David's Class Picnic Party

David and some of his kindergarten buddies!

Silly boys

Mrs. Cole leading the parade outside the school!

David playing the cup stacking game with his friends

Mrs. Cole's Kindergarten

It was supposed to be Field Day, but the weather did not cooperate, so we had the "Class Picnic Party" part and held off on Field Day, and I got to volunteer to help in David's class!!  It was so much fun.  The kids had a pizza party, game stations, party games, a parade, and ice cream.  I would've loved to spend more time in David's classroom this year, but with smaller siblings, he was a trooper and understood why I couldn't be there all the time :)  I am so glad I got to do this one though! What fun!!

David's Kindergarten Concert (May 2011)

getting ready to sing!

David and some of his classmates before the concert began

Handsome!!!!

Mommy and David after the concert

David and Ryan K.  I love their expressions!

beautiful trio :)

David and Nana after the concert :)

David's kindergarten concert was so awesome.  The kids worked on the songs all year and then we got to come and watch them all perform together.  He did a great job.  Unfortunately, he had a late(r) night the night before, so there were lots of pauses in his singing for yawns :)  So sweet. Mom and Mary joined us to watch our little kindergartener in his first concert.  We're so proud of you David!!

Andrew's Preschool Graduation (May 2011)

I can't believe Andrew has just finished a whole year of preschool. I know everyone says this but I really feel like I just brought him home from the hospital!  He's had a great year at Christ the King, and had a fantastic talented teacher who we really enjoyed.  He's grown so much this year...and he's just so smart! He knows all of his letters and sounds well and can count to 30! He's even been learning sight words along with David :)  We are so proud of our little man!

Bella's First Haircut

The finished look, yogurt-faced and all :)

It took me weeks to make this appointment, but I knew it had to happen.  Bella's hair was coming in at six different lengths, and shc was shedding lots of tears every morning....so finally, we arrived at the first hair cut.  Andrea at Mes Amies did the honors.  My baby is growing up!! 

First Ice Cream Truck of Summer :)

Okay well, honestly I'm still catching up....

The loves of my life :)

Simple joy

Last week we heard a familiar tune, which elicited shrieks from all three of our children.  What was it, you say?  The ice cream truck of course!! Now, the truck was blocks away when they first heard it, so we had to wait (Daddy thought the back of his pickup was a good spot for that)...and then finally, it arrived!  I love summer!!

Afternoon at the Movies



My little people ready for the movie...Bella's first time at the theater!!



Engrossed in the film :) or the popcorn...not sure which one!

We were so close to the screen we might as well have been at an IMAX.  David is just like his mommy...I love the close seats!!

Today I worked an extra shift (only 6.5 hours thanks to the time our bosses gave us :) and when I came home and was just going to get everyone ready for swim lessons, it started raining...so, very spontaneously I said, "Let's go to the movies!"  Oh my goodness!! You would've thought I told them Santa Claus was at the front door.  We went to see Kung Fu Panda 2, and we had a very nice time.  Of course the concession stand cost more than the tickets :) but the kids had a great time, and so did I...especially since I really needed to relax!  Bella sat in her seat almost the whole time (some of that time playing with my iphone, but still...) and we sat in the third row (David's choice....I love that kid!!).  I love my little guys!!

Catching up....Memorial Day Weekend Trip

Over Memorial Day Weekend this year, we took a camping trip to Cold Brooke, MI, with our neighbors, the Spence Family.  It was our first camping trip with another family, and our first camping trip as a family of five!  Lots and lots of fun!! 
The Highlights: 

Watching all the kids try to catch bugs.
Hiking (through the poison ivy) with all the children :)
Canoeing with five little kids in the middle of a canoe....especially when the Mommies decided to canoe the kids back across the lake, and got waked by a fishing boat...eek!
Sitting in the shower with five children when the tornado warning sirens went off....okay, maybe not a highlight :) but definitely a memorable moment.

The kids when we first arrived, right before they cleared the campsites for the tents :)

Daddy shows Bella how to wash her hands in a bucket :)

Andrew and Paige pretend to "rock climb" ---where do these kids get this stuff ? ;)

Campfire fun!

Sean and his princesses

Joe and his brood :)

Yummy! The kids cooked these sausages over the fire :)

My little hippie backpacker

Wow! Such beauty...

We think David is having fun....

The men, after they canoed the kids across the lake

The women, after they canoed the kids back, and survived the waking :)

Beach!!

BUGS!!!!

Cutiepie

Another canoe shot...isn't it lovely out here?

My little lady and me

Real relaxation...right before the tornado

We had so much fun, and can't wait to go camping again.  This time, maybe without the tornado....