Friday, June 27, 2014

Birthday swim partay

Big day, big fun

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Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Over the bridge downtown

 

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is where I drew some blood.  Ha, j/k. Name that tune.

No, finally the kids and I used it, the new I-70 bridge, only four months late since it opened in February.  This was the day we were on a search for size 14 jungle boots for wide feet at a bargain price.  Found them in St. Peters at this place.

From what I’ve heard and now witnessed myself, it’s not a real high traffic bridge.  Good to know for going to the airport, I guess.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Funny boys

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One might think this looks like a set-up picture with Ross in the Snuggie next to a walker.  But no, he actually owns the walker and was cold sitting out in our driveway one evening.

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And then he got much hipper and cooler the next day standing here with his new wheels.

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Our Six Flags day  IMG_4042 IMG_4044

Not everyone wears their goggles all day long on every ride.  But some do.

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Thursday, June 19, 2014

Caroline stuff

Girl’s had some excitement lately. 

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DARE graduation

Her teacher in the background gave her an awesome French braid almost as good as Aunt Debra’s

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5th grade Ultimate Recess Day

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Last day of school, last day at Cassens forever

 

A few of her faves: 

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Going out to eat and bringing home leftovers

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Bob the cat wearing a tuxedo bow tie

Is it called a photobomb when you don’t even try?

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Ugly face contest --  WINNER!!

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Working hard at dance class

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Dance recitalIMG_4009 IMG_4016  Ross’ new ride

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Curls from her new curling iron

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Her 11th birthday spent at SixFlags with Paris and

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her loving brothers  (ha?)

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Her birthday coconut pie (which actually tasted good)

Happy Birthday, Miss Sis!

Friday, June 13, 2014

Diane does Disney

So Jack had an opportunity to go on the high school band’s trip to Disney this year.  He wasn’t sure if he wanted to go and asked our opinions.  We both said it needed to be his decision; we wouldn’t tell him what to do (this time—haha).  The morning came that a commitment had to be made and I just figured he had decided not to go since nothing had been mentioned.  With about ten minutes to go before walking out the door for school, he says that yeah, he did want to go.  I looked at Gary and Gary looked at me.  Gary said, “Well, if he’s going, then either you or I are going.”  And I said, “Oh! Are you willing to go then?” (He is Mr. Anti-Disney).  And he said, “No.” 

I see how this works.

Ok, well, then!  Guess I'm going to Disney for my first time ever so I too signed up as a chaperone that morning.  We both made a down payment on the total cost and paid the rest at intervals that made it a little less painful.  Jack even sought out a job so he could help with the payments.  The months of the school year passed by so quickly and then it was time to go, the day after school ended.  By that time, I’d talked to enough people that I was not looking forward to this trip at all.  Managing a group of teenagers, travelling on a bus for 19 hours one way, arranging for the family to survive without me, spending all this money, the crowds, the heat, the sun.  It seemed like I was paying to be miserable for a week.  What had I done?!

But you know what?  It turned out to be an awesome time with my awesome son and I wouldn't have missed it for anything now. 

Day 1—On the bus

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(Internet photos)bus interior

Now add 45 kids!  Times two busses!

And about 12 adults

Did I mention 19 hours?

 

Day 2—Blizzard Beach and Downtown Disney

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Brisket sandwich, yum IMG_3768 IMG_3770 IMG_3772

Card game while waiting for the La Nouba by Cirque du Soleile show.  As of the evening of this pic, we are on 34 hours without any real sleep other than a couple minutes shutting our eyes on a very uncomfortable bus.  The show was incredible though!

Day 3—Animal Kingdom and Universal Studios

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It was Star Wars weekend. Let’s just say there are some real fanatic SW fans out there.

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Day 3—Magic Kingdom

The reason for the trip, a parade performance

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Jack there in the center p

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I didn’t always ride the craziest extreme rides (old lady neck) but still had a ball. Saw bunches of shows and loved all the walking around.  We went to all the Disney parks except one water park.  It’s amazing to see this huge operation in person and how successful it is.

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Day 4—Epcot

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Me taking his picture, him catching me taking his picture

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The best kids in the world, I swear

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Other chaperone moms

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A couple days it was sunny but mostly we had cloudy days which was perfect, not even humid.  A short rain some afternoons but not on this day even when the sky looked like this. 

Therefore I can’t explain this hair.  ?

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Jack in Germany and our one splurge meal, the Beirgarten buffet

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Let me tell you, I LOVE band kids!

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Probably my favorite ride.  Unlike The Simpsons ride that almost made me lose my lunch.  And it wasn’t even a real rollercoaster.

Day 5— Universal Studios

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I am not even a Harry Potter fan but, man, this was a cool place. 

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For Grandma Betty  : )

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Our last night there, supper at Bubba Gumps, having a ball with the group

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Day 7—Bus ride headed home, tired girl, and taken before our bus died on Interstate 64, luckily just 25 minutes from home

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But see that smile above me?  Made it all worth it.