NANA & PAPA'S

The kids spent a couple of days at my parent's house. They took the kids to see the movie Surf's Up, took them to several parks, to the Tastee Freeze for ice cream, to the zoo and on a picnic. I met them on Saturday at Kid's Day where we were in a parade, went bowling, rode on rides, played games, got tattoos, ate great food & played with friends. They enjoyed their time at Nana & Papa's house!!

Allie is on a float with some of our friend's kids.
Jake & Allie being silly.
Andrew (Gopher & Annette's son), Jake & Allie take a break for Kiddie Cocktails.
Grace (Amy & Johann's daughter), Jake & Ethan (Amy & Johann's son) belly up to the bar for free ice cream sandwiches.

This is the ride that Allie & Gopher rode on. She loved it!! Thanks Gopher!

BALLGAMES

I have spent every morning the past 2 weeks at the ball diamonds watching my kid's play baseball or t-ball.

Jake's team is a little more fun to watch since they actually play a game. They are out if the get 3 strikes or if they are tagged out going to base. They are decent at fielding the ball, batting & throwing the ball. They are by no means good...but at least they have some skill and are competitive.

Allie's games on the other hand are pretty boring. They are still hitting off of the tee and they get to swing until they hit the ball fair...that can sometimes take about 10 tries. If they get tagged out, they really aren't out, they still get to run the bases. None of the kids field the ball, they are too busy drawing in the dirt or waving to their parents. None of the kids can throw very well & they certainly have no idea where to throw the ball if they some how end up with it. I'm amazed at the difference 2 years makes!!

Only about 3-4 weeks left of ball, then we have a break in sports/activities until the end of August/beginning of September when soccer, flag football, dance & school starts.

Allie is ready to hit the ball.

Allie actually fields the ball.
Jake is waiting for his pitch.
Jake is playing first base.


VISITORS

We had some visitors this week. Mandy & the kids came on Tuesday afternoon to spend a few days with us. We went to a restaurant on Tuesday night where the kids can make their own pizza to eat for dinner. They had a great time making their pizzas. Ben kept trying to pick his nose while doing it...Mandy went ahead and finished making his pizza.

On Wednesday, we went to Jake's game (he has a base hit & a couple of nice plays while on 1st & 3rd base). After Jake's game, we went to Chuck E. Cheese's for lunch and a couple of hours of playing. The kids were exhausted! We relaxed the rest of the afternoon and then spent several hours in the back yard playing and doing sparklers.

Today, we went to Allie's t-ball game (she had 2 nice hits). After the game, we had a quick lunch and Mandy took all 4 kids home with her & will drop my kids off at my parent's house. I'll pick them up bright and early Saturday morning. They are going to go to the zoo, have a picnic and go to see "Surf's Up".
Here are the 4 kids together (Allie, Ben, Jake & Maddie).

STURGIS FALLS

This past weekend was Sturgis Falls weekend. We enjoyed live music, a carnival, great food, a parade, races & spending time with family & friends.

Friday afternoon we went to the band shell to listen to some live music. We were only able to stay in the park for about an hour & then the rain began to fall. We made a dash for the car & went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner rather than staying for more music and dinner in the park.

Saturday morning, we got up and went downtown for the parade. Jake was in the parade for Cub Scouts. Allie & I were in the parade for her dance school. After the parade, we spent the afternoon in the kid's tents where the kids got balloons, tattoos and they got to see a couple of live shows. They also enjoyed seeing many of their friends wandering the parks.

Sunday morning, we rose very early. We took Scott to the Rec Center and watched him start his 1/2 marathon run. The kids and I then ran to the Waffle Stop for breakfast. After breakfast, we went to the finish line to see Scott end the race. Our neighbors surprised us and came down to support Scott too. He finished his race in 1 hour and 40 minutes (a minute quicker than last year). After the 1/2 marathon ended, the kids each got to run in their own races. Jake & Allie each took 2nd place in their age groups. Allie initially wasn't interested in running a race until she heard that each runner got a goodie bag with cookies, juice & a ribbon in it...then she wanted to run!! Jake says he's running the 5k next year...if Uncle Michael will run with him...no pressure there huh??????

Nicholas, Carter, Paul & Jake enjoy lunch in the park together.
Allie, Jake & Paul by the river.
Jake, Scott & Allie ready to run!
Allie in her race.
Jake's running in his race (his best friend Paul is behind him)
Our neighbors went with us on Friday to listen to the bands. We hunkered down under a tree to avoid the sprinkles. (Will, Jake, Kristin, Paul, Patrick, Scott & Allie)
Allie, Jake & Paul with their balloon creations.
Allie on her float during the parade.
Jake & his den marched in the parade.
Allie, my friend Kristie & her kids Ryan, Corrine & Alex. Allie & Alex were in the parade together & they sat down to watch the end of the parade. A woman stopped by to tell Kristie what beautiful red headed kids that she had...including Allie!

VBS & WATERPARK

It has been a pretty busy week here. We spent each morning at either baseball or t-ball. Immediately following the kid's games, we went to the waterpark until dinnertime. After an early dinner, we went to Vacation Bible School until almost bedtime. The kids have enjoyed every minute of this week.

Jake relaxes on the Lazy River.
Allie enjoys a dip on the Lazy River.
Allie & Jake in their VBS shirts.

The kids fell asleep while we were in the basement waiting out a tornado warning this afternoon.

