June, June, June

It was a full month for us with a lot of activities.

On June 2nd Kimball participated in a rocket competition hosted by the Museum of Science and Technology.  His school had 6 teams and they built rockets and then on the 2nd they all met up with other teams/schools at the launch site.  They had to pass safety checks for their rocket and share what they learned about rockets and building them.  Kimball's team was the 64th rocket to launch so it was a LONG morning for us.  Thankfully, it was a cool day in the 60s so the heat wasn't an issue.  Kimball's team did well.  Their rocket went really high, unfortunately it went so high the raw egg inside of the rocket smashed.  It was a good experience for Kimball and he wants to participate next year. Next year I'll know what to expect so I can be more prepared to entertain the little ones for 5 hours.

Rebecah had her second piano recital at the beginning of June.  Her two pieces were a little harder this time, but she did well.  She is continuing with piano lessons this summer.

Kimball earned his Webelos award in Cub Scouts as well as his Arrow of Light.  He is officially finished with Cub Scouts!!  I think he felt special to receive these awards.  He didn't really want to attend the ceremony since he had to leave his baseball game early, but once he was at the Pack meeting he was glad to be there.

In 2016 there were 10 baby girls born in our congregation. Three of the babies/families have moved, but we had a little party to celebrate the 7 remaining babies.  Here is a picture of the 7 girls.  It was tricky trying to get 7 toddlers to sit still and stop crying for a picture, but Edie just sat there happy waiting for the others to cooperate.

Kimball and Rebecah participated in the Swamp Rat Mile Fun run again this year.  Joseph had to work so I braved the crowds and took everyone by myself.  I didn't lose anyone so that was the good news!  Rebecah beat her mile time from last year by a few seconds and came in 84th.

Kimball runs the mile somewhat regularly at school so he improved his mile time about 2 minutes from last year.  Kimball was 38th or 39th place.

Kimball is right behind the boy with the bright orange shorts.

We celebrated Father's day.  The only picture I have to remember the day is of cinnamon rolls.  They were yummy with cream cheese frosting on them.  Joseph had a special day though.  He received Bishop presents as the father of our ward...a tie and a portfolio case that he wanted.  He also got his last bag of black jelly beans that I had been saving and a few other small things he wanted.  We love our husband and father and are grateful for all that he does for our family.

Baseball finally ended!!!  I thought Kimball's last game was on June 13th and I show up that night only to be told that playoffs started on Saturday!  I groaned inside and maybe outside, too!  Kimball's team lost in the first round of the playoffs but it was probably the best game of the entire season.  It was a really close game and the last inning ended in a tie.  Since it was a playoff game the teams played 2 extra innings until someone scored. Sadly, it wasn't Kimball's team that ended up scoring, but I was okay with that.  The game was almost 3 hours and there wasn't any shade for us.  Kimball had a few really good hits and some great catches at first base.  

Last day of baseball!  We always sat on bleachers behind outfield so the little ones could play in the grass.

Kimball with his friend Ryan. Baseball buds.

School ended on the 21st!  Kimball wasn't willing to pose for a picture before OR after school so it's just a picture of Rebecah.  We are in full summer mode now trying to keep everyone happy and busy.

Rebecah had a special mother/daughter activity night at church.  The girls planned the special dinner and had fun things to read to their moms.  All of the girls were so excited about the evening.

We took a day trip to Susquehanna, PA. We hadn't been for 2 years so it was time to visit again.  The weather worked perfectly for us with no rain, but cool temperatures. 

I love Edie's face in the picture above!                                                                                

Shutterfly reminded me that 5 years ago our family visited Susquehanna as well.  On the day of our trip it just so happened that Annika picked the exact same outfit that Rebecah had worn 5 years ago on our trip.  They must be sisters since they both chose to wear an mismatched stripes outfit.  I made the picture below bigger so you can check out 3 year old Rebecah in her outfit and then Annika wearing the same clothes if you scroll back up.  Fun memories!!! 

We had a lot of parties at the end of June.  I think we attended 4 parties within 10 days.  At one house Rebecah gave Edie a little ride on a horse.  Both girls had fun.

