That's for sure!

We have been really enjoying the last couple of weeks.  

 We've been playing in the rain!

 We've been growing and getting too big!

 We've been filling jewel jars because we're being such a good girl. (That's our reward system for Mya)

 We sent Daddy off to work to go teach some kids a few things.  Didn't get a great picture the first time.

 So we tried again...oh well.  The hubby sure does look handsome though.

 We've been using our little brains to be so creative with every day household items.  So cute.

 We met baby Jackson Juhl who is going to come to our house to play starting in October.  So excited.

 And we just went to Daddy's first middle school football game last night.  They have a playground at the football field so the kids got to play after sitting so good during the game.

Mya's been growing too this week.  Seriously, doesn't she look so big.  Tear.

I was journaling some funny Mya things last night so I don't ever forget her funny sayings and I thought I might share a few with you.
While eating a popsicle, she looks at me and says, "I tooked a bite of my popsicle with my sensitive teeth!"
 And when Reggie took a bite of his popsicle, I said, "I guess Reggie doesn't have sensitive teeth like you." And she responds, "That's for sure!"  So funny.
Last, when we were driving home from the football game, I asked her if she missed our old house. She said, "No" right away, but then she pauses and says, "I don't need two houses, Mommy."  So wise.  Love that little girl more than she'll ever know.
Hope you are all enjoying the last weeks of hot weather and learning and growing as you go like we are.  :)

Is the summer really gone?

I love me some summer sun... but with the weather we've been having lately, I am guessing those days are over.  I know one little girl who will be in heaven when she starts to feel some colder weather... it's not me!  It's Mya.  

 As cute as she is in this picture, soaking up some rays, she asks everyday for when it's going to be cold.  She is desperate for cold weather so she can wear her winter pajamas, play in the snow, make snowballs, and drink hot chocolate.  She's so weird.  :)

 This little guy is also weird.  Yes, he is climbing out of the doggy door at my parent's house.  Love it.

 I just love this picture of my parent's and the kiddos just hanging out.  They love their mima and papa  j.

 I just love this picture of Mya and Silas at Silas' birthday party.  They are the cutest little cousins.

 "Go away Mom!"

 Daddy is the best horsie around here.  Both kids will tell you this.

 They just love playing with Daddy.

And here is my little bunny.  Reggie has been loving dressing up as a bunny lately.  He brings me the costume and wants it on.  He only will wear it for about five minutes before he comes to me saying, "Oss"(that's off for those of you who don't speak Reggie.)  

Anyway, whether it's summer or winter, we always have lots of fun around here.  Stay tuned for more Barnes family fun.  We'll be going to the first K-State football game  and then going to Branson soon so we should have some good pics from all of that.   

Oh do we have fun

Last weekend I loaded the kids up to go to Abilene for a weekend full of fun.  We had a garage sale at my parents house, a wedding, and the Central Kansas Free Fair. (Yee-haw!)  It was a busy weekend but soooooo much fun!  Here are a few pics. 

 A boy and his dog.  Ok, it's my parents dog, but I'm pretty sure he loves it like his own.

 A boy and his papa on a tractor.  Love these two.

 And don't forget a girl and her papa on a tractor.  Can't leave out the girls!  They both loved riding the tractor with papa J.

 And the fair was a hit with Mya.  She loved riding the motorcyle ride, the helicopter, the carousel, and the ferris wheel.  She has never been so adventurous before, but it seems to suit her.

I just love this picture of her and Mima on the ferris wheel.  It was hard to watch my tiny little girl get on that big ride but she was so brave and loved every minute of it.  And it really is such a cool picture. 

And I just had to throw this picture in here because it's so cute.  And really, what little girl isn't a princess, right?  Love her.

Ten years of friendship, seven years of marriage, two beautiful kids, and six moves later, we're still going strong.   Thanks to all our family and to our friends for all the support in our marriage and our lives.  Marriage is such an amazing journey but it is hard work and we wouldn't have made it this far without all of your prayers and love and much much more.  Thanks. And thanks babe for putting up with me for this long.  I hope you'll keep me around for many many more years!   ;)

The 4th and other festivities

It's been a while since I posted and I don't really have an excuse, but here are some cool pictures of the fam from the fourth of July and then a couple extras.

 Doing sparklers for the first time.  I saw a quote that said "Fourth of July equals small children playing with fire."  So true and so funny.  Our small children were very careful with their "fire."

 Reggie tried sparklers too with mom's help.  He enjoyed it.  Both our kids were not fans of the loud fireworks this year so we did small things and that was ok.  There's always next year.

