Cliff jumping

We went out to the lake for a couple days of camping and boating and found this great spot to jump from. We think it is about 25ft. Phoebe amazes us with her bravery. It took her only a few seconds to decide to jump and she did it over and over again. How many 8 year olds do you know that would do this?! Here is a video of Scott, Phoebe and our friend Sally jumping.

Graduation

Luke graduated from preschool today. I can not believe he will be going to kindergarten in the Fall. Ms. Ellen is a WONDERFUL teacher and all my kids have been lucky enough to have her for at least 1 year of preschool. Luke is totally ready to be moving on into the "big kid" school. But I am not ready for him to start growing up.

Backyard Pumpkin Patch

We are all so excited about our little pumpkin patch that sprung up. Last year, after carving pumpkins, I think we may have shook off the table cloth in the backyard. As the grass started to grow this year I noticed some large leaf plants growing and upon further inspection found one of the leaves to still have a pumpkin seed attached. So now Ethen mows around the plants and they are getting bigger everyday. They look like they will flower soon and then hopefully grow us some pumpkins this year!!!! Five plants sprouted all on their own. We'll keep you posted on the progress. I;m already starting to think of other seeds we should just throw out in the backyard :)

Climbing Paisley

Paisley is climbing the fire pole now. She is also happy to show us how she can hold on with just one arm.

Clarity

There are times when I look around and realize I need to be more positive. I am trying to find the silver lining these days and tonight that hit me especially hard. On most nights when putting the kids to bed I am trying to hurry through it and hoping they fall asleep quickly so I can have my quiet time or get a list of things done. Tonight I realized that I should be so happy that my kids still want me to tuck them in and sit with them til they are asleep. It is time where we can talk quietly without being interrupted and sing songs to them. The days keep going by faster and faster and I know that it will be too soon before they are grown. So a resolution for me is to enjoy our bedtime routine. Most of the time it is simple things that bring me joy, and taking the time to notice the little miracles that happen daily will overshadow the negative. Life is having it's ups and downs with us and there is so much to be greatful for. I'm trying to find that silver lining all around me becuase I know it is there and I just need to look a little harder to find it.

Work of Art

The weather has been nice and the kids have wanted/needed a mind exercising activity to keep them occupied for awhile. I have some bare wall space so I decided to buy each of the kids a canvas and some paints to have them all do their own masterpieces. Ethen had the hardest time coming up with something to paint so he ended up painting the word Football. Luke was all about putting on some handprints ( I think he just likes the feeling of painting himself). Phoebe had her picture all figured out a day beforehand, and Paisley was happy with any and all colors. I love how they turned out and decided I need to do this more often. Next time I think I will have a theme they all have to paint so I can see how differently they interpret it.

The final Works of Art!

Happy Birthday to Mama

I had a great birthday last month. Scott took me away for a night together the weekend before. It was nice to just be the two of us and not have any kids waking me up in the morning. John watched the kids for us and even got them all ready for Ethen's football game later on Saturday. I am a year older and don't really mind it, but do feel like I am looking older. I guess I should since I have an 11 year old son. The candles on my cake were 33 +1 but the kids kept saying I was 331. It was pretty funny.Scott brought the beautiful flowers to me while I was at work with each of the little kids carrying a balloon. They made me smile all day and everyone at work was so impressed with him.
Mom sent this adorable flower cake. It smelled so good.