Monkey Pants

YES! School started for us on July 27th. The day after Chase's 11th birthday! Our school district follows a modified "stretch" standard school year. We start so early because we get 2.5 weeks off in October AND at Christmas AND in March. I absolutely LOVE this schedule! Here are my 3 Freedom Falcons! See Carson there on the left? Isn't he too small to go to "real" school? No...he isn't Carson was not lucky enough to have Tessa in his class. Maybe the teachers are the lucky ones to not have them together? Carson at his desk in the back of the room Rylee is in the 3rd grade now Chase is in the 6th grade That's his homeroom teacher in the back with the drink. He has 2 teachers that they trade off with depending on the subject being taught. I spent a little too much time peeking in on Carson. It was fun to sneak this picture without anyone noticing. After school...we brought in donuts to Chase's class because his birthday was yesterday....

It's true...my 2nd born is 11 years old. He got a DSi for his birthday...a month ago! We decided it would be good for him to have it while on our big trip to Missouri. On his actual birthday he got gifts from other family. Chase and Toby ready to open G-ma's gift Nothing is better than money! (and a blue tongue!) Scott made this DELISH Texas Sheet Cake for the occasion 11 things we love about Chase 1. His name is a verb - if you add his middle name (Lee) it becomes an adverb 2. He has a sense of humor and uses it to the fullest 3. He's great with little kids 4. He has great hair - at least 3x what his mom has 5. He's left handed 6. He has an amazing memory 7. He's pretty cute 8. His imagination is still intact at 11 9. He always wears shoes...no matter the weather 10. Did I mention he's funny? 11. He's my absolute favorite 2nd born, 11 year old EVER!! Happy Birthday Chase Lee...We love yer guts!!

Yep! It's Rylee's turn to sit still for Uncle Greg. We didn't plan for her to get them so suddenly and soon! We were visiting Greg's office on our way back from Missouri. Greg took a panoramic x-ray and said she's ready anytime! We stood there thinking...then we asked Katrina how long it would take. She said 45 minutes, tops! We then asked Greg - "Can we do it now?" He couldn't think of a reason not to...so we did! Katrina cleaning and drying Rylee's teeth with Greg supervising Such a pretty smile! Brackets on! Greg making sure all the brackets are in perfect position Rylee opted for pink and purple bands Rylee with Katrina and Greg Aunt Cheryl was running an errand and was surprised to see Rylee with braces on when she got back! This is, of course, my kids FAVORITE place to be! Greg's office is soooo fun! Can you see my oldest and youngest and how they match? Chase was extremely supportive - Rylee had a hard time when we SPRUN...

I love visiting a small town in the midwest! That's what Moberly, MO is. Friendly people, lots of grass, no fences, WalMart is the main attraction, huge parks, and miniature trains running through those huge parks. Mitch, Allie and Chase waiting their turn to ride the train Crooked Mouth Carson (I've been noticing him hold his mouth this way more and more lately) Everyone getting set Front to back: Jen, Sydney (who did NOT want to ride the train, "I WON'T!"), Jana, Noah (We call him NoJo), Ben, Matt, Jake, Kate, Allie, Rylee, Hannah, Aryn, Braden, Candace, Chase, Brooke and Mitch Carson got to hang with the big kids It was a 2fer day...we got 2 rides for the price of one! Here are the teens on their 2nd run Mitch loves to squish Sydney Playin' at the park after I caught these girls doing this A LOT!

Brad and Connie's oldest, Michael, got married to Timi Joy back in April. They decided to wait to have their Missouri celebration till the 3rd of July so that everyone would be there! It was supposed to be called an Open House but with as much work as Connie put into it, I had to call it a full on Reception! Mike's Parents, Happy Couple, Timi's Dad Scott's family all together L-R: Scott, Matt, Jackie, John, Jennifer, Greg, Brad Scott trying REALLY hard to make the air conditioning kick on. Braden and Chase hangin' Carson LOVED the "candy bar" and filled his bag right up! Rylee enjoying the music Mitchell's smart look I was told many times about "The Chambers". Brad and Connie knew them from college and they happened to be in my brother David and Suzie's ward in Kansas City! I finally met them! What is there for kids to do at a reception? Take cute pictures!! L-R: Austin, Candace, Brooke, Andrea, Allie and Mitch My boys are so dang ...

The Jorgensen clan has gotten so large that some of us have to stay at the local hotel. We don't mind as it gives us a chance to decompress after a long day with a large family. We also LOVE the suites that have 2 rooms seperated by the bathroom and a long hallway! Kids can watch their Cartoon Network and Parents can watch their Discovery Channel. Also, the hotel has a pool! It's a great place to gather and cool off from the midwestern muggy heat! Chase, Carson and Scott Carson gets in and out and in and out and in and out and in and out... Brooke and her bestie Candace play a color guessing game Sydney making AMAZING strides and letting go of her mother and the pool's steps to find out she can have TONS of fun on her own!! Aryn and Allie soak up the sun Rylee will always be a poser! Mitch looks cold but is really getting ready to run and jump in with a HUGE cannonball! Trying to capture this many people mid-air is impossible but we got awfully close! L-R: Scott...