Splash!!

Yesterday was one of the most overcast, dreary days we have had in a few weeks, but when you've told the kids that you are going to the water park/pool - you don't change your plans for the weather! (Or you'll never hear the end of it!) So, we headed out shortly after lunch for the Hillsboro water park. While it really isn't much bigger than the pool here in Abilene, it has a water slide and some cool kid features that our pool doesn't have - so the kids loved it and so did the adults! Kris was home, so he was able to go along, and Stephanie and the boys went too. It ended up being a great day to go as the not so great weather meant fewer people. At one point there could not have been any more than 15 people including us. It almost felt like we had the pool to ourselves. It is so good to see pure happiness in your children's eyes, and to let loose and be a kid yourself. We had a great time and the kids are already wondering when we can go back (I am too!).

Family Reunion

Yesterday we had our Littrell family reunion (my mom's side of the family) in Hillsboro, KS. It was really a great time seeing so many of my cousins and their families. Everyone was able to make it except for one of my cousins - 42 people in all! While most of the family is not too far away - central Kansas or the Kansas City area - I did have one cousin from North Carolina and another from Australia! The kids had fun playing with their second cousins. Matigan and Samantha (both 4) were fast friends as both had to take care of their "babies." Elliott reunited with Dawson - when we lived in Independence, Dawson's mom took care of Elliott for a couple of years. They didn't remember each other, but it didn't take long for them to be running around together, playing games, and doing boy things.

It has been some time since we had a reunion. Matigan wasn't even born yet when we had our last one, so it was probably about 5 years ago! It would be nice to make it an annual event, but I know it is difficult for everyone to make it to one place on the same date, especially as families continue to grow and people keep spreading out.

Busy Summer Days

Wow what a busy past few days we have had! Yesterday we went to the circus. We started our day by watching them set up the big tent. The kids thought it was great that the elephant could help set it up! They also had a great time at the circus itself with the elephants and trapeze artists being their favorites. We finished the day with swimming at grandma and grandpa's. Today it was golf. Elliott has recently started playing and it has kinda gotten me hooked on it as well - we are learning together. He is getting really good and improving each time he plays. Today he hit from the 150 yd. marker (which is where they play from in tournaments) and he made it in just two strokes!! After golf, we had to make a trip to Salina. I hate it - when you live in a small town, it's like you have to go to every store when you are in town which makes for a very long trip! The kids were terrible - I had to threaten them several times which makes me feel awful. In the end we made it and now they are like sweet little angels asleep in their beds - thank goodness, now I can regain my sanity!

Garage Sale

The past two days have been filled with - Garage Sale!! I told someone that I was just going to start throwing things aways as having a garage sale is so much more work than you think it will be. I don't mind sitting during the actual sale. I hate the pricing, setting up, and cleaning up afterwards. Especially the cleaning up afterwards. I mean obviously you have decided you don't need the stuff - that's why you're selling it, but then there is that stuff that is left that you just feel so guilty about throwing away. Right now I have several things on my front yard with a FREE sign by them just hoping that when I wake up in the morning it will all be gone!! The kids were pretty good throughout - although I know it was a boring time for them - but having them there only adds to the stress level as they find all these "treasures" and plead for you to keep them because it is now something that they are going to wear or use. I think we have about 5 items that are now back in the house - ugh!! In the end though, it is worth the extra money - can't wait to go garage saling (?) myself next week - it's much better to be the one searching for the treasure than the one hoping that someone else will think your stuff is the treasure.

Slowing Down

Even though it has been officially summer for a couple of weeks now, things just haven't seemed to slow down. There hasn't been a day that someone hasn't had to be somewhere or do something. We all too often get caught up in the busyness that we forget to just relax and enjoy those around us. It took Matigan to remind me of this today. We went swimming at Grandma and Papa's house and while there she wanted me to play with her in the sand table. She told me - "You didn't play with me at home and you aren't playing with me now - there just isn't any playing!" Her little face looked so sad that I couldn't refuse to play one more time.

While we were there, Elliott lost another tooth. They are so funny at this age with their toothless grins! He is so embarrassed to smile - just wait until he looses his two front teeth!

Okay, I am not good at this

How do people find the time to update this every other day or so - and add pictures? I guess I need to keep working at it.



I did something really crazy today and had pink highlights put in my hair!! No pictures yet, but I will get them. I wanted to do something fun for summer and saw someone with them and thought "I can do that!" It makes me feel youthful and yes a little silly, but it's just hair! Wonder what people will say at church tomorrow? My kids like it and have ideas about what they can do to their own hair!! Elliott wants to try red, yellow, and blue while Matigan wants pink like mom. Look what I've started!