Same Swing...

Last weekend we took the kids to Bob Jones Trail for a bike ride/run/walk. Of course we had to stop at the little park they have. We put Sadie in the "baby" swing and I snapped a picture. When I got home I realized that picture looked familiar.

The one on the left was 12/27/12.   The one on the right was 6/23/13.  What an amazing difference 6 months makes. From baby to kid. Just like that.

Sarah and Trevor's Wedding

Last Saturday Sarah and Trevor got married! It was a beautiful day, a great venue, and an awesome reason to celebrate!

It was fun to get dressed up and spend time together, without kids, with great friends and watch two people totally in love, tie the knot.

Here's John and I at the wedding, just 3 days after our 9 year wedding anniversary!

It was so fun hanging out with Christina, Brian, Heidi and Shaw all evening. Heidi and Shaw escaped my pictures, but Christina and Brian didn't!

Christina and I never get pictures together since we are usually chasing kids or hosting parties. But we were just sitting there next to each other, so it had to happen.

And at the end of the night, I got to dance with the bride. It was such a beautiful evening and we hear they are having a blast on their honeymoon in the Dominican Republic! Congratulations Sarah and Trevor, can't wait to see you when you get home! Thanks for the awesome night!!

Soccer Camp

Last week Julie and Andy went to a soccer camp put on by Kidz Love Soccer.  They went 4 days for 3 hours a day.  They played all sorts of soccer games, learned new skills, learned the positions, ran their little tails off and had a ton of fun. They are both playing soccer this fall so it was great for them to get so excited about the game.

The last day of camp all the parents were invited to watch the "World Cup" where the kids got together in teams and scrimmaged.  Julie and Andy were Argentina (because that is where the Argentinasouraus was found....yes, Andy is still obsessed with dinosaurs).  Julie colored their flag.

After a quick parade, the games began.  What an amazing difference some great coaching can make.  Here is Julie breaking away to score a goal. She had complete control of the ball, passed it, got it back and then scored, multiple times. Amazing. She was totally on fire!

Here is Andy breaking away from the crowd to pass the ball. He was so awesome! He dribbled the ball away from his opponents and easily and accurately passed it to Julie. He was the youngest kid there and totally held his own.

After the games, the coaches gave out awards. Andy received the "Most Enthusiastic Player" award. Fitting.

Julie received the "Most Outstanding Teammate" award. 

I am so proud of how hard they worked during camp and are still enjoying dribbling the ball around and passing it all over the lawn. This year

Kindergarten Graduation

Today was Julie's last day of kindergarten and they had a great little graduation for them. It all started with the other grades coming out and making a cheering tunnel for the kindergarteners. It was adorable and of course they loved it.

They marched in and took their seats. Julie looked so adorable in her graduation hat.

All great graduations must have music! They sang "Somewhere over the Rainbow" "Who Let the Letters Out" and a song about being done with kindergarten. I don't know the name, but the kids did great. Julie and Kaitlin were very serious about the hand movements.

Julie has an amazing school with wonderful staff. This is their principal, Mrs. Davis, handing out the certificates. She pointed each child in the direction of their parents to make sure everyone got a good picture. So thoughtful!

John was able to get off work to come to the ceremony. So happy he could make it! Julie's face lit up when she saw him.

What's this?!? A picture with all 5 of us in it?! Shocking!! Even though Andy's eyes are closed and he's frowning, John is in uniform, Julie's hair is in her face and Sadie has a big frown on her face, it's a family picture and I'll take it!

Grammy, Memere and Lauren with Julie! Pop-pop was there too, but Andy probably drug him off somewhere to talk dinosaurs.

Silly Grammy wearing Julie's hat!

Julie and Mrs. Lewis! We had such a great experience this year, I had no idea how much a child could learn and grow in just a few short months. Mrs. Lewis was perfect for Julie. She loved going to school every day and couldn't wait to tell me everything she learned.

With all these graduations, Sadie is wondering, "When's my turn?!" and to that, I know it will be way too soon.

So off to 1st grade our biggest goes. We are so proud of her.

Andy's Pre-Kindergarten Graduation

Tonight Andy's school had their annual Pre-K graduation for all the kids moving onto Kindergarten.  This was big for him because not only is he moving on, he is done with preschool as of this week! He's not going during the summer. So this celebration meant a lot and he was so excited for it!

