Day 182/365~2012

Happy 7th Birthday Claire!!!
After the party was over I texted Shannon and said, "Wasn't it only 5 minutes ago that Andrew was eating crumbs off of Claire's high chair?" These little ones are growing up way too fast.  I do so love Claire, she is growing into such a lovely little girl.

(We were terribly irresponsible and brought a sick Andrew to the party.  I normally wouldn't do that and he almost stayed home but Shannon and I knew Claire would be so sad after two of her best girlfriends already had to miss the party and she and Andrew are such close friends.  He rallied ~ and I sat him at the end of the table away from everyone, but Matthew later came down with a 101 fever and Andrew started worsening in the evening...we're really hoping we didn't share the bug with anyone!)   



Winnie & Carl headed out to attend a "Hawaiian" wedding and they looked so cute I had to take a photo of them before heading out.

Day 181/365 ~ 2012

Happy 70th Birthday, Grandpa!!
Does he look loved, or what?
Andrew rallied for this photo but he was a sick little boy....


Who enjoyed some snuggles from Grandpa.
We celebrated Grandpa with grilled chicken, roasted carrots, grilled asparagus, and garlic bread...I tried to make a chocolate blackout cake for dessert, but only managed half of it. I spent the afternoon at the doctor with the kids while Dan finished making dinner.  It was still a really nice night ~ we were happy to celebrate this special milestone together.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!!

Day 180/365 ~ 2012

The pews were too confining for my little girl who needed to praise God with her whole heart and body in the aisle.
Little Bug, I hope you are always so confident, so self assured, so passionate, and so fun.
Never ever change.  Ever.

Day 179/365 ~ 2012

Crazy Hair Day at VBS and Claire's birthday!  (Grandpa's too!)
My kids wouldn't let me get too crazy with the styling (I tried) but they did let Shannon spray them red in the parking lot.
Happy Birthday, Claire!!!

Day 178/365 ~ 2012

Kaitlin and Grace during the opening music at VBS.
Praising God with their sweet little hands & song. :)
Doesn't get much cuter.

Day 177/365 ~ 2012

Vacation Bible School starts today at "Sonrise National Park"!!
The kids are SO excited ~ especially Kaitlin who is finally old enough to attend!
I love that this summer tradition will be a part of their childhood memories.

Day 176/365 ~ 2012

Two relaxing & fun days with my dear friend, Diane.
A Sorority Sister from what feels like a lifetime ago!
Though we haven't seen each other for 2 years we fell right in step.
2am bed times, lots (& lots) of talk.
Peanut M&Ms and pretzels (the healthy snacks she brought stayed in the refrigerator).
We even managed to make progress on the kids' scrapbooks.
I'm already looking forward to next year!
Love you, friend!

Day 175/365 ~ 2012

While I enjoyed time with Diane, Mom took the Bug out for a special day together.
Lunch at Red Robin.
Shopping (treasures included: a princess dress, princess shoes & curly ribbon).
The movie: Brave
A very happy and indulged little girl returned home!

Day 174/365 ~ 2012

Me, The Bug & Annabelle, all buckled in and ready to go!
Off to a much anticipated "scrapfest IV" weekend with my dear friend Diane.
On our way!

Day 173/365 ~ 2012

Summer Day 1:
Donuts, Swimming, scootering, Popsicles, roller skating, and a lemonade stand! All with the cousins. Matthew & Isaiah worked hard at their lemonade stand (that was unplanned and spontaneously thrown together with some things I had bought last year. I'm trying to be less planned and more spontaneous). It worked great! They had a lot of fun and worked hard!

That little girl in the tutu swimsuit was a repeat customer. :)

Day 172/365 ~ 2012

We had a wonderful evening welcoming the arrival of summer with friends that we so enjoy.



It was such a lovely evening of relaxed conversation, laughs and fun.  



Throwing "Pop its" & making S'Mores....








It was a wonderful way to celebrate the start of summer ~ we're looking forward to many more evenings spent like this!

Day 171/365 ~ 2012

Last day of school!!! (Actually it's tomorrow, but so much happened that day I'm spreading it out between 2 days).

