Up - Up and Away

Kira's 6th grade class did a balloon launch.  The students teamed up in groups of three to create their balloons and prepare them for the big launch.  The 6th graders were able to invite their parents and family. The other students from the school also came out to watch the launch.  There were about 18 balloons total and each group created a theme for their balloon.  There were some really cute balloons.  Kira's group did Superman.  Their launch was a success. Since my parents live here now, it was a special treat that they were able to come to watch.  It has been nice to have them so close. Kira was super excited to see them.

Making the Move

My parents decided to leave Dodge City and move to Manhattan. It was not an easy decision for them, I know.  It was hard for me to wrap my head around the idea that I would no longer be able to return to my childhood home. My Dad built our Dodge City home and together they kept it in tip-top shape which is probably why it sold so quickly.  Dodge City is always the place that I considered "home."  When people say "where are you from?"  I always respond, "I am from Dodge City but I live in Manhattan now."  The good thing is Joe's parents still live there and so does my sister, Tamie.  My sister, Tisha, just lives an hour away so I am sure we will still travel back to Dodge but it won't be the same when I can't really go "home."  

The Dodge City House

 My sisters and brothers-in-law really put in a lot of time to make the move happen.  Everyone put in hours and hours cleaning out and sorting through the Dodge City home.

During the move we had a lot of fun finding "treasures" in our family home.  A lot of memories surfaced.  When my Mom and I were cleaning out the storage room we came across old letter that my parents had sent to one another.  The letters were very sweet and they were clearly very much in love. Some of the letters would be close to 57 years old and my parents had kept them all these years.  There was a time when my Mom was also into wearing hats.  We came across several hats.  We also found my Mom's wedding dress.  I put on her wedding dress and the lace was a bit itchy.  I can't imagine wearing that on a hot July day like she did.  I suppose the lace was softer 55 years ago when she wore it.

 My Mom's wedding from 55 years ago

 My sisters Tamie and Tisha and my nephew Gage

Sisters:  Susan, Tisha and Tamie

Back to School

It is that time of year again, back to school and yes, football season.  Our house is busy trying to find a routine.School started with a half-day on August 14th. 

Keylee started Kindergarten and we are super excited for her to have the same teacher Kira and Keenan each had. 

 Keenan started 3rd grade.  I think he will love his teacher and classmates.

 It is Kira's last year in elementary school.  This is the only year all three kids will be at the same school.  Kira is excited about her teacher and class too.

55th Wedding Anniversary Celebration

As always my post is delayed.  We traveled back to Dodge City the weekend of August 3rd to celebrate my parents' 55th Wedding Anniversary. The weekend was pack with activities.  I tried not to do picture overload here: 

Horseback Riding

As always this is Kira's favorite activity.  She would have been happy riding horses the entire weekend. 

Keenan and my nephew, Gage

A picture of some of the men supervising the horseback riding

 Forget Me Not Dairy

My sister, Tamie, organized a trip and tour to a local dairy just west of Dodge City.  The dairy facility was huge and actually very impressive.  I am a little surprised, after seeing the facility, that my kids still want to drink milk.

Not all, but most of the family, arrived soon enough to attend the tour.  We are missing my sister, Tisha and Susan in the picture below.

 This picture just made me laugh.  This is my great-nephew, Briggs.  He was chowing down on a brownie waiting on his turn to ride the horses.  He was not about to let a single crumb hit the ground.

Dodge City Days Rodeo

 On Friday night we attended The Dodge City Days Rodeo which was an annual tradition when I was growing up.  The kids have been back to Dodge for the rodeo before and always seem to enjoy it.  The weather was nice this year. I remember some years in the past the heat has been too much.

Family Dinner

We had a family dinner at "The Cow Town" restaurant.  The theme of Dodge City Days was mustache so my niece, Shelbie, made mustache cut-outs for the family.

 My niece, Shelbie also made a cupcake cake for my parents.  Obviously she is very talented and creative (and she is a great singer).  I am pretty sure she didn't get any of those traits from the Peugh side of the family. ha.

Family Photograph

Finally we had the large family photo.  I am surprised how we managed to get 27 people all looking at the camera at the same time.  The picture isn't perfect but it did turn out pretty good.  

It was a fun and memorable weekend.

Awesome Ozark Vacation

We spent 4th of July at the Lake of the Ozarks with our friends, Karman and Joel, and their two kids, Sofie and Brady.  They have a condominium right on the lake.  We all enjoyed time on that boat, time in the tube behind the boat, time at the pool, cooking delicious food and just time generally relaxing.  The kids also had fun playing on inflatables in the lake.  They said it was like the show "Wipe Out." 

 Keenan and Kira giving us the thumbs up. 

 Keylee and Brady enjoying tube-time

 We enjoyed fireworks from the boat (Keenan, Brady, Keylee, Sofie, Kira)

 Wipe Out! The picture below is Joe bouncing Sofie off the end of an inflatable.  

  Keylee was actually willing to join the group on the inflatables.  I did not think she would interested but she had a great time.

 Some of the inflatables were very hard to get on and it was even more difficult to keep your balance and not fall off.

Birthday Girl!

 On June 15th Kira turned 11 years old. She is Such a kind, smart and athletic child. We could not be more blessed.

This past week she played in a tennis tournament and took 1st place.  She battled the heat and played great tennis.  We are super proud of her.

Keenan turned 9!

Keenan turned 9 years old on June 10th.  He had a couple buddies from his baseball team over for a sleepover to celebrate his birthday.  The boys were full of energy. When it was time for bed I told Joe to go downstairs and tell the boys to go to sleep in his "coach voice."  They are all great kids and Keenan had a blast with them.