tidbits

We had a pretty fancy anniversary date this year.

Yodeling isn't so hard as it looks when you have a good teacher like Aunt Delores.

Maybe we should get him the helmet, too.

Found Lucy's fishy crackers.

Should have gone for the bigger bowl.

Oh. Breakfast is exciting again!

4th of July

We took the kids to an AquaSox game for the 4th of July. Here we are before the game. It was bright and sunny for us at the start.



We all had a great time, even John did pretty well. Though I admit, I was much happier after Beth took Lucy and John to IHOP and then smuggled some food back into the game.

At the last game we went to, we sat in the general admission area. This time we had pretty decent seats, so we had a great view of the game (it was a 7-1 victory for the AquaSox).





Though the afternoon was sunny and warm, it sure got cold after the sun went down. Luckily we brought blankets, and the warm food from IHOP didn't hurt either. I enjoyed the fireworks show a lot, but I'm kind of a sucker for dazzling lights and patriotic music.

It was a late night for the kids. The fireworks show started at 10pm. We rolled into our seemingly war-struck neighborhood around 11pm. By that time all the kids were asleep.

Taking advantage of the sunshine

We're glad that the sun decided to really stick around the last few days, and we decided to take advantage of it. Britton even asked if she could wash the van, so of course we jumped on that.

We also finished clearing the ground cover under our rhodies in the front yard, and then layed down woodchips. Overall, the front yard is looking much better!

On Sunday, Grandpa Albie came over for dinner. We had a good time playing in the backyard.

Grandpa Jim and Grandma Linda watched the kids for us while Beth and I ran our 5k. Apparently, John gets along with Grandpa just fine.

baby john turns one

It's hard to believe it has been an entire year since John has joined our family. I am thankful that Britton prayed him into existance. He has been such a fun addition to our family. He knows how to make his sisters smile when they are sad. How to give good cuddly hugs. And walk/run to anyone who will open their arms to him. And he gives such gratifying smiles and giggles when he reaches you and you lift him up and cover him in kisses.

For his birthday we celebrated with just our little family and the green cupcakes that Lucy and I made. He was so excited to eat his very own cupcake, that he couldn't wait for the wrapper to be taken off. The frown left as soon as he got his cupcake, though. He's working on fulfilling the quote "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach".

my little lucy is three

Three years ago a sweet little red headed baby came into our lives. She is still very often sweet, and sometimes a little spicy to match that ginger hair. She asked for kitty boots for her birthday. I ordered them online, so she had fun anticipating her present from the time that it arrived on our doorstep to the time she got to open it. Hoping and hoping that it would be the pretty pink kitty boots she had seen a picture of. She is a good anticipator. She doesnt' mind waiting to find out what her surprise is. It was so cute, she would get a little smile on her face and just look forward to her birthday.

We had to get up especially early for her birthday. It was the first day of Cousin's Camp, and I had Activity Day Camp all day (8:30-6!) So, we decided to take her out to breakfast as a little family birthday party before everyone went her separate ways.

And Lucy loves a good donut as much as anybody. We love Henry's Donuts here in Monroe. They even gave her a free birthday donut.

And then she got to bring a donut to Grandma Becky and another one for herself. They spent the whole day together shopping, eating lunch with Gigi, and having a wonderful day in general.

I'm so thankful for our sweet silly Lucy. Right now she is sweeping me with her new broom from Grandma Linda. It's her favorite present other than her new manners game from Grandma Becky. It's my favorite game, too.