Labor Day Family Fun!

As with all good holidays our Labor Day weekend involved a lot of food! Neal & Theresa (my nephew & wife) hosted a Sunday get together. This was the first time several family members had met Natalie.

Even the cool breeze did not prevent kids swimming -
look how much Audrey has grown!

Madison emerging from the pool
If not for the Dino life vest Booke would look like a
professional model!
Katie surveying the vast blue space
Seth & Noah enjoyed Neal's video games

As did Ty and Jessica
G-Aunt Dana finally got a chance to cuddle with
Natalie - she lived with us when Ty was this
age so this cuddle was extra special!
OK - they are pink and yes, they are Barbie
but they have wheels!
As our day wound down we found Brooke reading a
book to Katie in a quiet corner.
The O'Donnell bunch then headed to Chillicothe to
celebrate September birthdays and to save
Ty & Jerilyn from yet another 8 hr round trip! Katie
rode with us on the way home and we were serenaded with
various songs including 'Awesome God'. Here is a picture of
the glorious sunset proving that fact.

Since everyone had to leave a mid-day on Monday
(something about school & work) we opened gifts
Sunday night. Here is a line-up thinking that
things are MUCH more fun when it is their birthdays!

Joy had bought Ryan an antique gun - so Jeff & Steph
gave him a gun cleaning kit

Jeff had two very eager helpers
Seth was actually the birthday 'Santa'

I got lots of good stuff - can't wait to use it all
Notice the girls have decided to share Audrey's
headset to listen to music - we must not have
been very entertaining

If you have ever considered messing with the women in this family -
DON'T

Monday was a beautiful day and we spent most of it
outside. Football was the order of the day!

'Honest Dad - I'm big enough & I'm wearing red!'
'Do you guys want me to go long?'
Some guidance from Dad

Caleb rescued by Aunt Steph

Love this shot of Jeff blocking Seth

Noah looks like a pro doesn't he?
Smokey wants to try so Noah holds the ball -
alas he just didn't get the whole idea

Ty & Seth - it was wonderful
watching everyone play

Noah & Caleb - it was breezy - notice the frisbee?
Jackson thought Katie was the greatest thing
since sliced bread!
I know what this looks like but, no,
Caleb was NOT getting ready to whip Jackson
with the stick as some weird Missouri ritual!!

Gotta give Katie credit - she has no concept
of limits!
Papa even braved the ragweed long
enough for some football

After a birthday lunch of lasagna it was time for
the cakes / pies (needed more calories you know)

Audrey made a banner for the birthday folks


Katie helped with some artwork


Then Katie helped Joy finish Daddy's pink strawberry birthday cake
with lots and lots of sprinkles - good thing Ryan had his gun
and football to balance things out!

Do you think we have enough sugar here?
Lindsey called just as we were getting ready to light
candles. I handed her over to Joy who was able to put her
on speaker phone. It would be a wonderful world if we could
get everyone within a few miles of all their loved ones wouldn't it?

No matter what is going on - take time to celebrate!

Sunday - Sunday - Sunday (or Papa's ride around the track)!

I tried to post this earlier but blogger.com was not in the mood.

I was finally able to upload the video of Pat's car moving onto the
race track. The closer the car got the BIGGER the track looked!

August 22 Pat had a chance to experience his birthday present from the kids - a high speed ride three times around the Kansas Speedway in a Nationwide series race car! It was - no surprise - a sunny, hot day but Lindsey had driven up the day before and we were joined by Ty & Jerilyn along with Jeff & Steph so it was all good. Here is a shot of the raceway from the parking lot.

We were able to be 'in the pits' behind the short wall which separates the pit crews from the pit road. Noah & Lindsey are checking out one of the cars while Ty shot some pictures, Jeff looked on and Jerilyn discusses the morning with Audrey.
Pat had passed the clearance area and
was getting suited up for his ride.
He looks pretty happy doesn't he??
Audrey got to pose with Papa and a
really heavy helmet.


Not sure what instructions he had to have to ride along
but everyone was pretty serious about it.
Pat was headed for car #20 right behind the
Lowe's car
I shot this on his second time around.
The car was running about 160 mph
Over all too quickly!
Pat & Jackson taking one
last look & listen!

On our way out someone spotted a Kevin Harvick
car in the Winners Circle - made a great
photo op
I LOVE this picture - Noah knows his place in the
family order. You'll notice he left space for an
absent Seth between himself and Audrey!!
Jackson, Ty & Jerilyn
Lindsey posing for an absent John - he was
trout fishing with his Dad in Colorado
The driver with his super hot wife - it was
about 105 in the shade!!!
The kids were able to actually get into the car -
as you can see Noah was terrified!
After we told Audrey to quit driving like a
Grandma she relaxed
If you think Jackson is assisting Tyler in
getting into the car . . . . .
you would be dead wrong!!
After we left the track we went to a nearby
Cabela's to drool over the sports & outdoor
equipment. Jack would make his Santa Barbara
Grandpa proud - he LOVED the boats!
Noah announced he didn't want a fishing boat -
he wanted a PARTY boat and most of us had
to agree!

Can you see the 13 yr old in this picture??
Doesn't she look great!
Honey - we're not in Santa Barbara anymore!
Our last stop was wandering around the Nebraska Furniture Mart
to cool off before everyone headed back home. Lindsey
& Jackson found some bonding time in front of the mirrors.
I'm fairly certain most of the shoppers thought we needed
to get a life if I am taking pictures in a furniture store!!