evie the gymnast

evie had her first observation day for gymnastics. unlike dance class, she is so excited to go to gymnastics and never wants to leave. of course, this is much to my chagrin, since i really wanted her to be a dancer (mainly for the cute outfits and recitals)! but, i will embrace this interest she has in gymnastics and do whatever i can to encourage her to stick with it. here are a few pics from parent's day...

on the balance beam

(sorry, not the greatest pic)

over and around on the bar

ta-da!

balloonies

do any of you know what ballonies are? let me refresh your memory...

this was one of the fun grab-bag items from GaGa's party. hampton was the big winner and we were all excited to relive our childhood and make some plastic balloons. hampton gave evie a blue balloon that she carried around for about a minute before it popped. she then rolled the left over blue balloon into a ball and that was the last i heard or saw of it. that is, until, she woke up Monday morning and said, "mom, remember last year (everything to her is last year) when I had that blue balloon and it popped? well, i rolled it up and put it in my nose and can't get it out" oh, dear! that's when the fun began. thanks to dana's advice, we went straight to the ENT. the doctor looked at me like i was a crazy person when he asked what was in her nose and i responded, "a balloonie". ha! he said he would be adding that to the never ending list of what he's pulled out of kid's noses. she laid on the exam table like such a big girl and as soon as he put the light on her nostril, there it was...blue as blue could be. he reached right in with his little tool and pulled it right out. whew! what a relief! evie promises she will "never do that again" - and i can only hope!

97 candles...

97 years

july 7th marked this BIG year for GaGa and it's still difficult for me to believe that she is 97. in my mind, she'll always be "76 trombones in the big parade". i remember her singing this when she was a young "76". i can't believe that was 21 years ago! today we celebrated GaGa and her wonderful life. she is a blessing to so many and i am beyond grateful that she is my grandmother. the family met up in Whitewater, Kansas to celebrate this big day at Wheat State Manor. we enjoyed delicious hot fudge sundaes and just being with GaGa and each other. complete, of course, with the good ole traditional Morris grab-bag for fun and the release of balloons. she is dearly loved and we are so thrilled and beyond blessed that she continues to live among us.

GaGa looking through the book dana & i made for her of family pics

the balloon release!

aunt LaLa, aunt karen, my dad, denice & uncle harold

we love you, GaGa! here's to 97 more!

happy day, america!

sunny skies, super warm temps, family, neighborhood parade, food and fireworks...what more could you ask for? the fourth is quickly becoming one of my favorite holidays - even though i'm not such a fan of the hot temps, i love all of the traditions this day brings. this year we were so happy to have trevor's parents, his sister, mandi and my niece and nephew join us for the parade. evie was so excited this year - we decorated her bike and she was ready to ride! following the parade, we all went to breakfast, then headed to the shanks' later in the day for a yummy dinner and quite a fireworks show. evie wasn't so sure about the fireworks, so she found the perfect spot to watch inside.

evie and dad

such a cutie!

evie, reese, davis and murphy - ready to go!

austin, coleman, evie & hamps

evie and hampton

the perfect seat!