Tuesday, July 22, 2014

#BlueberryPicking at The Berry Patch Summer 2014


What an amazing time we had as a family recently going to The Berry Patch in Cleveland, MO (outside of Kansas City). The Picking Report on their website said they were all picked out but it was a gorgeous night for July, Aron was around and we had our friend Julia with us, so we said FORGET THIS … we are going anyway and will have some fun and hunt down some berries.

We got to pick a patch of land we had not ever been to before. We had to drive to a back lot then walk a bit to get there and then we were in berry heaven. We each got a bucket and went to town. The further we would walk the more the dark berries on the bushes. I was in my own world after a while picking berries to the sounds of nature as the sun started to set.

We don’t like to go in the mornings like “normal” people because (1) we like to go as a family (2) my kids sleep in so I can work (3) the weather is just as lovely at night as in the early morning and (4) there are fewer people there. A method to my madness, you see!

We ended up with like 21 pounds of blueberries! Whenever we go there, it's always peaceful and fun and something to remember.






Quite a haul at 21 pounds! Sam is sad that his grasshopper that he left too far from its Mommy would not get home to it's Mommy. He was sobbing about it, poor kid. He's a sweet little soul about strange pets.

FUN! The kids and Mr. Kerrie would roll this tube up a hill then get inside it and roll back down.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

#SplashCove in Shawnee ... Checked Off of our Family's Summer 2014 Bucket List

I didn't take too many pictures because I was busy making sure no kids were drowning.

The wave pool.

The snack area. Always gotta hit that.


Sam found a buddy

Friday, June 27, 2014

#BahnCooler – "Pink Stuff" Recipe and Mom’s Ice Chest Challenge at Schlitterbahn WaterParks


Schlitterbahn loves families and the proof is in the ice chest -- families can save by bringing their own ice chest to the park! When you combine that with free parking it's clear that you are hard-pressed to find a more family-friendly park!

Bringing in an ice chest does more than save money for your family; it lets you take care of those fussy eaters and stay all day! Packing an ice chest with our kids' favorites means more time enjoying rides and less time in food lines. Plus at Schlitterbahn you can enjoy the best water park while saving money, too!

I recently found out that the Schlitterbahn does not nickel and dime a family to death! With free parking AND being able to bring in our own food, that saves us a lot. We are planning a trip there later this summer! I didn't realize there was such a huge variety of rides ... some wild for the adventurous Mr. Kerrie and my oldest Little Kerrie named Joel; some mild for the naughty Little Kerries named Samuel and Eva; other rides in between for Callie and Michael!

So here's a link to the perfect ice chest recipe I could think of: Healthy Pink Stuff. It has 3 simple ingredients and is a nice, cool thing to take along to the water park when your body needs something good and replenishing!

Check out Schlitterbahn!

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

The McLoughlins Go on the Road Day Five! #VacationInBranson

Friday was our last day in Branson before heading home.

Breakfast out this morning at a Belgian waffle restaurant that rocked!

Packing up and Sam has a new toy

Sam at Castle Rock Waterpark!

Some swimming before leaving town

Tow-mater!

Lightning McQueen!

A week of getting up "early" makes my littles sleepy!

Benefit #9,463 of homeschooling: leaving town before miles and miles of traffic heads into Branson

Time to stop at our favorite park in Clinton, MO

Mom, what kind of bush is this?

Daddy gets in on the action, flower behind ear like a boss

The McLoughlins Go on the Road Day Four! #VacationInBranson (Part Two)

More Thursday fun in Branson!

Eva with kitty cat

Samuel with kitty cat

Callie with kitty cat

Joel with kitty cat

Michael with kitty cat

Gorgeous kitty cat


We love zoos but hate them at the same time ... hate the animals caged up


After the zoo we had some waterpark fun

Later, some mini golf fun at Dinosaur Canyon

Ball in water!

I cut my mini golf teeth at Jellystone Park in Branson and am not too shabby

Cherry Berry fro yo!


Callie's concoction

My little sweethearts!