Splish, Splash!!

Nothing like the good 'ol Slip-N-Slide! The picture above was taken after Emmy laid on her belly and Macey gave her a push!
Wheee!!!

Here's Jolee, my goofy poser...
Too funny!

Family, Friends, Food, Fun

Grady and his BBQ team competed in the Great Lenexa BBQ Battle this weekend. Bernie drove up from Texas and Grandpa Leon drove up from Hutchinson to partake in the smoke and sweat with the rest of the guys. The kids were having fun skipping rocks and looking at the fish in the lake. Grandpa Leon showed Jolee how she could feed the fish pieces of bread, which started a feeding frenzy with the rest of the kids...those lucky fish!

There were 189 teams in the competition and the guys scored really well in pulled pork (21st place) and ribs (42nd place). I thought both of these tasted excellent! They scored 72nd in brisket, and the chicken and sausage scores weren't so hot. Oh well, something to work on for next year! Great job, boys!

I love this pic of Emmy and Grandpa Leon
Best Buds...Bernie & Grady

The kids skipping rocks

Macey, Evan, and Jolee

Grady & I...man, I have a lot of teeth! haha!

Grandpa & Jolee...

Grandpa & ALL of the kids!

Miss You!

The girls are at Grandma Judy's and Grandpa Tom's house for a few days. All the toys are picked up, the kitchen floor is clean, and the laundry is done (and it's been like this for 2 days in a row!)...that never happens! I must admit, it's been nice being able to eat a meal without getting up 5 times, and Grady and I enjoyed a bike ride last night (which we rarely get to do). But, I'd rather have a messy house and the sounds of my girls filling it. A little break is nice once in a while, and we know you are having a blast with Grandma and Grandpa, but Mommy & Daddy miss you all! We'll see you soon! We love you to the moon and back and with all our hearts!!!

C-O-O-L R-I-D-E-R

Emmy has been having lots of fun with the Barbie Jeep lately. Give her a few more days and she'll be cruising the neighborhood!

Sunglasses on top of her head...when did she get so big?!!
Here's a little video clip of our cool rider...

Snip, Snip!

I've been wanting to cut Jolee's hair for a while now, but Grady didn't want me to. This week, Grady is out of town, so out came the scissors! :) Jolee agreed to a haircut, so I cut 5 inches off! I know Daddy won't be mad when he comes home...how could he be when he sees this cute face?

Half Marathon #2

Pre-race picture of me and my running friends


Today I completed my 2nd half marathon. And wow...it was a doosey! The name of the run was the Hospital Hill Run. And believe me, the word "hill" was in the title for a reason! The run started in downtown KC at Crown Center. It was a pretty scenic run that included downtown, some really neat neighborhoods and the Plaza. But, it was full of rolling hills. Once you thought you were re-couped from one hill, another one would start. We were totally blessed with perfect running weather...70 degrees and overcast. I felt great for 10 miles and then I hit a wall...literally...there was a hill that went on for a complete mile that just about took the wind out of my sails. Luckily, 2 great friends came by and I was able to finish the race with them. My goal was to finish in less than 2 hours. My official time was 1:59:00! I made it by the skin on my teeth! Whew...I think my legs deserve a little break!
FINISH LINE!!


Front of race shirt:
Back of shirt:
My pace tatoo: It helped me see at a glance after each mile if I was keeping the pace I needed to complete in 2 hours.
Everyone who finished got a medal!

Family & Old Friends...It's What it's All About

We took a road trip back to western KS over Memorial weekend. Whenever we go back, there are always so many people to see! Our first stop was in Hays at Grady's cousin Marla's house where Judy's side of the family was having a get-together. It was so nice seeing everyone. The girls had fun with Abby's rabbits and playing kick ball with Grady's cousin Peggy.

Then, we went to WaKeeney and spent the evening at my dad's house. We got to meet Amy's little guy, Nathan, for the first time...what a sweet little thing! While in WaKeeney, I enjoyed a "Girls' Night Out" with one of my best friends, Brenda. There are always a lot of people in WaKeeney over Memorial weekend due to high school reunions, so we had a blast seeing people we haven't seen in ages.

The next day, Grady spent the whole day with the Gaschler's in Ellis playing golf and cards...two of his most favorite things to do. The girls and I drove to Colby and enjoyed a relaxing day and night with my mom. Oh, how I miss her...

