Speight Family Reunion, Missouri

Every summer one of the things Grady looks forward to the most is going to Missouri to see his "cousins" (my cousins' kids) and Mimi, Papa and Uncle Craig at our family reunion.  My dad's side has grown quite large and there are lots of kids (and more on the way) for him to play with.  Some of my favorite memories from growing up were when I got to visit my cousins... these trips included late nights, sleeping bags, junk food, fight in the dark, breaking things, works bombs, police visits, broken plumbing, 4 kids in the bath at once, stitches, games, lake trips, go carts, water slide, Silver Dollar City, putt-putt, pool, White Water, whiffle ball, card games, movies and lots and lots of laughter.  As we got older, it's pretty much the same but add alcohol and minus police visits and shared baths.  :-) It's just loads and loads of fun and Grady, and now Cole, absolutely love going to Missouri each summer!  

Here are just a few pictures from our weekend...

With Daddy recovering from surgery, Mommy was the pilot!  

That night we went to dinner and the kids couldn't wait for a night swim!

The next morning the guys (minus Daddy) went to golf and Matt, Sara, mom and I took the kids to Silver Dollar City.  We had a wonderful time!!

Cole loved this ride where he got to shoot!

Sweet Tyler

Milking cows... Although Cole kept saying he was peeing- ha!

Typical Cole

Grady and Brandon using their muscles 

Lovin the merry-go-round 

Train ride

Mimi lovin

This picture makes me laugh

Mimi treated the kids to slushies- it was hot!

I thought I'd be a cool mom and ride Wildfire... Huge mistake... I screamed the whole time!  So much that I was hoarse the next two days.  I'm just glad I didn't hurl.  Everybody laughed at me, over and over again.  Getting old stinks!  

Here's a pic of the 4 little boys that are all within 1 year or so of each other.  F-U-N!  

We also got in some putt-putt action.  Grady even got a hole-in-one!

The Water Chute brings back all kinds of memories... Mostly the big boys getting kicked out, multiple times.  Luckily, we were all on our best behavior this time.  

We swam a lot!

Just hanging out in the condo

Cole loves Papa's piggy-back rides!

This is just a small part of our awesome trip.  Can't wait for next year!  

Daddy's Knee Surgery

The last couple of weeks we've been hanging around the house a bunch.  Richard had reconstructive ACL and meniscus surgery July 9.  It's a pretty big thing and a very long and hard recovery.  I wasn't prepared for how major because you're only at the hospital for a few hours.  It really makes you appreciate people who go through real physical struggles every single day.  The list of things you can't do is huge, things I never thought of.  Anyway, Richard is a rockstar and is recovering well.  He's going to lots of Physical Therapy and we're icing and elevating.  We've actually enjoyed having Daddy home with us during the day.  The time together has been priceless for us, although obviously better if it wasn't for this reason... I imagine he's ready to leave crazy-town and head back to work- ha!  

I took Grady to see this and it was super cute.  I love spending time with my big-boy!  

We've been to the pool a few times and Cole hangs with the big boys.  This kid kills me... My heart is so full of joy when I witness his "I can do anything" attitude!  

Daddy snuggles- just what the doctor ordered!

Ta-da!  Building lego towers is a new favorite activity.  

Grady asked me to take a picture of his White House!  

We got slurpies from 7-11 on 7-11!

We picked out a new backpack and did a little mall shopping.  When these two aren't trying to kill each other they are so sweet!

We had Einstein Bagel dates during PT. 

This face is the sweetest... and because it's a processed carb Cole loves them!  How is it that I'd never had one before?!?  Now I wish I had never tried them.  One word: YUMMY!  

Cinnamon sugar mustache

Grady had Marcus Baseball Camp and loved every second.  

These three were not in the same group but Tiffany just happened to get them together for this cute pic.  

Grady is still practicing with his All Star team as well just for fun some.  One day he played 6 hours of baseball and wanted more.  Sweet boy.  

We've had a couple pizza and movie nights.  

We even took a trip to Walmart.  I think Richard had fun cruising with the little rascal.   

I took the kids to see Planes Fire and Rescue- they loved it.  Cole has been so excited since we've been seeing the previews.  

A movie is always better with candy and popcorn!  

How many sitting down activities can you think of to keep boys busy?  Ha- the kids were begging him to shoot them.  My little weirdos... 

We love summer, even if it's low key!