Cascade Lake & Corn Harvest

What do Cascade Lake and a Corn Harvest have in common? They both make you exhausted at the end of the day! Last week we were able to enjoy the weather and spend some time at a local lake and spray zone! The kids had a blast.

The following day we headed to Grama and Pops' to help husk, cut and bag corn. Over 530 ears to be more specifc. Needless to say we were tired by the end of the day. We only did the cutting...Pops did most of the husking the day before, I think it took him around 8 hours!!!!

I think Ethan ate at least 3 ears of corn while we were cutting!

The 'production line'!!

The guys digging potatoes! Look at those fine Espenshade body's!!!! (before I took the picture I told them all to 'suck in'!)

So that's last weeks update. Saturday we enjoyed the day at Lake Tobias...I'll have some more pictures tonight.

Summer Days Drifting Away....

We have been enjoying being in the water over these hot days.

Finally my dreams came true....our very own rubber-dingy raft!
Ethan and I cruising the pool.

Sadee taking a dip..showing the boys how she can swim.

Kaden helping haul the load of mums.

Then of course back to our little pool of bubbles.

Cooling off.

Ethan hiding from his brother in the trees.

It's a Kingdom for the Kids

Yesterday we headed for our annual trip to Dutch Wonderland. The weather was a bit drizzly and overcast, but we still had a great time.

We were excited to find out that Kaden moved up a level from Emarld to Amber.....he was able to join his daddy and pops on bigger rides.

Ethan moved up a step from crawling to walking from last year! He is aquamarine!

Skyline gondola...

Pops and I stuck together....he is more afraid of heights than I am. I had to keep handing him tissues cause he kept crying!!!!

Kaden made it in this ride by the hair on his head! Just barely tall enough. Brian and him are in the very back seat.

At first Ethan wanted off the hopper...once it started he really enjoyed it.
And of course no trip to the park is complete until Pops sugars the kids up with cotton candy!!!

The boys loved the flume with Pops and Grama.

Round and round we go!

Pretzel anyone?

If you ask me...that is the cutest little dutch girl in the white bonnet that I have ever seen!We had a great time as a family and with Grama and Pops. We are so blessed!!!!

Facebook Diddy

For those of you counting your friends on facebook, here is a song for you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSnXE2791yg

Happy Birthday Ethan!

Happy 2nd Birthday Ethan. We love you so much!!!!

Bless his heart....he started his party off by watching his two balloons fly off into the sky...........
Thank you to Jenna (with the red balloon) who stated that, "they went to Jesus!" I guess he wanted to be included in the party. I was glad that we had extra balloons or else that could have been really bad!
Kaden actually loving his brother on his birthday. The best gift Ethan could have asked for!
Now time to blow out the candles with help from big brother.
Now the best part...eating it....

voila....that's how you do it!!!

We ended the night with a group picture of the kids. (notice poor Olivia in the background...she fell off her bike when Ethan tried to hug her moments earlier). Look how loving the boys are to Ava........

...that was before Ethan started pulling on her hair and aunt Crystal had to come and save her.

So much for a group picture.

We had a great night. Thank you to all our family and friends who took the time to celebrate with us!

Four Cows and a Rodeo

This past friday we dressed up as cows and headed to our local Chick-fil-a for their Cow Appreciation days. Free meals were given out to those who made an effort to look like cows. Looking stupid is worth it for FREE food right??

Then in keeping with the theme we headed to a neighboring camp for their rodeo on Saturday night with some of our staff. We enjoyed some bullriding (watching of course), horse racing and lots of dust in the grandstands!!!! Kaden spent most of his time goofing off with our staff...one of his favorite Danni.

And then of course Matt...who brings out a wild side in Kaden.

Those are pretty handsome cowboys if I must say so myself!
At the end of the day, Ethan took some time to reflect down by the riverside.

Canada Continued

Here are some continued pictures from our visit to Canada. We had a great time, got to visit a lot of people, but as always it is good to be home!

Spent the day with some friends whose kids are similiar in age to ours. Kaden was a little wild for Shayna...she did NOT want his arm around her!!



We were also able to be a part of my aunt and uncle's twenty fifth anniversary and my cousins graduation. This was also the first time that my grandparents had their three great grandson's all together and there two oldest grandchildren.



This precious girl stole my heart! especially when she called me "auntie" ( we are not even related)!! How can you not love a face like this! We spent a lot of time over at my friend Christy's house. Her daughter Quinn was very hospitable to us and was also thankful when we'd come over so she could have some friends to jump on her trampoline with.



Party Time!!! Even the cat joined the party!


Mom made a cake and we had a early celebration for Ethan's birthday which is next week!

Happy 2nd birthday EV!

Here Ethan is flying a kite at my aunt and uncles.

Shoulder rides with my uncle and cousin out to the horse pasture.

The horse followed Ethan...

Relaxing with grandma....one of the few moments!

One of the biggest most loving dogs I have ever seen!

Enjoyed an overnight at great grandma and grandpas.

We are so blessed to have such loving family and friends!!!!!!!