Thank you Auntie Tocha!

My dear friend, Tocha, sent us a package with some things for me, inspirational things to read, and something for all the kids.

Tocha, here's just a sampling of the kids enjoying the presents from you. They all LOVED them and can't wait to take a vacation to come visit you guys. (hehehe) You are such a wonderful, sweet, caring, dear friend. I am blessed to have you in my life. HUGS!!!

Happy Father's Day!

I wanted to give a special message to the Dads in my life.

To my dad -- I couldn't have been blessed by having a better dad, and friend, than you. I have so many memories of times we spent together.

1. Many trips to Seattle to visit Grandma & Grandpa -- and you letting me get the fruit punch in the Space Needle cup even though it was a bit spendy -- going on the Mattherhorn ride with the clown and getting him sick after going in circles so many times.


2. Summers spent together since we both had the time off.


3. Sitting next to you at the piano going through choir music, kids music, etc.


4. Parasailing together in Florida!


5. Taking a hot air balloon ride -- such a beautiful experience.


6. Going to Gopher basketball games together when Dick couldn't go -- I was always really excited when you would tell me he couldn't go to a game -- I always knew there would be an ice cream cone or a dish of ice cream waiting for me at the concession stand at halftime.


7. Watching "Father of the Bride" the night before my wedding.

There are so many more memories, Dad...that is only a sampling. I thank God that He put us together. I have been so blessed by you. Thank you for always making me feel special. I love you!

To my husband -- I love sitting back and watching you when you play with our kids. You know how to have fun with them...to make them laugh...and to listen to them when they are scared, have problems, or just need to chat. Everytime you guys spend time together you are making memories. Noah has great memories of going bowling, going on the roller coaster at MOA, sleeping downstairs on the hide-a-bed after watching Star Wars movies to name a few. Abby has great memories going on bike rides, going on the roller coaster at MOA, and just being "daddy's girl". Joey also has great memories of going on bike rides together, going on the bumper cars at MOA, and all the tickle/wrestling matches on Wednesday nights when Noah & Abby were at church. And this is only the beginning!!! You are an awesome dad and we all love you so very much!

They grow up so fast!!!

It really hit me yesterday how fast everyone is growing up...especially Eli! He is my little climber and the "trick" he has perfected is partly shown in the first 2 pictures. He climbs up on the coffee table that's behind the couch and flips himself over the couch onto the cushions. He just laughs and laughs when he does it, slides off the couch just to climb up and do it again!

Then this morning he did NOT want to eat breakfast in his high chair. So I brought his cereal downstairs to the little table, thinking he would give it a try and want to be back in the highchair. Nope! He sat there very nicely and ate his cereal proud as can be.

With the other 3, I can't believe that in the fall I will have a 2nd grader, a 1st grader, and a kindergartener!!! Are they really old enough? I remember my mom & dad always saying how fast time goes but I never really understood that until now. Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying every stage with them but many times I wish I could freeze time and just enjoy this stage a little bit longer.

The statement that keeps going through my head is what my Aunt Pam said a long time ago -- "I worked at giving my children deep roots so I could give them wings later." Thank you, Auntie Pam! I think about that often!!! I pray I do as well with my kids as you did with yours.

Day brightener

How can this little face not make you smile and giggle?!?! I was giving Eli some oatmeal & applesauce this morning and we were having so much fun together. Noah and Abby had gone off to school, Joey was playing with our neighbor,Hannah -- so Eli and I had some time just the 2 of us. What a sweet morning with a precious little 16 -- no, almost 17 month old little boy!!!

Cinderella

This weekend was Abby's first dance performance. They performed the ballet of Cinderella. It was beautiful! Since it's her first year, she was only on stage for about 10 minutes but she shone for those 10 minutes. She looked comfortable, at ease, and poised up on stage. Could she be a "theater diva" in the making??? She told me a couple weeks ago that she wants to dance until she's one of the "older girls" and can drive herself to dance class.
She was one of the chickens in Cinderella and did the cutest dance.
The top picture is this afternoon before we left for the show. I had done her hair and makeup and she just looked so old!!! I'm not ready for her to grow up this fast!!! The next 2 pictures are of her in her costume right after the performance tonight. She got a carnation from the woman who owns and directs the dance studio. The next picture is of her and Cinderella and the next picture is of Abby with her dance teacher, Laura. Laura also played the part of the Queen.
It was such a fun-filled, busy, exhausting weekend. She is already looking forward to next year when she'll be able to be in 2 songs -- 1 ballet and 1 tap.
Good job, Abby. You have such a precious spirit and I am so very proud of you. I love you, my sweet girl!!