Random Summer Fun

I realize we are well into fall and I am just now working on a few summer posts, but once again - better late than never!  Here are a few of our fun summer days:

First off, a Monster Truck sighting at Joe Machens.  It was just an early Friday evening event, but one of the best things we have done in Columbia thus far!  Clay was a little scared of the truck at first - but he covered his ears and quickly got into cheering!  The video we shot with the phone is one of his favorite things to watch to this day.

 Another fantastic part of the event was seeing his best buddy, Eli, and his dad.  They both get silly and excited when they run into each other in town, and this was no exception.  They each wanted to show off what they found on and around the truck.  They were able to walk all around before and after the car-crushing, and we did just that for a LONG time!  Boys and their trucks...

 We had another fun afternoon with Eli this summer.  He came over to play while his parents went on a date.  It was beautiful outside, so they enjoyed playing inside and out.  I'm not sure who was more excited to be posing for the pictures, but this was the response to "Show me your silly face..."

 I forgot to take pictures, but in addition to random silliness, the boys were wonderful helpers during cookie-making time.  We made chocolate chip cookies, and they got to take turns dumping ingredients from one bowl to another and stirring.  Of course, they enjoyed the final product as well.

After dinner, we went back outsdie to play a little baseball.  They play so sweetly together - Clay would "pitch" to Eli, Eli would swing, then run and get the ball (that Clay pitched) and throw it back to Clay.  This could have kept them busy for hours!  I am so glad they are friends, and I hope the friendship lasts long after preschool.  His parents are wonderful, and he is a very sweet and fun kid!  We also just found out Clay and Eli will gain baby siblings within a couple months of each other - woo hoo!

 One of our favorite Columbia pastimes is visiting Bass Pro.  They always have fun activities for kids, and who doesn't love looking around at (and climbing/sitting on) 4-wheelers, boats, etc.?!  One particular Sunday afternoon, we went to check out the "Best Cowboy" contest.  I didn't know much about it, other than kids were encouraged to wear cowboy gear.  It was quite a challenge to get Clay to dress up like a cowboy (insert sarcasm) with his cowboy boots and hat, and the vest and chaps Nana Blossom made, but somehow we managed.  Once we arrived, each kid was given a stick horse and they had a parade through the store.  Every kid except Clay simply walked nicely through the store, but Clay enjoyed "galloping," waving his red hat, and yelling "Yee haw!" at every corner.

 The good news for us is that his galloping won him the title of "Best Cowboy" and a nice gift certificate to Bass Pro!  I felt a little bad that the 2nd and 3rd place kids won toys, but Clay didn't seem to notice.  He was much more concerned with the next order of business - riding bulls and roping calves!

 Thanks for a great event, Bass Pro!  All that work sure wears a cowboy out!  We love our "very best cowboy" to pieces! Update: Clay will be appearing as a cowboy on Halloween.  Shocking, I know...

 Anyone who has spent more than 5 minutes around our little cowboy probably knows he has quite an imagination.  We spend a lot of time chasing and "shooting" hyenas" around our house, talking to animals, making up songs and activities, and dresing up.  He LOVES to tell stories, and they usually involved some or all of: a knight, princess, cowboy, dragon, hyena, monster, lion, or tiger. 

Shooting hyenas before church...

 A couple random, cute moments...

Also over the summer, we took a fun hike (on a very warm day) through beautiful Rock Bridge State Park.  We made the trek to Devils Ice Box, and we were very proud of how far Clay hiked with us.  There were a LOT of stairs, both up and down.

 We took turns in the nice, cool, slippery cave...

The most interesting thing about this picture must be the strange green eyes - too funny not to share!  Clay comes into our bed most every morning when he wakes up to tell us, "The sun is up, time to wake up!"  He ususally brings his pillow and a blanket, and when he gets tired of snuggling, he goes to play with Annie.  He likes to ask us to take pictures of Annie and him, and this is what we got one day!

Another fun picture of a boy and his dog...

We are having so much fun watching this boy grow, and every day brings a new adventure!