Palace of Butterflies

On the second day in Branson we headed to the Butterfly Palace to look at all the pretty butterflies, see some scorpions, toad and lizards, and spend some quality time with GiGi.

Kashton's favorite part, looking through the magnifying glass at nothing in particular.

We learned that butterflies eat nectar, so this outing was both beautiful and educational.

AGH! Frog Boy!

Branson Dinosaur Museum

We took a mini vacay to Branson, MO in September, for a little time away from it all, with Mercy and Vern (or Gigi and Papa as Kashton calls them). Neither Mike nor I have been to Branson before and it was a very different experience. Mike enjoyed himself as every day we were there was spent golfing, either by himself or with his dad. Kashton also had a great time. We fit a lot of great kid stuff in for him to keep entertained. The first day while Mike was golfing Kashton and I went to the dinosaur/haunted house museum. It freaked me out a little because for some reason I just kept picturing movies like House of Wax.

His favorite was the skeletons because they were real and not just "big fake dinosaurs" like he kept telling everyone.

At the end of the museum was the most fun parts, they had a place where you could color pictures and play on computers and then there was the "dig" where you looked through the dirt for dinosaur bones. We spent most of our time at this large sandbox trying to kill time till daddy got done.

Preschool Bound

My baby started preschool this year. Yes preschool. He has been so excited to learn and the first day of school he could not have been more excited. He woke up early and when I told him that it was still to early to get out of bed he said "Mom today is school day, I can't go back to bed". He is the cutest little 3 year old in his class.

His backpack is about as big as he is.

His teacher Ms. Bry had her baby only a few weeks after school started so he has had a few new teachers since.

Baseball in the Park

Time spent as a family is the best time of all so before summer could officially end we headed out to the neighborhood park to play a little ball.

Happy Happy Birthday Mommy Dear

My birthday this year happened to fall on the last day that the water park was open so Kashton and I packed up and headed on out to get our last sun of the season. We stayed there as long as our bodies would allow and got our last bit of summer fun in.

Leaving the park was a little sad knowing that it would be the last time for a year at least that we got to sun and fun it up together.

After we got home Mike took us out to dinner for a little steak and family time. Kashton loves birthdays so we try not to exclude him from the festivities.

When we got home there was a cake waiting for us (some of us forgot how to use our utensils, or even our hands) and happy birthday to mommy!

8 Years

On our anniversary this year Mike was very sick, we tried to go out and celebrate but half way through the meal we had to leave. Sad little Mike could not even make it through a meal at his favorite Italian restaurant.

I was able to drink an Italian cream soda before we had to head home and get Mike in bed.

Moving Day

In August we moved out of our rental house and in with the in laws while we try to find something that fits our family a bit better. Kashton did a lot of helping and a lot more getting in the way but he tried really hard to be our little helper.