Missouri Musings

Life moves on and it often feels like a marathon!  We've been living the good life, and trying to enjoy every minute of the numerous activities our kids are involved with that keep our schedules busy. 

Brevan started piano again and actually likes to practice.  His teacher is very impressed with his abilities, because he has a natural talent for music.  Brevan also stays busy with Scouts and playing on his new iPhone.  That lucky boy is far more technologically advanced than his old parents, so he has downloaded about a million aps that do everything imaginable.  We are proud that Brevan earned half the money for the phone, plus all the money for the extras. 

Brynlie is taking 2 dance classes this year - Jazz 3 and Hiphop 3.  She is also involved in the community choir group, Activity Days, and volleyball.  Ryan has agreed to be her volleyball coach, and was able to get a couple of her friends on the team. 

Lindsey started soccer this week, and seems to be having even more fun than last season!  It is so fun to watch her assertiveness on the field.  She is also involved in the community choir, and will ride on a float in the upcoming Jesse James parade. 

Logan is my little buddy that hangs out with me during the day.  The sweet guy is getting more individual attention than any of my other kids ever had, since he has no competition!  We like to read books, fight with lightsabers, cook, go on walks, and watch movies together.

A few weeks ago Brevan spent the day with some other local kids having an airsoft gun war.  It's a big deal around here, and I just try to keep my mouth shut and let Brevan get in touch with his testosterone side.  The picture below cracks me up though, because while all the boys aimed their guns at the camera, Brevan hid under a hat (bottom row, right side).

The girls have been excited about new hairstyles lately.  Unless I pull their hair up in a fancy way, I've been using a curling iron or straightener on it every day.  How's that for dedication?

 Brynlie lived her dream the other night when she attended the Selena Gomez concert with her BFF, Megan.  Lori had purchased tickets to the concert a couple months earlier, but only informed Megan that the two of the them were going.  On Megan's birthday a few days before the concert, Lori informed Megan that she had actually purchased an extra ticket so Megan could invite a friend.  Brynlie was ECSTATIC when Megan called and invited her.  Lori had the girls design a poster, took them to dinner at Ihop, let them scream and dance to their hearts content at the concert, and even bought them each a concert t-shirt to wear to school the next day.  It was a dream come true, since Brynlie's favorite singer/actor is Selena Gomez!

 Keri and Brett got in town last Thursday and stayed until Tuesday afternoon.  We had SO much fun with them while they were in town!  I can't believe I didn't take pictures of our fun activities, so I had to take a quick picture the night before they left.  They are both in their pajamas and are cooking dinner.  Oh well, it's better than no picture at all!  During the time they were here, we went boating a couple times (including once when a rainstorm suddenly blew in and left us drenched on the boat).  Both me and Brevan finally got up on the wakeboard!  Now we need to learn what to do once we are up, since we both get scared and end up falling.  Keri and Brett are expert wakeboarders and had a great time.  One day Keri and I got pedicures/manicures, another day we went shopping at my favorite new store - a jewelry store named Charming Charlies, we got sweaty exercising to a workout video together (Keri is a workout buff and taught me many good tips), and we spent hours talking and talking and talking.  Brett and Ryan went golfing together a couple times, and we all ate out constantly.  We experienced the best barbecue, Mexican and Italian cuisine we could find, as well as many more fattening and delicious meals.  Although Keri and Brett missed their kids while spending 5 days hanging out with ours, I think they had a fun and relaxing time.  We are having a hard time getting back to normal life now that they are gone!