Mom Offers A Helping Hand.

While Terrell was recovering from her surgery, my mom came down to help.  It was such an amazing time.  She spent four weeks down here with us.  It was the most time we had spent together since I was in high school. She brought her dog, Boston, with her.  The girls and I took her on countless walks and bike rides.  The girls taught her how to stamp cards and created quite an obsessed stamper!

About halfway through her trip my dad flew down with Dylan and Hallie for the weekend.  It was great to have them all here.  One of the mornings, we went downtown to watch the hot air balloons take off.  Unfortunately, the weather did not permit it.  Second best thing?  A trip the the MK Nature Center.

My boss promised Sidney that the sturgeon only eat little boys (not little girls), so she enjoys watching with abandon.

It was so sad to see my mom go.  It was such a great time.  We are all looking forward to seeing her again, though not for as long, during the second knee surgery.  I am certain that Terrell is not looking forward to it nearly as much as us:)  I suppose if there has to be a silver lining, a visit with my mom would be it.

One Knee Down and One To Go.

Terrell had her first knee surgery in August.  She will have her second knee replaced in November.  Lisa claims that Terrell was flirting shamelessly with the cute anesthesiologist.  Terrell denies every word of it.

The girl's went to visit her post surgery.

The dogs also went to visit.

All in all, I would say the first surgery was a smashing success.  She is still recovering and her physical therapist told her that realistically it will take a full year to feel fully recovered.  She has been working hard and it has sped up her rehabilitation quite a bit.

Parent and Daughter Dates.

Kendall earned a pass to Roaring Springs this summer.  Kevin was not interested in going and Sidney is not quite ready for such a park, so Kendall and I made a day of it.

We arrived the minute the park opened and rode all of the rides except two of them.  For those that have been there, I am sure you can guess which two we skipped.  Who in their right mind would go down a vertical slide?  We had such a blast.  The first ride was a tube ride that we went on together.  Kendall had a look of sheer terror.  When we got to the bottom, I was not sure if that was it for her.  She jumped out and yelled, "Let's do it again".

We went non-stop for 6 hours (Kendall went one extra hour while I lounged in a chair).  I finally felt my age that day.  I thought she was going to have to carry me out of there.

Her she is enjoying an ice cream.  She picked the most disgusting one.  After this picture was taken, she agreed it was disgusting and threw it away.  We shared the rest of my choice (an ice cream sandwich).

While we were busy sliding down water slides and surfing in the wave pool, Kevin took Sidney to the place of her choosing.  Where did she want to go?  Where else, but Pojo's.

She tirelessly rode the carousel and bumper cars.  Her fears seem largely gone (minus the fire breathing tiki god at Wahooz).  In fact, while my mom was here we all went go kart racing.  The kart's could not go fast enough for her liking!

We also took the girls to the driving range a few times.  Kendall seems like a natural and really enjoyed herself.  Sid on the other hand was way more interested in eating the purse full of snacks that she packed.

The Girl's First Lemonade Stand.

The girls had their first ever Lemonade / Cookie stand.  We helped with the supplies, but they had to do most of the work.  They had a great turnout and made a bunch of money.  They each put half of their money in savings and the other half became their summer "mad  money". 

As I mentioned, they were given very little guidance.  

Check out the awesome sign they put together (no spell check required)!!!

Their endeavor was so successful that they wanted to host one every weekend...Not a chance!

Kevin's Family Reunion.

Last July, Terrell and her brothers hosted a family reunion in Montana.  Here she is with her brothers, Billy and Clifford.

AshLee and Grandma Sue.

Grandma Terrell and Little Sid.

Tracy, Terrell and Kevin.

The "Men".

Clifford giving Kyle the Navy sendoff.  Kyle headed for boot camp just a short while after the reunion.

The Strong clan.

Camping in Montana.

The family went camping in Montana this year.  We tried out a new campground.  It was beautiful and virtually mosquito free.  The name shall remain top secret:)

 

The girls made a fort complete with a kitchen area (kitchen table aka stump pictured in the background).

 

A little rain cannot tarnish a good camping trip.  Karla "K" took the opportunity to doll the girls up.

 

Sid had an early birthday party at the camp.

One of the crowd favorite gift items was this noise making monkey nose.

Everyone had to try it on.

 

 

Grandma Terrell taking it easy in the calm before the surgery storm.

 

Beautiful Montana wildlife.

 

A trip to Montana is not complete without a hike into Glacier Lake.

 

Summer Vacation with Papa and Grandma

I am so completely behind on blogging.  The disappointing part is that I print out the blog into a book each year for the girls, and this year the book will be very thin.  In my attempt to not totally disappoint, I will post pictures from the past few months (with very few words). 

Here are some pictures of the girls July 4th (yes, July) vacation at Papa and Grandma's house.

Home girl Kendall.

Sweet, sweet Sidney.

Smores every night (even in their pajamas).

Sparklers and other loud fireworks.  Sidney was certain to go indoors for those.

Lots of pool time!  What you do not see is that Sidney and Kendall were running, jumping on the trampoline, then lunging for the pool.

More pool time...

Pancakes with cousin Dylan.

Sister Love!