Recent Events

Brandi, Holli, and her Mom made their annual trip to Hilsboro for the craft fair. Misti usually goes as well, but had just delivered their 3rd child and was unable to attend. I think the girls had a lot of fun. Amazingly enough, no one came home sunburned, which was a first.

Holli and Sharon came up today. Holli brought her camera to take our family photo's. These were just a couple "amateur" photos that I took of the kids. It was a very stressful afternoon. Between Addy not getting her nap and Brayden acting like a normal 7 year old it was a struggle to get everyone to smile! Grandma helped out by blowing bubbles to keep Addy occupied. It worked great.

Lucas has definitely found his niche with soccer. He absolutely loves it! He's playing on the B team and is playing forward. He had the option at one point to move to A team, but decided against it as he gets more playing time on the B team. He's been one of the teams consistent scorers. He's going to do indoor soccer during the winter. We're trying to persuade him to try out for basketball as that's the other sport he really likes. Kind of strange, when we grew up if you went out for the sport you made the team. But Buhler is quite a bit bigger. He has 180 in the 7th grade alone. So there are quite a few kids and not everyone makes the team. We'll see.

This was at one of Lucas's soccer games. A big green "harmless" bug landed on Addy's arm and started walking all over her. She stood there and watched it for a long time before she decided that wasn't cool and wanted if off her. Pretty funny to watch.

These were pictures from the Kansas State Fair. Kids of course had a great time. Funny, Brayden was absolutely terrified of the slide until this year. Addy at 19 months thought it was great. She's not afraid of too much. Although she did figure out that she didn't like camels. Brandi took her in the petting zoo and and the camel came up for a sniff that surprised her. She wasn't too fond of that.

Brayden was tall enough this year to do a lot more rides, which he really enjoyed. We went to the crocodile show, where he actually held a 2 foot crocodile. I was really surprised he actually held it, but he thought it was great. We also did the boat ride.

Lucas spent most of the time with his friends. Unfortunately we're coming in to that wonderful stage where mom and dad just aren't that cool anymore. Funny how that happens. He went around with a group of friends and I think rode just about every ride at the fair. He's also a little pack rat that loves free stuff. So they went thru all the buildings and hit all the tables that were giving away stuff. What he's going to do with it, I have no idea.

Las Vegas weekend with Brad

Well, I was able to fly out to Las Vegas this past weekend to spend with Brad. He's out there for about a month so we figured this was the best opportunity we'd get to spend some time together. We had a great time. I think the Bellagio fountains were our favorites. Before I'd seen them, I thought "How cool can shooting water and lights be?" Well I have to say, it's pretty awesome. The fountains sound like gun shots when they go off and we were guesstimating they probably shoot 150-200 feet in the air. Pretty amazing.

We spent Saturday afternoon and evening down on the strip. It's crazy to look at the size of the hotels and all the attractions each one has. We ate at the ESPN zone where we were in heaven getting to watch all that football! What made it even better, we were able to watch a little bit of the K-State game, which they won handily. (No comment on how good there opponent was)

This was in front of Treasure Island where they have a free show 3 times a night. The special effects were incredible.

All the times I've been to Las Vegas I'd never made it out to the Hoover Dam. Brad hadn't seen it either, so Sat. morning we went out to check it out. Wow! It's incredible that the dam was built in 1931 without all the use of today's technology. These pictures don't do the magnitude of dam justice.

Labor Day Fishing

We enjoyed Labor Day by taking the kids fishing in the morning. Brayden has gotten to where he really likes fishing as long as dad puts the worm on and takes the fish off. Who wouldn't like that? We're working on it.

Lucas is quite the fisherman. He'd fish everyday if given the opportunity.

Not the biggest bass in the world, but we had a lot of fun.

This was Brayden's fish he caught but he wouldn't hold it so he conned his brother into holding it for the picture. Doesn't look like he minded.

Between baiting hooks and taking fish off, I was able to get a little fishing done.

Addison loves to play dress up with her friend Gracy. Brandi watches Gracy a couple of days a week.

Last Days of Summer

Scott had his 31st birthday this year. Don and Barb came over to help us celebrate. Scott is training for his first half marathon this November. Besides training he is busy fixing up our new home.

Lucas loves swimming in our pool. He had a back to school swim party with some of his friends.

Brayden started out this summer with a life jacket and after some swimming lessons he is now able to swim in the deep end and do stunts off the diving board. He is our little fish.

Addie loves to follow Brayden around and do everything he does. Brayden gets quite annoyed with it but sometimes like this time he does pretty well.

Addison loves to read books. She says "mommy read" and daddy read".

As soon as Addison gets out of the pool she likes to bend over and watch the water dripping from her swimming suit. It is quite Hilarious! She loves to jump in the pool. You have to watch her because she will jump in even if you are not ready.

This is the first day Addie wore pigtales. Her little friend Gracie wears pigtales everyday so I asked her if she wanted pigtales too. Addison follows me around the house saying "momma what ya doing"? She is talking alot now and we can understand her pretty well.

Addison loves to wear goggles but won't put them over her eyes just on top of her head.

Fun in the Sun

Well we've had some really cool weather for the month of August which has been great, but not exactly the best weather for swimming. But it looks like summer has decided to make a return so we were finally able to get back in the pool. It's amazing how fast the tan's disappear!!










I see a big splash coming!












Brayden goofing around. What a surprise.

Addy hasn't quite figured out the goggle thing. She gets really upset if you put them over her eyes, but absolutely insists on wearing them.

More kid pictures

Lucas is growing up so fast. Hard to believe he's in junior high. He looks so much more grown up with contacts. He's already had 3 different girls asking him to "go out" this year. And we're only 3 days into the school year! As of right now, he's not too interested. Not sure how much longer that's going to last! He's enjoying school and really liking soccer. His days are pretty busy between practice and school.

Brayden is turning into quite the young man. He's always so curious and eager to be right in the middle of things. I wish I had half his energy. He's adjusting well to a new school and is already making friends. Addy just loves to follow him around and do everything that he does. I'm not sure if he thinks that's great or not.

Aunt Holli took the kids pictures this summer. It's been nice to have a professional photographer in the family! We really appreciate her doing it.

Addy had her first motorcycle ride last weekend. Wasn't sure if she would like it, but she absolutely loved it! It was a big drama trying to get her off of the motorcycle. So now we have 3 kids that love to ride

Aug 15, 2008

Well the Clinic had their yearly swim party up at Salt City Splash. The weather this past week has been strangely cool for August in Kansas. It only reached 80 yesterday so the conditions weren't that condusive to swimming. The kids still had a blast.

Thursday was the first day of school for the kids. Hard to believe another summer has come and gone. Lucas started 7th grade at Prairie Hills Middle School and Brayden is in the first grade at Union Valley. Both were a little anxious and excited about their first days. We're happy to report that they both survived and are excited about another year.