This trip really made me realize that I miss small towns and the feeling of simplicity that comes along with them. Life around here goes so fast sometimes...trips back home teach me to slow down and just enjoy life!

School's Out For Summer!

Wow! The school year is over, once again. I officially have a kindergartener and a 3rd grader! Emmy could start pre-school next year, but I've decided to wait another year...I want to keep her little for as long as I can! It just doesn't seem like summer already! The girls are so excited that school is out and they can't wait to spend lots of time at the swimming pool. I guess I'm the only one who is a little sad. These years are just flying by...

Field Trip!

Last week all of the 2nd graders at Macey's school got to go on a field trip. I volunteered to be a parent helper. The kids were very polite and kept calling me "Mrs. Gaschler", but Macey told them, "it sounds weird when you call her that...just call her mom!". :)

We went to the Agricultural Hall of Fame. Honestly, I didn't think the kids would have much fun, but boy, was I wrong! The trip proved to be very educational, very hands-on, and a LOT of fun! Macey got to plant sunflower seeds (which she brought home and are now 3 inches tall), milk a cow (she wasn't real, but it was still fun), throw cow patties (again, not real, but they sure looked real!), grind corn into flour, wash clothes on a wash board, wring out the clothes and hang them on the line, beat dust out of rugs, go on a hayrack ride, tour an old farm house, learn about the importance of bees, and sit in a real one-room school house. Whew! After all of that, we got to have a picnic and play at a park. Needless to say, I was exhausted and so were the kids. One of Macey's classmates actually fell asleep on the bus on our way back to the school. It was a great day and I'm so happy that I got to spend it with Macey.

Kids Say the Funniest Things!

Jolee is definitely the comedian in our family. Some of the things she says totally crack us up! But, last night, I was actually in tears I was laughing so hard. At first I thought, I'm adding that quote to Jolee's list at the right called "Jolee's Funny Quotes & Questions", but, I also think it deserves it's own post. Here's the story:

Last night at the dinner table, Jolee saw Max under the table and she said, "Eww! Max is licking his peanuts!". Grady and I looked at each other and said, "his WHAT?", then Jolee said, "His peanuts! I don't have peanuts, I have a vagina!". We were stifling our laughs as much as possible and explained to her that the correct word is "penis". Then she said, "That's what I said, "peanuts!". By that time, we were in tears laughing out loud!

What a Fun 5th Birthday!

Wow! What a busy 24 hours it as been! Jolee turned 5 yesterday (May 16th) and she was so lucky to have BOTH of her Grandma's and BOTH of her Grandpa Toms here! After our family party, 4 of Jolee's closest friends came over for a sleepover! First, we went to a fun farmstead where the girls got to see so many animals (including a bobcat eating a mouse!). They fed some goats (Jolee wanted to take one home), rode horses, and fished (I had to put the worms on the hooks...yuck!). Jolee was the first girl to catch a fish and she was so excited! Macey also caught one! After the farmstead, it was back to our house for a party. I couldn't have asked for a better sleepover. All of the girls were so great!! Jolee had such a blast! What a great weekend...

Jolee and the pretty Cross necklace Grandma Mary made for her.

I love you Mom!


Jolee and Grandma Judy creating driveway art!


What a great pic of the girls with Grandma Judy and Papa Tom!Jolee and her friends hanging out...Jolee and her big catch!
Jolee LOVES horses!
Silly girls wearing the sunglasses they created.
Silly girls with silly faces!

Mommy's Day

It is so hard to get Emmy to look at the camera!
I love hand-made presents. And, that is what I got for Mother's Day. Everyone (even my husband) made a special hand-made card for me. I loved every one of them! Grady and the girls also picked and arranged this beautiful bouquet of flowers. They are peonies out of our flower garden. I planted them because they remind me of my Grandma Frieda. Ever since I can remember, my grandma grew peonies and I will always associate them with her. I feel very blessed to be a mommy. And, I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful mom, grandma and mother-in-law in my life. Happy Mother's Day to you!

Graduation Day!

I know I say this all the time, but I just can't believe how fast the girls are growing up. Yesterday, Jolee graduated from preschool. It was an awesome ceremony. The kids demonstrated some of the things they have learned this year including facts about George Washington, Abe Lincoln, Christopher Columbus, addition, subtraction, Bible stories, counting to 20 in Spanish AND French and much more...it was pretty impressive! Look out kindergarten, here she comes!