One of those days!

After an exhausting morning of crying, whining, and fighting...

My cute kids made these cards in an attempt to have a happy day!

(click the picture to read what made my smile return)

It was like the return of Mother's Day!

Thanks kiddos!

Summer Celebration

Today was the last day of school! To celebrate the beginning of our summer vacation, we bought the kids a waterslide for the backyard.

The kids loved it and had a great afternoon!

She was the first one down, braving the freezing cold water.

Dads next project is to get the hot water running to the outside...

The little guy even got in on the action!

He loved the little basketball hoop ~ our little athlete.

A farewell to preschool...

Today was our preschool graduation.

They had a big celebration in the classroom with songs,

certificates for the kids and ice cream sundae's!

She has loved going to preschool this year,

and she is so ready for Kindergarten!

Miss Crystal and Miss Laura

Two of the friends who will be going off to Kindergarten with her next year!

As we were leaving the school, she was acting a bit strange in the back of the car... I turned around to see that she had started crying. I asked her why she was crying and she said it was because she loved her preschool! How cute is that?

Happy Father's Day...

Here are just a few reasons why my family loves my dad!

• He sends us postcards from the different places he goes for work.
• He likes to mow our lawn when he visits - we have a riding mower!
• Sometimes he'll call just to talk to the kids.
• His youngest three grandkids share his middle name.
• He doesn't complain when we put him to work digging holes.
• Sometimes his own snoring will wake him right up!
• He "stops by" on his way home from business in Washington DC - which is 8 hrs away!
• He is the best Grandpa we know!!

She's getting ready...

Last week she learned how to be a good Kindergartner for next year.

She ate school lunch in the cafeteria, watched a bus safety video in the library and ended the day with a ride on the big yellow school bus!

N Y C

I took a trip into the city with my super fun sister-in-law.

She had never been to the city so we checked out the tourist sites!

What is better than Frozen Hot Chocolate from Serendipity?

A Peanut Butter Frozen Hot Chocolate!!

Y U M M Y

Yes, I realize you can see up my nose!

Minne Ha Ha

We have always wanted to take a ride on one of the big steam paddle boats! My sister-in-law was visiting so we thought we would give it a try. Occasionally, we got a bit wet! We couldn't tell if it was a sprinkle of rain - or if it was mist from the steam. The kids loved it!

Do you think my hubby and his sister look alike?

Our camping trip...

We have camped with the same group of families for three years,

it has been fun to watch all of the kids grow up.

Our youngest tried his hardest to keep up with them all!

The best part of the camping trip was having Grandpa with us!

Grandpa has always wanted to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame.

I was told by my eight year old that this was his first time on a trolley!

I don't think the kids understood what they were looking at.

But - they sure loved to push the buttons and play with all the gadgets

My big helper... almost as good as breakfast in bed!

The last few camping trips have not been enjoyable for me.

This was by far our best camping experience...

I am actually willing to do it again - Next Year!

A Day in Manhattan...

We were out the door early enough to take the 7:30 train into the city!

Eating lunch at Ellen's Stardust Diner is so much fun.

All of the Waiters/Waitresses are aspiring Broadway stars

and they each take their turn to perform for the crowd.

The Manhattan Temple

It is so amazing to me at how quiet it is inside the temple ~

If you've been to Manhattan, you'll understand why that's amazing!

Thank you, Stella, for letting us all share this special day with you!

We love you ~ you are such an amazing person...

(yes... I realize my eyes are closed, but everyone else looks great!)

It was a long, but fun & special day...

my aching feet are in need of a good pedicure!

Anyone up for it?

Happy Mother's Day!

Here are just a few reasons why my family loves my mom!

• She got a job at an airline so she could visit more often.
• She loves cupcakes - and so do we!
• She always tells me what a good mom I am.
• She lets me color her hair - and I think I do a good job!
• She is always willing to help others, especially her daughters.
• She never visits without bringing little gifts for the kids.
• She always takes me to the Olive Garden when she visits.
• We share the same middle name, which makes it special to me!
• Her love of traveling is contagious!
• She calls just to say, "Hi, I'm thinking about you!"
• She always makes sure we have lots of family fun together.

ABC's

Yesterday while I was with a small group of friends,

our little guy was playing with a bus toy

intended to help teach toddlers the alphabet.

I wasn't paying much attention to what he was doing and a friend says,

"Does he know all of the letters already?"

I told her he could recognize one or two, like the letter ~ J~

This morning we had a little shopping we had to do...

as we pulled into the parking lot and he says,

"T - A - R - G - E - T"

What a surprise that was to me. I guess I ought to keep a closer eye on my kids, it seems that my older kids are doing my job for me!

Did you know that

S T R E S S E D

backwards is...

D E S S E R T S!

Thanks, Guinevere! That explains my current cravings ~

Beauty of the Season

This is why I love Spring!