Fun in the Sun

It's been a while since our last post. The summer is getting away from us. We spent the 4th of July in Iowa this year. It was a great time. We had good weather, good boating, and a lot of fun. Bruce somehow managed to get out of another parade. I will say he finds creative ways of "missing" parades!

Last weekend Bruce hosted Mike Wondra's Bachelor party at our house. The kids and I packed up and stayed at Uncle Mike's while all the guys were here. We had a lot of fun hanging out with Angela and Lucy (the dog) and the guys didn't destroy our house so a good time was had by all!

This weekend we vowed to PLAN nothing...whatever we do is on the fly this weekend. The next several weekends will be packed with activities so its rest and relaxation this weekend.

Bruce and the kiddos

We're getting excited for football season-- assuming there is one!

Emerson and Sophie Towns taking in the sun!

Taking a ride on Papa's new raft

Isaac enjoying the evening in his bumbo.

Family Vacation to Illinois

We took a family vacation this week to Bourbonnais, Illinois. All week Emerson was yelling "we are going to ILLINOIS!!!" We went to see my dad's side of the family and spend some time with my Grandma Marion. We got to Gram's on Thursday, met Mom and Dad, and spent some time with Grandma. Bruce and I then went into Chicago for a day to see the sites. It was COLD! We weren't anticipating the temp to be 54 degrees so we ended up doing some shopping on Michigan Ave for long sleeves! We went to one of Bruce's favorite restaurants - Gino's East for deep dish pizza. Having both been there before, we knew that the after meal walk would be slower and need to be longer because you are so full you don't want to move let alone walk! We did consider going to bed at 8:00pm for a full night of uninterrupted sleep with no child waking us up at 6:30am. BUT we decided to keep at it and froze some more by walking down to Navy Pier. Which had all of 7 people on it, but was only 2 blocks from our hotel. We walked and shopped a bit, which was fun. We had a beer a Harry Carey's and were still asleep by 10pm! (I know wild and crazy are we?!?) Friday we went to Shedd Aquarium before heading back to Gram's. I will say this. Omaha Zoo will give it a good (if not better) run for the $$ and I do remember Bruce saying at one point...."with all the kids here, I really hope that I like our own when I get home!"

Gram only lives about 1 hour from downtown Chicago so we were able to make it back and enjoy some time with Aunt Sandy and Uncle G at their place for dinner. Uncle Schnooks/G and Emerson got along REALLY well. I think we can mark off one more finger that she has a male family member wrapped around!!! We all had a great time playing with the kids and catching up. Its been a long time since I had been back there but it was fun so see the area and all that has and has not changed! Saturday, Bruce, Dad, and Uncle G golfed while Mom, the kids, and I went to the mall and restocked on University of Illinois, Chicago Bears , & Blackhawks gear. We did pretty good!! We let Gram rest for the morning and all got together that night at Anita & Tim's (my cousin) for Makenzie's high school graduation party. It was a really good time and I really enjoyed seeing a lot of people that I spent a lot time with as a child but haven't seen in so many years! Emerson found a friend in Autumn's daughter Lea and the two played and played. We do need to work on Em's hide and seek skills-- to say the least, she is a really good seeker....not a good hider! ;) We got to spend the evening catching up with Grandma Marion and family!

We had intentions of staying until Monday but decided to head all the way back to KC on Sunday. We stayed to see Grandma in the morning and then took off back to Kansas. It was a great time and I missed everyone so much. It was hard to leave but we won't wait so long to go back I promise!

Our Kehrt 4th Generation picture!!

Emerson & Gram smiling for Mommy (who can't put the camera down!)

Grandma Linda- your nose isn't as easy to grab as Papa Dick's is!!!

Dad & Uncle G (Uncle Schnooks)

Our little princess is ready to go to the Graduation party!

Claflin All-School Reunion

We headed back to Claflin over Memorial Day weekend to join the town in the All school class reunion. Claflin is consolidating with a couple other nearby towns to form a new district Called the Central Plans Oilers. They held a festival if you will over the holiday to celebrate school. It was a fun weekend full of fun, sun, and lot (and lots) of wind.

