Friday, June 24, 2011

Swimming Lessons

This week all 3 kids along with Clayton took swimming lessons.  The boys had 30 minutes and the big kids had 30 minutes each day.  They all did great and made lots of progress. I was afraid the boys wouldn 't like it but they loved every minute of it and didn't want to get out each day.



Noah swimming to Mr. Mark




So proud of himself 
Noah jumping in and ...


swimming across deep end.

Nathan jumping in and...






swimming to Mr. Mark





Clayton
Clayton getting ready for a big jump...

and swimming across the deep end.

Her ballerina jump!
Abby swimming in deep end
Another big jump for Abby
Abby, Ms. Miriam, Clayton and Mr. Mark
The boys with their swim teachers



Thursday, June 23, 2011

Birthday Boy!

Our little wild man Hayden turned 2 yesterday.  He had a Barney in the Park birthday party this weekend.  We were out of town but the kids went with Mimi and Pawpaw.  I stole the pictures and it looks like everyone had a great time.  A park, snacks, birthday cake, icecream! What more could you ask for?




Birthday boy in his super cute "2" outfit



























Clayton (can't believe this little guy will be 7 soon!)
Cuties!
A very "Hayden" expression
I can't tell if he really liked his cake?
Feeding Daddy
Nathan
Noah



We also can't forget Uncle Brad.  Sorry we missed your birthday.  Hope it was a great one!

Monday, June 20, 2011

Happy Father's Day

I just wanted to say a very Happy Father's Day to the 3 greatest dads in our life.

First, the kids and I want to wish Bobby a very happy belated Father's Day.  Unfortunately, everyone was very tired and ill last night when we got home from our trip so daddy didn't get a lot of celebrating this year.  Bobby, I just want to thank you for being a great daddy to our wild, sweet angels.  I know most of the time you see all 4 of us at our worst because everyone seems to be tired and grumpy by the time  you get home each evening.  I don't say it enough but I adore the fact that no matter how much more work you have to do when you get home each day you always make time to hug and kiss all the kids and ask them about their day.  You make it a point to get home every night in time for dinner.  Except for the times you are traveling, you help me to put the kids to bed every night. I remember calling you several nights when the boys were newborns to have you talk to them or sing to them to settle them down.  They just couldn't settle down for the night without Daddy.   I know that many nights after the kids are settled you stay up until 1 or  2 in the morning finishing work or "homework."  You are a wonderful daddy and we appreciate everything that you do for us.  Not to mention that all the kids would agree that Daddy is the most fun.  Mommy doesn't wrestle  or tickle or act quite as silly as Daddy  can!
Holding Noah and Nathan

Holding his little girl on her birthday












Now, I want to wish my own daddy a Happy Father's Day!  Not only are you a great dad but a wonderful Pawpaw too.  I'm amazed at your endless patience with this wild bunch of kids.  You were even brave enough last week to have all 6 grandkids for 2 days.  They loved every minute of it!  It's so funny now when I think about all of the things you were so strict about when we were growing up and I find myself doing the same things with my own kids.  Back then I couldn 't understand  some of the weird "rules" you came up with.  Absolutely no tv during meal times, we all had dinner together every night no matter what, make up your own bed every day, pick up your stuff or I take it away, learn to entertain yourself because only "boring people get bored", etc.  It all makes sense now! haha! Thanks for everything Daddy!





We also want to wish Papa a very Happy Father's Day.  We will have to wait to see you when you get back but we hope you had a great day!  The boys have been talking nonstop about going fishing with Papa.  Thanks for everything you do for all of us and being such a great father, papa and father-in-law. 



We love our new swing!

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Playdates, parties and VBS

Last week was pretty busy around here.  Abby went to VBS all week.  The boys and I ventured out to the outlets to do some "returns" one morning.  We spent one afternoon/evening at Mimi's and Pawpaw's playing with Hayden and Clayton and gave Daddy a little quiet time to finish up homework.  Abby had playdates on Thursday and Friday.  Mommy spent about 2 solid days doing laundry and catching up after Daddy repaired the dryer. (Yeah Daddy!)  On Saturday we all headed to Mary Helen's 4th birthday party at a jump house.  Of course all three kids had a ball.  Jumping, cake and icecream!  What more could you ask for?  We also managed to finish our first 200 minutes of reading for our Summer Reading program at the library. 
Abby and Mikayla playing dress up

Headed to the birthday party


Is it just me or do the boys always look like they are yelling?  haha!



Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Aquarium

Trying to pet the stingrays
On Memorial Day we went with our friends Belinda, Kenny and Mary Helen to the Aquarium.  We had the best time and the kids loved it.  Their favorites were the butterflies and penguins. ( Of course I took a ton of pictures!) Cute kids in a butterfly garden holding butterflies.  You can't ask for a better photo op than that.  I thought the kids all behaved really well considering that we had four  kids ages 6 and under.  This was our last trip with the two families and only 4 kids because they will be adding a second little girl to their family this summer.  Abby will love having another little girl to play with. 
Two sweet friends

Noah and Daddy
Mary Helen
Nathan
Abby
Love this little look of concentration
Not easy to get a pic of the whole crew
Noah giving his penguin some love
Nathan trying to pull his penguin's beak off?
Checking out the penguins
This was their pose of the day!

Nathan


Loves to get her picture made these days!