Trip to the Schoolhouse

We took a little trip down to the Schoolhouse this weekend. The 'Schoolhouse' is a Poling-Family tradition. It is a old schoolhouse located in Steelville that has been in Ken's family for a few generations now. In the past, it was used an actual school that children in the area attended. Once purchased by the Poling's...it was converted into a living space...with kitchen, bathroom, living room & bedrooms. And ...it is a fun place for the Poling's to escape to for the weekends, mostly in Summer:)

Here we are getting ready to leave...the boys are ready to go!

And...I thought this should be captured. It's a picture of the car all loaded up. Keep in mind--this is what we need to survive a day & a half! We were prepared for anything!!!

Our first day was spent in the 'creek'...also known as the Huzzah. I didn't get any pictures at the actual creek this time around. I have plenty from years-past. However, I did manage to get one of John, post-creek. He was wiped out!

After a little rest, we had a DELICIOUS dinner...steak, zucchini, potatoes, corn-on-the-cob. Yum!! We followed that with a few board games.

Once it got dark, we had a little fire...

And also enjoyed a smore:)

After a good nights sleep, we woke up, ready for more fun. Kenny & Pa-Pa went for a ride on the 4-wheeler. Here is Kenny...ready to go with his helmet on!

They had a little friend who wanted to ride too...

And...they are ready to go!

John kept himself busy with a few bubbles...

And...I'll leave you with a few pictures of the actual Schoolhouse...

When did this happen?

When did it happen that I got old enough to have a kid in the FIRST GRADE??  Geez--I do not feel that old!?! But--it is true, I do have a first grader now:) And-today was his first day. From the sounds of it, it was loads of fun...but a LOT of work! He said that his teacher worked him super hard today! I already warned him that it will only get better:)

Here are a few pictures from the big day. The first one is from today. And the second one was just about one year ago...on the first day of Kindergarten. I thought it would be nice to compare how big the boys have gotten in the last year:)

And a couple more of Kenny just being silly...

Babies & Brides...

As promised...I am updating AGAIN! A few of our nearest & dearest relatives have had some big life changes lately! All good!

First, it was Lauren's turn (Ken's little sis)! She was blessed with a little boy--LIAM CHASE. He was born on July 19th...6lbs, 13oz & 20 inches long. We were lucky enough to pay the little guy a visit last weekend. He was so small & precious. I do not remember my little guys ever being so small!! (Might be because they were both 8+ lbs at birth!)

Here is sweet picture of Uncle Ken feeding Liam a little snack:)

 And a couple more of Liam chillaxin...

 I actually got a picture of all 3 boys together. Look at how tiny he looks in comparison!

Later in the same day...we went for a visit with the Brooner's. My cousin--Paul--just announced his engagement to a sweet young lady--Katie. I failed to get a good pic of them together at the celebration...so I stole this one from Paul's FB page:)

We are so excited for Katie to officially join the family! We are also excited because they have asked John to be the ring bearer at the wedding ceremony.

While celebrating the engagement at the Brooner house...the boys decided they'd go for a little swim in the pool with Aunt Karen & Grandma Glaude...oh and their puppy-cousin Chloe:) Here are a few pics...I didn't manage to get a good one of Kenny though:(