We had a new driveway topcoat poured.  Our old layer was cracked and coming apart.  The kids had a lot of fun watching the men work from Rebecah's bedroom window.  The new driveway is so smooth!!

Fun at the park!

Our favorite babysitter, Andrea Barth, is moving at the beginning of August!  She and Rebecah are buddies and have a big sister/little sister relationship. 

Birthday Party construction style

Lincoln and Annika attended their first birthday party.  It was a construction theme and they loved it, especially Lincoln.  

The party favor was a little tool box.  Both kids played with their tools the rest of the afternoon.  Here Lincoln is using Kimball's soccer gloves in place of work gloves as he uses the dump truck to move a house.  Lincoln loves being a hardworking man and making little noises to accompany his play!

May Memories

What a month!  It was full of so many wonderful memories. It is a busy time of year, but so exciting, too.

Rebecah and I went to her friend Melanie's confirmation party.  We wanted to share in this special experience with Melanie even though we don't share the same faith.  We weren't able to attend her Confirmation service, but we wanted to.

The weather has been really nice so we went on a lot of walks.  These two do make me nervous at times when they don't listen and a car is coming, but they love to be outside.

Kimball had his Spring Orchestra Concert.  It was really nice.  The little ones were a bit noisy so I spent the last half of the concert with them in the hall, but I was still able to hear the music.  I think Kimball has finally come to terms with Orchestra and the Cello.  It's really a love/hate relationship with him sometimes.  He is VERY good at the cello and ended up being 2nd chair in the 5th/6th grade orchestra.  He decided he wanted to take a solo to the District Solo Festival.  I wasn't sure he would pull off a solo, but we encouraged and supported his desire.  He rarely practiced at home, but he practiced at school with his Orchestra teacher and even had some extra lessons.  He ended up with an Outstanding rating with a 96 out of 100 score.  We were proud of him and he wants to continue to play the cello.  

The little ones like to spend time at the library.  Lincoln loves vehicle and dinosaur books.  Annika loves Princess stories.  Edie is just there for the fun.

I saw this book at the library and I just had to borrow it.  The book was more Annika's personality than Edie's, but it was still fun to see Edie's name on a book.

When I have time I take the kids to play group at the park.  If it's too hot...above 75...we don't go, but they love it when we go and they love to swing.

If Kimball has a love/hate relationship with the cello I guess you could say I have one with baseball!  I am very eager for the Little League season to end, but at the same time it has been fun to see Kimball doing so well on his team.  He plays 1st base most of the time.  The team rotates innings since there are more than 9 players so sometimes Kimball sits out.  Kimball has made some good catches and his hitting has improved.  Kimball had to miss a few games here recently and I think the coach was missing his first baseman.  One game was on a Sunday and there was a Science Club competition another day.  I don't like the last minute notices about practices (sometimes we only have 24 hour notice) or the long games because the little ones don't like to sit through the games and they would rather be at the play ground, but I would most likely agree to let Kimball play baseball again....shhh...Don't tell him I said that!

Kimball's team...the Tampa Bay Rays

Kimball plays first base most of the time.

Kimball's favorite thing is to steal bases.  He loves the rush.  It makes me nervous!

Here's beautiful Eden at the game.  The little ones usually want to play on the play ground, but will occasionally play near the field so we can watch the game.

Watching the game.

Lincoln relaxing in the grass during the game.

I love Lincoln and I love how he likes to mow the lawn with the stroller.  As soon as he hears Joseph is mowing the lawn he grabs the lawn mower-stroller and heads to the grass.  He is very trusting of Joseph and mows right along side him.  I love hearing his lawn mower sounds.  He makes a different sound for the blower as well.

One day for lunch Annika decided she wanted to sautee zucchini all by herself.  She did a great job and knew perfectly when her zucchini was ready.  

