Celebrations and Test Results

Well, this week I started my round of testing. I had injections of thyrogen on Monday and Tuesday, took a small dosage of radioactive iodine on Wednesday, and then on Friday, I got my full body scan—which results came back good. I am still waiting on test results back from some blood work, but at this point, we are very optimistic.

On a much happier note, our camping trip this weekend was a BLAST! Everything was perfect. We went up to Eleven Mile to the perfect spot—we were about 50 yards off the lake in a completely private area. It was quiet and the kids could run all over the area without a care in the world. We started celebrating my mom’s 50th birthday around 1pm or so. We set up camp and then we ate delicious Fajitas prepared by my amazing in-laws. Some of Dave and Marianne’s friends joined us—Mike and Brenda—and they had brought their boat along with them. Kevin, of course, just had to have a go on the lake. Kevin, Dave, Mike, and Brenda, headed to the lake to go out on the water. Kevin boarded the boat and fell off before they even got the boat moving. He just flipped right on over. He was fine; Dave was still in the water when he fell. It scared Kevin pretty good and has made a great tale for him to tell everyone about.

The twins loved running around freely. And it was especially cute when the 3 kiddos tried playing football with Paul, Travis and Ryan. We wore the kids out and they did actually go to sleep pretty easily—can’t say the same for sleeping through the night though, Thomas and Lucas took turns waking up each hour. Once the kids went to bed, we continued the celebration…and had lots of fun and laughs. It was perfect: good food and great company.

The next morning, the kids all went fishing. Kevin got to go out on the boat again (this time he made it safely to the shore and back). And Marianne, Traci, Brandi, and Ryan took the twins fishing on the side of the lake with their little kid Spongebob fishing poles. They actually sat there for 30 minutes, going through the motions like they were true fishermen. Thomas was even doing the reeling in of the line all by himself. Even though no fish were caught, everyone had a wonderful time attempting to catch something. It was really funny later too when Mike and Brenda took Brandi, Traci, and Kevin out on the boat again. We got going really fast and Kevin was yelling: “This is AWESOME” and “Rock and Roll.” He is such a ball of laughs!

Later on, after the camping was over, we took the kids over to Linda’s to celebrate Grandma Dorothy’s 80th birthday. It was tons of fun as well. Jami and Noah had bought some water balloons to keep Kevin entertained. A big water balloon fight broke out and all of us ended up a bit more wet than we had intended. And Kevin had a ball soaking Jami not just with the balloons, but with the hose as well. Grandma was in good spirit and seemed like she was turning 60 rather than the big 8-0. We are so blessed that she is doing so well!

Also, Kevin had his first sleepover this week. He got to stay the night at Isaac’s house. Isaac calls him “Cockeye” so that made everybody laugh. And let’s just say sleep was out of the question for those two little buddies!

Traci and her mom
On the boat with Traci and Kevin

Kevin, Travis, and Brittani--chillin'

Traci and her 3 kids

Just call me "Miner Kevin"

Jami, Keith, Linda, Noah, and Ryan

Traci and Thomas

Mema, Paul, and Lucas

Aunt Brittani and Lucas

The Krupp Fam

Uncle Ryan and the three Krupp boys

The birthday girl and Ryan

Brandi and Lucas--Pro fisherman in the making

Hey Papa, let's go fishing--and I'll try not to fall out of the boat this time!

Mema and Papa

Thomas loves football!

Where should we go Dad?

Jami, Noah, and Kevin--water balloon fight!

Papa and Grandma

Great Grandma, opening her present from Kevin. Which was hand picked by himself--a Spiderman puzzle.

Happy 50th Birthday Mom!

Happy 50th Birthday to the most amazing woman in the world! My mom turned the glorious 50 today! Even though, since she has been 45 years old, she has been rounding up and saying she’s 50 anyway—so the transition shouldn’t be any problem. My mom hasn’t had the easiest life, but she has gracefully overcome every obstacle that God has put before her. She continues to love with her whole heart and give until there is nothing left. She has sacrificed everything for her children and those that she loves. She is the type of person who makes certain that everyone else’s needs are met before meeting her own. She is the type of person, mother, and friend that I hope to someday be.

Mom, I love you so much. I cannot thank you enough for everything you have done and continue to do for me and my family. You are amazing! I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without you cheering me on and supporting me throughout my life. Thank you for your strength and determination to ensure that I aspire to become all that I can be. Happy Birthday!

Fun in the Sun

As usual, we have been busy! This past week consisted of picnics, a visit with Kelly Bullard, boating, play dates, and Touch-A-Truck. The picnic that we went to was at a friend of the Krupp’s. It was outside and a lot of fun. There was ATV’s, music, basketball, and FOOD! The kiddos just love the outdoors.

We went to the Bullard’s house to see Kelly who was home for the weekend to see her family and little niece McKenzie. It was so good to see her—and Kevin always loves to see Rowdy. He even makes us pretend that he is Rowdy and that I am Kelly. It’s pretty entertaining…especially when we play fetch.

On Sunday, Paul and I went boating with Jessica, Amy Sekelsky, Mike Schommer, and Phil Wolf on Mike and Amy’s boat. It was a TON of fun. We went tubing, which left Paul extremely sore the next day. I wasn’t too sore, but since I am retarded and didn’t wear any sunscreen, I was super sunburned. I still have awesome raccoon eyes.

On Monday, Cortney, her aunt Sandra, Clarissa, and McKenzie all came over to the house to play with the boys. Clarissa is great with Kevin and the two of them had a blast. They ran around all over the backyard. Little Lucas wanted to keep up and play with them, but eventually joined Thomas who pretty much just dug holes and went down the slide. Little McKenzie swung in the swing the whole time. She was so happy because it gave her a perfect view of all of the other kids. She watches them so intently!

