The Kies Family: Bix and Balloons!!

Maddox and Eric before her 'big' race!!

So we had an absolutely fantastic weekend...JAM packed with events!! I've got all the pictures posted and labeled so I won't have to write too much. Friday night we took Maddox to her 2nd Jr. Bix. She was a year older of course so we were hoping for slightly less fear and she started off well but then got scared again ( much like last year) and ran back to Eric's arms. That's ok Maddox!! She finished strong after gathering herself. There are SOOO many people hooting' and hollering' and it seems that her ears are a bit sensitive so I'm not surprised that she is still a bit scared of the whole deal. But, she did have fun and got a medal, a hot dog, chocolate milk, and a Whitey's popsicle. YUM!! We grabbed Noodles on the way home to arrive to a house full of family. Aunt Diane, Uncle Brian and cousin Hannah had arrived while Maddox was doing her race. We enjoyed dinner and the opening ceremony of the Olympics and then hit the hay so the boys could get up early to head down to the race. Both Kennon and Maddox slept in till the last minute for us to get them dressed, fed, and watered before we loaded up the van and headed down to our usual spot to watch all the runners and see Eric and Uncle Brian. Both the guys did great AND even better we got to see them several times. There are soooo many runners at the BIX it becomes impossible to see your people but not this year. We spyed 'em right away. After the BIX we headed home for some brunch and then naps. Aunt Diane and Uncle Brian headed back to St. Louis after brunch but luckily cousin Hannah stayed over Saturday night and we are SURE THANKFUL. We kept her busy and the kids loved playing with her. We loaded up the van again Saturday afternoon after the kids ( including Hannah:) both took good naps and headed down south to Galesburg, IL to a Hot Air Balloon festival. There were storms on the horizon to the west so unfortunately the balloons didn't fly but about 12 of them blew up which was PLENTY of action for our little ones. Our neighbors Jody, Charlie, and Hannah came down too to enjoy the fun too. Cousin Hannah was a hit with the kids. She chaperoned the girls most of the evening. Kennon wasn't much for just sitting and watching the balloons. Eric chased him around the field most of the night. I think he probably ran/walked a mile at least!! He slept in till 9am Sunday morning!! The balloons were so pretty. We are surely going to hit the QC balloon festival in the fall. Sunday morning we decided to throw one more event into the weekend while we still had a talented extra set of hands ( cousin Hannah). We loaded swimsuits and towels up into the van and headed to the Y to swim again. Maddox showed her skills to cousin Hannah and jumped off the side of the pool and took many turns down the froggy slide. Kennon was again pretty adventurous in the pool. I'm not sure those ear plugs are really doing their job. He is so active they are seeming to fall out. We might have to rig up something else for extended water activities. Grammy came to pick up Hannah Sunday afternoon. We sadly waved good-bye to our extra set of hands and fabulous entertainment. THANK YOU Hannah!! We loved having you around. And thanks to Aunt Diane and Uncle Brian for making the trip up. I love family traditions!!

Wow, her cheesy smile! I think she looks so old here

Walking to the starting line

Kennon didn't seem to mind that Maddox was getting to participate and he wasn't.....chillaxin'

Way to go Maddox!!

Eating a post race hotdog and some chocolate milk.....which Maddox politely asked to have WHITE instead and REFUSED to take a sip of the chocolate. I just found the carton of chocolate milk in one of the compartments of the BOB this morning curdled and dribbled out all over the stroller and the garage floor...had to laugh at my child not wanting chocolate milk and then it coming back to haunt me!!

Kennon's first Whitey's popsicle....mmmmmm

Kennon snacking while waiting to see Dad and Uncle Brian run by at the BIX

wooops....pictures somehow got out of order after I worked really hard to get them in chronological order. This is Hannah, Maddox and neighbor Hannah watching the balloons blow up at the Galesburg Balloon Festival Saturday night. Look in the background you can see Eric chasing after Kennon.....

Eric and Kennon in the way back again...... :)

Charlie, Hannah, Maddox and Hannah ( Maddox looks a little disgusted???)

Not sure what Eric is thinking here....you can insert your own caption :) I think this is one of the few times that Kennon actually stopped moving enough to enjoy the balloons.

Jody ( Hannah and Charlie's mom) Kennon and Eric. Charlie and Kennon were more about snacking than they were the balloons!!

'Is this rope supposed to keep me from going in there??'

You can't tell but Kennon is standing up on a cooler. He is a climber and gets his little legs up on anything he can. He eyed the cooler as soon as we set it down and it wasn't too long before he was up on top eyeing us from above. He looks so proud of himself doesn't he??

Another proud picture from above.....balloon.....and fellow festival goer in the background.....!

An attempted family shot. 2 out of 3 looking at the camera isn't bad. Good job snapping this one quick Eric!!

Now we're down to just 2 in the shot and only 1 person looking, cute anyhow....Kennon is waving to the people sitting next to us!!

One more try....c'mon Maddox will you come back into the photo??

Much easier just shooting the balloons!! Aren't they so awesome. We had a great time.

Hannah reading books to Maddox and Kennon. She did SUCH a GREAT job hanging with the kids and was a fabulous help at the BIX saturday AM and the balloons saturday PM. The kids loved her and we sure wish she lived closer.