Easter 2014

 - Easter - 

It was an incredibly relaxing weekend. We had our DuBay family Easter at my brother's home Friday evening on Lake Lotawana. The weather was crisp but just right for fishing off the dock, a long pontoon ride snuggled up in blankets as the sunset and s'more assembly fireside in the evening. It was a wonderful day spent with family and we look forward to more days spent doing very much the same in the coming months. 

{Grainy goodness right here ^^^^} 

Saturday we boiled, dyed and decorated eggs after Dawson's noon soccer game.

It was an eventful hour. There may or may not have been a tantrum and gnashing of teeth because a middle child wasn't happy with his Sharpie drawing on his egg {see far right blue egg in front} and I let out a big gasp of air upon realizing that the Kool-Aid seeped under the wax paper dyeing my table top as well. Magic Eraser did its magic but also removed the sheen finish from our island :(

Sunday we attended an AMAZING worship service at our church then returned home for brunch with Travis's mom who was in town visiting and my parents.  

The kids were less than thrilled when I forced convinced them to take pictures.

This was as good as it got. 

Kids squinting; one child or another running off; tempers raising ... all in the name of a picture! 

I hope your Easter was a blessed one remembering the sacrifice of our risen King! 

Christmas 2013

Christmas.

It wasn't the picturesque morning most parents envision.
In fact it was quite the opposite.
We woke just minutes before the kids so we all trickled downstairs to gather around the tree in preparation to open gifts. That is when all pandemonium broke lose between the two oldest in very short order.  One was blaming the other for peeking at the gifts or something to that affect but just envision voices and tempers escalating in seconds flat. Somehow we managed to settle down the forces just long enough for ONE gift to be opened. You read that right. One gift before attitudes became out of check again (mine included) and I called a family time out. A couple hours passed before the kids asked if we could revisit the gifts. I'm so relieved our 2nd attempt was a success. The kids were excellent and were thrilled with their gifts. Gabrielle's only wish, which came in late, was for another Vintage Pearl piece. Dawson wished BIG and asked for a Mustang - the real deal folks, not a matchbox, remote control, or toy model. We told him he needs to start saving his nickels and dimes now :)

In keeping with recording what the kids received this year (we follow the 3 gift "rule"):

Gabrielle -
Kindle Fire HD
Rainbow Loom tutorial book and storage case
Fleece leggings and cowl neck sweatshirt from Old Navy

I love that I captured her look of sheer surprise and excitement over her gift. Tears of overwhelming joy followed.

Dawson -
2 Lego City sets
{Nerf like} Bow and Arrow from Bass Pro
3 pair of {2nd hand} pants

Dawson whipped together this smaller Lego set in short order Christmas afternoon

McKenna -
McKenna the American Girl doll
Dream Lite
Carters fleece footie pajamas

McKenna tore into her AG doll immediately (ripping the box darn it!) and now has all the AG dolls housed in her Playskool Rose Petal Cottage. We renamed the doll baby Mackie to avoid any confusion. 

Family gift -
2 sets of Silly Hands identical to these but for a fraction of the cost. Honestly best gift ever and hysterical too!


I think in total we spent less than $175 for Christmas. Times called for resourcefulness and I'm so thankful for how well things played out with providing a wonderful Christmas for the kids. I picked up the Kindle on a screaming deal; we had $35 Bass Pro credit which covered the cost of the bow and arrow set; I bought the Legos on a B1G1 deal at Target and applied a $20 gift card I've had forever; the AG doll was purchased last year (thanks in part to GG paying for half) and tucked away until this year; and all the clothing items cost around $25 total out of pocket. Stockings were filled with gifts from Terry & Barb along with miscellaneous other fun finds.

Annual Cookie Decorating

December and the Christmas season wouldn't be the same without our annual cookie decorating time with Mema. This year Mema prepared the cookie dough, cut out and baked the cookies a day ahead so the kids could get right to what they enjoy most ... frosting and decorating. 

