The best father/son outing EVER

KC and I went to another game the next day (July 4th), and it was perfect. We had great seats at half price, it was a nice day, the Royals amazingly won, one of them (a Cuban who had just become an American citizen) hit a home run (how cool is that on the 4th? - They interviewed him on the loudspeaker at the end of the game, and he was so proud to be an American citizen - it was really cool) and the Mexicutioner came in at the end to close the game. The whole time KC was asking questions and we were just talking and having a fun, relaxing, yet exhilerating time. The scoreboard is currently the largest HD screen in the world, but that's only until the Dumb Dallas Cowboys finish their fancy new stadium.

Did I mention they actually won?!

KC got a cool new lunchbox with his kids meal, and the fountains are always a cool sight.

And now KC is a Royals' fan for life - a curse, some might say, but I've never seen him so happy :)

The Royals' Game!!

Everyone who knows me knows that I love the Kansas City Royals. Some have suggested that my son KC is named after the city of my favorite baseball team. True or not, we may never know, but we did manage to go to a game with all of the family, along with Mike and Jennifer and their girls. It was July 3rd, and the big fireworks show after the game was great. The very moment the show ended it began to rain. Luckily we were ready with our ponchos.

The highlight for Ryan was the dollar peanuts and the cotton candy (it was "buck night").

The Royals lost, of course, but it was still an experience we won't forget.

Continuing the Kansas City Vacation...

Megan and cousin Taryn are both very avid readers, and here they are, reading on the Gilberts' front porch.

And quite happy about it, clearly.

Deanna Rose Farmstead

Another fun place in Kansas City is the Rose Farmstead. Think of Moon Farm multiplied by 20. It's free to get in, and there are all kinds of cool things to do, including restored barns, teepees, schoolhouses, playgrounds, and of course, animals to look at, feed, and pet. There were also cute little flowers, like this one that resembles my youngest daughter.

And these ones look like my other kids...scary.
Rachel was able to carry this calf around. She wanted to keep it, but we didn't have room in the van.

KC and Ryan enjoyed their time there, and I really think they left as new people.

And Rachel caught a fish!! It was very happy to be set free, and it swam away fast.

Church History Day

This is at a little play area in the Independence, MO visitor's center. I love little Megan peeking through the window and KC being a hot chocolate-drinking pioneer. Ryan's mad because he wanted to be IN the house for the picture.

KC and Rachel are doing serious pioneer faces and Ryan is... well I'm not really sure, but it's funny
And this is at the Liberty Jail visitor's center where we were sitting in front of the jail scene, which pretty much can't be seen in the picture. Bummer. Both of these places were really cool to visit, and the kids even liked it! Good early testimony building experiences.

Kit Carson County Carousel

Our next stop was in Burlington, CO, at the 100 year old carousel with working organ and everything. I would recommend anyone driving I-70 to stop and check this out. All of the animals were handcrafted and there are cool paintings and lots of interesting details. I was sort of fascinated it by it, anyway...

Ryan liked it, too

Trip to Kansas City

First stop was the No Name rest stop outside of Glenwood Springs. Beautiful views and happy kids on the van.

...and enjoying the lunch Katie had packed for us.

Megan's Birthday (June 11th)

So, Megan turned three and Katie borrowed Dana Lee's crazy cupcakes idea and made a crazy multi-colored cake. It was delicious of course.

And the outside of the cake was equally festive for the "rainbow and polka-dot" themed party.

She invited three friends, and the table was set and ready. Ryan really wanted to be in the picture.
And this is our little clown. She is a major ham, actually. Gets it from her mother.

I love this picture. Captures her personality and her sweeteness.

Ryan playing T-ball

And here is the big batter, battin'

He enjoys his dugout time, as well.

Rachel (background) is proud to be the equipment manager.

The band-aid on his forehead is covering 5 stitches he got from messing around in the van. (Sorry, Dana Lee, no graphic pictures of the wound ;))

The Seniors

These girls have become like family to me - 5 more nieces!!! (6 if you count the one who had to leave early) I will miss them greatly :(

And Katie showed off her cakin' skills again this year - yep, she's amazing!
The job has opened up for the head coach of the boys team, so that would make my autumn a little more intense - we'll see what happens!

Just a couple o' pictures

They were told to make "mad faces," and complied.
And if holding her head in her hands wasn't dang cute enough, she glances up at Rachel - CUTE!! And Rachel is growing up so fast - SLOW DOWN KID!!!!

KC Plays Catcher in T-Ball

Here he excitedly signals to the coach how many outs there now are.
And here he is getting ready to pounce into action!

KC's T-ball skill has grown by leaps and bounds over last year, when he mostly enjoyed kicking up dust in the outfield. His progress has been fun to see. He hits that ball way harder than his dad ever did, that's for sure. Ryan is playing this year, too, and he is just like KC was last year. He likes drawing squares around the bases every time he moves up, and when he is in the field, his mind takes off to far away places (also fun to see).

KC Earns Visit From Tooth Fairy

In the morning, snaggletooth hangin' loose

In the afternoon, a nice gap ready for a new one to come in!

Yay KC!!

Megan the Oreo Princess and Her Good Brother Ryan

Sometimes, though, she has had enough, and just wants to be left alone.

Grandma Gilbert Reading to the Kids

Cousin Caleb Comes to Visit

MLK Day Family Outing to Corn Lake

Ryan has now been Harry Potter (a simple transition from the Pagemaster) for several months now. I thought it was waning, but it seems to come back quickly.

They were all trying to skip stones in the river.
Even Megan got some rocks into the mighty Colorado.

KC probably had the best form.

Walking down the path between the river and the lake.

Reading about stuff.

If you look carefully, you should be able to see an old car that someone had tried to push off the ledge into the river. I bet they felt foolish when it lodged itself in that crevice. Or is it a crevasse? I always wondered about that one.