Happy 40th Big Brother

My amazing brother turned "40" this past week! I am so glad we could go visit and celebrate with him! He is a wonderful...Brother, Husband, Dad, and Friend! I could not have asked for a better brother! I hope his next 40 years and beyond are full of blessings! This Little Sister loves her big brother "Kevy"!

Our Annual Reunion! And...Baby makes 10!!

My dear friends and I make it a point to have our two day reunion every summer during one of my visits to my hometown. I REALLY look forward to it every year, In fact I think we should do it more often!

Angie, Ali, and Susan are amazing friends! I am so glad they were my college roommates! We had wonderful times in our college years and we still do, memories I cherish, with the friends that I love dearly!! We have dinner out one evening, then we get together with our little ones the next day for a play date...This year we hit a landmark....10, yes, 10 little ones under the age of six! It is hilarious, and we love it! I am already looking forward to next year! Thanks girls, we sure know how to have fun!!

My Dear Friends!

They will sit still in about 10 years...Ha! Lunch with the girls....Just like Mommy! Maybe they will be college roommates someday!

Play Pals

Tess Loves playdates! She loves when Bryce can come over and play! Special moments with special friends!

Ella discovered Camden this past week, she was quite facinated by the similar noises that he made!

I am so glad that the boys are close in age to our girls! It is quite entertaining to watch them interact! Tess and Bryce played with toys, painted, made a pizza lunch and even played doctor...(Kevin was not so sure about this one :) "Come here Bryce, I will Check You Out", Hilarious!

We always LOOK forward to the next time we get together!

Moses Mommy!

In the car on the way home from Church, (and one of the reasons why you don't need a DVD player in your car) SO Tess, what did you learn in Junior Church today? (No time elapsed) "About Moses and the water, he walked on it, and the snacks were good" Now, that is good Stuff!

Pass some TP PLEASE!!!

Kevin and I generally very proud of the manners that Tess has. Although she is still three years old and has her moments. she is a very mannerly little girl.... Some shining moments: She is wonderful about saying please, thank you, I am sorry, I love you..... She always says her prayers before her meals and at bedtime, without being reminded She always wants to help out She is respectful and we feel taking her just about any where, although so needs reminders sometimes because she is three, she does a great job adjusting to new situations and meeting new people There are many more and Ella is well on her way, so far she is so laid back and she just rolls with the situation Now on the other hand, we as parents realize that no child is perfect and some manners take more work then others...One in particular..... The fact that Tess did the following is a concern for us: We were outside playing, in the front yard, she dropped her drawers and before we knew she was showing her dairy air and going potty...."I have to go potty" she calmly said We were speechless for a moment. While our mouth were wide -open and our heads simultaneously shaking "No, No", she giggled, pulled her pants up and looked at us for a reaction. To top it off, Ella let out a random giggle. Tess receives an A+ for the skill of the act. We had to laugh, what else can you do? (except try to hide the laughter) We are REALLY glad we live in the country. I promise we are going to work on this one!

Precious Morning Moments

What would you describe as a great way to spend a morning??? Today was my favorite way! We slept in and went to the later church service. The girls joined us early in the morning in our bed and they both went right back to sleep, we all snuggled. Kevin has the philosophy "they are only little once so take the times to do this while we can....So true!! I LOVE this snuggle time! It is so comforting when I can look at the loves of my life, peacefully sleeping, the World is a light years away! It is just us, our little family, in a safe home, holding on to the ones we love. A gift from above. I am so thankful for the numerous blessing in my life, God is so Good. The precious moments like this are the ultimate gift! The girls look like two little angels while they slumber. Each breath they take is beautiful through the eyes of a Mommy! Their sweet faces, I could study them forever. The sounds of their sleeping are heaven sent. Then to look at their handsome Daddy holding us.... AHHH! If I could have taken a picture without waking them I certainly would have. But I have the picture in my mind and it is one I hope to never let go of! In my mind, this is what it is all about the precious gift of family, I am so thankful!

Our Campout in Review

We had a great time at the camping rally! It was spectacular family time!! We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! Our time together living in the RV was an enjoyable learning experience and once we were settled in we figured it all out. Tess loved sleeping in the bunk bed and having breakfast in the booth. We cooked in each night and had fun grilling out.

The camping rally was a lot of fun! We camped with some camping club members that have know Kevin since he was born.... Those stories are always interesting and entertaining to hear. Many of them were so glad to see Kevin and the family! From the sounds of it Kevin was a "perfect angel" as a youngster....HA! Tess asked one day, while in the RV, Tess asked when we where going to go "mingle" with everyone at the building. I am not sure where she picked up this term, but it was cute to hear her say it! She also told me one evening that Ella was tired and that she was going to "Turn in for the night"...this saying is one I have heard from Pop-Pop.

It was a great week had by all and we look forward to more enjoyable times traveling! The journey is great but heading home is always part of the fun...."There is no place like home is there Dorothy??"