Getting Caught Back Up (Part 2)

If you haven't already, you may want to read the blog below first. It is the first part to my "Getting Caught Back Up series."

We left off on Friday, July 25 with a graduation and Mexican food. This brings us to July 26.

The day began with a surprise party for Ryan, my brother-in-law, for his graduation. My sister told him they were going to a party for Kylie since her birthday is July 28. Then, he walked in to find us yelling surprise surrounded by graduation decorations!

Here he is arriving.

He says he knew about it all along, but who knows. I personally think he has too much pride to admit that we got him! Either way, we all had a great time. The party was held at a community park. We had access to the community room and the playground. The guests included several members of Ryan family, most of my family, and a few of Ryan's friends.

My grandparents even came down from St. Louis for it.

After having some cake and other refreshments, I took the kids out to play.

Kylie finally knows how to go down the pole by herself!
The kids brought their bikes since there is a large riding trail. This was Kaedyn's first chance to really ride his bike fast.

(See I knew sooner or later there would be a picture of his new bike!) Corbin showing off his favorite shirt.
After the party, my sister and her family, my grandparents, me and the kids, and, of course, my parents all went back to my parent's house to grill kabobs and visit for awhile.

After dinner, little Max was so sleepy from being passed around all day that he caught a nap while his favorite aunt snauggled him.The boys enjoyed the Legos.

Sunday was Kylie's real party. I had it at Springfield's Incredible Pizza Company, which is comparible to Chuck E. Cheese. A lot of Rob's family came, as did mine. It was lots of fun. They have a pizza buffet and a game room that includes go-karts, mini golf, bumper cars, bowling, bounce houses, and all the regular carnival games.

Kylie and her cake

Blowing out the candles

This is the hat that Pop Pop Mark (Rob's dad) picked out for Kylie. She really likes it!

This book was given to her by my aunt and uncle, Ron and Mariann, Karen's parents. This was one of her favorite gifts. It has vinyl stickers that you use to dress up the Disney princesses.

Kylie had lots of help opening her presents! Next to Corbin is Rob's cousin's little girl, Kaylie. My dad, his parents, and Kylie
Karen's sister, Rachel, and her fiance, Jeff, with Kylie
My uncle, Ron, and Kylie holding Max
Rob's mom, Dottie, with the kids
The kids and Kaylie on the horse carousel
After the party, my parents, the kids, and I all went back to their house to relax. Kylie has this really pretty Ariel nightgown that she adores, but it is falling apart. It had toille on the top of it that had shredded, so my mom and I thought he could fix it. Well, it didn't turn out so well and we did not have enough fabric to try again, so instead we decided to make a matching nightgown for her Build-a-Bear bunny, Puddle. We had to just keep the toille off of Kylie's gown, but she didn't care since she gained a nightgown for the bunny!

What do you think?

Monday was Kylie's real birthday, so yes, my baby is 5 now! It was a great day to be born on though. We had been anxiously awaiting a package from Daddy for the last 18 days, and it arrived on her birthday!! This was great news considering that it had her birthday present from Daddy inside. He sent her a beautiful jewelry box, bracelets, and a funny Three Stooges card. He also sent Kaedyn some things: the complete first season to the old Transformers cartoon, a bracelet, and a keychain with a dried up scorpion inside. It was really cool, but a bit creepy! He even sent me a few things!! The best thing was a brand new iTouch which was personalized with meaningful songs and a video he made of all the pictures he has taken of the first well he drilled in Afhganisthan. Not only is it the first he has drilled this deployment, but it is actually the first well drilled by American troops in Afghanistan! WOW! What an honor to be part of history, huh? He also sent me a Gucci watch and beautiful bracelet. Thank you baby! We love everything that was inside and it was so nice getting a little piece of you in the mail!

In celebration of Kylie's birthday we went to eat at Ruby Tuesday and to see Space Chimps with my parents.

Here is Kylie enjoying her birthday strawberry sunday at Ruby Tuesday.

I snapped a quick picture in front of the poster at the theater. Space Chimps was pretty cute!

Tuesday my sister and I went to get some pictures of the kids taken. We even did a few of all of us, meaning her, me, and all the kids! They turned out really cute, but I can't show you them since they are copyrighted. After pictures, we went to lunch at Zio's, a local Italian restuarant. Afterward, I went back to my parents' house to start packing for our trip back home to Florida.

Wednesday my sister had to go to the doctor again, so I got to babysit the kiddos.

Max slept most the time, but when he was awake, I managed to snap a few photos of Kaedyn loving on him.

Wednesday ended with a visit from my mother-in-law to tell us goodbye and finishing the packing. Karen came back with me, so she spent the night at my parent's house and we headed out at 6am Thursday morning.

Thursday was spent taking the long 13 hour drive back home. By the time, we arrived here, we were all super tired.

Friday was not very thrilling either. Karen and I got up and took the kids to get their last shot for school and then we went to the Commissary to stock back up on groceries. After lunch, we went downtown for snow cones as a treat for two brave kids! Later, we went to the fun world of Walmart to get the last minute things for Kylie's friend birthday party at Gulfarium. More on the party in the next blog!