Birthday Reunion..

Staci and Alon's birthday celebration...we got to hang out all together for the first time in a few years..Tina was even in town from South Bend! It was awesome to see everyone...

The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round...

Gracie was more excited for this day than the first day of school (b/c it was easier on mom if dad drove her and walked her in!). She got to ride the bus like the Big Kids. Wait.....She is a Big Kid now. Of course she and Shelby sit together in the very front row....
Gracie and Shelby...they didn't want to pose for photos..just wanted to get in line for the bus...

Ye Handsome Pirate Three

A day with three sweet boys that started in the direction of the park ended with a rainy day spent trolling the dollar store and home to play pirates with their treasures.

Cole, Ben and Nolan..

HOORAY! Let's Play~~

It only took about 75 days but, alas the infamous playset is complete. With Jason helping coach two teams and weekend tournaments there wasn't much time for building this summer..Lucky for me (and them) it's ready just in time for daycare kids to come back! Katie, Hailey, Ben and Gracie taking turns in the crow's nest being lookouts with the telescope..

The glider, two big kid swings, swinging monkey bars and we couldn't forget a baby swing for the little ones here and that are on their way :-)

The sandbox fits nicely underneath and there is a built in picnic table for outdoor lunches! Thanks Dad/Jason for all your hard work..It's awesome to have a playground in the backyard.

WE BLINKED...Kindergarten and 6th grade 2009!

Oh What a day...Tay had to be up at 6am and left for middle school at 7am(luckily she rode with Alicia who could help her if she needed it..Thank you so much Alicia :-)). Gracie was up and ready by 7:00am and didn't leave with Daddy until 8:45am..what a long wait she had. Neither girl nervous..just ready to get on with their exciting adventures in Kindergarten and 6th grade.
Look out Middle School! It's all about making good choices..right Tay. Looks like another year of ponytails, huh.
WOW. Where did the time go. Can't believe Gracie is in Kindergarten..growing, learning and changing every second. Thanks for my cool outfit from Justice Gma and Gpa Mendenhall!
Gracie and Shelby with their brothers, Cole and Ben, who asked for them all day!
Milestone Alert: Gracie and Shelby entering Kindergarten together! Lots of nerves (mostly from the mom's, went into this moment. Gracie pounding the play dough on her first day of Kindergarten!
Gracie in her Kindergarten classroom..No drama or complaints from the day..just not enough "drink" breaks!
The day was a success for both our girls. Tay got into her locker and helped others with theirs, labeled her Chinese teacher as the "meanest" and thinks Mr. Hamilton in Social Studies will be the best. Gracie loves reading at school and playing with all the kids.

T-Ball Championship!

Gracie, Ben, Nolan and William finished their season with the Mariners with a victory on Saturday. They loved playing and only complained that their games weren't long enough!

Benjamin firing that ball at dad. Grandma Sandy with her Mariners: Ben, Gracie and Nolan Ben and Gracie were thrilled to have their "Own" trophies..now they can leave Tay's alone Nolan getting his trophy from Coach Mike.. Gracie sprinted to Coach Mike for her first trophy..Great Job Mariners.. What a fun season!

Those were the days....

Nothing like logging onto facebook and finding this...Whoa...Did my husband have some explaining to do. Silk shirts, rolleds pants, toddler rocking horses..What a great way to remember friendships that started in grade school~Jason, Dave, Dave and Jason.

Friday Funday at the Zoo!

Last Friday we ventured out to the zoo with Alicia and the kids..we had so much fun watching the dolphins, polar bears, lemurs, monkeys, turtles and flamingos..petting the sharks..riding the carousel..and who could forget eating lunch and feeding the ducks.

3 musketeers..

The carousel is a must...
We'll be back with our suits to play on the water playground..
Gracie..whom i thought was fearless..was yelling to get her out of the shark bldg...but, quickly relaxed and got her hand in the water to pet them...

Cole, Tay, Grace, Shelby, Ben and Hannah..
Someone who moves at the same morning speed as Taylor...