Father's Day Weekend

This year we kind of had an extended Father's Day weekend celebration...just a lot of family time together because this morning Ryan headed out of town for the whole week with the teens to camp in WI. So we just wanted to do a bunch of fun stuff together before he left. So, Thursday night we went to Applebees for dinner and then played Sorry! Friday night we did some crafts when we got home. Alex & Ryan can get quite creative with pipe cleaners and pom-poms. Sam just wanted to hold fist-fulls of them and squish them! Then we took a long walk around the neighborhood---long mostly because I walk pretty slowly these days! Saturday we hopped in the car and drove up to Souix City. We spent a few hours before lunch at Chuck-E-Cheese (we had the place almost to ourselves because we got there early...that's the only way to survive as parents at Chuck-E-Cheese!!) Then we went to Barnes & Noble (for Ryan's sake!!) and some stores in the mall (to buy some new sandals for Sammy's ever growing feet!).


Sunday was a pretty busy day since Ryan had lots of loose ends to tie up after church in regards to summer camp, but we did manage to grill some steaks and have some german chocolate cake, which is his favorite! Plus, Alex sang beautifully (when he wasn't looking around at all his friends and waving to his mommy & daddy) with the little kids at church and that makes mommy & daddy proud to see how far he's come! We gave Daddy a new Tigers ball cap and t-shirt to show him how much we love and appreciate all he does for us. We are already missing him and counting down the days till he comes home! Happy Father's Day, Ryan. You are the best of the best & we love you like crazy!

Saturday Squirt Guns & Picnic

Fun at the Park

The weather has been so good lately we've spent a lot of time at the park! The kids are loving the fact that it's finally summer around here!

Itty Bitty Soccer--Videos

This is his "cool new thumbs up" ;-)


This video shows how he spends some of his time on the field...cloud watching, wandering, and cheering along the others from afar or running along side them! Not exactly a MVP but definitely a good sport!


Here's the big guy actually getting in on some action!

Itty Bitty Soccer--Spring Season 2010

This boy is so funny at soccer. He has a GREAT time...but he rarely ever contributes to the game!! He gets his turn to kick the ball in, and he splits the rest of his time on the field running with the pack, taking a kick at the ball here and there and being the social butterfly and gazing at the clouds! He has learned a lot about teamwork, taking turns, following his coach's instructions, and playing kindly with others and that is exactly why we enrolled him in the program!! He is so excited to be out there that he gives the thumbs up for EVERYTHING and giving everybody a high five for every goal that is made...even when it's the other team!

An Afternoon at the Lake

Summer Buzz Cuts

Well, we've done it. We've buzzed the boys for the summer! I was hesitant about doing Sammy's, but Ryan put his foot down. I do like it, but I really hope his wavy locks do come back in the fall!! It will make haircuts easier this summer and the boys like the feel of it. They just look soooooo grown up now--when did my babies grow up so fast???





Oh, and here's a recap on the germies around here. Ryan is fully recovered and feeling fine. Alex is also fully recovered and (though he threw up 20 times last week) he is asking for food every 30 min so we know he is back to normal!! I thought that I might be catching the respiratory part of the virus a few days ago, but Praise God it seems to be skimming over me. Sam got pretty bad last Saturday and is still dealing with the cough, though he's not letting it bother him too very much. He is on antibiotics and a nebulizer breathing treatment 3 times a day and that is really helping him. Thanks for your prayers, we seem to be finally getting better!

Germies Again

Well, folks, somehow we caught the flu bug again. This time it started with a bad cough and ended in throwing up. It has been exhausting, but we are hoping that we are coming to the end of it. Alex has been sick the longest and the hardest, since 5am Saturday morning. Ryan has had it pretty bad too, and Sam just a touch. Praise the Lord I have not felt even the slightest bit ill--somebody has to hold down the fort around here! If you think of us, we could use a little more prayer that this would pass quickly and all would be feeling well again!

So there's been a lot of sleeping (forgive the ugly couches--the covers are in the wash--you can guess why!).

and resting...

and resting...

and chillin' on the couch...

or anywhere else that feels comfy!

Itty Bitty Soccer--Spring Season

Here's a pic Ryan took on his phone tonight of Alex at soccer practice. He was so excited about his new soccer shirt and his shin guards and had a really fun time at the practice. Looks like he has a better chance of actually kicking the ball during a game this year as he had a great practice tonight!! More pics to come later!

Our New (to us) Family Hauler!

We are so excited to be the owners of this 2007 Chevy Uplander. Considering our old paint-chipped Lumina that we drove (and it served us well) for over 8 years, you know what a step up this is for us! We needed a minivan for our growing family, and God has provided again!
We like that this van has more of an SUV look to it. (and I love the color)

It's nice to be so high up, too!

This is the view I will have as I reach back to break up fights and pick up thrown sippy cups!

Alex knows that when baby comes his seat will be moved to the back row "where big boys sit" so he wanted his picture taken back there!

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We like that this van has more of an SUV look to it. (and I love the color)

The front dash. I finally have a CD player. Welcome to the modern world, I guess!

Yep, we're family haulin' now!