Faith and her zebra

I decided to take some pics of Faith playing while Maddie was in dance class - she kept looking at her zebra and then putting him in her mouth. Cutie Pie!!

 

Maddie's Debut Part II (See Below for Part I)

Somehow this pic got left off when I published the last blog, but it's cute and I wanted to include it! 

Maddie's Dance Class Debut!

After watching Grace go to dance class for two years, it's Maddie's turn to shine! We decided that with Grace being in Kindergarten this year and church activities on Wed. nights and Sundays, she was going to be too busy to go to dance. Maddie, on the other hand, needed something special to do that was all her own. Thankfully Nana Heidi & Papa Wes are going to continue to treat Maddie to dance class instead of Grace. Yesterday was her first class and she was just beaming the whole time. From the moment we arrived and I started to take pictures she just lit up like a Christmas tree! Maddie's posing for these photos is all her! Sometimes it's hard to get her to smile naturally, but not yesterday. She kept saying, "... and I get to dance this time?" Enjoy the pics - she is so precious to us!!

 

Food, Friends & Fellowship!

Last Sunday night we had some friends over after church for pizza, desserts and games. In all between our three families there were 6 adults and 10 kids! The kids played so well together and the adults were able to enjoy some uninterrupted time to play games and talk too! (Until 1 o'clock in the morning!) Thanks for a great time everyone!
-Here are the kids (minus three of them) watching a movie downstairs.
-Ashley at the table (in dress up attire)
-Aiden finally conked out around midnight!!

 

A Great Weekend Home!

Below are all of the pics from our weekend in Ohio! There are a few blogs worth of them (I haven't figured out how to post more than four at a time - I think it's the settings I have that won't let me). Our weekend consisted of spending lots of time with family - Jamie and Jake stayed at mom's house and so we got to spend lots of time with them and I loved it. Jake is such a sweetheart and he seemed to take to me really well. Maddie and he had a great time and also played well together. Unfortunately I didn't get any pics of the Big Breakfast, but the food was great Mom! Saturday afternoon and evening were spent at Uncle Roy and Aunt Cindy's for swimming, great BBQ on the grill and celebrating Joe's BDay! It was great to see everyone and spend time together - that is so rare these days since we are all spread out in different states. We missed you Aunt Sandy!! Enjoy the pics - I love my family!!


 

More Pool fun! (See Previous blog)

Jake's gonna jump!!

Faith in her swimsuit

Ainsley gets in the water!

Isn't she cute??


 

Pool fun at the McIntosh Pad

Mermaid Mommy & Little Ariel!!

Diane the water beauty!

Papa & Maddie - they had so much fun together. She's a Papa's girl!!!


 

I Love my family...

More pics from our Ohio weekend...
- Boys and their Bocci balls ( :) sorry Joe)
- The Jake man and his cool monster truck!
- Happy Birthday Joey!!
- Kelli & Jamie ( pretty girls)



 

I Love my family (cont.)...

Again, more pics of my trip home...
- Elizabeth, Kelli and Grace
- Papa Wes & Maddie
- Me and my Daddy!
- BBQ Whiz Uncle Roy and Christa


 

Friends for Life

While in Ohio, I also got to meet up with my good friend Sarah. We had talked about getting together because we were both going to be home at the same time (she lives in Florida). I know her favorite spot is the Polaris mall for coffee and letting the kids get their energy out in the play area. I happened to go to the mall with Carissa, my cousin Jamie and all of our kids one day, and as I pulled up I realized that I hadn't called Sarah yet about getting together (the mall made me think of her!). As God would have it, she was already there in the play area with her kids!! How nice to get to fit in a visit and hugs!! Sarah and her husband just found out they are expecting after eight years of trying for a biological child! They have two adopted boys from Russia - soooo cute! God is so good and I was glad to be able to give my congrats in person and snap a quick picture. Below is a picture of all of the kids. From left to right - Jake (my cousin's little boy), Ainsley (Carissa's little girl), Maddie, Kaden (Sarah's little boy), Grace holding Faith and Riley (Sarah's other little boy)
 

Our recent trip to O-HI-O! Go Bucks!!!

Two weeks ago, the girls and I and my dear friend Carissa and her daughter Ainsley made a trip to Columbus for a weekend of fun and family. I'll write more about the family time above, but following are some pics while hanging out at Mom & Dad's. The second night we were there the girls had a blast dancing in the living room with Papa Wes. Mom & Dad have started a record collection with more than 650 records! They even had an old console fixed and so in the evenings they like to listen to old records. The girls were dancing to one that my sister and I used to have as kids - Disney Disco. It was so funny to see them form a line around the living room (with Dad in front). They all decided to hold onto his belt buckle and they giggled the whole time. Then Nana Heidi got them all settled down with a bedtime story - Aren't they cute? I love my parents!!!

Big 1st Day!!!

Well, it's here and I can't believe it! Just yesterday she was Faith's age and now she's off to Kindergarten. We are so excited for her - this is such a big deal and she couldn't wait to go, but it is with mixed emotions that we send her off to school. She will be going every Tuesday and Thursday with alternating Fridays. Grace's day starts by being dropped off to school by her Daddy at 7:45am and then Mommy picks her up at 3:15pm. At least we get to ease into the school thing this year - next year it will be every day! I praise the Lord for her and pray that she will continue to grow into the young girl He wants her to be. That she will not just go and obey her teacher and make new friends, but that she would be an example even at this young age and honor the Lord in all she does! Children indeed are a blessing from the Lord! There's a picture of Grace below with her friend from church, Kaitlyn Uminn. Kaitlyn's dad is Quinn's best friend Tom. It's so neat that the girls get to be in the same class together!