July Storms

July 7th, the clouds looked really strange.  It didn't do much other than rain, but the clouds were sure funky.

On July 9th, me and the kids went to my dad's corn field North of Gibbon to help him and Virgie lay pipe.  Matt kept texting me telling me that we were supposed to get bad weather.  It didn't look too bad at first.  Then when we were going to start a well, the clouds were moving faster towards us.  So, I took my car to their house and they took my kids.  The plan was to grill supper for Dad's birthday that night.  

I stopped a mile from Mom and Dad's to get a picture of what was then almost over the field that we just laid pipe at.

I took this panoramic pic at Mom and Dad's.  Crazy scary!

moving closer

The clouds were moving soooo fast.

My Dad, Virgie, and the kids came in just before the storm hit.  Matt was on his way from work.

It hailed really hard for awhile and then cleared for a little bit, then the wind picked up!  Matt had rolled in about that time and stayed outside because it was too bad out for him to walk into the house.

After the storm.  Rainbow!

Mullen's star wind vane fell down.

Look at how lopsided the tree looks now. :(

leaves were stuck to the side of the house

Double rainbow!

Mom's hostas were huge and beautiful and now flattened.

no more roses :(

This big branch by the house flew over from the cottonwood tree.  That was some wind.

I am showing you how heavy and big it is, ha ha!

Of course we had to check out the storm damage with Dad.

Happy Birthday Dad. :(

Dad's corn. 

Hudson says, "Corn sad."

Beans.

His fields were totaled. :(  He has one bean field and a little of another one that he needs to keep until harvest, but the rest was lost.  Not a great birthday. :(

Starting up again

Grandma finally came home from Kearney.  Ready for another storm. 

It ended up being some wind and rain, but thankfully nothing more.

Kids are helping Grandma make Grandpa's birthday supper.

more sugar??

Happy Birthday Dad!  :)

July 17th

We had a weird "tornado" during the day.  It didn't move much and it wasn't a threat, but it looked cool!

I can handle these kind of tornadoes.  :)

Swimming lessons

Lily took her swim lessons right after the 4th of July from the 7-16th.  Her lessons were from 9:40-10:10.  Some morning were a little chilly so they ended up going to the Y for one lesson and the old Champions for another.  Her lessons were in the deep the whole time.  She was taught the different strokes and how to tread water.  She was one of the youngest in the group and I saw her learn soooo much.  She didn't pass, but that was expected for the first time taking Level 3.  I am glad she now knows the form of the strokes.  There were 3 teachers in her lessons so each kid really got the help they needed.  (not the greatest pictures from my iPhone)

I am contemplating signing her up for lessons during the winter just so she can keep working on these skills.  She had fun everyday she went and is becoming a little fish. :)

4th of July 2014 *part 3*

On the 5th of July, we brought the camper home and headed for O'Neill.

Chantele and Anthony were back for the 4th, so we were glad we were able to come up there to see them.  We grilled out and enjoyed the warm afternoon.  Beau and Kami came to give us our Team Derek shirts and we got to meet Brinlee.

I love how they are giving each other the stare down.  ha ha

cooling off

Fun times with Daddy!

Aunt Chantele

Aww :)

Matt had enjoyed playing Polish horseshoes with Zach and Jeremiah, so him and Mark created a game there too.  We used beer bottles first and then Mark though bowling pins would be better.

Hudson loved running all over

and squirting people!

We were a good team, ha ha

We switched up teams too

Great picture of Grandma and Hud

Get him Lily!

Oh no!

Chillaxin'

My babes

Love her

He loves everything with wheels! :)

Grandpa Mark built this go cart for Matt when he was a kid.  I can't believe it still works.  Mark and Matt got it running and Lily loves it!

Ornery

Hudson loved it too!

We ended up lighting a few more fireworks that night that we had leftover.  Hudson fell asleep in my arms in the driveway.  We had a wonderful 4th of July weekend with family and friends.