SPRING RECITAL

Allie had her big dance recital yesterday. Her act wasn't the best act, that is for sure. She knew her part & did well...several of the other kids just stood there & shrugged their shoulders as though they had never heard the song before!! My mom, Scott & I got a pretty big kick out of that. Allie is already looking forward to her next ballet...not until November...thank God!

BASEBALL, T-BALL & WATERPARK

Jake started baseball on Wednesday morning. Several other kids from his school are playing too, so he was pretty happy. The first day consisted of practicing ground balls & pop flys. We'll see what the rest of the season brings.

Allie started t-ball on Thursday morning. She ended up on the team with her friend Olivia. She was thrilled. They practiced running the bases (in order) and ground balls. Allie likes her team name (the green crocodiles).

We spent every day last week at the waterpark. It has quite possibly been one of the most relaxing weeks in recent memory. The kids have really enjoyed themselves and are exhausted shortly after dinner!

Last night, Scott & I celebrated our 11 year anniversary. We took the kids and went out to dinner. After dinner we sat on the deck while the kids caught fireflies.

Next week brings Vacation Bible school, t-ball, baseball, the waterpark, a birthday party, Allie marches in a parade for dance & tomorrow is Allie's dance recital. As always, we keep busy!!

MICHAEL & KIM FISCHER

It's official...Kim is now a member of our family!! We have always considered her a part of the family, but now they are married & it is official. We couldn't be happier!

Michael & Kim had the perfect day for a wedding. Kim looked absolutely stunning, Michael was handsome & the weather was ideal. The day went off without a hitch...all of the bridesmaids & groomsmen showed up on time, the kids walked down the aisle, no one tripped walking down & Kim was so composed (she thought she would cry the entire time & didn't). The reception was a lot of fun. Allie caught the bouquet (it was rigged) & Jake unwillingly caught the garter (the groomsmen ganged up on him & made him get it). The food was delicious, there were TONS of guests (about 600 or so) and we got to spend lots of time with extended family & friends. What more could we ask for in a day??

CAMP OUT & DAY CAMP

Jake went to a birthday party last night at his friend Adam's house. He was really excited because Adam invited him, Ben & Paul (those 4 are the best of friends). Adam has a twin sister so there was a group of girls there too. They got to jump on the trampoline, play soccer, play flashlight tag, telling ghost stories & sleep in a tent. The boys & Adam's step dad were in one tent & the girls were in a tent with Adam's mom. They all slept in the tents all night, I thought it was a bit chilly, but according to Jake it was "fine".

I picked Jake & Paul up this morning before 8:00 to go to Scout day camp. They boarded a bus with about a million other kids & took off to camp. Unfortunately, it rained most of the time they were at camp so there was no swimming, BB guns, archery or horse back riding. Instead, there were movies, crafts & indoor games. Jake still had a good time because he had lots of friends in his group...I'm guessing that there was quite a bit of messing around during his camp time!

TWILIGHT CAMP

On Saturday night I took Jake to a Cub Scout Twilight Camp. Since I am not an outdoorsy person, I really wasn't too enthusiastic about going, but I went. We spent some time shooting a bow & arrow, a BB gun, playing games & hiking. All in all, it was a nice evening. The highlight of the night was when the boys had to do a rain dance & it actually started raining while they were dancing. Several of those kids thought that THEY made it rain...Jake goes to camp again on Wednesday...this time I don't have to go..WHEW!

Our group on the swinging bridge....not my favorite place to be.
Jake & Paul shooting their bow & arrow.
Jake trying to shoot a BB gun.
Jake, Paul, Nicholas & Aidan.

RIDING BIKES

The kids have been out riding their bikes quite a bit. Jake was pretty unsteady on his bike & he had trouble starting & stopping. As of today, that has ALL changed! He was riding all over today. He even rode it over to his friend's house & back. I was pretty shocked! Allie is still working hard...it could be awhile before she really gets the hang of it...she has my gracefulness!

SCHOOL IS OUT!!

On Thursday night a group of moms went over to our friend Kim's house for our 2nd annual school is almost out karaoke night...no kids! We had a ball!!

Allie's last day of preschool was on Friday. We went to a picnic at her school and got to hear lots of fun songs performed by her class. The last song was the "Chicken Dance" and they invited the parents to dance along too. I opted out & took lots of pictures of Scott dancing with Allie. She was thrilled that her dad was dancing with her!

After Allie's picnic, we went to Jake's school for his end of the year celebration. It started with a piano sing along performed by his friend's uncle (he plays at the local piano bars & is great). We then went to Jake's classroom for an indoor picnic since the rain came & ruined any chances of an outdoor gathering. We presented Mrs. Wyckoff with a gift certificate from the class, took lots of pictures & had some great food. I was sorry to see this school year end. Jake had a great class, with great friends and a FANTASTIC teacher that we will miss dearly.

I can't believe that Jake will be in 2nd grade next year, that seems SO old! And my baby will be in Kindergarten...it doesn't seem possible!!

Me & the kids on the last day of school.
Allie & Scott doing the chicken dance (I have LOTS of others of them dancing...email me if you'd like copies).
Allie & her class singing & dancing to "Tooty Ta"
Ashley, Allie, Hallie & Annie

Jake & his friends at the sing along on the last day of school. Jake, Adam, Will & Ben during the sing along.
Jake, Paul, Caleb & Adam during the picnic.
Ben & Jake dancing to "Celebration" during the picnic.
Adam, Paul, Caleb, Jake, Ben & Will during the picnic.

Jake & his class on the last day of 1st grade.