Finally, today the boys and I went to an event that Woodland Park has called “Touch-A-Truck.” They have a bunch of different trucks—fire truck, police vehicles, school buses, dump trucks, tractors, street sweepers, and other enormous trucks—and the kids get to climb in them, mess with the buttons, honk the horn, etc. Kevin LOVED it. He was in and out of every vehicle. Thomas enjoyed it a lot too. He played in quite a few trucks as well. Lucas, on the other hand, was a little too timid to go into any of the trucks. He was perfectly happy touching the outside of the vehicles.

We have a lot of fun ahead that we are looking forward to: tomorrow we are going to see my grandparents who have been in Michigan the past month, Saturday is my mom’s 50th birthday which we are going camping for, and Sunday is my grandma’s 80th birthday. Fun, fun, fun!

Papa Krupp, Jessica, and the three boys

The Whole Krupp Family

Bathing Beauty Jessica

Paul on the tube

Thomas and Kenzie

Kevin and Clarissa

Kenz & Cort

Giddy-Up Lucas!

Group pic at Touch-A-Truck

Truck Driver Thomas and ride along buddy Kevin

Lucas, this is fun enough for me!

Fireman Kev!

Visit from a Good Friend, Phases, and Marriage

One of my dearest friends--Jessica (Mallik) Friesma--came to visit us on Monday. Even though it was brief, it is always so wonderful to see her. Jessica and I have been friends for…wow…14 years! We have obviously gone our separate ways since our inseparable days of high school, and it just amazes me how each time we see one another, we are able to pick up right where we left off. I guess that is just the meaning of a true friendship.

The kids are all doing well. Kevin is going through a “pirate” phase—he IS Pirate Kevin. He has been wearing his batman cape with his pirate gear for a good couple of days now. And the twins are still loving Spongebob. They now have some Spongebob clothing, which they squeal with excitement and pride when they put it on. The funniest part is that they don't even actually like the show!

Paul and I celebrated our 4th Anniversary on August 3. How exciting! And I must say, the time has flown. But I am more happy with and in love with that man than ever! Paul is such a wonderful man, husband, and father. I think I am the luckiest woman in the entire world!

Look at our AWESOME Spongebob shirts!

Pirate Batman (AKA Kevin)

Pirate Batman and Pirate Robin

Ahhhhh, How I Love My Life!

And the good times keep on coming! Last week, I met Cortney and McKenzie out at Historic Triple B Ranch to take pictures of the 4 kids together dressed in their Triple B gear. It was actually really disasterous since we attempted this right before their naps, but we did get one good picture. My crazy little twins somehow thought that Kevin's toy slide (meant for matchbox cars) was built for them to go down. Lucas initially had the good idea, but Thomas followed right after him (unfortunately, I was too slow with the camera to get Lucas). And they are just so dang cute reading with their Aunt Brittani.

Today, Linda and I took the boys up to Denver to visit Isaac on his home turf. It was so much fun! Isaac has so many toys that I think my boys thought they were at a toy store. Then we all went to Chuckie Cheese's. Thomas LOVED the Barney ride--even if it wasn't moving. Lucas thinks he is hot stuff--he swings one of his little arms all quickly like he is Mr. Important (which duh....he is!) Isaac loves "Cheese" as he calls it. And he loved rough-housing with the Krupp boys. Kevin is enjoying Cheese more and more the older he gets. He can do many more of the games and rides than he used to be able to do.

More Zoo and Fort Collins

Last week, we got to go to the zoo again with Isaac! It was so much fun. Those boys are as busy as can be. It was really funny because a 12 year old boy tripped over Thomas and fell. Isaac got protective over Thomas and yelled at the kid and threw his little French fry at the poor kid. It was hilarious! They enjoyed the zoo just as much as ever--soon all of the boys will know that zoo as well as Kevin does.

On Saturday, we went up to Fort Collins with my mom to see Ryan and Jordane. We had a BUSY day. We went to a wonderful park--one of the best parks I have ever been to--and then we took the kids swimming. Lucas and Thomas are quite afraid of the big swimming pool. They are fine dangling their feet in the water, but they cry and cry as soon as we try to submerse them in the water. On the other hand, Kevin is a water boy. He has absolutely no fear of the water--he jumps off the edge into the pool, could care less when he goes under the water, and loves trying to swim. All and all, it was a great time. And we just love hanging out with Uncle Ryan. He is such a wonderful uncle to the boys. They just love him with all their little hearts. Thomas even started saying his name, "Ry-ry."

As for other things going on in our lives: Kevin is attending Vacation Bible School this week and having a blast. He loves to learn. Lucas and Thomas are starting to increase their little vocabularies. They are both saying "Spongebob" which seems like a pretty weird word (especially since they don't watch the show or anything). Thomas is mocking me now each time I say "no" to him (which is frequently) by repeating back to me: "No, no, no, no, no." Thomas has perfected the word "Snack" since that is one of his favorite things in the world. He is also perfecting his manners by saying "please" and "thank you." Lucas still signs the sign language for "please." But he is starting to jabber more, so I think he is starting to come out of that quiet shell of his.

Here's another mini-photo album--I just have such a hard time picking only a couple of pictures!

Aren't they precious?

These are the four cutest backsides I've ever seen!

Hello Isaac!

We've got a full load!

Zoo fun, here we come!


Sun, pool, kids--perfect!

Fish-boy Kevin and Daddy

Little Thomas, checking out his Buddha Belly

Splish splash--Lucas is having a blast!

Uncle Ryan and Kevin, playing in the sand

Teeter-Tottering with the twins

Grandma Traci and little Thomas

Mom and twins, swinging away

WEEEEEEEEEEE!