Enjoying The Weather

Last week we decided to take advantage of the unseasonable nice weather by heading to Island Park. We hadn't been to play on the equipment since Uncle Kye was here--if you remember that trip was too hot and I told Lydia I hoped she had a good time since we probably wouldn't be back until October. Looks like I was wrong. The weather here has been very nice. Anyone that truly knows me knows that I HATE hot weather. I know hate is a strong word...but, I mean it! In fact summer is my least favorite time of the year. I would rather be knee deep in snow :) OK, enough about that.

Lydia is an outside girl. She loves to play and run around. The park was pretty busy..I guess everyone else had the same idea. We spent about an hour running, swinging and of course trying to do everything all the other kids were doing.

Making her way across the bridge

We spotted her name on a picket--I couldn't get her to pose by it--she was too busy for that

Spending some time on the swing :)...well, I just deleted that picture.

Moving the Gears..She thought this was pretty neat!

This nice weather seems to be here to stay for awhile. I am SO not complaining :) Thursday night we might head down to the Fair.....the high for the day 78!

Great Summer Recipe

Mad Hatter Salad

1 (16 ounce) package coleslaw mix
8 green onions, chopped
1/2 c. butter or margarine
1 head fresh broccoli, cut into florets
2 (3 ounce) packages chicken flavored ramen noodles
1 c. slivered almonds
1 c. sunflower seeds
1/2 c. white sugar
1/4 c. apple cider vinegar
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1t. soy sauce

1. In a large bowl, toss together the coleslaw mix, green onions and broccoli, set aside.
2. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Crumble the ramen noodles into a bowl, and mix with the almonds and sunflower seeds. Sprinkle the seasoning packets over all. Add to the skillet; cook and stir until noodles and nuts are toasted, about 8 min.
3. In a jar with a tight fitting lid, combine the sugar, vinegar, oil and soy sauce. Seal, and shake vigorously to blend.
4. Just before serving, combine the slaw mixture with the nuts and noodles. Pour the dressing over all, and stir briefly to coat.

Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday

Farmer Lydia

Friday night we ventured down to check out the beans Lydia and your daddy planted. They really looked great! I'm sure the rain we got last night will really help them out. Lydia was really checking them out! I think she approved.

Trying to decide how far out she should go

Here she is copying every move her daddy makes. Giving them a good feel!

Pointing were they missed a spot!

Hopefully we will have pictures of sunflowers to share soon.

Wordless Wednesday

New Trick

I can't believe Lydia is now able to climb up the bar stools and check out what is happening in the kitchen. Last week, I was cooking supper when I turned around to check what she was doing..I was very surprised to see her at the bar!

Lydia and her BIG smile...I think she knows she is being ornery :)

Happy Birthday

Happy 31st Birthday Cory! We hope you have a GREAT day...Lydia sends you a hug :)

Cory and Kane on the Party Bus celebrating his 30th Birthday!

GOOD TIMES

Today is also my cousin Angie's first wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary Angie and Randy--Hope you have a wonderful day together. Have fun at Kobe's tonight!

Great Wolf Lodge

After leaving Manhattan we headed to the Great Wolf Lodge for two nights. We had a awesome time! They have an outdoor and an indoor water park. Lydia loved them both!

The view from our balcony..I couldn't wait to go down the BIG slides :)

I am pretty sure I have an independent little swimmer on my hands. She wanted to go in the big kids pools and do everything by yourself. She created a little scene when we didn't let her go down the lazy river solo, she wanted her own tube and everything! I told Kane we might have the next Micheal Phelps on our hands!

Lydia taking it all in from the zero entry pool!

Racing down to play in the water!

Outside there was a small slide and I bet Lydia went down it about 100 times between the two days--she was a big fan!!

Lydia and the frog slide

We had a wonderful time, but we were ready to call it a vacation and head home. I think we will defiantly be taking another trip to the Great Wolf. I know I loved the slides as well!!

Looks like she had a great time...what do you think?

Manhattan

The last weekend in June we decided to take a little vacation. We headed to Manhattan---We LOVE that town. It brings back tons of memories every time we are there. We have season tickets to the football games so we are there a lot in the fall. However, my great friend Christie has moved there and I see us hanging go there more often.

Saturday and Sunday night we stay at Christie's new townhouse..it was awesome!!! We met up with Jeff, Angie and Segen for dinner at Willie's on Saturday night. Lydia wasn't in the best of moods..well, let's just say...the worst I had ever seen her act. It was real embarrassing :) After Willie's we headed down the parking lot to the nearest liquor store. Jeff and Kane went in and the ladies and children stayed out. Well, three of us did. Segen and Lydia wanted to find there dads I guess :)

The girls trying to get in! I'm pretty sure they got the door open--but, I wouldn't let them go in. I know I'm such a mean mommy.

We then headed back to Christie's place and let the girls play and mixed some drinks for the adults of course :)

Miss Segen--Look at those eyelashes!!!

Sunday morning we headed to Early Edition (I think that's right) to meet up with Dan, Kim and Callie. We hadn't seen them since last summer, so it was great to catch up! I really hope they can make it to a football game this fall--hint, hint :)

Kim, Callie, Dan, Kane, Lydia and Me

Christie, thanks so much for letting us come and stay! We had a great time!! We WILL be back :)

Christie, Lydia and Me as we were getting ready to say bye-bye :(

Check out Christie's blog http://christie-od.blogspot.com/ for more pictures and fun times! AND yes, I know there is a different way to post a link, but I couldn't remember and I was so afraid that I would delete my whole post!

Lydia was pooped! After Manhattan, we headed to KC and the Great Wolf Lodge. She slept the whole way.

Happy Belated 4th of July!

So, I'm a little behind! I hope everyone had a fun and safe 4th of July.

We headed to Island park for a little picnic with Megan, Laura and their families. We usually head down to the big firework show, but, with three little ones it is hard.

Family Pic

Lydia really wanting to go bye-bye! She is wearing her new bracelets :)

All the kiddos: Norah Kate, Barrett, and Lydia

After, the park we all went our separate ways, not knowing what the kids would be up for. We headed to Cory and Kara's where they were having a BBQ. Once the big show started we headed outside. We were all really surprised how light it was when they started. We really couldn't see much...but, Jon brought some works of his own. So, we had our own little show.

Hello smoke...Lydia really liked all the shinny sparks and sounds :)

Standing next to her good friend kara watching all the excitment

We had a great time! Lydia really had fun...She was still up and kicking at 11 pm. I wasn't sure when we left our house what we were doing so I brought some pj's for her just in case. We changed her thinking she would for sure be asleep by the time we made it to 19th street. She was still wide eyed when we pulled into the garage!!!

Wordless Wednesday