This little artist was right in her element ensuring her cookies were masterpieces.

I immediately took Dawson up to the bathroom after the cleanup and remedied his helmet head by giving him a long overdue haircut.

Cookie decorating is serious business with my trio. It's not about speed or production, they focus on the final look of the cookie. Holly candies placed just so; sprinkles evenly dispersed; candy canes lined red & white. 

We laughed so hard because the instant McKenna finished decorating her 1st cookie she immediately devoured it without hesitation. Call me biased, but Mema's cut out cookie recipe can't be beat.  Even though she baked around 8 - 10 dozen they don't last long in our homes given the fact that each of our sweet tooth prevails.
My neighbor and friend pulled me aside just this afternoon and told me how she thinks we are so blessed to have my parents live a stone's throw away and we all agree. Blessed indeed!

1st Snowfall of Winter

We received our 1st snowfall of winter the night of December 21st, the 1st official day of Winter! The kids couldn't wait to get all bundled up and head outdoors the following morning. It was cold but that didn't stop them! 

I laughed hysterically watching McKenna roll over and over again in the snow, her face beaming with joy!

The neighbor boys, Noah and Ben, joined the fun.

If you asked the kids, they would say the snow didn't last long enough. They are eager and awaiting the next snow fall!

The kids played long and hard before coming inside to enjoy a hot cup of ho-cho and cuddle up in front of the fireplace to warm up. 

I don't know about the rest of you, but we've been sporting pajamas for days this winter break. Things have been quiet which = good. We've spent far too many hours watching football, cartoons and recorded movies; the bigs have been engrossed in their screen time on the iPad, Kindle & their DS's; the threesome are either at each other's throat or playing beautifully together - this changes quickly and frequently; we've eaten loads of holiday treats and haven't done a darn thing to work off the extra calories. There are just a few days remaining of winter break before the kids return to their regular school schedule next Tuesday. We have a few fun things in store between now and then :)

Holiday Express Train @ Union Station

My friend Monika gifted us reserve tickets to visit the Holiday Express Train at Union Station Friday afternoon the 20th. The train is led by KCS Southern Belle and includes the tank car Rudy, a flatcar carrying Santa's sleigh, reindeer and a miniature village, a gingerbread boxcar, the elves workshop, the reindeer stable and a little red caboose.

Union Station does not disappoint in its splendor at the Christmas season. I wished I had taken my DSLR to take some photos.

Awaiting to board

Aunt Shari took this family picture with her phone after we exited the Holiday Express Train. It was frigid outside so we made a mad dash back indoors as quickly as we could! If I had better prepared I would have had the kids in hats and gloves.

After leaving Union Station we stopped at Mi Ranchito for supper and margaritas (yum!). GG & Aunt Shari babysat while Daddy & I attended the 1st annual ugly sweater party at Mr. Seth's and Ms. Kiersten's house. When we arrived home late that night McKenna was tucked under GG's arm asleep on the couch :)

Visiting "Santa"

As in years past we payed Santa's Wonderland at the local Bass Pro Shop a visit.

GG & Aunt Shari traveled into town for a very short visit the Thursday afternoon - Saturday morning prior to Christmas. Aunt Shari and I got the kiddos showered and dressed early Friday morning and were ahead of schedule to meet with Santa when he made his appearance at 10AM. 

We had a couple of pictures snapped then the kids made the trek around the activities and carousel. We shopped just long enough to lose McKenna in the camping department ('tis true). I picked up a Christmas gift and we returned home in time for lunch.

{Parched} Pumpkin Patch

We picked a beautiful Saturday afternoon in late October and made the short drive to Schaake's  in Lawrence for our annual visit to the pumpkin patch. 

I snapped the obligatory photo 1st thing
How much fun would it be to carve that pumpkin above? OK, maybe not gutting it but carving it - shoot yeah!

Little Miss loved! this lion spring toy which occupied her while the bigs waited in line for the pumpkin launch nearby.