Most of Bruce's brothers and sister's were able to come back for the celebration. Scott and Arlene were late because Chelsea qualified for state in the triple jump and the 4x1 relay. CONGRATULATIONS Chelsea on your 3rd place finish in the triple jump!!!! The 4x1 placed 6th so they still scored points for the team!!!!

Sunday they held a parade which Bruce conveniently managed to "miss" because the golf tournement he was playing in "ran behind". Papa Leon led the parade in the military color guard.. Emerson like seeing him walk with the American flag! She thougth the parade was pretty cool EXCEPT for the big trucks and stock cars revving their engines. Isaac really didn't get into it either since it was 95 degrees we kept him in the stroller out of the sun. After the parade, we went swimming and walked around the games in the park. We ended the night with a street dance and beer garden. We were able to see a lot of our friends that we do and don't get to see a lot of. Isaac took a personal liking to Nicki Jeffrey! I think our little guy has a preference for brunettes!! He couldn't take his eyes off of her, he smiled, and flirted with her!!!

Sunday we attended a memorial in the cemetary for one of Bruce's relatives and a memorial day celebration. It was good that we went so we could see Grandma Ann at the memorial. On our way out of town we stopped in Lyons to see Grandma Florentine and have her meet Isaac. She had a fall a few weeks ago so she wasn't feeling herself that day but we hope her a speedy recovery and back to her usual self soon!!!

We don't have any pictures because I forgot the camera and haven't moved the pics from my phone yet. Hopefully next time!!!

Quiet Mom's Day & Happy Birthday Bruce!

We had a pretty quiet Mother's day this year. Mainly because the week before was more excitement than we really needed.

You see, for the last year and a half, I have been doing allergy shots to help me build an immunity to all that I am allergic to (which is just about everything outside). I have been on allergy medication since I was a child. It takes 3 shots for me since I am so allergic. So every week I trounce off to the allergist's office, let them stick me in the arm 3 times, wait 20 minutes and trounce off back to work. Tuesday the 3rd was anything but normal. Shortly after my shots were administered, I have an allergic reaction to them which sent me into Anaphlyactic shock. I had excellent medical providers in the office that provided immediate attention. 3 epi-pens, a LOT of prednisone and Benedryl, and an ambulance ride later I was stable in the ER where they were able to keep it all under control. I was kept in the ICU overnight for monitoring as there is generally a 2nd reaction that follows 4-8 hours after the initial reaction. There is a good reason that they don't allow you to self administer these shots. My reaction occured so fast that I would not have had enough time to call 911 or enough epi-pens to save myself had I been alone. It was very scary and I can't thank my medical providers enough for their quick response and care. I am back to doing the shots because they have literally changed my life for the better. My treatment plan has changed however, to avoid another occurance and my face from looking like an over inflate beach ball! (Insert the visual of Will Smith in the movie Hitch after he eats the shell fish here!!)

The rest of the week was really spent trying to recover and regain my strength. Coming off the prednisone was not easy. For this reason, Bruce's birthday was a bust. Luckily we had Uncle Mike and Aunt Angela to come to the rescue! Angela made Bruce dinner and brownies and Mike brought him beer! We did make up for it a little by going to a Brazilian steakhouse last night for date night.

Mother's day was spent hanging out with the kids and a walk in the Country Club Plaza because the weather was amazing! I have two wonderful children and a saint for a husband!!! We also wouldn't be where we are without the love and support of our own Mother's and Grandmothers!

This kid is RARELY in a bad mood! He's awesome!

She is a caring, happy, playful little Bugaboo or Hotrod!!

Our sweet little Angels

Fin Land 2010!

This weekend was adults only weekend! Bruce and I and a large group of friends went to the Jimmy Buffet concert. He finally came back to KC so we didn't have the long drive to and from Dallas this year!

For those of you that don't know, Bruce is a parrothead. Has been since long before I met him and now I am a parrothead by marriage. We have devoted our basement, the name of this blog, and a lot of money to supporting JB's retirement (as if he needs our help)! And times like this weekend make it all worth it. This is by far the best party I have ever been too. That guy has an amazing talent of marketing fun!

