Memorial Day weekend 2017

Summer is off to a great start!

Colin started swim team last week (well, he only made one practice because of baseball games and such), but it as nice seeing him in the pool again!

 Colin is in that line of kids behind the first starting block from the right.

He's got on a red, navy, and royal blue rash guard shirt by the girl in the pink cap.

 Smiling so big during the whole practice.

He moved up to 8&under this year.  It's going to be a big step up for him - I'm sure he'll be tired by the end of practice!

Found this random picture of Maggie on my phone.

Such a silly girl

 We all went to the pool every day this weekend.

Saturday, we had to dodge thunderstorms and rain, but it was still fun!

Eli is such a water baby already.

He's blowing bubbles, going all the way under, jumping from the side (with help), it's so fun!

 And of course Colin and Maggie are happy to show him the ropes in the pool

 Another attempt at the pool (between rain)

We practically had the pool to ourselves on Saturday, but then on Sunday and Monday it seemed like the entire neighborhood was there!

 Blowing bubbles with Daddy

Eli sat on the pool steps and said "Hi, Cole" over and over to the lifeguard that was working at the time.  Luckily, Cole helped coach Colin the past couple years on swim team, so he knows our family well!

 We hit up Caleb's graduation party on Saturday, too.

Gotta love spending time with GGRita!

Here's Eli with cousin Lucy (Scott & Suzanne's little girl)

 The kids were so excited to see Claire again!

 And the man of the hour, Caleb!

 I snapped this picture as we were leaving the graduation party.

Daniel just loves Colin and Maggie!

And here's all the grandkids with Grammie and Granddad on Monday afternoon.

There were games of kickball, sword fighting, lots of wonderful food (nothing beats Grammie's brisket) and great conversation.

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

Maggie's roller skating birthday party

Sweet Maggie had her birthday party at a roller skating rink and we had so much fun!

She requested a Moana cake, which I looked up and tried to figure out how to make, but didn't think I had the time or resources to do so.  But I called Hyvee and they had a cake transfer I could buy and I just made my own cake.  It worked out okay and Maggie loved it, so that's all that matters!

We had a party for 12 guests, so she had 6 cousins and the rest were kids from her class.

Such a sweet group of boys and girls!

Maggie and Lilly

One of the other mom's at the party texted me this pic - so much sassiness going on!

Grace, Maggie, and Amalianna

Gordon and Daniel were skating for the first time.  

It took some getting used to, but they ended up loving it!

Of course the Teson boys and adults all participated in skating - along with some 'race skating' that took place.  All I know is that I heard there was a broken skate, Dave fell HARD in the middle of the rink, and there was really no declared winner.

Eli skated on the carpet and held hands out on the rink

Katie, Grace, Mason, and Maggie

Brian had a blast out there with Colin and Maggie

Love these sweaty hot kids!

We sang and ate some cake and popcorn

Amalianna, Maggie, and Lilly

(I have a feeling these girls will be good friends!)

Tiff and Gordy tearing it up out on the rink

Chris and Daniel getting brave!

A little selfie action of Eli and I

Maggie and Sylvia

Crazy Daniel on the way out the door!

Gordy loved skating towards the end of the party

Gordy and Colin

Meemaw and Arleigh before we left for the party

And a random picture of Eli when we were out for a walk...

Dance, Soccer, and Mother's Day

Maggie had her dance recital pictures last week.  She loves getting all dressed up and doesn't mind at all when it comes to cheesin' for some pictures.

I usually just grab a few pictures of her outside the venue so I don't get sucked into buying them from the professional photographers.

Maggie and her friend Quincy

Our good friend Mady - we carpool with them for school

Colin had a soccer tournament on Mothers Day weekend.

There were 2 games on Saturday and 1 on Sunday (the team didn't make it back for the final game).

He LOVES soccer right now and we have such a great group of kids and parents that he plays with.

The Dragons and coach Eric

The soccer tournament was in Raytown, which wasn't too far from Meemaw's place, so we stopped by to give her some flowers for Mothers Day.

Of course, Meemaw fed us, which is what Meemaw's do.

and Gordy was able to meet us down there for a bit, it's always fun getting the cousins together!

Then we stopped by Grammie and Granddad's house to give Grammie her flowers

Eli wasn't cooperating for a picture, but this one turned out super cute!

Here are my kids - in a tree.

It was a great Mothers Day.  I got lots of note and cards from the kids, flowers, a bag of pistachios, and Brian made me a photo book.   I'd like to say the kids behaved like angels (not exactly true), but I know they probably tried their best.

I'm so glad God chose me to be their mother.