Our Trip to Branson!

Well...a great time was had by all in Branson MO! We stayed at Holiday Hills Golf Resort. We spent Friday night bummin' around the Branson Landing..which has shops, huge water fountain shows, and clowns that make the most amazing balloon art! Saturday we had torrential rains...but the day wasn't lost! We hit the IMAX theater and watched WALL E (new Pixar kid's movie) and then we hit the track...Go Cart track that is. Emma absolutely loved it...she laughed the whole time we were driving!

Sunday we put in a full day at Silver Dollar City. We christened Emma with her first water ride...the Lost River of the Ozark (posted a picture so you understand what we rode).

We strapped her in and then proceeded to listen to her scream and yell. She still is talking about how she didn't like the water fountain!

Jackson loved the roller coasters!

It was great to get away with the family! Check out our slideshow to get the full-effect!

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Jackson...Our Guitar Hero!!

Introducing......our GUITAR HERO!

This past week, Jackson attended the Renaud Spirit Center Youth Guitar Camp. He had a blast and really liked his teacher, Chris.

Be prepared to be amazed at the tantalizing, ear tickling and mind numbing guitar licks of Jackson Daleen!




PARTY ON JACKSON!

Our Family Reunion at Scheidemantel's!

Well...our fun-filled family reunion weekend has come to an end. We had a great time visiting with so many relatives...people we only get to see every couple of years or so! I knew it was going to be a good time, when the only things that were required of us were to bring a dessert, an appetizer and an alcoholic shot! What more could you want? Check out the slide show for more pictures from our weekend!

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The kids had an absolutely fabulous time! I asked both the kids what their favorite part was...Emma said the necklace she made and Caleb's birthday cake that had icing in the middle! Jackson said hands down...the trip to Walmart in Salem with Ma Ma Meredith where he got the Playstation II Indiana Jones Video Game! He literally carried it around with him all weekend!

Jackson had a blast swimming, canoeing with Pa Pa Dan and going on the paddle boat with Chloe and Wendy. Emma had fun bee-boppin' around with Caleb and Alexander...She also fell in love with the sandpit...a giagantic sandbox! Let's just say, that girl needs to go to the beach someday soon! She laid in the sand...and had me cover her entire body up to her neck! I just kept thinking "Eeeww! Who's child is this?" She had sand everywhere!

Unfortunately, Rick wasn't able to join us because he had to work...and we didn't have cell phone service....so needless to say, we missed him a lot and we were ready to head home this morning. So, I packed the car...buckled in the kids and off we went down Highway 44!

I got off at the Gray Summitt exit, thinking I'd take the kids on a scenic ride home through St. Albans. Well, in addition to making both the kids car sick from the ups and downs of our country road drive... I added about an hour to our trip because I got lost! Finally Jackson said, "Hey mom, isn't that the gas station we stopped and got gas at a while back!" I then realized I was back at 44 and Gray Summit...I had made a huge circle...don't ask me how because I have no idea and obviously no sense of direction! So I gave up on the country ride, jumped back on 44 and headed home!

So now 3 1/2 hours into our normal 2 1/2 hour trip...we made it to Wentzville where we boarded Bubba ...mind you..a place that was recommended by his vet. The kids were both anxious to see him and they were fighting over who would hold him on the ride home. As the lady brought him to us, we all started petting him and he was kind of damp. The lady said, "Oh, he might be a little wet, he was playing outside in the water"....so we gathered up Bubba and walked out.

It wasn't until we were in the car that we realized...Bubba was FILTHY! I couldn't believe it...I just kept saying, "What could have possibly happened to him in 48 hours!...What kind of water was he playing in...German Shepard pee?" It was like he rolled in pee and then they lathered him in some kind of perfume powder! He was actually STICKY! It was disgusting. It was so bad that neither kid would hold the dog and our normal hyper energetic Bubba just laid his head on my chest and looked at me like, "You have NO IDEA what I've been through lady!". It was so bad that when we got home I didn't even unpack the car! I just parked the car...took the dog straight upstairs, gave him a bath and then stripped my clothes off and washed them in scalding hot water! No lie!

So now, it's about 11:45...The kids are asleep...Snickers is in bed with Jackson and Bubba is in his cage literally in a coma...fluffy and smelling fresh, but out cold.

Next week..Jackson has Youth Guitar Camp at the Renaud Center and then we're taking a long weekend in Branson. Silver Dollar City here we come!

Take care and talk to you soon!

Happy Father's Day!

To all the Fathers...Hope you had a great day...filled with all the things you love! Know that you are all on my mind and in my heart!!

