EPIC Mud Run 2012

Jackson has been BEGGING us to do this race since he found out about it. Our great friends, the Livesay's run this race so he got to hear a lot about it.  And we kept thinking we were busy this weekend- but when those plans got cancelled he was UBER excited.  And after running along side with Addison this year WE ARE NOT MISSING THIS NEXT YEAR- ADULT VERSION (although I might regret that- the kids was perfect :) )!

It was a 1 mile course of COLOR, mud, dark barns w/ obstacles, hurdles, mud pits, and MONSTER slides!

The big boys getting ready for some FUN!

This pic got out of order and for some reason won't cooperate to move.  Daddy in line, Addison unsure and Jackson EXCITED!

 Happy now that she has LOOT and knows mommy is going with her.

Ashton running through the barns- there will be zombies in there later : /

Jackson going over the hurdles.

First BIG slide.  This sucker was FAST!

MUD & COLOR!

Jackson ending w/ the last big slide.

LOVE this pic of Parker!  He was too fast to hang w/ Addi & I.  The sweat bands make him SUPER MAN!

Daddy was AWESOME photographer this day- which is a opposite of what usually happens.  He did fantastic and I was SO thrilled to experience this with Addison!  Love this SMILE!

 She wanted to go down the slide by herself (thank goodness cause I was OUT OF CONTROL- you will soon see).  

I'm starting to feel a big out of control here...

Oh dear.... 

I already mentioned how great Nate was doing at photography this day... he obviously didn't miss a moment!

Maybe my favorite (besides the slide!)

We did it!  Thanks Jackson for having so much drive to get our family to do this!  We WILL have a BIG showing next year!!  I'm thinking LOUD & BRIGHT new outfits!!

Up in the sky

We have met new friends- David & Patty Krueger (and Angelica!).  They came from Davis, CA and they own a heating & air conditioning company very similar to ours.  They came to visit this week and we've had a fantastic time getting to know them.  They flew on their airplane below.  

Over dinner last night they learned of Jackson's LOVE for airplanes (and really anything in the air) so David (the nicest & kindest man I've met in a very long time) offered to take the kids up for a ride.  He didn't realize that I was- quite possibly- more excited than the kids!  I was beside myself not being able to tell them until after school! It was hot but really the perfect day to be up in the air!

I really don't even have words for the experience.  It was heavenly!  It was peaceful and serene.  It was easy and fun.  It was exciting and fun.  It was like nothing I've ever done before (and I've flown in plenty of commercial jets- and it was NOTHING like them).

Thank you, David.  You were SO kind.  And we will not forget this afternoon.

The kids hanging out in the pilot's lounge.  You don't get to say that everyday!

Excited.  Ashton told me on the way to the airport that he was most looking forward to the headsets!

Jackson- up to this point- had been hiding his excitement.  He is MUCH like his dad in this manner.  From the moment he learned he was getting to do this his wheels were spinning.  This isn't a kid in a candy store excitement- this is a kid in an airplane excitement!

This jet flew in while we were preparing to leave.  He was headed north for an air show this weekend.

More excitement!

The controls.  And David was going through his checklist and double checks.

The littles were next.  David taught the kids through out the whole process- telling and explaining each step as he went.  KIND.

Addison 

UP, UP & AWAY!

Nathan & Addi.

Parker, the co-pilot.

I never dreamed it would be such an easy & smooth ride.  

Some lucky kids.

Thank you, Patty & David.  You both have the biggest hearts and your passion to give is unlike anything I've ever seen.  This world would be a different place if everyone was a little bit like you.

Addison goes to K & Jackson goes to 2nd!

Addison has been waiting for this day for a long time.  As much as she enjoyed being spoiled by mommy, gram and nana last year being all by herself she wanted to be at school with the boys. 

Team USA outfits came about as we were shopping one day.  The boys (Ashton & Parker too) were in the boys section and Addi & I were in the girls section.  The boys ran over to show Addi their newly chosen outfits and within seconds I found Addi & I both in the boys section picking out her a matching outfit to Parker.

She was VERY excited!

Showing off the new backpack. 

TOO BRIGHT!!

Team USA!

Addi's desk!

She is SO excited to be back with Parker (K-1 class is together).

One last picture with Mommy.  This is a few seconds before she bust into tears and leached onto me begging me to stay with her.  I really didn't see that coming.  It is typical Addison but she had been so excited up to that exact moment.  I had also done good up until that point.  I left very sad :( 

Parker informed me after school that Addi only cried a few minutes before class started and then she "got it together".

Jackson settled in perfectly while I was with Addison.  He got to move "upstairs" into a new classroom (grades 2-3).  He was excited about that and he gets to have a locker!

Jackson is ALL BUSINESS.  He was ready for me to leave so he could get on with being a good student.

I didn't get any pictures of their wonderful teachers!  Ms. Pam for Addison and Mrs. Blackburn for Jackson (they are sisters!).  We LOVE them and are SO fortunate to have such amazing teachers and a wonderful school.  We love CPCA!

Camp Comfort

My parents own property on the lake down in Warsaw, Mo (about 2 hours away).  It's nothing fancy and just perfect for a weekend of family & relaxing.  And that's exactly what we did this past weekend.  We keep our campers down there so once we arrive the relaxing begins. 

Parker & Addi after their first swim.

Saturday morning we started fishing as soon as our lids opened!

And I read... all morning... between naps...

No one can relax better than Maggie!

More relaxing.  I found these two cuddled up watching a show.

And we had some fun!  Phil is the resident pro at wake surfing... as you can see.

Our flagman Ashton!

Our smokin' hot boat driver.

I've improved.  I make it look like it's painful.  And Heather was making fun of my hands until...

...she realized she does the same exact thing.  It's just something that helps me stay up :)

Then the kids (Ashton) wanted to get involved- LOVE that smile!

Not sure if you can see these little toes.  Parker's toes were DIGGING into the board!

Uncle gave it a good effort... I think Jackson is big enough to board by himself!

Addi & Daddy

Love the light in this picture.  And they were having such a cool conversation.  These two have found their bestie friendship again this summer. 

 Ashton got BIG fish of the weekend!  Addison & Jackson caught the most fish but those Fig boys reeled in the big ones!

Here is our humble abode.  We love it.

Headed back this next weekend!  Cramming in as much relaxation as we can before school!