Double Digit Bruce

Bruce celebrated his 10th birthday with his friends the weekend before his birthday.  We had a bunch of crazy boys over and took them to see Big Hero 6.  They loved the movie.

 

Here are the crazy boys and man, were we ever glad we took them to a movie.  I don't know if our house could have withstood their energy all night!

On the day of Bruce's birthday we took him out to lunch.  I don't know what is more exciting, missing school or going to lunch with Mom and Dad.  He picked the same Chinese buffet we went to last year.  Happy birthday to our gymnastics loving, Dad's helper, likes to drive his sisters crazy, Minecraft loving boy.  We hope you have a great year!

{It Is fall}

 

Naomi brought this little paper into me a few weeks ago that she had proudly written.  Fall is my favorite season.  We took some pictures a few weeks ago on a late Sunday afternoon.

 This is one of my favorites!

Love these train tracks, but man was it messy.  The kids had to touch the tracks and got grease all over themselves.

 We love our Buckeyes!

And some individual shots of the kids.  I can't believe how grown up they are getting!

Our little gymnast

The end of July Madelyn participated in a day of celebration where families came and watched the gymnasts perform.  They rotated around so we could see all they have been working on this past year.  Madelyn started gymnastics at the beginning of her first grade year and loved it from the start.

She has moved up a couple of times and now goes to the gym twice a week.  I don't think we'll ever have her compete because of the enormous time commitment, but I'm happy to see her doing something she loves and developing her talents.

 

 

So proud of our little Madelyn!  Our whole family went to watch her and we ended up signing Bruce and Naomi up for classes as well so now we are at the gym a lot!

Farewell!

Aaron's Mom and Dad came to visit us last weekend.  They will be leaving at the end of the month for their 12 month missionary service in North Dakota.  They will be serving on an Indian reservation.  We know they will do great things there and will love the people they meet.  We're excited to hear about all of their adventures!

Road Trip

The middle of July the kids and I spent eight days in Indiana and Ohio.  We had so much fun seeing many of our former neighbors and good friends.  The kids are ready to become Hoosiers again after our few days in Indiana.  What awesome friends we have!

We spent the rest of the week in Ohio visiting with family (Aaron was able to come for the weekend).  Everyone gathered together to celebrate "Mama's" birthday.  Her brother, sister, and mother were also there and it was her last before she and Rudy leave on their mission.

 Madelyn and Naomi with cousin Rudi

 What's more fun than cooling off with giant ice cream cones?

 

Justin and Sam

Elizabeth was able to surprise her cousins and spend a day at girls' camp with them.  She had so much fun with her Aunt Marsha, Robyn, Chelsea, Joy, Megan, and Megan!  She had lots of adventures to share with us, especially a memorable ride home from camp with a blown out tire in Cleveland!

Will's Birthday Bash

I know it's more than a month passed his birthday, but I want to record his special day.  This year Will has grown up a lot.  He's now our official lawn mower and he now refers to himself as one of the "older kids" in the family.  This year's birthday was his golden birthday as he turned 11 on the 11th!

 Elizabeth volunteered to make him a birthday cake and did a great job on it!

 His big birthday gift from us was an ipad mini.

He wanted to have his friends over for a pool party.  About 5 minutes after they arrived so did a huge downpour.  Thankfully, it only lasted for about 10 minutes and they were in the pool.  These boys are crazy, but have so much fun together.

Blowing out the candles for his ice cream cake

I made this cake a couple of years ago for Justin's birthday and Will requested it this year.  It was a big hit.  Here's to another great year, Will!  Hope it's your best one yet!

Back to School!

I am way behind posting pictures, but I thought I would post this one from Monday first.  Hard to believe summer break is over, especially because we are technically only about halfway through the summer.  School starts early in the South.  I don't know that I'm ready for it, but I am ready to have a little more routine in our lives.

