Gotta Love Summer!

Kids + Summer = the True Meaning of FUN!!!!!!

We have had such a great summer so far--full of water fun, trips to the zoo, playing at the park, and much more! On Sunday, we got to go to the zoo and out to lunch with Mema and Papa Krupp, and on Monday we got to go to the park and McDonald's with the lovely, little McKenzie. The kids loved the zoo again. Lucas is so big and brave at that place! And Thomas really enjoyed it, except when the giant hippo opened his mouth right in front of Thomas and a huge Monkey swung at the glass directly in front of him--those things scared him terribly. Kevin knows that zoo like the back of his hand! He could be a tour guide!

And the park was awesome...those kids kept me and Cortney on our toes! It took both of us to keep up with them all. Of course, all of the boys have to go off in opposite directions. And McKenzie--what a character! It was time for her nap, but that little girl refused to sleep. She had more important stuff, like watching the crazy boys run all over the place!

What great times! Oh, and you have to check out Marianne's fish that she caught on her trip to Canada! And some excellent news for me--Paul is taking me to the new Harry Potter movie tomorrow night! I am pumped!

Krupp boys and McKenzie

Hold on tight Kevin!

Papa Krupp and Thomas

Bran and Thomas--feeding the bird--and that thing wouldn't get off me!

Lucas at lunch after the zoo--he really likes his ranch dressing!

Mema, Lucas, and Kevin

Paul and Lucas

Little Thomas--look at that cute smile!

Tour guide Kevin

All Aboard! Don't they look so big on the train all by themselves?

Kevin had to ride up front...even if it meant sharing the seat with a little girl!

Peek-A-Boo little Lucas!

Little Kevin, peeking out from under the giraffe tongue!

Krupp family zoo pic!

Summer time! Yippee!

Check Thomas out!

Marianne and her 125lb halibut! She even reeled that sucker in all by herself!

Health Update

I had my oncologist appointment on July 1st. Everything looks good at this point, but I do have to have some more testing done. It is going to be about a week's worth of getting pricked by needles, receiving a small dosage of the radioactive iodine, and another full body scan. If all things turn out well here (which there is no reason to believe they won't), then I shouldn't have to endure anymore extensive testing for another 3 years or so. They will continue to monitor it all by doing chest xrays and bloodwork, but that should be it.

So overall, it was a good appointment.

Amazing Motherhood

I have decided that I am truly the luckiest person on earth. I have the most wonderful three little boys! Thomas is the happiest, little ball of fun—even though he is ornery as all heck. His new thing is to give me a big hug in which he clinches me with all his might, and he has perfected this move to get himself out of trouble. Today I put him in time-out and every time I would try to talk to him about what he did wrong, he would reach at me and give me a giant hug. He also is still climbing everything and has figured out that if he stacks his step stool on top of his little picnic table, then he can easily get on top of our counters! What a dare devil!

Lucas is becoming less timid and more outgoing. He has this little alphabet bear that his Great Grandma Jan gave to Kevin a couple of years ago that he just loves. It has become his new routine to wake up each morning, grab his little bear out of the toy box and then push the bear’s hand to play the alphabet. He does his little dance and smiles from ear to ear. Lucas is so proud of his little accomplishments in life! He has even started picking on his two brothers! But he still retains his sweet and innocent disposition.

Kevin, of course, keeps me giggling daily. He is unpredictable and his little brain absorbs every little thing around him. He has really become fond of teasing people. He is going fishing with Cortney and Aaron Smith this Friday and he cracks me up because he keeps saying, “Mom, Aaron is going to catch a pink fishy.” Then he giggles and giggles, thinking he is just so funny. He also is so sweet. Each morning we go into his brother’s room and get them up for the day. Kevin sweetly tells them good morning and that he loves them. Then as I am changing one, he entertains and plays with the remaining twin in the crib.

Kevin and his Mema--blowing bubbles

Messy, little Lucas--eating lunch...yum, yum!

Happy Thomas, he looks like he's about to go to sleep right? This is about an hour after his bedtime too!

My Little Fish Boys

Wow! Summer is finally really here! And we are enjoying the heck out of it. The boys have loved playing outside, whether in our backyard, on Mema and Papa's deck, or at Great Papa and Grandma's house. Kevin even got to go on a bike ride with Mike and Grandma Traci the other day!

Today we joined Kelly and Isaac at Great Papa and Grandma's house for some water fun. They had a little swimming pool, a fire truck sprayer, sprinklers, and a big tent for them to play in all set up. And did they ever have a good time. Isaac and Thomas really like the swimming pool, while Kevin loved the tent, sprinklers, and fire truck. Lucas had a ball--he loved it all. He would run here and there and get in the water every which way he could! They were so much fun to watch!

Papa and Kevin, swinging away.

Thomas and Isaac, chillin' in the pool.

The 3 Krupp boys. Kevin's trying to spray his little twin brothers.

Little Isaac, chewing away at the pool toys.

