64 Candles!

On Friday night we had a special birthday party for Grampy. Christian definitely has very specific ideas about how you're supposed to have parties. We had to have balloons, ice cream cake and presents.

Grampy loved the card Christian made for him. Notice the race car gift bag and Christian just had to put Grampy's present in!



This party even included games. This was the "keep the balloon in the air game" that Christian thought was hysterical. His face was red and sweaty by the time they were done.

Happy Birthday Grampy! We loved getting to celebrate with you!

Trip to Martin's Mill Bridge

Isn't this covered bridge quaint?
It was ninety degrees today, so we wanted to find a relatively shady and cool spot to spend some time with Ryan's parents. This was the perfect spot!We explored the bridge......and then we headed down the path along the stream.Grammy and Grampy
Christian and Grampy having a little rest.
We found some swings...

and then it didn't take long for the kids to end up in the water.

Grampy contemplating whether or not to climb the tree out over the water. He didn't do it. Trust me - I would have had a picture of that!
Emma was so excited when I picked her up from the bus stop and told her I was taking her on a secret mission. Everyone else was already on the hike and Emma and I had to catch up with them. I pretty much had her convinced, as we were walking along the stream, that we were looking for Indians. She was looking up at the cliff and holding on to my hand quite worried that we were actually going to see some Indians. She was a little relieved when she spotted Uncle Ryan, Christian, McKenna, Grammy and Grampy. This girl has been watching a little too much Little House on the Prarie (but don't you just love that show??).
Christian and Emma played and played in the water. Christian kept asking for some toys to play with in the water and that made Ryan and I realize that we need to do this a little more often. We both grew up with sticks as fishing rods, leaves as boats, and rocks as canon balls. Once we explained to Christian that the rocks, leaves and sticks were his toys he was pretty content.

Oh, this girl just melts my heart!

Emma insisted that I take this picture so everyone could see this massive tree that fell over. The tree had been cut up, but it's root system was pretty impressive. Don't you just love Em's expression?
Christian was way too busy running up the trail and throwing rocks in the stream to be bothered with picture taking!
These two were worn out by the time we got back to the car, although they still didn't want to leave. This was the perfect way to spend an afternoon and I know we'll be going back this fall!

They're Here

Grammy and Grampy Chatterton arrived in PA on Tuesday evening and we've been having a great time ever since.

Grammy and McKenna have been spending lots of time together!
And we've spent a lot of time just hanging out!

And Christian has giggled more in the last few days than he has all year. He loves playing with Grampy!
These two have really become buddies. Christian woke up at 7:20am on Wednesday morning (that's very early for my boy who doesn't nap) and immediately asked if Grampy was here to play yet. He was dressed and ready by 7:40am. This never ever happens in our house. Christian is not a morning person, but he has been this week.
We're so glad they're here!!

By Emma: In Her Own Words

My first day was fun and confusing at the same time. I used to be one whistle, which is the way that you know what time it is to go to lunch. Now I'm three whistles. It was a little confusing. My friend told me that I would go against her at my soccer game and we kept looking at each other in a strange way. I think she's going to be tough competition.
My teacher's name is Mrs. Wilhide. I have the same 24 students in my class as last year. I have a student teacher named Mrs. Grimes. We did reading. We read the book Jeepers Creepers and Chrysanthemum. I did a word search and I'm making an All About Me book. I had a doughnut for snack from my teacher. Did you know it had 129 calories in it? I have recess two times. I got to play with my friend Anessa. I got to share all about my summer. I made a scrapbook that I shared with the class. I also wrote in a journal all summer that I turned in today. We also read Miss Nelson is Missing. One of my classmates is on my bus and sits in front of me.
It's going to be a great year. I can already tell.

My Backyard Today

We spent a lovely morning outside!
And then there was this catastrophe at lunch (this was after I cleaned up some of the mess), but I'm not going to focus on that :)

Getting ready for...

...Grammy and Grampy Chatt to arrive. Christian has been busy cleaning up all his toys and vacuuming. He is so excited about Grammy and Grampy (Ryan's parents) coming to visit us. They have a long drive today, so I hope he's still awake tonight when they finally arrive. He's been anticipating this visit for weeks! I can't wait for Ryan's parents to meet McKenna!! I know she'll have them wrapped around her finger in no time!!

Second Grade!!! WooHoo!!

7:45am...Emma was ready to start another year of school. There were very few jitters this morning, just excitement! Her whole class is "looping" this year which means she has the same teacher and all the same kids in her class.
Even Abby understood the importance of this day and she was so excited for Emma's first day. Tomorrow Abby starts preschool three days a week with her new teacher Miss. Alice. She can't wait!!

And this picture is from last year on the first day of first grade. When I look at it now I realize how forced that smile was. She was sooo nervous and she still had baby teeth. She didn't know how to tell time, write her name in cursive, read fractions or swim. Now she can do all of those things and chapter books are her new best friend! My word a lot changes in a year.

It's so funny to me that a year ago both boys barely talked and they slept in cribs. McKenna was still just the size of my hand and I had morning sickness ALL the time. Abby still wore some size 2T clothes. And I didn't even have a blog (hehe)!

So many of you have prayed for us and supported us in so many ways this past year and I just wanted to take a second to thank you. I wish I could give each of you a hug! We have felt your prayers and seen God provide in miraculous ways for our entire gang! God has truly shown himself strong on our behalf.

Check back this afternoon for a full report of Emma's big day! I'm sure she'll have lots to share!

Adventure Park USA

On Friday we were supposed to go to Dutch Wonderland, but the weather didn't cooperate. Christian and Abby had really been looking forward to this day, so we went to Adventure Park USA instead. Adventure Park USA is not nearly as fun as Dutch Wonderland, but the kids didn't seem to notice. They had a blast playing games and climbing in a three story playground filled with tunnels, nets and slides.
I love this picture!!! The best part of the day was that Abby and Christian got along so well. The only tears we had was when Christian couldn't find Abby in the three story playground.
Abby would tell you that her favorite thing was playing Deal or No Deal.
She actually only played it twice, but she won more tickets than I did, so I think that's why she liked it! I was a really fun game! Can you tell that this place had a wild west theme?
After spending a few hours at Adventure Park USA (sorry I don't have more pictures, I was too busy keeping track of everyone), we headed over to a Barnes and Noble bookstore to play with their Thomas train table and find some new books to read. It was a great family day (Daddy and McKenna were there too, I just didn't get any pictures of them). I'll have to show you the new books we got because I'm thrilled with them, but I'll leave that for another post!