Last hoo rah...

It was back to work for me this week as teachers had to report to get ready for the school year.  The kids spent a few days "helping" me at school in my classroom.  On Friday, it was lake day with Wes with a little tubing action.  Fun times to wrap up summer 2014!

Family Birthday

We rounded out the Maurer birthday week with the people that mean the most to us and that have helped us get to where we are today.  Love our family and all that we do for each other.  

Happy Birthday Wes!

For the last 8 years, this guy gets his big day down played since A&A have bday the day before.  I hope he realizes it does not mean we don't think the world of him and love him to the moon and back.  He is what holds us together and keeps us level headed around here.  We continue to add a candle to his cake every year, but he just doesn't seem to age much.  Love him!  Happy Birthday Wes!

Yes we did.... and we survived

There were several different discussions on how A&A would celebrate their 8th bday party.  We wound up compromising (we have to do that a lot around here) with a big sleepover.  A&A each asked 5 kids to spend the night, so counting them we had 12 8-yr old.... girls and boys.... and yes, there were times I questioned that decision.

The evening consisted of trampoline time, boys vs girls kickball, hot dogs, marsh mellow roasting, birthday cake, fishing and lots of high pitched screaming (boys chasing girls).  We let the kids do their thing until around midnight and then it was time to at least lay down and start to settle in for sleep... we knew it wasn't going to be an easy task.  All kiddos were fast asleep by 1:15am which I thought was pretty good considering the scenario.  What I wasn't expecting was for everyone to be be awake by 6:15am!

We had a few mom's text us after the party telling us that their kiddos left the party saying it was the "best birthday party ever!" AND then their child proceeded to take a 2 hour nap!

EIGHT

These two amazing kids turned 8 on August 16th!  What a blessing they are to our family!

Words that come to mind when we think of Austin at age 8:  tall, artist, kind, computer games, baseball, handsome, sometimes absent minded, smart,  fishing, drawing, creative, legos, tv, night owl, glasses & contacts,

Words that come to mind when we think of Avery at age 8:  teacher, American Girl Doll, gymnastics, a bit of sass, beautiful, smart, loves school, friends, hugger, fast, loves to read, softball, shopping, dress up

Family

Here we are... the Kempers.  Blessed.

Beachin'

Our summer fun ended with our annual trip to the Texas coast with the Kempers.  There was plenty of sun, salt water and lots of fun at the beach.  A&A&C loved spending a few days with their cousins and Toppe and Grandpa made sure we all had a good time.  

Kids Vacation away from parents

The kids had their own vacation while we were in Port O'Connor.  We shipped them off to Camp Travis Green, aka Uncle Jason's.   It was 4 days of non-stop fun.  Jason & Bruce set the bar high when it comes to entertaining the kids.  They made their own pizzas, had longhorn donuts for breakfast, visited the Children's museum, splash pad, and spent countless hours in the pool.  They didn't want to come home... do you blame them?

Can you tell they had fun?

Port O'Connor

We finally made it down to Port O'Connor.  Though it's been a while, Wes feels right back at home in the boat riding around the salt water bay.  He spent plenty of weekends in Port O'Connor with Jimmie growing up and knows where to find the fish depending on the tide, wind, etc.  We made the trip a couples weekend with the Raus, Siemsglusz, & Kenjuras.  The guys fished in the CCA tounament while the girls enjoyed some down time at the house, which was new and perfect for our group.  The guys wound up placing in a few different categories in the tournament and we all had a great weekend with friends. 

Tea Party Invite

Avery wrote an invite to her tea party for us the other night.  Austin, Caleb and I dressed "fancy" and joined her for fruit and tea.  A pleasant surprise!