Rodeo In Manhattan

Eight years ago Joel's mom and dad, Joel, and I loaded up the car and headed to Manhattan, Kansas to find a place to live. Joel and I had the whole weekend planned out of places we were going to look at. We knew we had to sign a lease somewhere, because the next time we would be coming back Joel would be staying. In all the planning we looked over one minor detail, the hotel room. We thought "no problem" there will be plenty of places to stay in a town as big as Manhattan. Little did we know that the rodeo was in town. There was absolutely no where for us to stay. Every room was filled with a cowboy! One hotel had the nerve to tell us to go back to Kansas City to stay! We held out and found a room at the Holiday Inn at 3am. Three years ago we finally decided to check out what really happens at the Kaw Valley Rodeo. Tyson seemed to enjoy it so we headed back this year. It was 100 degrees and no wind, but we sacrifice for our kids right. Tyson rode the Tilt A Whirl, the enormous slide, and a kid sized roller coaster in that order. The Tilt A Whirl (I have no idea how to spell that) scared him and I think made him a little sick, but he would not admit that. The slide made me cry because he walked all the way to the top carrying his little potato sack and wanted to go head first. He could not convince the guy running it that it would be safe to go head first, so he went feet first and loved it. He cried on the roller coaster. When he got off the roller coaster he said, "That was fun!". I asked him if he wanted to go again and he said, "no thanks!".

This is the roller coaster he did not like!

2005

2006

2008

Weekend at the Pool

This weekend was too windy to take the boat out so we decided to venture over to Junction City, which is a town just 20 minutes away. We had heard they had a pool with lots of water slides. The pool was awesome, but of course, the slides were not open when we got there. Tyson did not mind it a bit. He LOVED the pool and swimming. The biggest shock of the outing was that Charlie loved it too. He actually would cry when we took him out! Tyson found some boys to play with there and would run and jump into the pool. It was really fun to watch him play with other kids. After 2 days at the pool Tyson is really tan and his hair is starting to get lighter. He would live at the pool if we would let him. And apparently Charlie would too!

My water babies!

I thought it was soo cute that his feet were all pruney.

About a block from the pool!

Brotherly Love

I never knew how much a little boy could instantly love someone. Tyson absolutely loves his brother more than anything else in the world (even Elmo). I also had no idea that a baby would know who his brother is from day one. Charlie laughs at Tyson's every move. I'm sure to all of you mothers this is not something new to you. I just had no idea. It is the most wonderful thing in the world to watch these two interact, so I thought I would share a few pictures and a video.

Smile Therapy

Really who can have a bad day when you see this? My sister Jenni calls in Smile Therapy. I think we could make a lot of money on this smile!

Our Week With Noah Hogge

My 9 year old nephew Noah came down to visit us for a week! Tyson was in HEAVEN and I think Noah enjoyed spending quality time with Charlie. We tried to do everything Manhattan had to offer while he was here. We went miniature golfing, swimming, camped out in the backyard, played soccer and basketball, and ate lots of ice cream. We tried to take the boat out, but as most of you know, Kansas is very windy. Both times we tried it was so windy we went out and headed right back in. We were determined to get Noah on the tube so one day we went for it. It was very bumpy! We decided to go swimming at the beach both days, which ended up to be more fun for Noah anyways. As you can see in the picture below, many hours were spent in front of the the TV playing Playstation. Noah did not want to share his secrets with Joel, so Joel was beat over and over. Tyson doesn't really play you just have to give him a controller and he pretends! It was a really fun week and we are very hopeful to get more of our nieces and nephews out here. We promise a good time!!

Any Suggestions??

Favorite Pictures

One of their first baths together!

2nd Shiner - this time it was boating!

Charlie is starting to love tummy time.

Mom, it's time for lotion!


Who says the family bed is a bad thing?