Papa's Racin' Birthday

Had to get a quick picture of Joey.

For Russ's 60th birthday - we all went to Des Moines to celebrate!

Amelia, Simon and Isabelle

Nana holding Cate.  Jenna holding Landon

Isabelle continues to LOVE babies - and in this case Simon!  Auntie Awesome is helping and Alaina is next to Isabelle.

Papa reading a book to his grandkids

Isabelle, Paige and Landon squeezed into a chair

Olivia, Amelia, Alaina and Cate

Off to the races!

As you can see in the background - Daddy is on crutches - Amelia called them 'stitches' pretty much the entire 6 weeks.   Love those word mishaps.

Papa getting ready to drive a race car!

Isabelle, Amelia and Aunt Amber

Racer Papa with his girls

Aunt Amber holding Landon - they were buddies!

Papa getting ready to get buckled into his car....one last picture.

The girls watching papa....Olivia, Isabelle, Alaina, Amelia, Paige holding Cate

Amelia and Isabelle

Finally got one where Landon didn't run away!  All the grandkids!

And a front shot!

Papa racing his car around the track.

Aunt Amber with Landon - Landon is looking for the cars to go around

Paige and Cate waiting for Papa to finish

Victory is had!   I imagine some sort of Top Gun song playing in the background as he comes walking down the home stretch.  His mission accomplished.

Landon downing water!  It was so hot!

A new family picture!  Wow has this bunch grown!

Papa and Landon

What can be better than some impromptu slip 'n slide action?

Isabelle is on the slide, Paige is walking and not sure who is at the end.

Amelia and Paige enjoying some bubbles and relaxation!

Isabelle and Alaina going down together!   Landon would have nothing to do with the sliding part

Aunt Amber finally got him to sit on the end.   Aunt Amber is takin' a break from sliding!

Group photo!   So much fun!  Kind of crazy and really sore the week after, but totally worth it!

I love Olivia's posing in these!

Landon's view of the world!

Daddy got into the action too!

Nana reading to the grandkids

Bonfire

We did another attempt at a bonfire this summer!  We were more successful than last year and I only see us getting better/easier! 

Amelia and Daddy roasting a marshmallow

Landon eating one from the bag!  Gotta watch this one!

'Oh this is gonna be soooo goood'

Gotta have some chocolate with a smore!

Marshmallow explosion!  Who is going to win this?

So far it looks like the marshmallow!

Daddy roasting more!

Landon took his smore piece by piece

Isabelle helping daddy with getting more marshmallows

There was lots of eating!  And lots of good memories!

Isabelle's Gymnastics

We signed Isabelle up for 2 rounds of gymnastics and she loved it!  Not only that, but she is pretty good too!

On the 'high' bar

The rings

Hanging from the balance beam

Going up the balance bar to the high beam.   If you look in the background - Daddy and Landon are watching and cheering Isabelle on!  Isabelle loved having her family watching her and got very proud!

I was so impressed by Isabelle's attention span!   This seemed to be an evolving activity for her.  I felt prior to this she had a short attention span, but she sat, listened and was a very quick learner!  She only had to watch the instructor 1 time and she knew what she was supposed to do at each station!

Isabelle did a great job of following instructions!  Though sometimes she got excited and joined in on the other groups' activities.

Climbing up and over.

Rolling across the floor.

The balance beam!

She swings off of the high one and then drops to the ground

See those little feet at the end sticking up? Yep those are Isabelle's!

The roller.

I have to say - I think/hope we sign Isabelle up for some more gymnastics.  She really was able to grow and learn a lot of new skills - she also reminded me a bit of mighty mouse!   I'm so proud of you Isabelle!