Summertime is Here - Finally

On the first day of summer vacation Midge and Leo stayed in their room until 10 AM. When we went in to check on them we were told, "We're sleeping in". The next morning they were up at 7 AM, so that didn't last long. Our TV went out today, so we have been coming up with some new activities to keep us busy.

Hanging out with siblings. (Although mom has had to separate a few brawls).

We have tried coordinating our outfits to stuffed animals - it is the latest accessory.

We have tried a few new haircuts.

We have ditched the clothes and enjoyed the warm weather.

Tried to look hip in our shades.

And if all that doesn't work out for us we might start a rock band.

If you are wondering where Little Miss is in all of these photos she has decided she doesn't want to be photographed right now, although I did manage to capture her in the background of the last shot when she was dancing by.

Leo's 6th Birthday

For Leo's 6th Birthday we had a Pirate Party at the new Pirate Park in our neighborhood.

My mom got this dress for Little Miss. She loved it and 48 hours later I literally had to hold her down and rip it off of her because she refused to take it off.

Ken played baseball with the kids so Midge and I could hide the clues for the treasure hunt.

Once we gave them the first clue they were off.

Midge read them the clues and they would run to the next clue.

X marked the spot.

The kids dug up their "golden" chocolate coins.

The below game was called bomb the pirate. Midge dressed up as a pirate and the kids tried to hit her soft darts.

Leo's pirate hat cake.

My brother and mom were able to come down and help, which was a huge help.

A little older and oh so much wiser...well in some areas!

That was then and 13 years later this is now.

Today is our 13th wedding anniversary. How is it that I can still remember so much of it like it was yesterday and yet the days in between have been full of so many adventures, surprises, laughter, stories and challenges faced together? When I look at the above picture I see two people that had no idea of what lay in store for them. Building a life together takes a lot of work. In the process you develop a relationship and trust with your spouse that is like no other. Ken knows all of my flaws. He has seen me at my worst, and has challenged me to develop as a person and cast off the negative traits. Together we have had to overcome some of life's most difficult burdens and yet on the other side we are each other's biggest supporters. We have an unspoken language. Each of us can walk into a room and be able to know what the other is thinking, and how to help or when to back off. He truly is my best friend. He is the one I want to share my biggest secret with, or who's shoulder I want to cry on, or the one who can get me laughing the most. I love you and here are to many more years together and adventures to face.

A Very Busy Weekend

What a busy week. There was so much happening I have broken it into several entries so catch up on our busy lives. The end of school, getting grades entered and cleaning up my classroom, kindergarten graduation, a family birthday for Leo, a friend's birthday for Leo, a primary activity, Father's day and our 13th wedding anniversary. Here are some fun photos of our busy weekend. Leo's birthday is in a separate entry.

Showing their true colors.

So for our anniversary I told Ken the only thing I wanted was his two ugly running "shirts" to be destroyed. I gave him a three month warning to prepare for getting rid of his old shirts. I knew that it would take some time for him to say goodbye to these shirts. Especially considering the fact that he has been wearing one of them for 20 years (yep longer than we have even known each other.) He was a good sport and while he tried to talk me into using them as rags I made him throw them out. The kids had a great time cutting them off his body.

The white one usually has a mud streak up the back from the winter rains and the bottom one has been discolored for several years.

Doesn't he look handsome and ready to sprint off into the sunset with his in his new outfits.

Our little guy is getting so big. He started laughing this week. I have great video of it but for the life of me I can't figure out how to publish it to blogger.

We were able to go to a primary activity. One of our friends owns a photo booth as part of his business. It was really fun to take pictures with the kids. Leo got photos with his best buddy Aidan.

Baby Boy Earns a Nickname

I have been waiting to come up with a nickname for baby boy. Each of my kiddos has a nickname on the blog for privacy reasons and baby boy has earned his, Huck. Part of it is his easy going nature, and friendly ability to get along with everyone. If he can get you to look at him he will give you a big smile. Plus it just seems to fit him.

Lately he has found his fingers. None of kids have been thumb or finger suckers. Midge was a pacifier baby, Leo didn't really use any, and Little Miss loves her satin edged blanket. The funny thing is that he sucks his pointer and middle finger.