4th Of July

We had a great 4th of July extended holiday weekend. Here are a few of the highlights!

I was so proud of Chloe. She ran the Sully Freedom
Fun Run mile race in 11:34. She didn't walk once!
All of us participated in the Fun Run. Even Caleb and Cameron
ran the kids' race!

We spent the afternoon at Grandma and Grandpa's house.
Thanks for the treats Aunt Tasha!!!

Kyle was able to help out my parents by mowing their lawn on the
grasshopper.  

We made it to the pool!!! It was a really fun time. Chloe did all
of the slides AND the diving board. Wow, that girl
can swim!!!

Cameron thinking he is a big boy eating
between Chloe and Caleb.

Boating with Aunt Tasha

and Uncle Jared

left Cameron absolutely exhausted!!!!

A Grandma and Grandpa Visit!

Chloe by the big caterpillar at the zoo.

Grandma Judy and Grandpa Rog came for a visit this past week. We had a great time! We went to the zoo, did some shopping in Pella, and of course found time for some treats! We also found a good deal on a battery powered 4 wheeler for the kids at our neighborhood garage sales and Chloe and Caleb loved showing off for Grandma and Grandpa! Did I mention that I have said multiple times that I would NEVER buy one of those for my children? What has happened to me?!?

I thought this picture of all 3 of them looking
in the same direction was a miracle!

Having fun at the zoo!

Close up of the lion.



Our garage sale find.

A fun day with Grandma Judy.

Caleb is overjoyed with this new 4 wheeler!!!

Thanks for coming Grandma and Grandpa!

Summer is Here!

Our Summer List is made!

We've already crossed two things off the list including
HIKING!

Cameron has figured out how to make pretty much
any ride-on toy in the garage move.

The boat is ready to go.
Caleb is spending quality time on his bike.
We can officially say Summer is Here!!!

10 Year Anniversary Top Ten

Kyle is really the master of the Top Ten but I can always try right?!? 

Here are the Top Ten Things That Made Our 10 Year Anniversary AWESOME!

10. Wedding Day Cookies.
Made by Grandma.
Preserved for 10 years by Grandma.
Remembered by Grandma!

9. Presents in tin foil.
Thanks Mom and Dad!

8. Bubba Gumps on St Pete's Beach.
Warm. Fun. Yummy.

7. The Beach.
Need I say more?!?

6. Shell Key Preserve Island
Secluded. Peaceful. Relaxing.

5. Spinner's Restaurant.
Beautiful View. Scrumptious. 

4. A surprise dinner and flowers.
No, not from Kyle!! (Refer to items #5-8 for his gifts).
Applebee's.

3. A surprise visit from Tasha, Jared and Braxton.
Homemade cinnamon rolls.
Thanks Tasha!!! They were devoured!!

2. The kids' excitement over our anniversary.
Yes, I know one is missing here.
He wasn't very excited!

1. My Man.
Mountain Lion Drinker. Runner. Beach Bum.
Coconut Shrimp Lover.
Husband. Daddy.
Thanks for an awesome 10 year
anniversary celebration Kyle!

10 Years Ago...

Kyle and I said "I do"

I married my best friend

And we set off on this journey of life together.
It's been a fun ride Kyle! I love you!

The Joy That Easter IS!

I love Easter. Dressing up. Singing loud. Candy. Family. Watching the kids' excitement. Resurrection eggs. Focusing on Jesus' resurrection. Brunch at Grandma and Grandpa's House. Spring. Hope.

Chloe looks for eggs with her name at the annual hunt at Great Grandma's.

The annual Easter Picture.

I love how he held onto his basket in the strong wind!!!

Caleb struggled a little with finding his name.
There are too many names that start with "C"!!

Racing towards more eggs at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Showing off their Easter goodies!

Cameron didn't know quite what to do with his Easter goodies...

Opening the treats.

Caleb is looking handsome in his tie!

I Said Goodbye

I said "Goodbye" to my childhood home this past week. At the farm memories flood me with every step I take. This was my home, my refuge, my playground, and my practice field for life. I loved this place. Oh I'm sure you won't be impressed by what you see here. It was not impressive with square footage or the amount of acres it sat on. It needed plenty of updates. But that's what is great about being a kid. A kid doesn't care about those things. A kid simply cares that she feels safe at home, feels loved at home, and has lots of fun with the people she calls her family. This is the lesson I take today: care less about the appearance of my home. Quit apologizing for the mess. Invest in my children and love them well. Make sure that they feel safer at home than anywhere else. Let them have FUN and make a mess! THEN someday when they say goodbye to their childhood home (or return to it) the memories that flood them will be irreplaceable. They will smile and long to go back...

Coming back home. Such a good feeling.

My kids entering my childhood home for the first time.

The favorite place for us girls to stand was always the furnace.
The carpet is worn here. 

My bedroom walls that were always covered in pictures.
I spent  hours staring at those walls. Away from the world. My own place.

Now I have a daughter. Will she lay in bed and journal and dream and pray like I did?

Cameron checks out the view from my bedroom. The acres of grass that I played on; we mowed.
The driveway that we  walked down to the bus. The field where I walked beans.

The bathroom. A place of late night discussions among the best of friends:
Mother and daughter. Sisters. 

I planted flowers here. Watched them grow. Rode bike around and around.
Sang and swung. Played catch. Waited for mom to call us in for Popsicles.

My Dad in the barn. I avoided this place. It didn't smell very nice.
I was not your typical farm girl. 

Longing to go back. To be a little girl again watching my Daddy do his chores.
Seeing my Grandpa eat his lunch. I love you Dad!!!!

"Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.” 

― L.M. Montgomery