Chillin at the pool

(113 degrees!!! This is a pic I took of my car's dash one day!!)
The only outdoor place to go in this heat is the pool, and over the summer, we just HAVE to get out!!

I've dropped Tribb off once at the Lifetime childcare b/c I was able to get an appointment, but other times he just chills with us. Here he is getting dressed in swim attire wearing mommy's sunglasses:


He loves the pool, kicking his legs in the water and splashing. He shocks himself when he splashes water in his own face, but he gets over it quick.

Here's a picture of him taking a break from the water, chillin on a damp towel with a bottle of juice. . .

The big kids have had a blast. Unfortunately, I don't have pics of them b/c I'm hanging back with the wee one making sure he stays cool.

Our adventures at Kamp Kawaii (Kanakuk Family Kamp)

We had a great time in Missouri several weeks ago. Kanakuk started a family camp back in 2008 and it's a great place. The pictures say it all.

Happy Belated Birthday, Haley!

We were out of town all week at Kanakuk Family Kamp... the next post will include some pictures from that.

During the week, Haley had a birthday! She's not 40, but she's about as close as you can get... next year will be a biggie!

I just want to remind the world and say publicly that I have the greatest girl in the world... and she's my wife! I'm a blessed man because Haley is such an amazing person. She's kind, passionate, beautiful, and wise. She is such a good wife and mother... I don't tell them enough, but I like to make sure our kids know we hit the jackpot.


We love you Haley. Happy Birthday!

Oh, Sweet Mama!

I Love My Sis

Charly has been such a great help with the Tribbers. She loves to hold him, sing to him, and talk to him. She has a sweet & nurturing spirit.

He loves his sister!

What were you thinking?

Welcome to my second installment of the "What were you thinking" blog posts. I was going to make this an every Wednesday thing, but I have too many to wait until Wednesday!

GUM:
We were at a yummy local yogurt place in Allen with friends. I hear the girls make an expression of disgust, and learn that Ridge has just taken chewed gum off the floor and placed it in his mouth to chew. Realizing that his siblings didn't think that was so cool, he quickly spit it out. REALLY??? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

BABY:
The other day (well actually quite frequently), I worked so hard to get Tribb content and happy. I had been holding him/rocking him/feeding him for 3 hours. Basically, I was trying anything and everything to get him calm. Finally, I got him content so I put him in the bouncy seat. Sleeping wasn't an option so I was settling for contentment. Five minutes into my serenity, Ridge jumped in front of the bouncy seat scaring poor Tribb to death. And the cycle began again. REALLY??? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

My friend Sarah was over. We were talking in the kitchen, and Ridge was talking to Tribb in the living room. We hear Tribb grunting and struggling a bit. She goes to him in the bouncy seat only to find a burp cloth over his face. She says, "Ridge, why did you put a burp cloth over Tribb's face?" Ridge replies in a matter of fact tone, "I didn't want you to see him!" REALLY? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?"

PURPLE COW:
I took the kids to play in the fountains, then the beach park, then to purple cow for lunch.
I'm really not sure what Ridge was up to, but he almost spilled his drink 3-4 times. Then to top that off, he was sucking on the straw of his shake, bit down hard on the straw, then jerked his head around. Imagine a sprinkler loaded with milk shake. REALLY? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

FATHERS DAY:
We tried to take a picture of Pops with his 14 grandchildren. Take a look at Ridge's face:

zooming in:


RANDOM:
1)Ridge says,"I want this" as he holds out a gatorade from the fridge and then chooses to slam it to the floor. This was not out of anger, but just for emphasis??

2)Ridge borrows Cobb's water bottle because we couldn't find his. He takes the mouth piece in his teeth, and then decides to shake his head as a dog would playing tug-a-war. Of course the mouth piece breaks off, and Cobb's water bottle is forever broken.

3)Cobb and his friend were playing beyblades, and they had set up a tournament structure. They were down to the finals with 4-6 beyblades set aside for the final battles. While they were eating lunch, Ridge goes to their pile and mixes the losers with the winners. When the big boys are done and return to their game, I hear, "RIDGE!!!!" I look at Ridge and he gets a mischievious smirk on his face, tilts his head, and looks ups up at me while raising his shoulders & hands in an "oops" fashion. Hmmmm. . . guilty??? Wish I had a picture!!

