Ayla's welcome video

The Greatest Show on Earth

Our giant (93 people) "Summer Dies Hard" party was Friday night. Neighbors, college buddies, members of the Elliott entourage and family mingled like old friends. We also heard the awesome news that another cousin will be welcoming a new addition...this time it's Tara's turn. It capped off the evening very well. We got so much quality sleep that night we decided to load up the car the next morning and head to Kansas City...for another party. And a circus. (we moved back to Missouri for the change of pace, you know)

We enjoyed Maryn's third birthday and catching up with Hilary, Laura and the rest of the crowd. Then it was off to the Hensley's for naps. Sunday was all about the circus and Beckett was thrilled (not as thrilled as mama doing the nursing thing with Kemper Arena in full circus, frenzy, but thrilled nonetheless). We were joined by Don and Judy and Joel, Daniel, Brenden and Danika. At the circus pre-party we saw elephants, tigers and a bunch of horses. Then it was time for the real thing.

As it turns out, Beckett's favorite things at the circus were, in order:

1. The "motorcycle in the ball guys"
2. The flying Chinese acrobats
3. The giant dragon that popped out of a car

I've got to hand it to him, those were my favorites too.

Labor Day is for the Lake

During the all too short Labor Day weekend we joined the Allen clan down at The Lake (yes, with "The" capped) for some good old fashioned Lake fun. That means beer, fishing, boat rides and the hum of nature once the sun goes down. It's one of the many things that makes Missouri exponentially cooler than, say, Kansas (along with Kansas City, St. Louis, major sports teams and topography).

On Saturday morning we drove to Sunrise Beach and chilled at Captain Ron's...which I had heard was fast becoming the official hangout spot for the family. I soon saw why. Several bars, tasty food and a beach...all kid friendly in a half-soused Lake of the Ozarks kind of way.

From there it was onto GG's condo near Camdenton for naps, bait-purchasing and lounging by the pool. Sunday brought a big family cookout (with Ron expertly handling the chicken and I, the pork loins), more swimming pool time and Ayla's first babysitting. Amber and I took her over to Bob and Amber's to hang out there before dinner and drinks at JB Hooks. Beckett stayed with Grammy and Grandpa and hit the pool some more, the boat and so on. Good times all around.

(hoping to come up with some more pics shortly)