Riechmann Family

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

1st Grade...Bring it on!

So, hard to believe, but Braden is a 1st grader already! He was excited to go back to school, so of course I was excited for him! We went school supply shopping, got everything labeled, and waited for the first day to arrive! Gearing up for 1st grade is so much less stressful than that Kindergarten year!!

Already looking so big!

That backpack is still almost the same size as him :)

Avery wanted to put something on, so she found Braden's karate belt!

Never too big for a picture with his Momma!

or his Daddy!

In the gym on the first day! Ready to be a Goshen Gator again!

Vandalia Lake, Here We Come!

We've been saying for years that we needed to get my parents out to Jaycie and Randy's Dad's lakehouse in Vandalia. It finally worked! We found a weekend that everyone was free and planned a dual family outing. It was so much fun! We camped in Mimi and Papa's trailer and rode around in their boat. The Rodgers' stayed in the house and trolled around in their boat as well. We ate (lots), swam some, sat around a "magical" fire, wake-boarded, tubed, and skied. We are so blessed to have such hospitable friends and fun parents to hang out with! We should make this an annual event!!

Kendall looks excited, but she was scared of pretty much everything the entire weekend!

Papa helping Olivia swim around.

Enjoying a snack on the dock.

Getting some snuggles from Kendall Grace.

Daddy's turn!

Water time for Avery, me, and Olivia!

The whole "kid crew!"

Mommies and babies (well...some of them are bigger now, but they'll always be our babies!)

Sunday was unseasonably cool and windy, so the kids enjoyed a "picnic" packed by Mimi in her sewing basket :)

The boys playing "Wizard's Chess" in the camper.

Papa was Avery's shadow. She was fearless...good thing he was there as she was climbing the stairs!

Jaycie and Randy enjoying some sunshine and checking through some 500+ pictures!

Jack hanging out in the camper...the boys' favorite hangout since the girls weren't there :)

Fro-Yo and Teeball!

To finally end our teeball season, we met at Twist (a frozen yogurt place) to have a treat and receive our medals. The kids had a blast, but since Kendall doesn't love ice cream, we told her it was yogurt (which she does like), but she still didn't eat much, so I had to suffer through and eat it (with the help of Avery). When we were done with snacks and the Coach/Daddies had done their duty, we headed home. Kendall was VERY disappointed with the "party" and let everyone know as she cried all the way home ;)

The boys did like their treats!

Avery chillin' in her stroller...as usual!

Coach Dustin giving Olivia her medal!

Sporty Spice :)

Double Trouble for sure!

Hello Zoo (again)!

We had fantastic weather the week before the kids had to go back to school, so we headed out to the zoo (along with almost everyone in the STL area!). We visited the sharks and stingrays first since we weren't able to do it the last time we went. We toured the rest of the zoo and were home by late afternoon. Hopefully the next visit will be with Daddy since he hasn't gone recently!

Braden, Jackson, and Olivia. Hmm...where's Kendall?

Oh, here's Kendall putting on a brave face after crying for 20 minutes while we stood in line.

Some stingrays.

Kendall "smiling" as best she can since Jaycie is keeping her safe from those super-dangerous sharks!

Braden in the penguin house.

Who knows who they are looking at! Hmm...where's Kendall?

Oh, here she is...hiding in the stroller in case a scary penguin wants to splash her!

On the carousel!

Grr...

My baby :)

Everyone loves a giant metal bug...even Kendall!

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Mascoutah Homecoming!!

On Saturday, Jaycie called us up and invited us to the Mascoutah Homecoming. Our family isn't from there, but who are we to pass up cold beer and fun rides for the kids?? Now, we wished for cooler weather, but alas it was not to be. We enjoyed ourselves anyway and had a great time walking around, people watching, and visiting. I'm sure we'll be back in the future!!