Dog Days of Summer

   We have had a very hot week here in North Platte and it still feels cooler than our last week in Columbia. I really did forget how much more humid it is there and how much difference it makes. We did have a couple of really humid days here but they still did not feel as warm as the days down south. The difference to me is that most mornings it is cool here in North Platte, in Columbia it can be just as warm at 8 am as it is at 4 pm.
   The Monday before we left for vacation Sandi and Jaxson were here for a golf tournament. I had the kids go to town and swim with Regan Gifford in the morning and then meet Alanna here at 6 so she could feed the kids and put them to bed. Alec really wanted to go and watch Jaxson golf so I took him along. Let's just say 3 hole was plenty for him and Sandi and I! Jaxson did very well on Monday and had his lowest round with a 106 then made the winning put in a 4 person scramble that evening to help his team win a trophy. Tuesday Alanna came out again to watch the kids and Sandi and I followed Jaxson around the golf course. He did not score as good but played well enough to get 1st place in the 2nd flight for his age group and won a trophy. It was a great 2 days on the course and Sandi and I enjoyed our time together.
     Wednesday I spent most of the day cleaning and getting things ready to leave for vacation. John came out to watch the house and Roger and Kate and the kids came out to pick my garden so those things were taken care of. We got 2 1/2 inches of rain and just a little bit of hail while we were gone so the yard and garden did great. We left after Mike got off work on Wednesday and drove to Nebraska City before stopping for the night. Thursday we got up and make it to Kansas City before stopping for lunch at Joe's Crab Shack. The kids had a great time playing on the play set while we waited for our food. Rachel found a picture of Elvis and wanted her picture taken to send to neighbor Melissa as Melissa taught them about Elvis during library time this year!

   We got to Josh and Keira's around 3 and let the kids play while we caught up. Haley, Peyton, Paisley and Garrett Hill joined us for supper on Thursday night. It was so good to see them all again and Becca was so excited to snuggle baby P but she was kind of fussy.
   Friday we got up and took the kids to the park. Well Mike and Keira took the kids to the park as Becca decided to throw a huge fit and so her and I had to go back to the house and she didn't get to play at the park. Some time being a mommy is hard work! After the park we went down to the pond to give the geese some bread. Becca was in a better mood by then and had a great time feeding the geese. After Angie got off work she picked up the girls so they could go to her house and play. Keira arranged for a babysitter for Alec and her kids so that we could have an adult night out. We meet up with Nelson and Sarah for an amazing dinner at boil and then went to the rooftop bar at the Broadway hotel for drinks.

Rachel, Becca, Alec, and Lyla feeding the ducks.

Keira and I at dinner

Josh, Keira, Mike, and I. Great times with great friends.

   Saturday Natalie stopped by on her way to work to visit and see the kids. We then packed up our things and headed to Creamer's house. The girls had a great time spending the night with Beth and Brooke. Angie and I did a bunch of catching up while the guys watched some movies and the kids played. Angie made meatball, corn, and cheesy potatoes for supper all of my favorite things. 

Becca and Brooke played themselves out.

Beth, Rachel, Becca, Brooke, and Alec ready to watch a movie

Silly Kids.

   Sunday we got up and had a big breakfast before heading to town to swim with the Hill's and the Hamman's while the guys all golfed. The kids had a great time and then we went back out to Angie's for steaks and a movie and bed. 

Becca and Paisley

Becca, Dansby, and Alec

Peyton, Becca, Dansby, Alec and Rachel

The little girls.

The big girls.

  Monday we got up packed the car and headed to Kansas City to Worlds of Fun. We spent 6 hours at both parks. Rachel and Mike enjoyed all the roller coasters but one that Rachel was not tall enough to ride, while Becca, Alec and I enjoyed all the rides in Snoopy World. Alec got a little hangry on us but other than that we didn't have many tears and everyone had a great day. We only spend a little time in Oceans of Fun as the lines were really long on the hot day. 

First Ride of the Day

Becca and Alec's favorite ride.

Alec was not tall enough for some of the rides so I had to ride with him.

Becca with Snoopy. Alec was too scared to get close

Done for the Day.

Don't mind the blue lips we just ate dip 'n dots.

    Monday night we stayed at Harrah's casino and had supper with Brad Hiser. It was good to catch up with Brad and even though the kids were tired they did a great job at supper and crashed out in the hotel room while watching TV.  Tuesday we got up and made the long journey home. The kids did pretty well in the car. We did stop in Lincoln for a late lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings and made it home in time to unpack and watch a movie.

   Wednesday Mike was still off work so he and Alec worked outside, mowing the weeds down and mulching the East side of the shop. The girls and I returned Rachel's school books to the library and got some milk before coming home to do some cleaning and going to the country club to meet up with friends and swim. Elly the neighbor joined us swimming and then Rachel had a sleep over at her house. 

   Thursday Alec and Becca went to play with Babs at Lisa's while I went to lunch with Stacy. We then picked up Hanna, then Rachel and came home and the kids played while I did some housework. When Mike got home we watched a movie with them while I went out and took care of the garden and weedeated around the house. Friday we had a coffee at the hospital for a new physician wife and then came home and I mowed while the kids played. Friday afternoon we joined Tracey Dugan at their lake place for a nice supper and the kids played with Elly Fudge in the lake. Mike was on call but was able to join us for supper before going back to work. We got home just before it started raining. We got a little over an inch of rain Friday night! My garden and yard love all the rain these last 2 weeks.

    Saturday we stayed home all day and I did laundry and house work. It felt so good to finally have a Saturday at home. Today we went to church, then out to lunch with Lisa, Marty, Babs, Grandma Priest, and Auntie J. Mike had to go back to work so the kids and I came home and played before heading back to town to meet up with Kate, Hanna, Dutch, and Austin at Cody Park. The Raatz family is moving to Des Moines the middle of August so we are trying to get in as much playing time and sleepovers as possible before we don't see them as often.

The girls

Yes Alec was pouting!

The boys