Little Thomas with his little Buddha belly.

Thomas and Isaac, this is probably an hour later than the first photo featured. I'm telling you, they LOVED that pool!

Smiley Kevin, having so much fun trying to spray all of us!

My Little Water Boys!

When it comes to water, my timid little angel (Lucas) has no fear.

Great Aunt, and Isaac's Grandma Linda all in Papa and Grandma's shower--and we wonder why the kids think she's their age!

Great Grandma with all her angel babies!

Zoo Time!

Well the past two days, my 3 boys got a double dose of the zoo! On Sunday, me, Paul, Grandma Traci, and Uncle Ryan accompanied the 3 kiddos to see the animals. We had a great time. Kevin loved it (no surprise there). Lucas really came out of his little shell and enjoyed it to the fullest. He was so interested in all of the animals, and he had no fear of any of them. He even touched a baby joey, a turtle, and a snake! Thomas, however, was a little more timid that his usual demeanor.

Today, we went to the zoo with Jackie, Cortney and baby McKenzie. McKenzie was so cute! She watched the animals and the boys with immense fascination. What a doll! Kevin and Lucas loved it just as much today as yesterday, and Thomas seemed to get more into his element. Today he would laugh at the animals and want to be out of the stroller to get closer to them. What a joyful two days we have had!

Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures, but here are a couple that Cortney emailed me from today:

(left to right) McKenzie, Thomas, Kevin, and Lucas
(Close) Brandi and McKenzie, (In the Distance) Jackie, Twins, and Kevin

Feeding the birds (Brandi, Thomas, Kevin, Lucas)

DISNEYWORLD FUN!!!!!!

Well, Disneyworld was absolutely terrific! It was chaotic to say the least, but we had a blast. The gang consisted of me, Paul and our 3 boys, my mom, Mike, Ryan, Jordane and Brittani. There is so much to tell--kids make a trip so much fun! Here are a couple of highlights of our trip, and below you will find many, many pictures.

Disney's Hollywood Studios: Rain, rain, go away! We got drenched, and Brittani was in white shorts--meaning that once they were wet, it appeared that she was in the buff beneath. People all around were laughing, as was I.

Seaworld: The kids loved it. And we rode the scariest roller coaster I have ever been on. Kevin also went on his first real rollercoaster. The kids played in the water and there were these little sprays that shot water up out of the ground. Lucas positioned himself over it and let the water go right up his little shorts--he really like that. The twins were completely fascintated by the different shows we went to. They would dance and clap along with the show. It was adorable!

Disney's Animal Kingdom: Our stroller got stolen! But not to fret, we found it later that day and my mom and Mike got in quite the confrontation with the thieves! There was a crowd gathered around to watch and everything! This park began Thomas' love for the characters in costume. He would get so excited!

Disney's Magic Kingdom: This park took 2 full days to cover. Kevin LOVED it. In fact, he asked me if we could move there. His favorite rides were the Pirates of the Carribbean and the Haunted Mansion. I think the fact that he could make it through the Haunted Mansion made him feel very brave. We also had to stuff his socks in order to make him tall enough to ride Splash Mountain. I'm not sure that makes us "Parents of the Year," but Kevin had a great time on the ride! The twins loved the Tiki Room and the Country Bears! I think they were more entertaining than the show.

Disney's Epcot Center: Drinking around the world. Of course, Paul and I sat this event out with the kiddos, but the rest of our group attempted to have themselves a beverage at each of the countries that Epcot contains. It was very humerous meeting up with them all later!

We had such a great time, and these memories are just the tips of the mounds of stories that I could tell! Enjoy the photos and remember, if you are ever looking to have fun and wear you and your children out completely, Disneyworld is the place to go!

Kevin and Handy Manny
Ryan, Britt, Traci, Mike and Thomas outside of the Lego Store

The Boys at ESPN Zone

The Krupp Family

The Krupp family again, notice how EXCITED Thomas is. He LOVED meeting the characters.

Thomas would stand there and scream his little heart out with excitement as soon as he saw a character.

The boys in the mouth of Bruce (the shark from Nemo).

The Slade kids and Kevin in front of the castle at the Magic Kingdom

Mom and Mike--Happy Early 50th Mommy!

Lucas cried everytime he met a character, except Alice. He loved Alice. He snuggled right on up to her! I love you Alice!

The twin's chillin' with their Cars hats.

Kevin playing at the Boneyard at Animal Kingdom

Me and my boys.

Mom and Mike

The Bear-Necessities with Jordane, Ryan and Kevin

Sisters

Mike and Lucas

Mom and her kiddos

Kevin's water fun at Seaworld

The whole gang at Seaworld

Brittani and Kevin

Happy Birthday Kelly!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful cousin Kelly Leclercq! We love you so very much and hope you had a great day!

And check back in a couple of days--it is my intention to update the blog with loads of great stories and pictures from our fantastic and chaotic vacation!