Mini Photo Session

I have been wanting to get some pictures taken of my kids, and so this past week, I got that accomplished.  Here are a few I want to share...

The kids and I both had fun shooting the pictures, and enjoying the beautiful gardens. 

Happy 60th Anniversary!

July 27, my grandparents celebrated 60 years of marriage.  The following weekend, most of the family was able to help them celebrate.  What an awesome witness to God's love and faithfulness to witness 4 generations of family in one place.

Grandpa and Grandma with grand and great grand kids

Our family

There was a bouncy house for entertainment for the kids.  Even Uncle Milt had fun in it.

 Tessa, Hailey, Allyson, Hannah, Ashley

Blake loved fishing for prizes

The Chocolate Diaries - Book Review

The Chocolate Diaries - Secrets for a Sweeter Journey on the Rocky Road of Life.
I enjoyed reading this faith-based, positive and uplifting book.  Karen Scalf Linamen takes personal experiences and compiles them in to 15 stories of women's journeys through life - the good and the bad.  I enjoyed how the author compares these trials and events in life to chocolate.  The book also includes recipes for some sweet treats.  This book is like sitting down with a girlfriend for a cup of coffee.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Happy Anniversary

Today we have been married for 12 years!  

What a lot of growing and learning we have done in the past 12 years.  Thanks for being a great husband and father.  Can't wait to see what God has planned for us.

Training Wheels

Allyson doesn't love riding her bike, but is getting better.  As the kids ride their bikes a couple days a week in town to the pool and library, they have been getting lots of practice.   Allyson still has her training wheels on, but has come home frustrated because the kids will tell her she needs to ride faster, or she is sick of the squeaking of her wheels.
When I pick up the kids, they always run outside ahead of me to ride a loop on their bikes.  This day was no different, except Allyson was so proud and wanted me to watch - she could ride her bike without it squeaking.
One training wheel was loose, and flipped up, and she really only used the other one while turning (for security).

I took the loose training wheel off, and she has been riding with only one on for the past week.  I think it's about time to take the other off - and she can ride on 2 wheels.
This is the girl that threw her bike down on the side of the bike trail last summer during a bike ride, and was so upset because she didn't want to ride, she was ready to give up riding bike forever, and leave her bike there.
I am so proud of her and her learning to ride bike.  (A little peer pressure from brother and friends goes a long way!)

Pool Fun

The kids go to the pool a couple times a week this summer with their "daycare".  They ride their bikes to the pool with a group of kids and have so much fun.  

Friends and Fun

 Caden and Sophie - we love this dog!

Allyson and Danika - they love to play together - but only see each other when we get together with Doni's family.

 Caden and Cody

 Cool fireworks

Good friends

4th of July

We had a fun weekend.  We had some friends over on Sunday evening to grill.  
We won a party pack from Budweiser - so we were able to share some goodies with the guests.

Allyson and Taylor eating

 Caden and Jace seeing who is taller

 Kay and Amy - enjoying the good food

 Terri and Caden with a baby kitty

 Allyson and Ava drawing and having girl time

After dark, we had a great fireworks show put on by the guys.
So fun!

Paradise

While shopping in Menards, we walked past the outdoor living area.  Caden saw the gazebo and rockers, and said "Mom, can you take a picture of me in that paradise?"  Of course I would.  :)

Goodbye old Friend

We traded in our van @ the end of June.  It was sad to part with it, but when your mechanic husband decides it is time to go, well, what can I say.