Fun Family Times

We have been going to a lot of soccer games for Braden and Elly. They both LOVE it. Here is Braden before his first game at the Pike Fest with Chris and Brody. They won second overall and had an awesome time. Go Flyers!

Ro learned how to ride a two wheeler and here he is riding down the Newton's lane. It always just make me smile when he rides his bike--it is so dang CUTE!

Ro playing at the mall playground-we do have FUn while the kids are in school.

Lea and Braden after church in Normal. We had the Williams come home with us for a week and we had a great time. We can't wait for them to come again.

The Normal, IL chapel for Griffin's blessing day--he looked adorable!

We also ventured to Moonshine, IL for lunch and the famous "Moonburger" It was a really neat place and so out of the way that we never would have gone if we did not have visitors. I do however reccommend it!

One day we went to the NCAA offices and Hall of Champions Museum. We had a blast -here is Lea in the mix. We also went to the Indiana State Library and were on the hunt for some family history information.

Olivia and I ran a half marathon on Sept. 11. This is pre-race and inside the car since it was raining so hard but the rain stopped right after the race began and the weather was great!

After the Race--We DID it!!

Lea and Braden are mesmerized by the Game.

The football games were a highlight of our fun relaxing weekend. Biff, Emily and Richard watching one of the many games.

Peyton took on the job of getting Griffin to sleep and wrote a letter to Bonnie telling her if you want Griffin to get to sleep just pat and rub. As you can see it worked.

Just hanging out and watching a few football games-FUN!

Skip, Ro and Griffin in the early morning

Everyone loved holding Griffin. He was a good sport and wasn't too traumatized.

We played Lots of games like capture the flag (even if Biff cheated), and Sardines. Biff and Lea hiding behind the grill in Sardines.

The BBQ grill was a great place to pack it in as you can see ADD BRADEN!!
The best hiding place in the game of Sardines was on the roof of the club house. This was even better when Skip was up there in the dark.

Here is the whole family after a night of games. We wish everyone lived lots closer. We had a ball.

Bailee (at the Net) in action at a volleyball game.

My two number one fans-Peyton and Rowen. We have a blast going to LOTS of games together!!

Schoooooool!!!

The last few days of summer and lots of watermelon!

The first day of school came way too fast. Bailee is in 9th grade, Elly in 6th, Braden in 4th, Peyton in 2nd and Ro in preschool.
Tanner and Tyson Gage, Braden, Peyton and Rowen- The Boys at the Bus Stop

Braden, Peyton and Rowen getting ready for school.

Bailee and Elly Getting ready to ride the bus together.
Bailee made the South High School JV volleyball team!

Mid-summer FUN!

July has gone all too fast! We celebrated on the 3rd with some of our neighbors and had the big BBQ with lots of food. The then fireworks which are the BEST in Indiana as everthing is legal. Then on the fourth we went to the Albert's some other neighborswho just got their pool put in so it was 6 hours of swimming for some of the kids and they Rock when it comes to fireworks. They had to make two trips in their SUV to get all the fireworks. It was AWESOME-- we even felt the debris falling on us.

The next weekend Lynnie, Jeremy and their kids came and they brought Breanna and Logan Rodebush. It was a lot of fun. We saw a play in the park, rode the train and went swimming ( One definitely unforgetable swimming trip--right Lynnie). They stayed until Monday and headed on to D.C. while Bailee and Breanna went to EFY in Bloomington, IN at IU. Logan stayed a whole week with us which we loved. Even our neighbors were sad when he had to go home. We spent two FUN filled days at the Fair. We learned the finer points of sheep judging and Elly and Peyton won blue ribbons. They would have loved to go back more but we didn't make it there. CAN'T WAIT til next year. We spent a lot of days in the pool and playing in the sandbox.

Bailee and Breann at EFY.

The Following Friday, the Rodebush's came and so did the Gruenewald's ( some friends that lived here and went to grad school with Biff). Tina and I went to pick up the girls from EFY and we managed to embarass them (just breathing embarasses Bailee). They loved EFY and are dying to go back next year. It was so sad to say goodbye to the Rodebush's as we wish they lived right next door to us. The Gruenewald's also lived by us in El Paso, TX. Now their kids are all grown up-oldest is going to BYU next year. We had a blast and they are an awesome family.

The Company cleared out of here just in time to celebrate my big 39th b-day. We went to Roly's (my favorite pizza Place) and saw a movie. That week everyone got sick and Braden, Elly and Rowen had to go see the DR. They all had ear infections and Pneumonia along with a nasty hacking cough.

The last week of July was our family Stay-cation (which I forgot the camera at home). Monday we went golfing and then to Leiber State Park. Skip and Bonnie also had their cute little baby Griffin on Monday. Tuesday we left Early for Holiday World which was fun but LONG lines. Then that night we drove to Mamoth Caves and stayed there for 2 nights. We loved the cave tours or as Elly says trs! On Thursday we went to Edinurgh and shopped with Page and Tayler. It was great to see them. We wanted to go see the new baby on Friday but decided we didn't need to share our illnesses with a newborn as the cough is still hanging around. We did meet a new family moving to our ward from El Paso and had a fun night hanging with their family and some others from our ward. Saturday we finished school shopping and helped paint at the Threlfall's new house.

And July 2010 is GONE!!!!

June Recap

Elly got her braces put on in the middle of June The close up look.

We went on our trip to Philly and had a lot of stops along the way. The first was Kirtland, Ohio to see the church sites and the temple.

We all put on out ponchos for the Maid of the Mist boat Ride. We loved getting wet!

Next stop Niagara Falls, NY. It was so beautiful!

Everyone walking into the Scred Grove-- It was so green and beautiful!

Here we are in the House where Joseph Smith saw the angel Moroni.

We stopped at the Hill Cumorah and the missionaries were even from Brigham City.

Braden and Peyton inside the Heart at the Science Center. It was so much fun!
Elly Flying at the science center
Down on the Boardwalk at Atlantic City.
Peyton playing in the sand.
The kids enjoying the waves!
Eating our Philly Cheese Steak at Genos.

First cab ride for the Boys.

The Betsy Ross House; it was very interesting to see and learn about her spot in history.

Photo Op with Betsy--yes Betsy as in Ross!

The Kids are Having such a great time can't you tell?! We did love meeting up with our neighbors.

The US Mint was a great break from the heat.

Yes, Bailee, here is the actual Liberty Bell. We had a lot of discussion about this.

On to Philly and here is Independence Hall.

The bus ride to NYC!

A quick walk in the Fashion District

The Boys LOVED nintendo World and found a lot of stuff they liked.

Wow is this really Radio City Music Hall!?!

We had to stop and see Iron Man in New York.

Too many treats at M & M world!

Lots of shopping and walking in Time Square!

Peyton's favorite thing from Toys R Us. The motorcycles that he has wanted Forever (quote by Peyton)

Bailee's New purse she bought on the street in NYC.

This is how dirty Braden's feet were after a day in NYC and he did wear shoes!?

The Family outside Hershey's Chocolate World.

On the way home we stopped in Hershey, PA and it was a highlight. Especially the 5 # candy Bar.

We had a great trip and saw a lot of friends at the NATA convention. It was fun to get away and see a new place we had never been to before. Now back to reality!!