A Boy's Paradise

Today we took a trip to our friend Steve Mellot's farm. We had to get rid of a truck load of dirt that we dug up when we installed the fence (sorry for mentioning the fence project yet again). Anyway, Christian had the best time throwing rocks in this stream and exporing for over an hour. Look at the mountains in the background and the blue sky. Isn't this place gorgeous?!? Makes me wish I didn't live in a neighborhood. I would love to have several acres my little boy could run free on and explore everyday.

McKenna liked it too!!

My dad was a great sport about moving this load of dirt in the 80 degree heat!

Yum

Nate
"Chrish"
"Abbs"

Warm weather, sunny days and ice cream!

Life doesn't get much better than that!

SUNDAY

MOTHER'S DAY

I knew it was going to be a great day when this little cutie crawled in bed with me this morning...

and he brought me the most beautiful roses. Look at that color!

Christian giving Grandmom her Mother's day present!

This is the beautiful bracelet I gave my mom for Mother's Day. My friend Millicent made it! It has the first initial of each of her eight grandchildren and their birthstone on either side of it. Isn't it gorgeous?! My mom cried, of course. Thanks Millicent!!! I love having a crafty friend like you in my life!

Auntie Amy and Nate on Mother's Day!

DEDICATION

Then we went to church and both McKenna and Nathan were dedicated. A baby dedication is basically when the Pastor prays a prayer of blessing over the child and the parents make a commitment before God, family and the congregation to raise their child in a manor that would be pleasing to the Lord. ( In Luke 2 we read that Simeon took Jesus in his arms when He was a child and asked God's blessing. And in Mark 10:11-13 we read, "People were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. And he took the children in his arms, put his hand on them and blessed them." )

Nathan was not excited about this at all. He basically covered his eyes the entire time! McKenna didn't behave very well either. As soon as Pastor Mike picked her up she started wailing right in his microphone. Nathan and McKenna both got a few chuckles from the congregation, while the other kids being dedicated were just perfect. Oh well!

The dress McKenna wore was made for Amy (my sister) when she was dedicated as a baby. I have also worn this dress and Emma did too when she was dedicated.

We really tried to get a decent picture of our family, but Christian just wouldn't put his cup or airplane (thanks Sarah...he's carried those airplanes around for the past 24 hrs) down.

RYAN'S 31ST BIRTHDAY

The best gift ever...a hug from Christian!

Look at those four little people anticipating the presents. What they don't know is Ryan got a new drill (our last one died while working on the fence), a tool box, some screwdrivers and books. Nothing all that exciting, to them anyway.Getting just a little help with the presents.

My dad checking out the new Louis L'amour books Ryan got. They are both addicted to reading Westerns. It's like they have their own little book club. It's rather amusing.

DIRT

Nate and Christian love this fence building project and it has nothing to do with the fence and everything to do with the DIRT. Nate was actually taking handfuls of dirt and pouring them on his own head.
There was one day last week when Christian had three baths in one day.
The boys had to get hosed down after this particular play time before they were even allowed to go in the house for a bath.
Look at that face!

Oh my, the mud that was in my tub after this!

And here's Devon working hard to get rid of all the dirt for us!

Here's Taryn and McKenna. Taryn was just trying her best to keep all five kids under control while Amy and I hung fence panels.

Another one bites the dust!

Emma has had an extremely wiggly tooth for about 5 days now. No one has been allowed to touch it despite the fact that it's just been hanging there. I couldn't believe it when she came home from school today and it was still attached. She must not have eaten much for lunch! I told her it was time for it to go and she freaked out. So I told her we would make a movie of her pulling it our herself so everyone could see how brave she was. Watch the video to find out if she did it or not. Warning: If you don't like teeth or the blood associated with a loose tooth - don't watch this one!

Moms Connect

Our church has a playgroup that meets on Wednesday and it's been so great this year. First of all because I'm not in charge anymore and secondly because the girls who run it now are super creative and this is definitely their thing! Today was RAINBOW DAY and we read three different stories. One about Noah, one about colors and one about how the Rainbow Fish learned to share! It was great. The snack was a rainbow snack. We made rainbow magnets and played a colors game with the parachute. We love being with our special friends at church! Thanks Kristi and Candi for a great year!

Who I'm thinking about today

Nephew Adam: Getting new tubes put in his ears and is tonsiles out.

Adam, I'm praying that this will make you a healthy boy!



Nieces Hannah and Elizabeth: Happy 4th Birthday!!

I miss you girls and hope you have a great year being four!



Jenn F: Happy Birthday.

I'm so glad we've become friends!! Hope you get to have some fun today!!



Cousin Olivia: In the hospital with respiratory and heart issues.

Zac and Julie, Just know that Ryan and I are thinking of you and praying for all of you everyday!



Sarah S: Praying for a quick recovery from your accident. I miss you dear friend. It was great to hear your voice on the phone today!



Nephew Eli: Oh my sweet boy that I never got to meet!! Know that you're loved and greatly, greatly missed here on earth! You've got two sisters who talk about you and can't wait to meet you one day. Abby asked me the other day if you could come back from Heaven when she's bigger so she could marry you! I told her that you're too busy playing with Jesus!! Mommy and I and Grandmom and PopPop and countless others can't wait for the day when we can hold you and love you. Until then precious boy....we hold you in our hearts!!

Happy Birthday Hannah & B-Beth

Abby, Hannah, Emma & Elizabeth
Emma and the twins!

Hannah & Elizabeth
The truth is that I can't tell which girl is which in pictures. They truly are identical twins. I can usually tell who is who in real life, but pictures are a different story. These girls have come a long way; from the NICU to the beautiful four year olds they are today.

Hannah and B-Beth,

We love you so much and pray that Jesus will bless and give you a very healthy year this year! We are so thankful that you are in our lives. You bring us much joy!

Love, Auntie Judy, Uncle Ryan, Christian and McKenna

You can really see the personalities of these three children come out in these videos. Abby the sweet on who does the video correctly. Christian the exuberant one who likes to be silly. Nate the shy one who gets embarrassed.