Rock Jars & the Movies

The kids got a little out of control this summer and to reel them back in we started rock jars.  They each were given a jar in which they painted the lid.  Then every time they were caught being good (saying please & thank you, sharing, helping to pick up toys, etc.) they were given a rock for their jar.  Then on the other end every time they were naughty they would get a rock taken away.  When BOTH of their jars were full we told them we would take them to the movie theater to see Monsters University.  This worked like a charm.  After probably a month and a half they both had their jars full and we went to the local theater.  This was Addie's first movie theater experience and she did pretty well until she wanted to get up and go to the bathroom several times during the last 20 minutes.  This was Wesley's second time as we hadn't been back after he couldn't sit through the first 20 minutes of Cars 2 back when he was probably two and a half.

After the movies the rock jars were emptied and we started over again.  It is still up in the air as to which movie we will see next time.

Horseback Riding with Grammy Deb

Wes and Addie talk a lot about Ice, Grammy Deb's horse.  They love going for rides.

Wes hanging out with Aunt Kari while Addie and Mommy got their turn.

After riding, Ice had a little photo shoot.  In the bottom picture he was being bashful.

Good Ol' Cane Pole Fishing

We went to a Ducks Unlimited event with Grandpa Lin and Grammy Deb where the kids were able to fish with cane poles.  We all had a good time.

Addie getting lessons from Grandpa...

Kyler trying to catch a big one...

Wes holding up one of the few fish that were caught that day...

Soda Fountain

We went to Hesston's Steam Museum again to ride the trains and found that they put in a Soda Fountain.  So after riding the trains we went in to see what it was all about.  Funny thing is that I was the only one that got a soda.  The rest of them settled for ice cream.

BLUEBERRIES!

Yum!  I LOVE blueberries and we had lot of fun picking and eating them.  Except for Wesley that is.  He would chew them and then spit out the skins.  Silly Wes.  :)

At the Cottage

Three pretty ladies in the paddle boat.

Fun times with the cousins.

First time tubing.  All smiles except for when we made Addie get off.

Addie and Ian hanging out.

I begged Addie for a few solo shots.

And the Rockets Red Glare

The kiddos got involved with our little Red White and Blue 4th of July celebration this year and added a little rockets red glare to the party.  Wesley also became a fan of the little colorful smoke balls.  As you can see in the top pic he busted through quite a few.

Blast Off

Nate Dog from next door got a really cool rocket.  He was kind enough to ask if we wanted to watch him launch it.  Of course we were all over it.  We had a few failed attempts, but Larry finally got it figured out.  We did a drumroll with a count down and then BLAST OFF!  What is even cooler is they gave us a 2nd rocket to put together to launch ourselves.