For those of you who are following the Blog, you all knew that we were having a busy week this week. Just to give a few more updates...Emma's swim lessons are going better. Her male teacher (Chris) has the patience of a saint...She calls him Miss Chris! When we walked in for our lesson this week, he said, "Oh! It's Emma...she came back!" She's doing a great job learning to kick, blow bubbles in the water and she only has to get out of the pool every 5 minutes or so to get a "You're doing great!" and a reassuring hug from me!! Needless to say, I'm not hot anymore in the pool area because I'm soaking wet by the end of class!

And lastly, our little Bubba got fixed Friday. He moaned a lot of Friday and curled up in a ball most of the day...but has since gotten right back into the swing of things. The vet told me that he wasn't supposed to run, jump or do stairs for 5 days...I just looked at her and said, "Yeah right...So I guess he'll be living in his cage for the next week!"

Other than that, we're just ramping up for another week. Jackson has YMCA Camp next week with a field trip to the City Museum. Next weekend is the Borgmeyer Family Reunion at Scheidemantel. Unfortunately, Rick has to work..so it's me and the kids...we're in for a fun weekend of fishing, swimming and just playing around...can't wait!

Welcome Baby Bennett!

Welcome Baby Bennett! John Bennett Borgmeyer Jr. was born on June 9th and weighed in at 7 lbs, 3 oz/20.5 inches long. Mom and baby are home and doing great. Congratulations Jack, Anita and Sierra!!

Jackson's Scouting Camp

Well, Jackson had quite a week. He attended the Boy Scout Evening Camp at Busch Wildlife. Each night there were several activites (stations)...BB Gun Shooting, Sling Shot Lessons, Catapult Exercise, Leather Stamping...Various Crafts and Fun! He had a blast and learned a lot of cool things. Check out the slideshow to see more pictures of Jackson in action!!!

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Weekend Fun!

Well, we started off Friday night with a movie...Kung Fu Panda...The kids loved it. Then on Saturday, the kids went over to Mom's for a while to swim while I went and got my hair cut/colored...added a touch of blonde for the summer! A treat for myself:)

We watched Bambi on Saturday night..I actually fell asleep on the couch and Jackson played Legos...so really Emma watched Bambi. We then had a Mexican Party for dinner...tacos, tamales, beans. chips and cheese dip. Both the kids actually ate what I cooked...only because it was "party food"!

Sunday, I set up the backyard with all things summer...we got the slip and slide out and filled our little swimming pool. I lathered the kids with sunscreen and let the dogs run free for a while. We had a great time...so much so, the kids are both sleeping now!!!


We have a very exciting week coming up:

1. Baby Bennett should be here no later than Wednesday!
2. Jackson has Boy Scout Shooting Camp at Busch Wildlife
3. Emma has swim lessons on Tues/Thurs.
4. Bubba is getting fixed on Friday
5. Father's Day on Sunday!

I'm SURE I'll have more pictures to post very soon!

Emma's 1st Swim Lesson..DRAMA!!!

I told myself I wasn't going to write in the blog again or post pictures until I had news about both the kids..trying to ensure each gets their due coverage...but I just had to share this one..it's a classic Emma story! So Jackson...you get the next two stories on the blog!!!

Well, we just returned home from Emma's 1st swim lesson. It started out really good...she was excited about the swimsuit...the tank dress...the towel with fish on it...

Then we headed to the Renaud Spirit Center for her lesson...She met a friend named Hannah and all was good.

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She listened...she smiled...she was focused on the teacher!!!!!

Then, after a trip to the bathroom, she didn't want to get back in the water...she was done! She cried ...real tears...she said she was scared...she said she wanted to get out...she kept giving the other kids dirty looks because they were splashing and getting water on her.

In true Emma fashion, when the class was over, with fresh tears still on her cheeks and snot running out of her nose, she ran over to the teacher and said, "Thank you...See you next Tuesday!" and gave him a big hug! She then proceeded to throw a full-blown screaming fit because she wanted to stay in the water...unbelievable!

At this point, I think it was probably 110 degrees in the pool area..the air was humid and I began sweating. For those of you who really know me...you know...I don't do heat. The louder she screamed, the hotter I got. I just slowly and calmly walked Emma to the car. She cried and screamed the whole way...furious that her towel was dragging on the floor and was falling off her shoulders.

So...who wants to take her next week?

Emma...Our Tiny Dancer!!

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Emma had her final night of dance class tonight! She put on a great show even though she wasn't feeling very well...fighting a bug. We're so very proud of her! Check out the Dance Show Video! Way to go Emma!!!