Four The Memories

I once heard that some of the best memories are made in flip flops and this summer was no exception.  We smashed into the summer celebrating our big boy Bennett's fourth birthday.  Complete with superhero themed food, party decorations and green water balloons, our little monster had a Hulk splashing good time.
 


This summer was also the summer of the Kuebler lake bums.  Between a week at Lake Geneva and the rest of the time spent at the Lake of the Ozarks, we learned the art of floating and fishing.

At Lake Geneva we got to spend much quality time with family and even more time with our bodies immersed in sand. I truly was grateful to have the chance to visit with so many members of our family.  It is a rare occasion for our kids to see their Chicago cousins since we moved to Missouri.  One wouldn't have been able to tell, though, as the kids played and laughed together as if they saw each other on a daily basis.
 

We ended our trip with Nan and Papa with a bang.  Our annual fireworks outing, that just so happens to fall on Bennett's actual birthday.  Such a treat to have such a show every year on your birthday.

 

 We then moved into our second home at the Lake of the Ozarks.  This summer we played the tourist and explored the area around us.  We took a tour of the beautiful Bridal Cave.  Pictures don't do this natural wonder justice.  Perfect thing to do on day where the outside temperature can melt you.  Surprisingly the kids enjoyed it as much as the adults and obeyed the rule of not touching anything, as it can disrupt the growth patterns of the formations.

 
 What lake trip is complete without visits from friends and family!  It is always more enjoyable taking in the sites with great companions.  From Pirates, to Big Surf and everything in-between, these flip flop memories will surely not be forgotten soon.

 

The kids started to perfect the art of swimming.  They are not quite up to Olympic caliber yet, but losing the arm floaters for all is a great step in the right direction.  They also increased their survival rating by becoming quite the fishermen.  Between catfish and crappie we can feast on fish for awhile.

Soon it was time for summer to come to an end and a new school year to begin.  We had a couple last hoorah's for the kiddos to finish out the season.  A Mexican treat at their favorite restaurant for the big ones and a first trip to the Magic House for the little one.

 

And so they embark on a new year; Connor our scholarly 2nd grader, Corynn our fantastic 1st grader and Bennett our precocious preschooler. 

 

Even though our tan lines will fade, the memories we made this summer will last forever!