When the kids first got up on stage, they asked what they wanted to be when they grew up. A lot of kids said they wanted to be veterinarians, or police officers, or race car drivers.  What did Andy want to be?

A T-REX.

 They sang some adorable songs, including, "All You Need is Love" "The More We Get Together" "Yellow Submarine" and "Kindergarten Here We Come"  All complete with hand movements.

He was very respectful when his other friends were getting their certificates.

And so proud when they called his name. Way to go buddy!  He did so good smiling for his adoring fans.

As soon as he got back to us, he got lots of love from his big sister, who was up there herself just one year ago!

These are his two teachers. No wonder he can't wait to go to school every day. Aren't they adorable?!  The one on the left has been his teacher since he started there at age 2.

Grammy and Pop-pop came to help cheer him on. This picture was mid cake bite, hence the white mouth.

I had to chase the kids down to get this shot, but Julie and Andy both had these 3 teachers and I can only hope they are still there when it's Sadie's turn. They are all amazing!

 The graduate with his Memere!  He's taller than her! Not really, but it won't be long!

And a last minute picture with Uncle Justin! Aunt Audrey and Lauren were there too, but they started loading up before I could get a picture. Love their big ol' smiles!!

What was Sadie doing during all this? Playing in the dirt, of course.

We are so proud of our sweet, kind, thoughtful boy. Every day is an adventure. And every day he amazes us with his big heart. Kindergarten, look out, here comes Andy!

A Birthday for Momma!

So my birthday has come and gone and I am finally writing about it!  It fell on Mother's day this year which made it a double whammy in my book. John and my amazing family did such a great job of making me feel loved.

I got to sleep in and the kids woke me up dragging flowers and cards into my bed. We walked down the street to the local breakfast place and enjoyed a quiet breakfast just the 5 of us (well, as quiet as a breakfast with the 5 of us can be).  We spent the rest of the day hanging out by the kiddie pool and enjoying the sunshine.  There were naps for all.

In the evening, a few of us got together for dinner. Since it was Mother's day, I wanted to be sure to keep it low key and not take Mother's day away from anyone. We had a great time. My mom was there, John's mom and Dave, Justin, Audrey and Lauren and Chris and Kayla. It was the perfect amount of celebration after a crazy year.

And, people even took pictures with me in them!!!!

These girls mean so much to me!

 Can you see Andy's face squished in the middle!?!?

 Happy Birthday to me!!!!!  Toffee Crunch Cake from Madonna Inn. There is none better.

 The whole restaurant sang. It was great.

 My candle helpers.

I love this picture of Jus and I. I am so fortunate to have a sibling who is always there for me and makes sure to sit next to me on my birthday.

 After dinner, we played frisbee in the park. It was great fun and wore us out!

I have to admit that this year, the gifts were amazing. I know the gifts are always just an added bonus, but this year they were so thoughtful and over the top.  John and the kids showered me with flowers and cards and homemade jewels. John got me a BEAUTIFUL watch that I have worn every day, and a watch for running that I adore.

Christina brought me my gift a little early, before I ran my 10k. It was full of energy gel, running socks, power bars, everything I could possibly need for a race. It was so sweet and encouraging.

Justin and Audrey gave me a set of juice glasses, just like our Grammie used to have. They are perfect. They also gave me an adorable owl vase. The best of old and new likes.

I admit as well that "birthday money" (thanks to my self proclaimed Evil Mother in Law) is always a favorite. I know most moms can relate that having money to guilt-free on yourself feels pretty wonderful.  The biggest thing on my wishlist was a beautiful watch, since John took care of that one, I will have to refer back to my wishlist!! :)

The biggest surprise was from my mom. Julie and Andy convinced her I needed my own special blanket. She took them to get fabric, which they did an amazing job picking out, and she made the perfect quilt for me.

The picture does it no justice. It is full of owls, hearts, stars and flowers. All of my favorite types of prints. I have no idea how she got it done in time, where she found the time or how she hid it from me. I love that my children are thoughtful enough to think of it and that my mom bend over backwards to make it happen. I love it so much but my favorite part is on the back.

My munchkins little hand prints. Andy keeps reminding me, "Mine are the medium size ones."

My 30th birthday has come and gone, but I still feel the love from it. I feel like I have earned turning 30 and that this year and the rest to come, will be wonderful, busy, chaotic and memorable, all thanks to the people around me.