 We went to the Troy, KS parade again this year and loved it.  They really put on a kid friendly little show.  It was very very hot so we brought a squirt bottle but as you can see by their red faces, it didn't really help.

 And last year I got a great picture of Mya standing in the brick street so I just had to get one of Reggie too.  I love that there's a green tractor driving by too.  

 One of the reasons the parade is such a hit is because they throw out an enormous amount of candy.  The kids loved collecting it.

 Mya took this pic of me and Dan on the fourth.  She's not too bad of a photographer. 

 And these last pics are just some cute ones from the week before.  Mya loves Gramma and Papa's tree swing.  She just loves going higher and higher!

 One day Daddy built a fort out of couch cushions, etc. for the kids.  They loved it so much, I think they would have gone to sleep in it. 

And here's my little monkey.  Mya never would have noticed a ladder to climb when she was Reggie's age.  She would have walked right by it without a care, but this monkey spots it and wants to climb it immediately.  Boys.  Pretty cute picture though.  :)

Stay-cation 2012

Well, I had my first week of vacation since before I went to work on the bank.  It was wonderful, even though we didn't really do much.  It was nice to just be home with the kids and Dan.  Here's all the blog worthy pics from the week. 

 The start of our stay-cation.  Love these boys!

 We went to the Omaha Zoo one morning and it was so much fun.  The kids loved it and were really well behaved, which makes everything better!  This pic and the one below are of us in the aquarium.  It was so cool, but very crowded.

 Both kids were too mesmerized by the overhead fishes and sharks to even look at the camera.

 Mya saw a couple of kids taking pics on the Rhino so she wanted one too.  Kind of a funny place to take a picture, but it turned out pretty cute.

 The zoo has this amazing butterfly exhibit and all four of us were impressed.  I just had to get a picture of Reggie on this butterfly chair.

 And one of my faves: the giraffes.  The kids, especially Reggie, loved the giraffes.  He stood there forever just looking at them.

 This is what Reggie looked like about a minute after we left the zoo.  I guess it wore him out.

 The Friday of my vacation week, Dan, his dad, his brother, and his friend Cody were all playing in a golf tournament so we got to go spend some time in Topeka.  The kids got to play with their cousins and Dan had a good time golfing.

 Reggie was the life of the party at one time because all the kids loved that he would hug on command. He's a hugger, just like Mya was at that age.  Gotta love it. And I just love this picture of Camdyn, such a beautiful girl.

 Debi and I ate dinner with all the kids at Grandma Lorene's.  Can you believe we got this picture in one take?  That's unheard of with four kids!

 So the next night, Saturday, we had a wedding to go to.  Here's a pic of Mya in her element: dancing on a stage.  This girl loves a stage!

 Reggie was loving the dancing too.  He would run back and forth from us to the dance floor and he was looking pretty cute.

 I even captured this sweet picture of Mya and Aunt Sissy.  She loves these kiddos.  She's such a good aunt.

And this last one if of Dan and his kids on Father's Day.  Oddly, this is the best picture we got of him and his babies, but it's sort of appropriate.  He's the kind of Dad that just loves to get down and play with his kids.  I'm blessed to have an amazing man I call my best friend and husband and he just happens to be the best Dad to our beautiful kids.  They adore him and so do I.  Happy Father's Day, babe!  And happy late father's day to all the other amazing dads out there!  Now, back to work for me!  Wish me luck!

Last Half of May

Photo recap of the last half of May:

 Mother's Day 2012.  I was lucky enough to get to see my Mama, even if it was in a gas station parking lot.  Love you Mom!

 Going to the park with my three favorite people.  This little guy is not looking so little anymore.  Sad face.

 And my stunning little girl.  She just loves playing at the playground.  She would probably live there if we let her.

 Reggie looked like a three year old climbing up and going down all the slides by himself.  He is one crazy one year old!

 Reggie used to hate hats, and to be fair, he doesn't really like them right now, but he has a weird obsession with wanting me to put them on him and then he takes them off about five minutes later.  But it's a start at least.  His fair little head needs some protection so I'll take every five minutes I can get.

 My little beauty.  She loves to model for the camera these days.  We have ourselves a photo shoot at least once a week.  Love it!

 Memorial Day 2012.  Loved the sunshine and loved the family time even more.  We had such a great day, visiting Soldier Cemetary, playing in the water, and grilling out.

 Mya had so much fun running through the hose.  I love her face in this picture!

This week we went to feed the ducks at Krug Park.  Reggie was absolutely mesmerized by the whole thing.  He wore his sunglasses for a really long time and he looked so cute. 

Like father, like son.  They are definitely related, don't you think?  Two of my favorite, my handsome men.  Love these boys so much.  Now bring on June!!!