Memorial Day Celebrations

On Memorial Day, we woke up at Grandma Ann's house. We got ready and headed over to the Memorial Day celebration taking place in the park in Kampsville where my Grandma and Grandpa live. Grandpa served in the Korean War. He is part of the Legion post in Kampsville. He is also mayor of the town so we knew we needed to be there. Naturally we forgot that there is a ferry that connects the two sides of the river. So we were late. Like 10 minutes late. Oh Well.

 

We got to be there for it.

As we walked up, these lovely gentlemen were getting ready to shoot their guns.

Clearly Charlotte didn't like it.

My boys...

 

Small town USA saluting America.

This, my friends, is what it is all about.

This, my friends, is the area of the world that I want to raise my kids.

My Dad gave a speech about my friend Tyler that was injured in Iraq in 2004. It was such a good speech and made Dad and I cry. (Not shocking). I love Memorial Day. I love celebrating the lives of the men and women who have given their lives for our freedom. I love remembering them and their families that they left behind.

 

This is my Grandpa.

He is a hero.

These two have the same hair.

Kisses for Great Grandma.

These two are brothers.

They are both veterans.

Mom plays taps every year at the Memorial Day program.

 

Mom, Grandpa, Aunt Bev, Mom's two cousins, and Uncle Deener.

Uncle Deener and some of his grandkid crew :)

Charlotte was in rare form.

That usually happens on big weekends :)

This is such a good picture of these two.

I'm very proud of it.

After the steaming hot celebration in the park with bugs all over us and biting us, we headed to the American Legion hall and ate some delicious food.

Sweet Charlotte and Great Grandpa Redeye.

They were sharing secrets.

Hugs and kisses for Great Grandma.

After lunch we headed over to the swimming party at Aunt Diane's pool.

It's always a big party!

Such a fun family!

Katie is cool.

Charlotte sneaking a drink of my Moto soda.

Swimming with Daddy!!!

Liss and Kyla hanging in the pool!

Aunt Kathy isn't exactly a fish in the water but she jumped off of the diving board anyway :)

Gotta love her!!!

(We sent all of the boys down to help if she needed it.)

Didi bought all of the kids some sort of blue slushie things. They LOVED it.

Clearly Alana preferred other things.

A big blue mouth....

Kyla was down to business. She was determined to finish her slushie!

 

We had a great day at Aunt Diane's house. Mom and Dad ended up coming over to Aunt Diane's. Dad and Alex rode home together. Mom rode back to the villa with the kids and I. We spent the night at the villa and went to St. Louis the next day. We had such a great Memorial Day Weekend!

 

A big thanks to all of our family for the fun and thanks to my cousin Melia for taking our pictures on the farm.

Is The Weather REALLY Getting Warmer????

We had an awesome little Friday down at Grandma's house.

Papa came down to spend the day helping plant and hanging out with all of us.  He misses the farm and loves to come down and check his multiple farms that he owns down by Grandma. Clearly Sawyer was extremely excited to get to ride around in the tractor with Papa.

 

He. Is. Obsessed.

That's a good looking tractor :)

This boy loves his Papa's truck and his Papa's tractor....

We were so excited that all of the cousins came out to visit us while we spent the day at the farm. All of the great grandkids came to see Great Grandma.

She is a ham.

 

This boy and his hair...

Look at this handsome boy!

 

Grandma and her five great grandchildren...

The boys.

I love this one. Everyone is doing their own thing and Grandma looks so happy.

 

Baby Alana...the baby of the crew until June!!

All of the great grandkids LOVE the gator.

Pretty girl Kyla.

How funny are Charlotte and Kyla. They are really trying to crank out a smile right now.

 

We had the first wienie roast of the season!! Melissa loves her a good wienie roast so she planned one for us. Dad and Uncle Jim spent the day planting but were able to join us later.

 

We had a delicious spread...

Sawyer was so proud of himself for roasting his first hotdog with help from Sis...and Caleb was there for some assistance.

So cute!

 

The farm as the sun is going down...

Oh boys....always playing with the gator or things that have motors or move.

How sweet is his little face???

 

Even Mallory was able to come down for the roast. She brought her sweet dog, Buddy. Charlotte LOVES dogs and is obsessed with Buddy.

When you're the best of friends....these two are maniacs together. They love each other.

 

It was an awesome night. Mary and Chad came down so that I could take maternity pictures for her. They took part in the wienie roast and hanging out by the fire listening to the uncles and dad be hilarious. The perfect Spring night!!!!