Labor Day 2011

I always look forward to our annual Labor Day party at our house. It's a time when both Jarod and my families come together to enjoy the long weekend. I beleive this is the 6th year now. The best thing about these parties is that our house is packed full of people; and with close to 25 people in our families, every bed, couch, floor space, and sometimes, lawn space gets used. Labor Day also means the start of Husker football season! We always watch the first game of the season and cheer rediculously loud.

This year, during the halftime break, Zach and Carla announced that they are expecting baby #1. We are so thrilled! I had a sneaking suspision that she was pregnant when she walked in the door with a gigantic water jug and glowing smile on her face! This will make grandchild #4 for Dave and Kathy.

After our bellies were full from snacking and the game was over, we loaded up and headed to the track. It was a beautiful day for a game of frisbe, football or just walking around the track.

Then it was time for the annual race - one time around the track. Zach took home bragging rights this year, but I have to say, I was most impressed with my mom, and in-laws who ran the whole thing in a respectable time. Dad of course was the official time keeper.

As the newest member of the family, this was Elliott's first Labor Day party. I love watching the number of kids grow each year. Thomas and Annie were the only ones at our first party. This year there were six and next year, with Kristi, Carla and me expecting, there will be at least nine!

Dinner time! Jarod and TJ really outdid themselves this year. Every year Jarod marinates different cuts of meat all night and throws them on the smoker all day Sunday. This year the ribs were outstanding! The best yet! Iwas told the secret is in the apple juice!

Sommer gave us haircuts. It's a shame we make her work on Labor Day!

My two boys. Everywhere we go, people still comment how much Andrew looks like his daddy!

Family of 5 for a week

Last month Jarod and I had the opportunity to experience life with 3 kids. We had a blast! Our nephew and neice, Thomas and Annie came to Norfolk to spend a whole week with us. This is the second summer we have done this and it's a pretty big deal for them - spending several nights, hours away from mom and dad. It's a pretty big deal for me too - adjusting to life with three very active kiddos! They wore me out, but we had so much fun! Jarod and Thomas went golfing together, Annie and I got pedicures, we made homemade ice cream, and went for a long bike ride down the cowboy trail.

We rode all the way out to where the bridge collapsed from last year's flood. I'm pretty impressed with their endurence. I think we rode about 7 miles.

Annie and Thomas were big helpers in the kitchen. They picked veggies from the garden, helped make homemade salsa, made their own pizzas for dinner and always took their plates to the sink after we were done eating!

They also helped out with Andrew. He loved having someone to play with all the time. I kind of feel bad that he doesn't have any siblings to play with right now. Of course that will all change very soon! And just like this weekend, I will be much more tired at the end of each day, but it will all be worth it watching them play and grow together. I'm so very thankful that Jarod will be by my side through it all, helping with however many children we end up having.

Thomas and Annie, we loved spending time with you. You are welcome back to our house anytime!

More Kool-Aid Please!

August 13th weekend found us in Hastings, NE which just so happens to be the birthplace of the ooh so sugary drink that all kids love, Kool-Aid! We went to visit Camille, and partake in all the festivities including a parade, the largest Kool-Aid stand, the Hastings Museum, and waterpark. If the line wasn't so long we would have entered Jarod and Adam in the Kool-Aid drinkng contest as they could have probably set some records! I don't think I've drank that much Kool-Aid in one weekend since, well I don't know if I ever have! If you purchased a mug, you could have free refills all day long. And since they have what seemed like hundreds of different flavors, I felt compelled to try at least some. Pinneapple turned out to be my favorite! Andrew had a great time at the parade.

He was so excited...this was even before he had any Kool-Aid!

One sip of the sweet sticky stuff and it was all over! He wouldn't put the cup down for anything

...not even to smile for a family picture!

CHEERS!

Andrew loved the bears at the museum. He kept going back to talk to these polar bears.

The rest of the Kastl boys were enjoying making dams and playing in the water!

This was the best waterpark I've been to. Oh, we had so much fun! Everyone took their turn going down the waterslides (even my 8 month pregnant self!), Jarod and Adam were doing flips off the boards, Camille, Andrew, and I relaxed on the lazy river, and even Dave and Kathy had a blast in the wave pool. This waterpark is definitey not just for kids. Camille, we will be coming back!

Summer Fun