Model rocketry is still a lot of fun. Recently dad has ventured out and made a couple of rockets from scratch with much success. Dad has also tried to make home made rocket motors with less success. However, he states that he has a couple more things that he wants to try.
Samantha's class has participated in some community service activities. Here her class spent the day cleaning up the yard and house of a wonderful elderly couple that was needing help. It's great to see that the school the kids go to teach the kids to serve one another.
The kids had a great spring concert. Mr. Hutchison always picks songs that interest the kids and they do well. Samantha was in both band and choir while Blake was just in choir.
Blake had a field trip to the Kansas state capital building and dad got to participate. It was a great learning experience learning how the state government works. The kids favorite part was being able to climb to the very top of the dome.
Summer is an amazing time relax and fall asleep in a hammock :)
Dad finally decided that it was time to introduce the kids to Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun. He has been waiting to make sure the kids were tall enough to be able to ride all of the rides. That way he could have some fun too. It had to start with a good pancake breakfast. What made the experience so great is that it was on a day that was not very busy. The kids stated that their favorite ride was the Patriot and they got to ride it around 15 times. Dad was unable to keep up and rested at on a bench at the exit while the kids would get right back on after the exit.
We took a few days to visit Travis's aunt and uncle in Arkansas. We first met them in Branson so that we could visit Sights and Sounds and see Samson. As usual, it did not disappoint. We were able to spend Saturday on the lake with the kids on the tub and Samantha wake boarding. The water on Beaver Lake is incredibly warm and refreshing on a warm summer day. Uncle Jim always grills out for us and we were able to see their deer visitors come and eat supper as well.
Another summer activity included a little fishing at Hillsdale Lake just south of Kansas City. It was great to see both kids catch some fish. Everyone had a great time.
Summer is always a great time to visit and swim with our pool pass. We always get our money's worth out of it. The kids were great in the pool and on the diving boards perfecting their diving skills. They have both progressed very well.
The kids were especially excited about this Chief's this year and attended training camp two times. The first time the weather was perfect, the second time the weather was a bit damp but they got some great autographs. They were able to get autographs from Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelsey and several other stars. Persistence and patience paid off waiting for the autographs.
Our neighbor purchased a sleigh bed for $40 on Craig's list and asked dad to refinish it. Just another summer project.
The kids started back to Midland Adventist Academy mid-August with new teachers. Blake started 4th grade with Mrs. Raelea Freshman and Samantha started 7th grade with Ms. Karli Kuemichael. It took a bit of adjusting but they have both really come to enjoy and appreciate them.
We couldn't miss the opportunity to see a Chief's game. One of our good friends, Mark Verona, asked dad in casual conversation if he would be interested in going to a Chief's game and of course dad said yes. Plans were made and we went to see the Chiefs beat the Denver Broncos. It's always a great game when you beat the Broncos. We got the full experience with tail gating and touring the stadium afterwards that included a high five from Kareem Hunt.
Samantha had the opportunity to attend Southwestern Adventist University's Acrofest with her gymnastics teams. Teams from across the US come together to perfect their skills and learn new things. Samantha was able to perfect a few moves and try a couple more. The end of the week the teams perform their own team's routine and Heidi was able to go and see her for the end show. It was a treat to see her perform in front of such a large audience.
While mom and Samantha was at Acrofest, dad decided to take Blake out of school on Friday and spend the whole day at Main Event. It actually opened at 11:00am and we stayed all afternoon. We got the "all you can play" for laser tag and bowling. It was an awesome quality time.
Sabbath afternoon's we try to get out and enjoy nature. Sometimes we even get to go with friends such as the Gibson's. We went to Kill Creek Park and enjoyed the river there, looking for crawdads, snakes and frogs. The stream is quite clear and not too deep to see the animals swimming.
The kids participated in their first science fair. They both did their research, prepared their boards, and were judged. During the night of presentations, they had to stand by their boards and answer any questions that visitors might have.
Before school started again the kids had the opportunity to visit Heidi's parents. Her dad had just received baby turkeys so they spent some time with them and then her parents took them to Fawn Do Rosa. The kids really enjoy feedings the deer and other animals.
12th birthdays are something to celebrate!
Samantha's first gymnastics home school was in April. She was a bit nervous and had lost a team member just two days before to a broken arm but despite it all the team did very well and Samantha wowed the crowd. It was a great experience for her and Heidi's parents were able to come and watch her.
The spring Pathfinder camporee was at Broken Arrow this year. Travis was unable to go but Heidi and the kids went. It was Blake's last camporee as a non-pathfinder. The kids enjoyed the relays and learning new things and Samantha participated in a drill performance and won a first place. Heidi came down with a touch of something and didn't feel well most of the weekend.
In 3rd grade Blake had to create a board that represented a state. Blake chose Wisconsin and picked everything out himself, created the design and worked hard it on it to impress his teacher. He got an A+ on it.
The whole family was able to go to Wisconsin in June to go to camp meeting. As always, the kids enjoy the week running with friends and cousins. They are so tired at the end of the week from going constantly but this year Samantha went right from camp meeting to summer camp - her first time.
Rocky spent some of the summer digging under the patio sure he smelt something under it. He became quite dirty several times because of his attempt.
Christmas at our house was really special in 2018. Instead of gifts, the kids received a trip. We had them open three gifts that were clues to our destination. They received Tevas, a container of sand and shells, and a Southwest toy plane. The last present was an airline ticket telling them of their destination - Puerto Rico. They were in awe and very excited. It was deemed their best Christmas ever. We hit the friendly skies in February 2019. Everyone is very excited.
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