REALLY?? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!!

Tribb's First Official Playdate

We had the opportunity to babysit sweet Erin Sandwick last night. We told the kids that Tribb's girlfriend was coming over to play. Charly said, "He's too young to have a girlfriend!" I totally agree Charly!

Erin is about 2 months older than Tribb, and so precious! The big kids loved getting to hang with her, and this morning were so sad to learn that she had gone home. Charly was a super helper by giving Erin her paci whenever she needed it. Here are some pictures of the two babies:


Strike a pose:

Playing on the play mat:

The above pictures remind me of Cobb and his first & best friend at this age. He had his two cousins Lainey(2 months older) and Abran (8 days younger), but he also had his best friend Abby Fifer (15 days older). Here's a picture of the two of them:

Cobb and Abby playing:

I told Cobb last night that he and Abby used to lay next to each other and play just like Erin and Tribb. I told him that's when Abby gave him that first kiss. He responded with "Ewww!" Here's that pic:

Tribb looks an awful lot like Cobb!!

or me (if he was chubbier):

Happy Birthday Sis!

Today was my sister Marlo's birthday. I am so thankful for her. Ridge and I were looking at some old pictures the other day, and it brought back some fun memories for me of time with my sisters. Marlo is my older sister, and it is fun for me to look back on our lives together to see how we have grown in our own individual personalities, but also in our friendship. Marlo is an incredible person who is creative and loving. I enjoy watching her with her boys and am inspired as a mom because of all the ways she helps them learn and stimulates their creativity. I enjoy watching her in how she uses her gifts and passions, and I am spurred on to use my own God given gifts in new ways. Thanks to the Lord and to Mom and Dad for giving me sisters with whom I share so much, and with whom I have a special bond forever.

Picture of Marlo and me in 1979:


Christmas card from 1982 that Marlo designed:



My bachlorette party:

Marlo's baby shower for Abran

October 2003 with 2 mo old Cobb and Abran

This past Christmas at Great Wolf Lodge:

Baseball Mania

Cobb has had a great baseball season so far. His team is in a tournament right now, and he's really getting into the game. Here are some pics of him and his friend Tanner right after they realized their team was going to win the game.



In the last game Cobb did such an awesome job with a home run and a triple. He also made several great plays. As pitcher he was hit with the ball, grabbed the ball, and threw it to first to get the man out. Below is the coach from the other team giving him a high five for continuing with the play even after getting hit with the ball.


Below is the team with Coach Kyle. He really was such a super coach with great patience and passion for the boys and the sport.

Hoping to win our game tonight so we can continue on in the Tournament!

What were you thinking?

I'm going to start a new series on the blog called, "What were you thinking?" Why, you ask? Well, lately, I have thought that phrase or said it out loud so many times in regards to choices Ridge makes. He's four, and sometimes genuinely doesn't know any better, but some things he surely knows!!

MUD:
He found a mud puddle at the playground with his friend Luke. Now truly, what kind of mom would I be if I expected my 4 year old to NOT get into that mud puddle and play. And it was quite funny. I almost wanted to get in with them!

BUT, I found myself in quite a conundrum when I realized he was covered head to toe, and I somehow had to get him home in my brand new car.


So naturally, I stripped him down to his muddy underwear and rinsed him off at a neighborhood house's water spicket. I then emptied the way back of my van, and placed my muddy boy on floor back there. You can't really tell how bad it is from the pictures. I had to scrub the mud out of his nose, ears, finger nails, & toe nails. Plus it was caked in his hair!


Field Day:
We went to watch the big kids during their field day games at school. Most (or all) were water games. I told Ridge, "Ridge, don't get too close because I don't want you to get wet."

Well, the next thing I knew, he was soaked. When I asked him why he disobeyed, he said, "Oh. I thought you said, 'go over there and get wet!'" REALLY??? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

CAR:
Ridge was in his seat in the car in the garage when I realized I had to run back inside for something (a regular occurence lately). When I came back into the garage, I found Ridge with his pants down peeing on my car. REALLY??? In the garage?? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

ROCK:
My sweet friend was picking up the big kids for an overnight this past Friday. Ridge decides that it would be fun to throw a rock at her car. REALLY??? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?
Thankfully, the car wasn't hurt.

Stay tuned for more. . .