Summer Fun

We've had a lot of fun already this summer!  The kids are at great ages for playing outside, swimming, and enjoying all of the fun that the warm weather brings.  Here are some pictures of our summer moments so far!

 

I wanted to capture her "morning look!"  She is right in the shaggy dog stage- it quickly gets pulled back each morning so that she can actually see!

Caroline LOVES her babies.  She spends lots of time each day feeding and walking them.

Popsicles!

Nathan and I enjoyed a night out at a friend's gorgeous wedding!  It was a beautiful night.

The kids love when the ice cream truck makes it way down our street!

Cheering on Tommy at his baseball game.

All tuckered out after the day at a friend's pool.

Lunch

We love our number 4!

Getting his pearly whites polished!

More popsicles!

Bathing Beauty!

Henry is very into riding his bike on little walks around the neighborhood.

Tommy and Caroline taking a dip in Nonnie and Papa's pool

My parents have this Batman kiddie pool and Caroline absolutely loves it. 

We had cupcakes to celebrate Gigi's birthday at the pool- I think some got into her mouth!

 

Strawberry Picking

Last week the kids and I woke up early to head out to the strawberry farm!  They were SO excited.  Henry was bouncing the entire drive there.  We went to Mandigo Farm in Paw Paw and had a wonderful time.  There were plenty of berries left and the kids all had lots of success.  Caroline ate and ate and ate- her entire front was red by the end.  Henry picked lots, but had a hard time resisting the green berries.  Tommy was a great picker- I think he filled his little basket 4 or 5 times.  We ate lots of them, successfully made some freezer jam, and made a strawberry pie that didn't turn out at all!  It was a fun morning!

 

 

 

 

Not a great picture, but it gives you an idea of what her dress looked like by the end!

Tommy's Last Day of School

Tommy had a fabulous year in first grade.  On the last day when I picked him up, he climbed in the car and said, "I think my heart just is a little bit broken."  He was so sad the year was done.  He made lots of new friends and loved his teacher, Mrs. Bishop.  It was so fun to watch him grow and learn, but sad to see how quickly he is growing up and how independent he is becoming!

 

Amazing to see how much he's grown!

August 2012---------------------------------May 2013

Last day of school with Mrs. Bishop

A few of his first grade friends- Bryce, Brenden, and Jacob

Henry

Henry had a fun spring!  He finished his first year of preschool and graduated from speech!  Henry went to preschool on Tuesday and Thursday mornings this year.  He struggled the entire year with a little bit of separation anxiety, but did fine once I dropped him off.  Around spring break he decided to walk himself into the classroom without any help and that seemed to make things go much smoother.  He had a fun year at school and enjoyed making new friends and learning new things.  It was neat to see how much he learned and grew throughout the year. 

 

The other exciting thing for Henry was graduating from speech!  He has been going to speech therapy since October of 2011 once a week.  He started out at Bronson and then switched to Physiokids after about a year.  He was also going to speech at the school on Tuesdays.  He worked very hard and we are so proud that he is finally done!  It was a struggle some weeks, but overall he was a trooper and he was extremely excited to be finished!  Good job Henry bean!

 

Last day of preschool with his certificate

Last day of speech

What a difference a (school) year makes!

September 2012---------------------May 2013

Happy 40th Birthday Nathan!!

On May 22, Nathan turned the big 4-0!!  He was out of town for work on the actual day, but when he returned home we had lots of fun stuff to surprise him with! 

 

The garage door

Balloons

The kids and I gave him 40 gifts to celebrate 40 years of Nathan!

The birthday boy with his presents and Tommy

We are so blessed to have Nathan in our lives- we are grateful for every second of the 40 years God has given him and look forward to many more!  Happy birthday Nathan!

Howard Hill Hustle

A few weeks ago the kids and I participated in the Howard Hill Hustle 5k race.  I ran while pushing the little two in the jogging stroller and Tommy also ran.  Both boys did the kids fun run afterward.  I was so proud of Tommy- he jumped out ahead of me at the starting line and I didn't see him again until the finish line.  He ended up placing third for his age division (7 and under) and was so proud of himself.  His time was 33:35 which I thought was pretty impressive!  Henry was so excited to do the fun run, but had a hard time actually doing the entire 400 meters :)  It was a fun morning with my kiddos!

 

Getting his medal

Madelyn placed for her division so we snapped a pic of the Batts winners!

Tommy with his friend Jack

Run Henry, run!!

Refueling after the race!