Branson!

Catching up...towards the end of summer we took a road trip to Branson MO for a week in a timeshare resort. We didn't totally know what to expect since we weren't super into the shows but found it very family friendly there and we loved the resort (Palaceview by Spinnaker) with its many pools and friendly staff. We also liked the old historical downtown area and Branson Landing. We all said we would totally go back someday. Noah also got a special treat when we went to visit Stoops Manufacturing for service supplies since it was fairly close. He got to buy a one-of-a-kind prototype youth service bag. A fun memory!
Nice end to our summer!

Catching up...winding up summer...with a Twins game

Realized I have ignored the blog though we still had much fun at end of summer and now into
fall already. Noah got a fun treat in August to come downtown with us one day on the bus and attend a Twins game with Brent and his work group. An unexpected surprise was that Leslie's were there at that game too in the very next section. They had a couple of open seats near them so the boys all got to sit together. That made it extra fun for Noah to have friends there his own age. Fun day at the ball park!!

A day of fun!

Today we had a fun day planned. Noah and I had plans with Jen Malm and Sam to go out in service in the morning and then go to hang out at a friends pool in the afternoon. Kim joined us in service for our group. Jen and I had plans to go on a study and Kim opted to keep the boys with her and then Noah ended up calling a neighbor he has been studying the Bible Story book with and the 3 of them went over there for a few minutes to study. So dual studies for the morning!

Quick change after service and drive thru lunch and headed for the pool for an afternoon of fun in the sun!

I only had a few pics on my phone, will have to get the others of the group from Jen. Thanks to Dez for the hospitality of sharing their community pool.

Good day, good friends, good times!

They're off!

Today was another milestone in Noah's young life. His braces got taken off! He has had "phase 1" of braces on for just a little over a year. Last visit they said there was a possibility they would take them off today but per X-rays taken they maybe would try to add more space to make room for some more incoming teeth. After reviewing the films they decided the teeth still have quite a ways to come down which gives his jaw more growth time. Today was the day! Of course there was some discomfort in removing things but well worth it when he had smooth braceless teeth!! He has one week of total freedom and next week he will get retainers to keep his jaw and teeth in alignment while he grows.

It has been a journey, but it is nice to see the good results that they have had!!

We celebrated by going out to breakfast with Grandma Kathy and Noah bought 2 huge gum balls out of the machine at Perkins since he hadnt had one in a year Then Noah and I had a fun round of mini golf on a beautiful summer day.

Pics are out of order due to blogger ap...sorry.

 Straight Teeth!!!

2012 District Convention "Safeguard Your Heart"

We just got back from our District Convention in Rochester. What a spiritually up building weekend! We all got to pay good attention and take good notes. Even Noah was engaged in the program, he is old enough now to retain. At dinners with friends in the evenings he would recall specific points or demonstrations he liked and got the details. Makes a parents heart happy when young ones reach age of reason and understanding. We had been sent a notebook format for kids that helped him take good notes too. Someone took a lot to put it together!

Of course there was good association to be had too and fun at the pool in the evenings! Our circuit was split up this year so many of our close friends are attending other weeks, but there were still plenty to visit with!

Some fun pics!...

A day with cousins

A week ago Noah got to visit with some of his 2nd cousins. We stopped over to drop off some clothes that no longer fit Noah (major recent growth spurt!) and Noah got to play with Sam and Ben who live in the next little city over from us. Bonus was that another cousin from down in Rochester was visiting also with their Grandma Bonnie who was in town. 4 little boys on a nice afternoon! Let the playtime begin!!

After a while of play in the yard it was time to move over to Grandma Mary's where Noah was going to spend the night with Bonnie and Breckyn. They hadn't seen each other in about a year but Noah and Breckyn got along really well. We all went to eat and then they got more play time while Mary and Bonnie got to visit and catch up.

The next morning was meeting. The boys looked tired, but happy to be together.

Nice to catch up with some extended family time!!

Hot June Day

After a stormy night we had plans the next day to go to the Beach with Sam and Renee. Woke up in the morning and it was still grey and wet looking so we switched gears to go to Sky Zone instead. It is an indoor trampoline park. The boys jumped for 2 solid hours along with dodgeball games and some cold slushies for breaks. A good way to burn off some kid energy!

We had a late lunch and the boys still wanted more play time, so they came back to my house for the afternoon to play. Two creative minds came up with a "plan B" since we didn't get a little pool this year. ;). Individual pools!! It cracked me up when I looked out the window. Love how kid minds work!!