Last Day of School

Last Thursday was the kids' last day of school.  They definitely had mixed feelings about it.  Cody and Samantha both love their teachers so much.  They also made so many great friends this year.  Yet, they are so excited to to move on to their next grade.

Cody will be in 4th grade next year and Samantha will be in 3rd grade.  Miss Chloe will also be attending Preschool this fall.  So exciting to watch the kids learn and grow!

Last day of 2nd grade.

Last day of 3rd grade.

Chloe had to be included too.

When the kids got home from school, they showed me their final report cards.  

This makes my heart so happy!

Such a good girl!!

Race Cars and Helicopters

Bottom line... If it goes fast, we like it!

If you know us, you know we like racing.  It's just the way it is.  It's in our blood.

My dad and uncles raced my entire childhood.  When my brother and sister were old enough, they raced too.  Chad and I met at the race track.  My dad and uncle owned a race track for a while.  So basically, for the first two decades of my life, I spend most of them either at race tracks, driving to and from race tracks or watching "the guys" work on race cars.  And for over 30 years now my dad and uncle have operated a business that makes motorhomes and race car trailers.

I feel most at home when the roar of the engines are too loud for you to think, the dust is flying and all eyes are on that checkered flag.  Perhaps it's not the most feminine thing to enjoy, but I make no apology's.  In our family, racing was what kept us together.  We were all there, all the time.  You always hear "The family that plays together, stays together."  Well, racing is how we played!

This weekend, I had the privilege to spend a few days at the race track with my Dad, Cody, my uncle Todd and cousin Kyel.  It was AWESOME!!

Since my Dad and Todd were doing business with some of the drivers, Cody and Kyel were able to meet some of the drivers, get autographs and t-shirts, and just hang out.

The guys also signed up for a helicopter ride.  They loved it!!  Grandpa and Cody went and then Todd and Kyel.  All smiles when they were done!

These are the things that memories are made from!!

Kyel and Cody standing by our motorhome.

Air Force West Coast Chopper was there.

Grandpa and Cody getting in the helicopter.  Cody gets front seat. 

All buckled in and ready to go!

There they go!

Coming in for the landing.

Almost there.

Yeah buddy!!

Getting out.

AWESOME!!

Kyel and Cody hanging out in the motorcoach playing XBOX. 

Lucas Oil Speedway, Wheatland, MO

The guys.  Cody, my Dad, Kyel, and Todd

Our favorite driver, Kelly Boen.

Getting ready to go.

Lined up on the front stretch before the main event!

There's No Place Like Home

We went back to Nebraska this weekend to see our family.  Good times.  There is never a shortness of laughter, tears and memories made.

Dylan, Kaden, and Cody

Samantha and Logan just chillin.

Chloe loves the slide.

Logan 

Samantha and Maddie riding the four wheeler.

Dragon gives Chloe a ride.

Chloe and Maddie ready for bed.

It's all about four wheelin at Grandpa and Grandma's house.

Daddy gives Chloe a ride too.

Logan pushing Chloe in the swing.

Maddie

Snacks on the swings.

Samantha celebrating her birthday at Grandma and Grandpa's with an ice cream cake!

Spelling Bee

For the last few weeks, the third grade class has been preparing for a Spelling Bee.  Through a series of smaller Spelling Bee's in each 3rd grade class, they were able to narrow down the nearly 150 third graders to the ones who were eligible to compete in the final Spelling Bee.  Cody was one of the 30 children able to compete.

Getting ready to begin.  The kids on the floor are the rest of the 3rd graders.

He practices spelling all of the time.  He is constantly asking me to just give him random words to spell.  If you ever wondered what we do in the vehicle driving around town... we spell words.

Cody spelling his first word.

Friday came and he was so excited.  Chad, Chloe and I went to watch.  I'm pretty sure his dad and I were more nervous that he was.  He walked up to the microphone each time and seemed as comfortable as can be.

He ended up in 5th place.  Such a great job!!  We are so proud of you, Cody!!!

Birthday Girl

Our Miss Samantha turned 8 on May 14th!!  I know everyone always says that they can't believe that their children are one year older.  Well, put me in that category too!  8 short years ago, our baby girl came into the world with some crazy circumstances.  Thanks to a medical issue I had, I spent the last few months in and out of the hospital trying to give our little one time to get strong enough to be born healthy.

Thankfully, we were blessed with a beautiful, healthy baby girl!  She was tiny, but so strong!  At just 4 lbs. 13 oz, she came out a fighter and hasn't changed a bit!  

Miss Samantha has a heart of gold.  She loves to help people and is so loving.  She doesn't back down from a fight and she's always the first to offer a hug.  Our family is so blessed with her in it.

We love you, Samantha.  To the moon and back!!

Happy 8th Birthday, Samantha!

Samantha's birthday dinner at the Rib Crib!

Playground

Since moving into our new home, we've been itching to get a playground for the kids.  We finally found one that we all like and bought it.  With schooling, work and the weather not cooperating, it took a little longer than we would have liked to get the thing put together.  But, alas, It's UP!!!

And, being used.  A lot!!

We never had a swing set or playground at our home in Nebraska.  So, this is such a treat for all of us!

He's so ornery.

I have no doubt that many of our summer days will be spent hanging out here.

Cousins

Last weekend, my dad, sister, niece and nephew came to visit.  Like always, we had a great time!!  Lots of playing outside, ice cream, and games sure made the weekend fly by.  We love having our family here to visit!!  Just wish it wouldn't go by so quickly.

The crew.

Madelyn, Cody, Kaden, Samantha and Chloe

Playing games

Pals

Two peas in a pod

The boys

Ice cream to cool off

Mr. Kaden

Go Maddie

Grandpa and Aunt Sarah on swings set duty.