One of our summer trips....MN!

 We have been planning on a little trip to Minnesota for a while for a family reunion.

10 hour car ride + 2 kids in back= mommy sitting in the middle wanting a nap!

No just kidding, they actually were really good on the way there. They had their moments of course, but it's only natural since they were out of their comfort zones!

We took a drive for Tony to show us around Mankato and we spotted a park to stop at so the kids could play for a bit.

Tony and Jeanne's house was so nice. The kids loved walking the trails, looking over the bluff, and climbing the deer stand.

Tony took Hudson fishing and they caught a few. I think they were both just as excited!

Here's all the guys minus Collin.

(Kyle, Tony, Kevin, and David)

 For some of you that don't know, Tony is Kevin's biological father that he recently has been in contact with.

The other guys in the photo are Tony and Jeanne's boys. They were so nice and great to get to know.

Here's a pic of Tony & Jeanne with us the next day before we headed to the reunion. We met at a Mickey D's to let the kids play so we could talk over coffee.

We headed 2 hours north to a little town by Monticello, MN. We were there before the other crew got back from the airport so we took some family photos!

That evening we sat around outside with a few drinks talking about what was new with each one of us.

The next day we headed to the farm after a quick trip to the outlet mall where Lisa (Kevin's biological mother) bought Avery this cute tu tu. OF course my diva child had to wear it over her dress with her cowboy boots! I thought this pic was too cute to pass up with her bandaid, beat up knees, tu tu , and boots!

Here's a family photo of us on the family farm. We also go to meet Lisa's daughter Courtney and her boys. Hudson and Nolan buddied up quickly. Dylan and Avery got along for the most part!

As you can see there was no sharing by my little princess. She was telling Dylan that was her chair! What am I going to do with this girl???!!!

It's always nice to hang out with these ladies (Gwen and Colleen). We haven't known them long, but love them as though we have!

All in all, we had a great time and can't wait until we meet up again!

Where I've been...Part 1

Late Spring I had surgery on my neck (C4-5 fusion) so I've taken it easy for the past few months. I had time to make alot of bows and  we had Jamie Luff Photography come and take a few photos of the kids with the new Cardinals line with Lois Jean's Linens.

My Avery did not want her picture taken at first...and then she started to play with the bats and Jamie got a bunch of great pics of her!

Hudson being silly!

Baseball started and we've been at the park atleast twice a week for the past 2 months! Hudson also made the all-star team so next week he will start practicing and have 2 games for that team!

"Ne Ne" and  Cary went to prom and we went to watch the promenade.

She looks beautiful as always. Cary is quite handsome too!

Avery decided to dress in her "prom dress" to go. She looked like a cutie! I can only imagine what I have to look forward to years from now.

We also took a trip to St.Louis for Darien's 12th birthday. We visited the Magic House.

Hudson holding up the "H" box!

They loved all of the hands on and climbing,jumping, and sliding activities. Have I mentioned my children are busy bodies!?

This may be my favorite pic of them this summer. We ate at the incredible pizza in STL and inside they had this car. Hudson actually has his arm around his sister and she isn't hitting him for it! WOW!!! And even better, I got it on camera!!!!

The fun didn't end there. We headed to Busch stadium to see the Cardinals battle the bluejays. Avery got her first STL baseball cap. The cards ended up losing. BOO! But we all had a great time celebrating Darien's birthday.

Here's the birthday boy!

Happy 12th Birthday Darien Miller!!!!

We love you!

The next day Carterville had "Heritage day" to celebrate a new book about our town's history and the destruction of the old high school. Here is my dad sitting on the steps of the old high school both he and I graduated from. We both have many memories from this school, but are excited to see the new school where my children will attend.

I also bought Hudson bunkbeds at a yard sale and painted them red and painted his walls a light blue. I was totally going for the "Pottery barn" style. I loved how it turned out! I still need to place his sport pictures on his walls and other canvas prints. The bunks are awesome because they have shelves, drawers, and even a little desk on the right side.

This past week we decided to take a family trip to the Garden of the Gods. It's located in the Shawnee National Forest and I had never been(that I can remember). The kids had a blast walking through the trail and climbing rocks and looking at the scenery.

There were 8 of us that went. Here is a picture of myself, Avery, and "ne ne" aka Eleni sitting on a rock chilling.

I caught a picture just in time Hudson hit it towards 3rd base and was running in front of me. A total action picture of the all-star.

I've learned more than anything these past couple months...

just to stop and smell the flowers, because life just happens too fast!

Avery started dance class last week.

She was so excited! Can't you tell?

She's a natural or atleast that's what Eleni and I think!

And she looks so stinkin' cute in her dance outfit and ballet shoes!!!

Part 2 will include my "new do"! Yes, I got 6 inches cut off!!!! I feel so much better and I'm only shedding short hair now!!!