Memorial Day

We spent Memorial Day weekend with Pete's folks and sister and family.

We celebrated Maggie and Zach's birthdays.

 It was a very relaxing and fun weekend with lots of playing. From Tea Parties to the awesome Uncle Dave and allowing the kids to zip-line over and over again! PJ and Brie were obsessed!

 Even a few games of ball with some neighbors. Kayla was thrilled as they are girls who are her age.

 We took a time out and went to visit Great Grandmother Nadine. We pray for her nightly however we do not see her very often so the kids had an enjoyable visit with her. They were more than helpful in making sure her snacks were full to the brim so she would not be hungry! These precious moments are priceless.

 A quick shot of the group with granny and pop prior to leaving. After more than 10 tries this is as good as it got this round! We all had a great time and so thankful to both households for your hospitality and allowing us to have the run of your homes!!

Brie preschool graduation

 My Gabriella is officially ready for kindergarten and done with preschool(insert tears here). I am blaming the pregnant belly on the overdrive emotions with this event. I held it together pretty well during the program but was a wreck the whole day inside! As always the program was very sweet and Brie was one of the louder singers, she did great!

her and her little friend had the giggles during the set up but then got it together and preformed well!

The group has grown by 20+ in the last year! way to go preschool. 

 While a shy, nervous look she was VERY excited to get her "diploma" and walk across the bridge!

A few shots of some of Brie's favorite buddies at school!

The lady is not only Brie's teacher but also the director and she has been just wonderful!! We absolutely LOVE her and the preschool program, so sad our 6 years is coming to an end. Until..... September 2018 when another one will go through. So glad this is not a final good-bye!

Way to go Brie cheese we are very proud of you and all that you have done. You continue to amaze us!

ducks

On our way to Brie's school the other day we had to stop a take a picture. This momma duck and her 9 babies decided to cross a big bridge that leads out of our development. It was a very sweet moment, Brie was so excited but also very concerned someone would run them over. I thought they would be fine, however they made it a third of the way and they all just sat down, needless to say we did not wait to see what happened but we did say a prayer for them that they would make it to the other side safely.

Maggie turned 9!

 Maggie's birthday fell on a very busy Tuesday this year. So as a family we took a time out the Saturday before and spent quality time together celebrating Maggie! We started off at Build A Bear. No matter how old a person is you can always find something special there! I neglected to get a picture of all the new friends we acquired from that store! Then it was off to Justice for a little shopping, Maggie was able to pick out a shirt of her liking. Then is was time for pizza and fun. We have not been to our arcade pizza place in a LONG time so the kids had a great time playing all the games and relaxing. They really do like each other and traveled pretty much like a four pack the entire afternoon/evening. They always checked in with Maggie to make sure she was happy and getting to do what she wanted, very nice to witness(unprompted by us, too!)

 Tuesday was the BIG birthday so we hurried supper in between other things and then also rushed presents during another break.  Cake was also done on the fly! Maggie's cake request was "I want a splatter cake, just a messy birthday, cuz that is how I am and I like it!" Well Pete once again created exactly what was asked.

 The more the pieces to the present the better and top left was definitely the favorite gift of the night, Easy Bake is always a smile maker as well.

Maggie requested a mixed up cake so she and Pete put food coloring in the mix and tada! a messy, mixed up cake - she LOVED it!
Happy Birthday sweet girl! you have a heart of gold and a honest, sincere love that we are fortunate enough to enjoy!! Love you dearly!

winding down

 I am happy that in one weeks time we had our last soccer game with the littles. The 6 weeks went very quickly and they both did very well.

 Makayla had her last volleyball practice and game and was able to improve her skills greatly!

Makayla and Maggie both take piano lessons and those too are now done for the summer!


We all enjoy our activities a lot but to have Wednesday and Friday nights and Saturday mornings open again is going to be wonderful!!

Mothers Day

 It was Happy Mother's Day to me day!! The kids all made cards and were so excited to give them to me. It was a very relaxing day. It was a rainy afternoon so that meant snuggles on the couch watching a movie and maybe a quick nap! Pete did some shopping that he wasn't supposed to but I love the pieces he got for me! Hanging out as a family is really one of my most favorite things to do. So happy to be these little people's  momma!!

Brie is just a goof! she was so squirrelly all day! we all had some good laughs because of her!

Velma/Barb

Happy Mother's Day to these two wonderful ladies. Without your love and openness to life my family would not be possible. I will forever be grateful to each of you because I could not be happier than I am now. Thank you both also for being such great teachers and wonderful helpers in raising my family! Yours is an example worthy of following! You have taught us responsibility, how to love unconditionally, and strive to be the best we each can be.  I love each of you to the moon and back and I keep each of you in my daily prayers! May God Bless each of you everyday!