We celebrated Joseph's 37th birthday toward the end of May.  It wasn't the most exciting of birthdays, but the kids each gave him a different treat.  Joseph always tells me a person can have only 1 favorite but he received a Mounds candy bar, York Peppermint patties, Andes Mints, M&Ms, and Black jelly beans.   Fun story...or not so funny if you try to surprise your husband.  When the Easter candy was on sale I bought Joseph 4 bags of black jelly beans.  I have given them to him slowly over the last few months, for our anniversary, Easter, birthday and Father's Day this coming Sunday.  Well, after the second bag ran out Joseph asked the little ones -who love black jelly beans too- if they should eat some black jelly beans.  Joseph said they didn't have anymore but Lincoln pipes up "yes we do, upstairs".  Joseph thinking one of the kids had taken some of the jelly beans and hidden them away follows Lincoln up stairs to my dresser where I had the last two bags hidden and shows Joseph the jelly bean stash.  It's hard to keep things a secret when you have little PIs around the house!  Let's just say that Victoria Kann the author of Pinkalicious should write a book called "Blackalicious" about jelly beans! 

A true labor of love...I made Joseph a mint chocolate chip ice cream pie. 

 (I'm not a mint lover in the least.)  We have a very similar picture to this one from 2 years ago.  In that picture Joseph is holding 19 month Lincoln and Annika on his lap as he blows out his candles!

I just need to say a few things about Eden.  She is such a wonderfully fun girl.  We all love her.  She still sleeps like a dream and is so sweet and fun.  If I ask a yes/no question to the family she always responds by raising her hand and saying "me"!  She likes to be included and if she is left out of an outing or play time her feelings get hurt and she'll cry and cry like her heart is breaking.  She loves her mom, but she loves daddy now too.  I love seeing her raise her arms to Joseph so he can pick her up and hold her.  Usually after a nap or when she wakes up in the morning she'll whisper "Daddy" wanting to know where Joseph is.  She has a sweet smile, although that smile is turning mischievous as she learns things from Annika.  She loves to color, eat bananas and play outside. Edie talks a lot and will frequently put together 3-4 word sentences. She is very good at following directions. 

Lincoln and Annika had their first camp out with Joseph in the back yard to celebrate the last day of preschool.  They did pretty well and slept outside all night.  

Porter, Lincoln and Annika's friend, had a birthday and our family was invited to the party.  It was fun to socialize with a few families from church.

We went to a grocery store we don't usually visit and my kids loved the racecart!  I was just glad I could squeeze all 3 of them in the seats because no one wanted to miss out!!

Our church congregation had a picnic for Memorial Day.  It was a bit warm, but in the shade of the pavilion it was comfortable.  Here is Lincoln chowing down on chips with his friend, Sage.  I guess you could say they bonded over bags of Doritos!

End of Preschool

Preschool really deserves its own post, but I'm so behind that I'm just lumping it in with our May memories.  Lincoln and Annika LOVED preschool.  They had two amazing teachers and just fit in perfectly in their class.  They are sad preschool is over and are eager for more preschool next year.

The preschool took pictures of class activities and would post pictures on their Facebook page.  Most of these pictures game from that FB page.  I loved seeing these pictures from their time at school.  

Their Spring Program was a short program where they sang songs and recited fun poems.  Annika had a case of stage fright so she just stood up front sucking on her dress instead of singing.  At least she was up there!  

The grand finale for the program was the "Pete the Cat: I love my White Shoes" song.  For some reason Annika did not like this song.  When the kids would practice this song she would run to the corner and hide.  For the program she came to sit with Joseph and me but Lincoln had fun.

With teachers Mrs. Dawn Spink and Mrs. Wendy Murray.  Fun little tidbit about Mrs. Murray, her older daughter Grace is in Kimball's class at school so I have heard about "Grace Murray" for the last few years.  We had a lot of fun when we made the 5th grade child connection.

One last Annika moment.  Annika loves little toys, containers, cards, etc.  She would find little toys she liked at school and then sneak them in her backpack or her boots to take home.  A few times I had to return some of the toys she had taken.  It became a little joke between the teachers and me.  Annika did not like it at all when the teachers would catch her putting school toys in her backpack.  On the last day of school the teachers checked Annika's pockets for toys, but she had managed to put a few things in her backpack without being seen.  Mrs. Spink and I had a good laugh when I showed up the day after school ended with a few toys in hand!  

Last day of school.  Waving goodbye!

Here are the kids left to right:

Melody, Hailey, Raya, Susie, Mrs. Spink, Porter, Guianna, Annika, Jade and Lincoln