Robotics, Cooking, Gearing Up for Florida

 Not a lot happened between Christmas Break and our trip to Florida in February. But we did a couple things! Dave had a school dance, my mom came to visit and Dave and Ike had several robotics competitions. 

First up we had a pretty decent snow so the boys and I busted out the sleds and snowboards and checked out the big hill by our house. 

Dave ready for his dance!

Ike driving at one of his robotics competitions.

Both boys had a competition on the last weekend of January so my mom came up to watch them. 

Mom took them golfing, I can't remember what was exciting about this picture but I'm guessing Dave hit a really good shot?

Dave treated us to homemade mac and cheese and smash burgers one weekend.  And then made up some stir fry another day!

Forced the kids to paint Easter eggs with me. They turned out so cute!

Alamosa and the Great Sand Dunes National Park

For the last portion of our Colorado trip, we went to Alamosa to explore the Great Sand Dunes National Park.

First stop was a quick trip to Salida which was such an adorable town! We took a short hike up the S Mountain then walked around downtown a little. 

While we waited for our VRBO to be ready in Alamosa we ate an absolutely fantastic lunch at Calvillo's. Best tamales I've ever had in my life! Did a little thrift shopping, then headed to our home for the next two nights. The boys loved this place-it had a super nice pool table and they each had their own fancy room!

Josh made up this sandwich from pretzel bread we bought in Buena Vista. She was tasty!

After dinner we went to the hot springs pool in town. It was really cheap after 4 pm, so the boys swam for a couple hours each night we were in Alamosa. 

Bright and early the next morning we headed to the national park. On the way Josh spotted signs for a wildlife area...it was not very bumping with wildlife but it was pretty!

Then we waited in line approximately an hour to get a sled and sand board to use at the park. Worth the wait but geez they need to streamline this process!

So much walking on sand! That was a ton of work but we had a blast!

We took the long way back to Alamosa and stopped for some pretty views. 

Back in time to get the lunch special at Lucky Bamboo-another great find! Portions were huge and it was delicious. 

Did a little more wandering around, kids found a cheap arcade, then it was back to the hot springs for another dip in the super warm pool before heading to bed and striking out for Kansas in the morning!
 

Winter Jam, Fancy Dinner, and Visit from Gamma and Justin

For Christmas Dad and Kyra gifted us passes to Winter Jam (Andy Mineo was there this year!), this was the first concert of the year for us so we were pretty excited!

While we were at our concert, Mom and Justin were driving up for the weekend to hang out. Dave had a percussion trio performing (they received a gold award!). They hung out with the kids on Saturday night so Josh and I could go to a super fancy dinner at Joseph Decuis. Man that was delicious and such a fun treat.

I also keep forgetting Josh had a beard there for several months ha!

Finally, Josh's grandparents always send the boys cards for holidays, which they love. Mostly because they contain gift cards to fast food restaurants but I'm sure they'd appreciate the gesture without the gift cards :)

 

Summer Days

After our trip to Tennessee, Josh and I came home and the boys stayed in Evansville with my family. They rotated between my mom and dad's house, and spent some time hanging out with my grandpa. Mostly they swam and fished I think!

My mom drove the boys back up on Friday, stayed the night and then had to head out early to go to a wedding. We went to Ike's soccer game and roasted in the heat!

After the game we decided to take the kids to Mississinewa since it was so hot out. We invited some of Dave's friends along too so they would stay busy!

They spent the whole time like this. It was so hot out!

On a walk with Dave. He loves taking the route around campus. 

A band we like had a concert in Gas City, so we headed over to watch the show and stopped at Payne's for dinner. So good!

Ike and his British flag. He got a giant fish and chips and was in heaven. 

Feeding the animals at the Gas City park. We used to take the kids here all the time when they were smaller! Here's a video.  And another one.

Ready for the concert. 

Watching 390 East perform in Gas City. 

Dave's friend Jericho came by for the day, had to get some wiffle ball in. 

Pool got rained out so we settled for ice cream :)

Posing with Ben after their last game.

Towards the end of June, Dave and Caleb went to Quaker Haven for Adventure Camp for 5 nights! They had so much fun! I was nervous about him being gone so long but he didn't seem to mind at all :)

His favorite activity was four way kick ball which he has attempted to explain to me multiple times but I still don't get it, ha! He kayaked a bunch, played basketball, and got to hang out with a few of his friends that came to camp as well! He loved his counselor Dylan and just overall had a blast.

Cabin 8

Dave and his friends at camp, plus Caleb!

While Dave was at camp, Ike and I hung out! He spent a night at Josh's parents one night and then we had Zac up.

Ike and the tiny frog we found on a walk. 

I'm sure I made them go outside because they were playing too many video games.

Taco Bell for lunch.

Dave and the cabin 8 crew in the dining hall at Quaker Haven. 

Can't go swimming without stopping for ice cream/Hawaiian ice. 

After we picked the older boys up (in the pouring rain, so no pictures), we headed back to Wabash to see all of Josh's family for Bowyer 2.0

Dave and Zac with Uncle Scott

Birthday boys, Brody and Fritz. 

Dave and the girls. 

Then the next day (Saturday) we went to celebrate Josh's cousin getting married! We really had a whirlwind week that week.  The following are pictures I took at the wedding, or some that I stole from others :)

The next week I still had to work until Wednesday. The kids had been pretty much just hanging out and we'd check in on them. Josh was able to take them with him on a canoe trip with some cottages, which they all really enjoyed. 

Ready for the water. 

At the campus splash walk later that day. They open up the fire hydrant and let the kids slip and slide on it!