Saturday morning was spent getting the house ready for a group of friends to come over for the pre-party festivities...yep, we had a party before the party! Once our very cool and ever so awesome babysitter got there, we made our way down to power and light district to get into the mood with thousands of our closest parrothead friends. We had a great time. Of course Jimmy was amazing as usual and he sang a lot of our favorite songs! It was a beautiful afternoon! I mention our very amazing babysitter because mid-party Bruce asked her if she would stay all night, she agreed. Sunday morning Bruce and I were in no mood to get up at 6:00 so she got up fed the kids and stayed until 8:00 am! No, I won't share her!!!

Easter in IOWA-WA-WA-WA

We spent Easter this year in Iowa. This was Isaac's first road trip and lets just say the car seat is his kryponite. The little guy slept all the way there and all the way back. We were able to make good time this way! It was great!

Since Uncle Chad and Uncle Noel and their respective fams were spending Easter with other family members it was just the 6 of us. We did get to see Grandma and Grandpa Thompson, Uncle Buck, Aunt Gayle, Whitney, Brandon, & Zach which was a lot of fun! Saturday morning Emerson and Grandma had "spa day" where Emerson "cleaned out" Grandma's bathroom cabinets and then Grandma painted Emerson's fingernails. They both had a blast! Saturday night the Thompson side joined us for dinner and company. We painted Easter eggs and I am not sure who had more fun Whitney or Emerson! We had some great looking eggs! Bruce was being a buzz-kill and didn't want to participate but Whitney made him a K-State egg anyway. We didn't get a game of chicken-foot in like we wanted but it was a great time! Its been too long since we have been able just to sit around and catch up.

We did have some exciting news! Isaac rolled over all on his own for the first time on Saturday morning!!!

Sunday we got up and Emerson found half of the Easter bunnys stash of eggs before church. I don't think the Easter bunny anticipated that she is quite as observant as she is!! After church we finished the egg hunt and found the kids easter baskets. WOW did the Easter bunny go a little (No a lot) overboard this year! Isaacs basket was pouring over with candy and goodies and he doesn't even have teeth! The easter bunny is very nice and we thank him/her VERY much! We got some great pics of the weekend! We hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Easter!!

Em must have found another Egg before we could get this picture taken!

Great Grandma & Great Papa with the kids!

Our happy little man!

Emerson and her Easter goods

Coloring Easter Eggs!

Isaac's Baptism

We welcomed Isaac into the Catholic faith this weekend. It was a great weekend full of family, friends, and fun! Thanks to everyone that attended the event and those that couldn't make it but sent love with cards and gifts!!

My oldest brother Chad and his fiance Roxanne graciously agreed to be Isaac's Godparents. We turned the weekend into a family get together since everyone gets the joy of traveling to come see us (yep, I really did say JOY=) Chad, Roxanne, Mom and Dad Kehrt came on Friday night. We spent the evening catching up. Emerson and Uncle Chad spent much of that time running around the house with her popper toy. Saturday the guys went golfing while us ladies went shopping. Isaac got the short end of the stick and had to go shopping with the girls...he's not quite strong enough to swing the club yet! That's Papa Kehrt's next project =) We grilled out Saturday night after Mom & Dad Oberle, Grandma Ann, Troy, Robin & the girls came into town. Emerson had an absolute blast racing Uncle Chad and Uncle Troy across the backyard-- without shoes! She had one of those very rare nights that when Grandma Kehrt took her up to bed, she went without complaint.

Sunday was a great day! Isaac did very well at the Baptism. He only cried when they put the oil on his head. There were 3 other little boys getting Baptized the same time. They do things a little differently here in Overland Park. Father Cullen surprised Chad and Rox when he informed them that the Godparents also have the responsibility to pay for Isaac's college! I promised him we wouldn't send Isaac to the U of Iowa or Kansas....if he wants to be a Dr, we'll send him to Penn State or maybe UCLA! Uncle Mike and Aunt Amy told Chad & Rox that they decided Emerson gets to go to Johnson County Community College....humm....we need to look at a plan B to pay for the rest!

It was a great weekend and we thank Chad and Rox for being a part of Isaac's special day and this aspect of his life!

Hurry up Uncle Chad....this popper doesn't pop itself!!

Uncle Troy's gaining on you Em!!!

Emerson & Isaac with the Easter bunny!!!

Emerson & Mickey were worn out after everyone left on Sunday!!

Happy Baptism Isaac!

Isaac getting the holy water poured over his head. He didn't even cry!