey Among Us

Best Friend - Avery

Favorite cereal - Cocoa Puffs

Favorite thing to do outside - throw the frisbee

Favorite drink - chocolate milk

Favorite holiday - Christmas

Favorite bed buddy - Radar

Favorite thing to eat for breakfast - chocolate pop tarts

What do you want for your birthday dinner - Red Robin

What do you want to be when you grow up - a firefighter