Addicted to Water Part 1

We are addicted to water.

Ok, let me clarify a little more, we are addicted to water in the summer, when it's HOT!

Big pools, little pools, lakes, hoses, squirt guns, water balloons, any form of water, WE LOVE IT!

In case you're wondering, Dan is wearing girls sunglasses! No shame, he forgot his!

This summer has kept us on our toes with all the rain and the cooler days but we have made the most of the sunshine and not much can keep us from splashing around. I'm sad because I heard that next week is supposed to be in the low 70s. What is happening?

 

Although Jett is still very much a baby, I feel like for the first time in six years our lives are not controlled by naps. If there is something going on he is quite content to be awake and in the mix. He even partied with a great attitude till after 11pm for the 4th. Amazing!

Jett's personality is overflowing out of him. He is quite the crazy kid in our house and keeps us all constantly in giggles. It's amazing how even at such a young age they understand so much. I feel like almost every day he learns something new. He copies the big kids in everything they do. He's a blast to be around.

 

Mr. Titan can persevere through the day if there's lots going on. It's when you slow down that this boy crashes. He's such a trooper and refuses to be left out of anything. 

 

Loving the beautiful weather. Loving the our family time. Can't get enough of our Wee little Rudes!

Tball

 Quinton Daniel smiled the entire Tball season. (you may have to zoom in to see the smile as he runs!!)

 I delight in watching him run the bases, catch the balls and do it all with such joy.

He is one determined little boy when it comes to sports. He is adamant about trying any sport he comes across. We bought a skateboard at a garage sale for $1. It is pink and purple. If you think those colors would keep him from trying it you would be kidding yourself A friend gave us pink and black roller blades for Myla. They just so happen to fit Quinn and you will regularly find him practicing around the driveway. Nothing will stop this boy learning and mastering something new. I love that about him. I love watching him show me new tricks on his scooter, bike or roller blades, I love playing catch with him, kicking the ball around the yard. There is no stopping this boy.

 We had a great season playing with old and new friends.

Quinn enjoyed being on the same team as his friend Mason and getting to play his friend Harrison's team.

It was fun seeing the progress throughout the season. I had even more fun peeking at the next field over, the ten year old boys. They were amazing. They can throw and hit so hard, so fast. Dan told me to get ready to have my mind blown if our boys decide to continue to play baseball.

They moved to coach pitch after a couple of games and Quinn excelled at that. They would give the kids a couple of chances to hit the ball being pitched and then would move them to the T if they didn't hit it. Q hit every time the ball was pitched except for once in the last six games. I am one proud momma!

 And I will leave you with this picture.

I am so thankful that he lives life with such joy. It is contagious in our house and to others that he is around. I hope that as he grows older and continues to play sports that the smiles only get bigger. My heart delights in seeing my children smile!

The Abells

My wonderful Grammy passed away in May. She lived a full and feisty 95 years. I have so many wonderful memories with her and my Papa in them. Her funeral was a wonderful celebration of her life and a perfect way to bring the entire Abell family together. All her children, their spouses, her grandchildren and great grandchildren were there. 

My kids and I enjoyed a day at my sisters in Madison before heading to Chicago. It was quite a party at Aunt Kelly's house! Five adults and six children. My children loved the excitement of having a big sleepover at Aunt Kelly's.   

Almost all the Abell cousins together. Everyone's all grown up! 

 

All of my Aunts and Uncles.

My wonderful family (minus the most handsome guy).

My kids were troopers. There was tons of driving, lots of new people and places, lots of being quiet. They were amazing for the four and a half hours to Madison, the two and a half hours to Chicago and the five and a half hours home.  They made my job of traveling alone easy and I am truly grateful for that! We taught Quinn how to change the DVDs and set the big kids up with a snack bag to hand out to everyone. It worked like a charm! 

    

 

Nana and baby Jacob.

My momma and all her siblings.

Despite all the craziness of the trip we were able to enjoy the FREE (take note Des Moines) zoo in Madison. We have been a couple of times before and always enjoy it. This time was no different.

There is a very fun play area for the kids to climb and explore. Running, jumping and climbing combined with animals, you can't beat that with my kids!

Sweet Aunt Kelly

Despite the sad circumstances surrounding our trip we enjoyed being able to see so many of our favorite people and to celebrate the life of a wonderful woman all together.

The Rudes + 2 Goats

Meet the two newest Rude family members.

We spent Easter celebrating the rising of our Savior with the whole Rude family and Dan's parents two new goats, Princess and Lady.

I love this next picture of Titan. He could not get enough of the goats. 

 

All the kids had such a blast running in the goat pen. It may come as a shock but my kids were absolutely FILTHY but oh so happy!

It was absolutely perfect weather here to celebrate together. It was such a fun afternoon/evening to be outside running around Grandma and Grandpa's huge yard.

Titan might be a natural farm boy! Thankfully his momma doesn't have to get any farm animals and we can just drive to grandma and grandpa's to get our animal fix.

We are so blessed to have such a big Rude side of the family. The kids have SO MANY cousins their ages so it is always a big party!

Myla and Brielle are only a couple of weeks apart. They both have great blue eyes and their crazy hair makes them hard to tell apart from behind.

  

Rex enjoying the goat pen.

The best at I could at getting a shot of the whole family!

Dan and his mini me.

 Uncle TJ, Dan and Titan hanging out on the swing.

 Beautiful Aunt Jessica!

 Uncle Steve, Hudson and Elsie.

 There was an intense game of basketball between all the cousins.

 Quinn showing off his skills.

 Grandpa refereeing the game.

Titan got his own game of baseball going and sweet talked his grandpa into letting him bring home the baseball T (they had an extra). We have put it to great use over the last few weeks! Even Jett knows how to put the ball on and knock it off.

 The night was complete with an Easter Egg hunt.

 I love the excitement for a pack of fruit snacks!

Like I said earlier, everyone was absolutely filthy! I love watching all these kids love each other!
Brielle and Titan sporting faces full of food and dirt!

And proof that Jett and I were there we snapped a picture with my sister in law Amber and her daughter Elsie

The four sister in laws! Amber, Kearstin, Amanda and myself. I really love these women and feel so blessed to be a part of the same family as them!

We loved celebrating the resurrection of our Savior with almost all the Rudes. I'm sure you will see more pictures of the goats to come. They are talked about often around here! Blessed by a great Rude family!