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.  

Makes me Smile

This makes me smile.  Allyson is such a little artist.  

New Kittens

We got a mamma cat and her 6 babies.  The kids love them!  They have been earning their keep by catching mice and being cute!

 Mamma's name is Stripes, and the kids keep changing the babies names.
The kids are convinced that the girls are the ones with white on them and the boys are the ones with just gray.

Tooth Fairy Visit

Allyson has lost her first tooth.