 Both kids gave it a valiant effort to hit a target.

 This child cracks me up! It's as if she is preparing to hike a pumpkin through her legs.

 Followed by her stance after commanding her sissy and her boy to "Come on!"

These photos speak volumes as to why I titled this post parched pumpkin patch. The kids were sports and walked rows and rows of patches in search of the perfect pumpkin to no avail. There were a handful of small green or yellow pumpkins and an assortment of flat white pumpkins which we all liked but not a one "acceptable" "pretty" orange carving pumpkin was to be found.

We did leave with a small assortment of pumpkins including a rather nice, large orange pumpkin (not pictured) that we selected from the pre-picked sale area. 

Travis & Papa were working this particular weekend so Mema accompanied us. More pictures to come in an ETC post. 

Ruthledge-Wilson Family Farm Fall Fest

Day 2 of our mini vacation took us to the Ruthledge-Wilson Family Farm Community Park in Springfield. What a wonderful gift to the community this free 207 acre farm is! We were so glad to get to spend the day with Aunt Pam, Aunt Shari, Christy, Mandy and their gang joining us for the fun.

 Daddy and his family - Aunt Pam, GG & Aunt Shari

Dawson, Gabrielle, McKenna, Hayes (Bud's son), Addison (Christy's daughter) & Cash (Mandy's son) 

It was rather hysterical trying to get six kids all looking at the camera, much less smile! 

This picture shows their personalities best anyway :)

Smiles for the win!!

Had this picture been just a few weeks later Christy's new baby would have made 7 kids. 

Our dynamic trio 

We took a hayride and attempted a loooong corn maze with only half the gang successfully completing it. We found an escape for the tiring GG & preggo Christy. 

The kids LOVED playing on the fantastic play equipment and climbing walls; enjoyed seeing all the animals; walking the barn and experiencing milking the simulated cow but their favorite attraction and one they displayed MUCH patience in waiting for was the human sling (I have no idea the actual name for this contraption) but it was a hit! The kids laughed and giggled and cheered each other on, but when their turn was over their demeanor quickly turned to outward disappointment in not being successful in doing a front or back flip like they had so hoped to do. 

McKenna spent thee entire time (an hour or more) sliding down the jumbo slide face first and jumping until her heart was content in the bounce house while the "big" kids waited in line for the sling. She would sneak away momentarily to share a hug or rock on someones lap on the porch swing. 

We were so thankful for perfect weather and for a fantastic time with family!

Labor Day Highlights

A handful of poor, grainy iPhone photos document our wonderful Labor Day weekend
The highlights included:

Time at WD's farm shooting round after round of Daddy's 22
The kids are a pretty good shoot
Running in the fields alongside the cows
Little Miss getting her hair caught in the bob wire fencing and pulling with all her might to get lose only to leave a huge chunk of hair dangling from the wire
True story
Burgers & Beans & Beer Oh My!

Sunday we drove into Branson to White Water
Kids had a BLAST!
Daddy & Mommy had a blast!
McKenna once again proved herself fearless

There was no picture taking amidst our fun so this one pulled from Google Images will have to suffice

We shut down White Water, changed and headed to the nearby Tracks for the boys to burn off some testosterone racing Wes and Levi on go karts whilst the girls fed quarters into the candy machines

Daddy treated us all to Andy's Frozen Custard before loading up and heading back into Springfield
T'was a good, good day!

Monday we left Springfield and drove to my brother's beautiful home on Lake Lotawana, MO 

The kids spent HOURS swimming, jumping off the back of the boat & playing on the tube

We ate more delicious burgers and dogs off the grill with all the fixings and sides

Our Labor Day was complete after a long ride on the pontoon, visiting and taking in the sunset

A big thank-you to Wesley for taking the city out of our kids; to GG for the wonderful gift of memories made at White Water; and to my family for my Leo fix and a relaxing time at the lake!