Do you see the smile on this little girl?  Saying my BABY is excited for Kindergarten is a gross understatement.  She is not only excited for kindergarten, but really, really excited to ride the school bus!  This week she is on a staggered schedule so she is only attending a couple of halfdays.  Starting next week she will have the real deal and go all day, everyday!  Not sure how I feel about this.  I'm looking forward to getting some much needed project time, but I'm sure going to miss my little buddy.  I have had kids home with me for 15+ years.  Man, the house sure feels quiet!

Last year we had kids in 4 different schools.  This year we have 2 in high school and 4 in elementary.  Here's our crazy crew...ready or not!

Happy 4th of July!

My very talented friend, Cara, made this beautiful and very yummy cake!  Beautiful weather and a houseful of friends were the perfect combination for a great celebration.  I'm so grateful to live in this country and enjoy so many freedoms.  Thank you to all of those who serve to protect those freedoms!

Working boy!

Justin started lifeguarding a couple of weeks ago.  He took a class in May to become certified, but it took awhile for him to get hired.  He's pretty excited to be earning money (he's also been mowing lawns a little this summer).  I think I'm still in shock I have a child who is old enough to have a job.  It will be nice when he gets his license because my taxi service is taking a beating this summer!

He wasn't thrilled to have me taking pictures of him, but it had to happen.  The other kids are pretty excited to see him working when we go swimming.

Surprise...A visit from Grandma and Grandpa!

My mom and dad came to visit last week.  They weren't sure until the last minute that they were going to come so we didn't say anything to the kids.  Friday night before we put them to bed we just said we had a surprise for them the next day.  Mom and Dad came in late and the kids were definitely surprised when they woke up.  Madelyn said, "I didn't think it was going to be that big of a surprise!"  

They are great about spending quality time with the kids.  They are just happy to hang out and play games, read, swim, go to lunch, watch movies, do puzzles, and make homemade Twinkies.  

 This is one of many books Grandma read to Naomi.

 Even Grandpa got sucked into doing the puzzles.

We went to Bays Mountain and saw the new baby wolf pups.  The girls were happy we missed the live feeding this time!

 Madelyn

Naomi

Big Girl, Naomi!

This picture pretty much sums up her excitement about riding a two-wheeler.  She asked Aaron to take off her training wheels the other night and go in the house.  She calls us out and is riding her bike.  What a big girl!  (Sniff, Sniff)

Scouts, Scouts, Scouts

Last week the boys had a pack meeting.  They have both been working hard on earning their ranks.  Bruce hasn't quite earned his Bear badge, but he will soon.

 

This was Will's last pack meeting in Cub Scouts and he cleaned house!  He earned his Webelos badge, Arrow of Light, Religious emblem, and several activity pins.  Yes, we have been busy!  He's really excited to be going into Boy Scouts next month.  

This week our house has been a little (okay, a lot) more quiet.  Bruce is at Cub Scout day camp and he is loving it.  He is exhausted everyday when I pick him up, but has been having a great time.  His good buddy from church Jameson has been there with him and that's made it even more fun!

 

Justin left yesterday for his high adventure scout trip.  How do you like his makeshift garment bag?  That's for his church clothes (they are going to the temple today).  I think the bag proves Justin has taken to heart the scout motto to be thrifty!  He will be camping out for three nights, canoeing, fishing, and hiking.  He lives for this stuff.  His bags have been packed for several days.

Kayaking fun

Justin has been mowing a couple of lawns this year and saved his money up to buy his own kayak.  We are fortunate to have a boat ramp less than a mile from our house.  Justin loves the outdoors and is loving his new kayak.

The great thing about Justin's new toy is it's getting all of us into kayaking a little more! 

On Memorial Day we went with our friends who just bought this new 2-person kayak.  We borrowed a couple of others and had such a fun day.

 Will and his friend Connor

 Naomi and I

Throwing rocks in the water was almost as much fun as kayaking...

and so is playing in the sand.  What a perfect day we enjoyed together as a family with our good friends.

In case you're wondering where Elizabeth was in all of these pictures, she was home with walking pneumonia.  She is better now and enjoyed a day of boating Saturday with friends.

Could this picture be anymore beautiful?