Father's Day 2011

November 19, 2004 my husband became a daddy for the first time with the birth of our daughter, Brianna. 2 years, 1 month later, December 19, 2006 we welcomed our first son, Jonah. And on July 9, 2009, the day before Steven's 31st birthday, we welcomed our 2nd son and 3rd child, Micah. Over the years I have watched him grow into being a wonderful father. He loves his children and they adore him! He works so hard to provide for our family, and he doesn't ever complain about it. He not only supports me being a stay at home mom, but he wouldn't have it any other way. 

Over this past year Steven has been able to rebuild a relationship with his dad. They hadn't had a relationship for years, in all the time that we've been together (12 years) and even before that. But it's been amazing to watch this year as they have let the past go and have decided to move forward and build a life together. This was the first Father's Day that they had celebrated together in all those years, and it was very special to be apart of. He recently started renting a place along the river, has a boat, and lots and lots of fishing equipment. Some of it belonged to his younger brother, who passed away right before Christmas last year. It was pretty special watching the kids fishing with Uncle Dave's fishing poles. I'm sure he was smiling at all the fish they were reeling in! Steven took some pictures on his phone (of course, I took the camera, but didn't get it out of the car!!! What's wrong with me?!?! And I also realized we got no pictures of Steven with the kids, or him with his dad!! Geez, I'm slipping!) But we had a wonderful Father's Day, and I hope you all had a special father in your life that you got to celebrate as well!

Brianna's first fish of the day-and Papa Steve showing it off!

A close up of the fish-it was a pretty biggin!

Jonah's first fish of the day- I think he looks like he's about to pinch it!

Poor Daisy Duke- Micah decided at one point that she was horse and decided to ride her! She just laid there and let him climb all over her- what a good dog!

Steve's boat- he bought it for $1000 (used, obviously) and had to put about another $600 in it, but it is awesome!!!

This little guy waited so patiently while everyone was fishing for his first boat ride. He loved every single minute of it!

We decided Brianna will be up on water skies by the end of the summer- I can see it now! Her daddy will have to teach her though, I've never been able to get up!

Micah wasn't too sure what to think about the boat. At first he was terrified, but by the end he was yelling "Whee!!" with the rest of the kids!

Ahhh, this is the life! I agree, dear boy! I agree!

Have a blessed day! It looks like ours is going to be a stormy one! I hope you get sun wherever you are!

How We are Surviving Summer

Well, we're in our second week of summer vacation and so far we are surviving. We went to Meijer and got an inflatable pool for the kids which they love! I think they have spent more time in the pool than they have done doing anything else! I sit on the deck under the umbrella and listen to them splash and play with a good book in my hands. It's the best of both worlds for everyone. Today it rained so I took the kids to Chuck E Cheese's. We ate pizza and drank soda and played lots of games. They enjoyed being out and about, and I enjoyed giving them a place to run wild for a little while, especially since getting outside was difficult. When we got home the rain had stopped so they played outside for a while. I love opening the garage door and letting them run between the garage and the driveway. It feels like an extension of the house, another playroom where you don't have to worry about something spilling on the floor or if they start to get really loud. While they were playing it started to rain again, so they grabbed umbrellas and ran around like wild people. I remember growing up and playing in the alley behind my grandparents house when it would rain. We would splash in the puddles and just get good and wet. It was always so fun, and I went back there today while I watched the kids playing in the rain. We are about to snuggle up on the floor and watch Gnomeo and Juliet. Just another lazy summer afternoon.

We Survived Kindergarten

I can't believe that the school year is over! It feels like only yesterday we were sending Brianna off for her first day of real school, and now we are surviving the second day of summer vacation! It feels like only yesterday I was taking these pictures...

Wednesday before she left for school we went out onto the deck and took some pictures by our new water feature. Looking at these pictures it struck me how much she grew up this year! 

1st Grade here I come!!

Our beautiful princess!

The diva pose! lol

This little girl has learned so much during the year! She reads books with little to no assistance. She ties her shoes. She can make her bed and clean her room all by herself. She rides a bike. She can shoot a basketball and hit a volleyball like it's nobody's business. She can swim without floaties (in the shallow end anyways!) She writes everything. She can color within the lines. She actually ended up being quite the little artist, and a piece of her artwork was chosen for an Art in the Park day! She made lots of friends (the birthday parties got about ridiculous this year! lol) Her teacher said she would miss her sweet spirit and her love for the Lord that she shows in prayer. She grew up so much it kills me! 

I got a few pictures after school when I went to pick her up. I especially needed a picture of her with her teacher for a her scrapbook, so that was number 1 on my agenda. But I snapped a few others with some friends too!

Brianna with some friends.

Brianna and a friend with their Kindergarten aide, Mrs. Stoll.

Brianna and her teacher, Mrs. Ross. She was a fantastic teacher and we will miss her next year!

As much as it's hard to watch our little girl grow up, it's also very exciting! It's amazing to watch your children become their own people! There are lots of growing pains along the way, but the rewards are so worth it! We're looking forward to a wonderful summer, and a terrific year of first grade next year at a new school.