Grandparent Vacation

Steph & Jeff went to San Diego and we had the kids from Friday eve until Monday morn.  How exciting for the kids to spend time with both sets of grandparents.  We have the pleasure of team grand parenting with Jeff's parents.  They are amazing.  We met them for dinner at Steak & Shake on Friday and loaded up our van with the kids clothes and stuff and headed home.  I had planned all our meals so we didn't have to eat out much all weekend.  Mini burgers, fries, tacos , spanish rice, italian beef, mashed potatoes & mac & cheese....YUM....I stocked up on all the snacks that I know they liked.  I probably had too much of a variety.  I tend to over do...imagine that!  I did throw in some healthy snacks, such as fruit.  The snack that was the most popular was Laughy Taffy.  Yesterday I found the empty package in the cabinet!  Saturday morning for breakfast I made "2 lbs. of bacon and homemade waffles"  These kids Love bacon!  We kept busy swimming and playing outside and went to Carter's Little League game on Saturday.  We were caught in rain storms during the game that was actually welcomed, due to the high 90 degree scorching heat.  We were all soaked.  I even had an umbrella.  We came home and everyone dried off and we ate tacos I made.  Sunday morning, which was Father's Day, I got up early, before the kids woke up and put a roast in the crock pot to make Italian beefs for later that day.  We all went to our favorite breakfast restaurant in town, Tate's Place, where the kids ordered Mickey Mouse pancakes with bacon.  We made a trip to Wal-mart and then hung out at my moms house for a while.  We went back to my house to swim some more and play with squirt guns, until it was dinner time.  By this time, everyone was exhausted and ready to relax and watch movies.  The Incredible Mr. Fox was on back to back, so they repeatedly watched it almost until bed time.  Monday morning they were all up bright and early since their Grandpa was picking them up before I went to work.  They enjoyed waffles with berries then packed up everything and we lined the door with bags.  Back to the other grandparents to finish out their vacation.  They had one more day with them before their parents would come home.  It was such an enjoyable time spent with Noah, Carter, Gray & Ivy.  They are Great kids!  Gray wanted to make sure that when Mike and I die, he will be the sole caregiver to our dogs, Halle & Lilly.  I made him that promise, but only if his parents say it's ok.  He was happy.  And Little Miss Ivy LaRue announced when she woke up on Saturday morning that she wants to be a mommy and have babies.  And she is married to "Asher", like I am married to Grampa!  And Carter liked my mashed potatoes cause they are made with REAL potatoes that you peel, not like his mom makes, which are Bob Evans. 
We were so busy having fun that I didn't pick up my camera...but that's ok, cause I have the memories stored in my head....

Jam packed June

It has been a Jam packed June so far for me.  It's been filled with Carter's little league games, tournaments, Abby's Soccer games, Ivy's dance recital and the list goes on and on.  I'm not complaining by no means.  I've enjoyed every second of the hard bleachers (even though I have a comfy bleacher to go seat) & concession stand salted pretzels with cheese, and don't forget the hot blazing sun.  
My housework has been hit and miss....mostly miss...but that's OK.  At least the laundry stays caught up and the dishes don't stay in the sink for more than a few days.   I keep hoping that the dish fairy would fly down and do them....I have high hopes. 
I love summertime, because it gives us an excuse to be on the go and not feel guilty.  I find myself waking up way too early to get a jump start on things that didn't get done the night before.  I've even prepared my mom some meals to take to her in the morning before work, to heat up for lunches or dinner.  She really appreciates it. 
We will have 4 house guests this Friday eve. thru Mon. morn.  Noah, Carter, Gray & Ivy will be staying with us while their parents go out of town.  I already have my menus written out and grocery list ready.  I'm sure we will play outside a lot in the pool and have squirt gun wars.  We will all go to Abby's Soccer game and Carter's baseball game.  It will be a fun time.  New memories will be made. 
So, here's to jam packed june and lovin' every minute of it.....