Grandpa summer kick off camping trip

 Over Memorial Day Weekend we kicked the summer off with Grandpa coming into town. The boys went on their annual camping trip while us girls enjoyed some time here! 

Boys: they started the grip with a Twins baseball game in Minneapolis after picking Gpa up from the airport. The boys (all of them) were pretty excited to bring home a ball! The next morning they were off to Nauvoo. They visited all the church sites and fished along the Mississippi River. Another day they drove around and ended up finding an old church house that Gpa Vaughn’s ancestor helped build. They fished at the Nauvoo state park, ate at a Mexican restaurant, cooked s’mores, practiced baseball, and had a wonderful weekend slowing life down and enjoying each other’s company. 

Girls: we spent an entire day hanging out with little friends and then hanging out with Heather, Josie, and Lily until bedtime. The next day we were enjoying g a slow moment and even stirring on the back porch, eating an apple when we received a call to see if we were going to the parade. Before we knew it, the girls were all loaded in the biking trailer and we were down at the parade. We ended up sitting with Treycen and the Tolentino’s. It was so much fun! 

Once the boys were back, we woke up bright and early to work on the yard before our bbq. Gpa Vaughn even taught Maddix how to mow the lawn. The boys and I met up with all the friends at the park and played nearly 3hrs of ultimate Frisbee before coming back to the house to host a bbq. It was a great day. The boys both ended up having late nights at friends, so Gpa Vaughn took the rest of us out to dinner and we came out (at 9:00pm) the sky was bright and green! Thanks fully, there was no tornado! 

We LOVED our Memorial Day Weekend. Now here’s to our summer to come!! 

A Week of BIG Moments

 What a week we had. Between all the big moments and the weather that couldn’t decide what I it wanted to be, it just flew by in the blink of an eye. 

Travis

His knee is getting better each day. His ACL is mending and he is able to get on the bike and spin now. He’s bummed because he’s probably out of the running for his half iron man. To replace his energy and focus, he’s been watching endless YouTube baseball training videos and spending lots of time with the boys. And when he isn’t training them, he’s coaching Aaron’s city league team. Or sitting as a fan at Maddix’s soccer games, Maddix’s city league games, or Aaron’s travel tournament games. And somehow he still finds the time to take me on dates, chat with me endlessly, and spend a little time with the girls (I say “little” because that’s how they see it; they are seriously missing their daddy right now! ). He is sooo busy! 

Lacey

I have fallen in love with weight lifting; don’t worry, I won’t become jacked.. I barely lift any weight, but it makes me feel so strong. It is easy to commit too. And I don’t know, it’s a nice change from constant cardio. I completed a BodyByBree program back in March and knew I had to sign up for the continuation package; haven’t regretted it a day. Aside from that, I’m just busy trying to manage the house, the yard work, the girls, meal planning/prepping, having dinner ready by 4:50pm so we can eat together as a family before sports each evening, and being a full-time chauffeur/ cheering section for the boys! And on Sunday I was sustained as the Young Women’s President. I’m truly looking forward do the opportunity; I love these young ladies!! My best moments from the week were volunteering at Aaron’s end of year field days, as well as watching my sweet Adeline “graduate” from her Sugarplum school! 

Maddix 

This kid was awarded the Musical Magician award at school. He was nominated by a teacher and selected to attend a prestigious (and expensive) science and leadership camp this summer. He also scored an audition invitation for Opus Choir next year. He plays defender in his soccer games. And on his city league baseball team he typically plays catcher or pitcher. He’s essentially on a team that inspired The Bad News Bears, and while it was disappointing, it’s also been so nice for him; he gets a lot of playing time and everyone loves him because he has the most experience. He just got sustained as the Deacons President! So proud of him. He loves the YM’s program. And side note, he has the PERFECT freckles!! 

Aaron 

He basically just wakes up ready to find joy in each day. I had the pleasure of observing him in his natural habitat while at his field days. He didn’t seem to notice at all, but all those friends of his seemed to love him. They copied anything he did and found every joke funny. And in return he was just genuinely happy for each of their successes and laughed at their jokes. He loves City league because he gets to hang out with dad, and play bigger positions than travel league. He enjoys travel league because of his buddies and the higher competition, but for whatever reason they bench him half the game and only play him in the outfield; it’s really getting him down because he works so hard, supports all his players, and NEVER complains! He has loved the time with his dad, but is so excited for summer break so he can have a little more neighborhood friend time. 

Adeline

What a doll. She was so cute and professional during her graduation, and she wasn’t ready to say goodbye to her “closest” friends, Clark, Lennon, Sophia, and Lora. She’s the best big sister. A wonderful sharer. A never ending cheerleader for her siblings. Mom’s right hand wo-man. And is endlessly trying to obtain knowledge. She’s a mini Maddix. 

Avery

A firecracker. A spitfire. A critter turned gremlin. The sweetest little toot you could meet. And then the feistiest little… well critter. She adores Addie. Biggie backs with the brothers. Constantly sneaks into their rooms. Steals and hides things in her bed. Will skip all meals and then forage. Must have physical contact with the ones she loves very so often, but then will jump from high places, ride the bike without fear, and is basically a mini adrenaline junkie. Just as long as her family is there supporting her. She loves paw patrol and recently fell in love with checking out My Little Ponies from the library. 

We recently had a robin build a next in our hose holder and all four of her eggs hatched! Not going to lie, they were ugly! But they are getting big fast, and they’re cuter now!