Re-connecting!!

Oh course, Mike and I have had date nights and the house to ourselves over-nights. But when you pack a bag,travel an hour and a 1/2 to a hotel, all while being kid free.... There is nothing better. We took a mini-vaca with some friends of ours, Nick and Christy.....



We dropped the kids off and headed to the Lake of the Ozarks. We arrived at our destination a little before noon. Since we had a few hours or three before check in, we ventured over to the wal-mart. There we bought some sun-screen and the non-perishable ingredients for our dinner. We enjoyed lunch at Applebee's, minus the over-powering lemon taste, of the frozen lemonade. Then we went shopping at Hy-Vee! There meat department is amazing!!!!! The boys picked their steaks and us ladies picked out our chicken kabobs.
Eventually we made it out of the store and set out to find our Hotel. With tons of windy road and a $3 toll bridge we found our cute Deep Water Inn Hotel.



We were welcomed warmly at the little family owned hotel. With check in done and the keys in our hands, we went hunting to find our rooms.
Soon after we were all settled into our rooms, we spent the afternoon at the swimming pool acting like teenagers. At the pool we played tag, catch, tried standing on a boogie board, watched Christy do some kick booty synchronized swimming, and felt victory when we dunked each other. Christy and I both agreed that being at the pool without chasing the kids around, is extremely relaxing.



While Christy and I soaked up the sun in our pool loungers, Mike and Nick grilled our meat for dinner. When the steak and chicken were done we went back to the room where we enjoyed great conversation and a fantastic meal. My chicken kabob was AMAZING...



On full bellies we parted ways to spend some down time before going to the strip to meet up with some other friends. Spending some quality time with Michael, was by far my favorite part. It makes me feel like a queen being the center of his attention. We were able to have a conversation without the kids interrupting. It was so nice!!



Finally when 8:00pm rolled around we got the call that our friends were heading to the strip. There was a car show going on so the traffic was crazy and oldies were blasting on speakers that ran the whole length of the strip (all so American). We went with 4 other couples that are a blast to be with.. Laughter was never left behind with this group...


(Gary didn't make it in time for the guys picture)


Shopping was a must and all I can say is the best store ever was... Grandma's Candy Kitchen!!! Um, HELLO, 40 different flavors of salt-water taffy... HEAVEN!!!



Of course, you can't go to the Lake of the Ozarks without doing a hat show...



Shortly thereafter, we said our good-byes and headed back to the hotel where we crashed till the morning.
We eat a quick breakfast, turned in our keys, and parted from our sweet Deep Water Inn. What would you do if you had some time to spare before heading back home? Of course, why wouldn't we play a mean game of putt-putt golf. It was fun even though I lost to Nick!! (There will be a re-match, mark my word)


Having a night away, to re-connect as a couple was perfect. We were able to dedicate time to each other, making our marriage stronger, all while getting refreshed. Which made coming home to our 3 beautiful littles so much fun! We missed their smiling faces..



Thanks, Nick and Christy for the greatest mini-vaca I have had in a long time. Same time, next year?!?

Independance Day 2011!

I know that I'm really behind on my blog. But, our summer has been crazy busy and we are loving every minute of it. So I'm going to back track, a couple weekends ago, to tell you about our awesomely amazing 4th of July weekend. For us the weekend started on Thursday, June 30th when we took off for Omaha....



Our main reason for the trip was for my mom's 60th birthday! But we did a lot more.
Friday, we went swimming, went to visit my dad, and then went downtown to check out the Missouri river. Omaha has this pedestrian bridge that goes across the Missouri river into Iowa. So we set off, with my step-dad, to go check out the damage all this rain has been causing! The bridge and the view was breath taking to me. It was my first time seeing it since the pedestrian bridge has been built! It was relaxing and the kids enjoyed it!







That next evening we went out to dinner for my mom's 60th birthday. We went to Red Lobster where we all ate way too much. Then went back to my mom's house where we gave her, her present. We collected personal letters, from people that are a part of my mom's life and gave them to her in a beautiful, letter box. While she was reading her letters, I could hear the sound of my family in the kitchen playing a game of phase 10. There is nothing better then being surrounded with the people you love the most.



In celebration of my mom's birthday we made 5 wishes with sky lanterns. She loved them.





I hope my mom enjoyed her birthday weekend.
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We ended up coming back home on July 3rd, where we attended our church picnic! Even though it was raining we still had a great meal and fellowship. We even watched sweet Lindsey get thrown into the pond!! Aww... good times!

Having 5 days off is awesome to, any out-of-the-home, working mom. So when the last day snuck up on me, I decided to have the best 4th of July ever. Let's just say, I didn't let myself down!
We had friends over for a lunch BBQ and then headed to the swimming pool where we swam until our fingers were pruny and they kicked us out!



Then everyone ended up back our house for a dinner BBQ and then fireworks. I think this was Payton's favorite part. Who would have thought shooting off fireworks was such dirty work....



We shot of fireworks, played catch, chased sweaty babies, talked, and took pictures until close to sunset. Then we packed our sunscreen smelling babies into the van and headed to city park. Where we laid on a blanket to watch the firework. They were mesmerized for the 20 minute light show that lit up the sky.



After the show are overly-tired littles climbed back into the van. Anna didn't make it home before the sandman got the best of her. But it wasn't long after Payton and Addie were tucked in, that our house, fell silent on our wonderful weekend.