We are SO happy to welcome summer!!!!



This little guy grew so much this year. Here he is on the first day of school.



And the last day! (It was Hawaiian day at school).  He lost a lot of teeth this year!



And Matthew on his first day.



And last.



The kids were so excited when I drove past our house after picking them up and went to Shannon's house to have an ice cream party with some of our favorite friends.  It was such a great way to ring in summer!  (I was so struck when I took this picture at how big the kids are getting!)

Day 170/365 ~ 2012

Today was Andrew's Growing into First Grade program!



"One of these kids is doing his own thing..."
I do so love our boy.  :)



Andrew John, we are so proud of you.  You have worked so hard at being a Kindergartener this year!  We are very proud of your accomplishments and look forward to watching you continue to bloom!

Day 169/365 ~ 2012

Father's Day was a very busy day for us this year.  We had lots to celebrate!



First, Dan, who is a fantastic Dad in every way.  We pampered him with breakfast in bed



followed by golf with his boys.  He said golfing was one of his all time favorite "Dad" moments.  A special day for him, for sure.



A little after 9am, Mom, Kaitlin & I joined Mike and Michelle to celebrate Mom's birthday with a delicious brunch.



At noon we were at Kailin's ballet recital! Where Dan and I could not stop smiling at each other as we watched our little flower  dance on stage.  She wasn't a bit afraid ~ while her dancing was so sweet, I loved seeing her self confidence most of all.



The Bug said the flowers were her favorite part. Of course!



People remark that Kaitlin looks like Nana.  I think she looks a lot like Nan with her Grammie's smile!



A quick dinner, gifts and then off to Madagascar 3!

Then home for some "Ultimate S'mores cake."   It was a fun filled day!

Day 168/365~2012

I found this idea on Pinterest when looking for ideas for a photo shoot for my friend Rachel. We did this with her kids and it turned out so cute I came home and did it with mine! It became one of Dan's father's day gifts. He loved it...

Day 167/365 ~ 2012

Andrew's frog, "Waddle D."'s life was cut short.
He passed away peacefully in his bowl "as he was reaching for the stick with his leg."
Cause of death: unknown.
A memorial was held after a private, family burial.
Kaitlin, age 4, officiated.
Waddle D. was "A good frog."
May he rest in peace.

Day 166/365 ~ 2012

The hard work of second grade is in the past.
Today is day 1 of "Camp Fox!"
The second grade is ending the last full week of school by turning their classroom into a campground!
Camp Fox lasts for 3 days!
Complete with pancake breakfast, making s'mores, hot dogs for lunch, crafts...mail call, campfire songs...what a fun way to end the year!
Field Day follows "Camp Fox" and then on to Summer!!

Day 165/365 ~ 2012

The kids got in on the fun of making Vacation Bible School decorations today at Shannon's house. Matthew loves anything crafty!

Day 164/365~ 2012

The filing might be done, but when I focus on one area of life another area always backs up.
Laundry is one of the quickest areas to let me know that life has gotten too busy (this is my ironing pile).
The sad part is, this isn't even all of it!
 I'll get to it.
Later.

Day 163/365 ~ 2012

And my organizing resumes.
Dan and I spent part of the weekend cleaning out our files and reorganizing our system.
A stack of papers 18 inches high is heading off for shredding!
One more task down toward making life simpler and easier to manage.

Day 162/365 ~ 2012

Peonies are one of my favorite flowers.
They were part of my bridal bouquet (peonies, anna roses and lilly of the valley) and were the centerpieces at our wedding reception.
Dan and the bug brought these in for me to enjoy, which I thoroughly have.

Day 161/365 ~ 2012

Recital dress rehearsal was today!



All of the little girls in their costumes were so cute.
I couldn't stop smiling.



Watching this little one was just a joy.



Waiting on all the "big girls" to line up for the finale.



Practicing their final number.



No stage fright here!  :)

Day 160/365 ~ 2012

My second to last Friday helping in Andrew's class.
My little man isn't going to be a Kindergartener much longer!
(Sniff).
A little somebody to the left of him can't wait until it's her turn.
I can!