4 is Fun!

Happy Birthday to Julia! Our 2nd little doll turned 4 and she couldn't be more happy about it! We had a great family party with a strawberry/pink butterfly cake on Friday night. Saturday she spent her birthday eating a snow cone and watching Caden's baseball game. Saturday night she picked out the supper menu: mac n cheese, brocoli, cheese, and turkey slices rolled up with a toothpick stuck in the middle. It was simple and easy to prepare.

New pink rubber boots! She's had her eye on them at a local Dutchman's Store. As soon as she opened the bag she says, "I KNEW these were in the bag. And I KNOW that you got them at Dutchman's!!" OK, she has me figured out!

She ended her birthday reading new birthday books with Dad.

JuJu, JuJu, JuJu....it is hard to express how special you are! You Shine! Your personality is unlike any other that we know! Your style (PINK skirts, fun shirts, leggings or boots) and your fire for life are contagious. You are a fun girl -- you add energy and laughter to our family. We are proud of you and look forward to you getting to be a "Pre-School Girl" and all the other things that come with being 4. We pray you continue to learn about Jesus and what he wants for your life. We pray you thrive in His will and His path that lays ahead of you. Thank you for all the big hugs you give us each day!

All-Star Baseball

Caden's regular season Little League baseball is over for the Summer, however he was picked to play on the 8-9 yr. old All-Star team. This consists of a double header (played yesterday) and two upcoming weekend tournaments. This is a good experience for him, as it is his first shot at "real" baseball, playing teams from other towns and hitting off of a pitcher (the regular season was machine pitch). It was a hot, tiring day for all of the boys playing two games back to back in the heat of the afternoon yesterday. Caden learned alot and it was really fun to watch.

Pouting after a strike out!

Makes Mom Smile!

We Love You, Dad!!

Fathers Day Ad

This is our Fathers Day Lumberyard Ad in a local paper.

Send Your Dad To Our Dad For The Best Building Materials!

Last year we ran the same Ad with this picture. The kids have grown so much!

New Additions to our Fam.

Josh ran across two 9 week old Jack Russell Terrier sister puppies that were needing some TLC. TLC is definately what they have gotton in the last 24 hours while in our care. Not a dull moment in their puppy lives with 4 kids taking turns carrying them!

This one started out as Sweetie, but the name may be changing to Trixie....we'll see by the end of the day.

This is Jackie!

Macy's Summer Ball

Macy is nearing the end of her season of 5-6 yr. old machine pitch baseball. She has enjoyed playing and takes pride in hitting the ball and running the bases. She loves it when her brother gets to cheer her on!

Noelle

Our first Animal Recue project

Macy says that she will have a business and rescue animals when she grows up. This past week she decided that with her Saturday bake sales she would like the money to go towards Animal Rescue. Well, I think the Lord heard...because today we got our hands on a tiny kitty that had been abandoned by its mother. So, we've stocked up on Manna milk and a kitty bottle and let the fun begin as we begin to learn about rescuing an animal!

Dam To Dam 2010

Last Saturday, in the pouring rain, Josh and I took a nice, long jog in Des Moines. We love this race! It was Josh's 4th and my 3rd Dam To Dam 20K (12.4 mi). Even in the pouring rain, we had a fantastic time! There were 7,800 runners...including Josh's dad, my sister, and 12 other runners from our town. Josh's dad, Josh, and I all finished with times under two hours. We were happy with that, but more happy about finishing strong and not having a knee give out or some kind of serious body ailment. That does happen-even at age 30. Praise God for a great race! Can't wait for next year!

Here we are....Wet, tired, but lovin' it!

Happenings

Daddy-the Lumberyard man-worked on a project through the Winter for his kids. It finally came home-they have been anxious! This is a playhouse (a ladder and loft in the upper part)/chicken coop/bunny hutch/sleeping quarters (they won't quit asking!). I don't have to worry about summer entertainment any longer!

I really thought it would crash and the windows would break, but he seemed to know what he was doing and the thing made it safe and sound to the cement.

WHAT IS EVERYONE LOOKING AT?

A SNAKE! Yep, now we have a snake in a bucket. Wonderful--but once again, more summer entertainment! Whew!

PS. We would not survive in the city! I hope someone can relate!

Summer is Official!

It was a fantastic school year for Caden and Macy. They officially passed to 1st and 3rd grades. Macy says she can't wait to go to 1st grade because, "Finally, I'll have REAL homework!".
We started out Summer Vacation today with "Rise and Shine" at 6:00 AM for a Bake Sale at the Lumberyard. Macy is ambitious about the idea of selling Cinnamon Rolls at the Lumberyard, so we decided that once a week she could go to work with Dad and set up a Bake Sale....she's also asking to sell garden produce, but I'm not so sure I'm willing to give up that yummy stuff! She is also ambitious about spending her earnings on a new puppy....Mommy and Daddy have news for her....she'll have operating expenses, savings, givings, then MAYBE there will be some left for her love of puppies. We look forward to many lessons learned this summer!!

Such a hoot!

These two are such a hoot! Today they each ate a whole apple at my side while I weeded garden. As the school year winds down this week for the big kids, I have to say how much I have enjoyed watching these two grow this year at home. They have become such good little play buddies and have been my sidekicks. Julia has taught Noelle many things throughout the year: how to change clothes 40 times a day, how to eat Mac n Cheese at every lunch, how to lick the cookie spoon, how to climb like a monkey all over the swingset, how to yell for mom from anywhere in the house, how to put her shoes on the wrong feet (or maybe she came up with that one herself!). Julia has also taught her some NICE things like to care for a babydoll, to sit and read a book and point at the words on the page, to catch worms and frogs, and to potty like a big girl!

We will say good-by to this stage as Caden and Macy get out of school on Thursday, and we have a change in the routine. Julia will be off to a three morning/wk Pre-School in the Fall. I am excited for the upcoming adventure for her and she already calls herself a "Pre-School Girl" and has a bag packed --including a container of cheese popcorn, a pair of black tights, a notebook and pen, and a Bible. What more could she possibly need!

Precious! Precious! What more can I say! I am thankful for my time at home.

Camping....

We camped for two nights this Memorial weekend at a local Lake. We have not done much tent camping since Julia was born, because it has been more work (mostly for me) than it is worth. Yah-maybe we've crossed that bridge! The kids were awesome and kept thanking us for being on vacation. I guess if camping 30 minutes from home is all it takes for "vacation" we won't break it to them that places like Disney World even exist! We ate a lot of smores, drank more pop and CapriSuns than ever, and enjoyed time with friends. Welcome, SUMMER!!

For Brother...

Caden was sick on Friday, the little girls thought these would make him feel better.

Sometimes....

...they are this nice to each other! I found them both in Noelle's bed one morning.