Memorial Day Memories

What a beautiful Memorial Day weekend it was! Perfect for lots of outdoor fun. Grandpa & Grandma came for Caedmon's soccer game on Saturday. Thankfully they got there in time to watch most of Caedmon's game...they had a flat tire on the way down. After the game, we helped them find a new tire then grilled out for lunch at our house. Grandpa Jerry helped my hubby put up a new clothesline which I am SUPER excited about. The cheap one we bought a few years ago just didn't do the job and with the injury it incurred from my husband running into with the tractor...it was time to replace the thing. Caedmon has been asking to roast hotdogs and marshmallows for awhile, so that is what we did that evening...one of our favorite summer family acitivities. On Sunday, we grabbed a bucket of KFC and had a picnic at Lawton Park with my parents after church.We walked over to Headwaters Park and the kids found the famous fountain. We forgot their bathing suits...oh well.
Needless to say, they were soaked by the time we dragged them away. So much fun!
And on Monday, more water fun while mommy and daddy worked outside moving a dog kennel and trimming crabapple trees.

Mother's Day Traditions

Here is a picture of my very first Mother's Day as a mom in May 2004. I had gone through so many previous Mother's Days just aching to be a mom so this was a VERY special day for me. We had a picnic at Pokagon and took our bikes along as well. A beautiful day!Since then, we've been going back to Pokagon each year for Mother's Day. Sometimes having a picnic at the park and other times eating the special Mother's Day Brunch in the restaurant. I love it there! Thanks to my sister and brother-in-law for the idea...they've been going for years as well. This year we ate at the restaurant and had their immaculate Mother's Day brunch buffet since the weather was rainy outside. My sister (seven months pregnant with baby Emmi), my mom & me.
This day was also my niece Lexi's 10th birthday. After lunch, we had a little birthday party for her in the hotel lobby. Lexi is such a sweetheart and I love her excitement and energy. She always has a beautiful smile on her face and just adores our children...we adore her too!
This cool kid just got his drivers license last week!
The rain certainly didn't put a damper on our day. Kevin drove my mom and I over to the Outlet Mall right down the road and let us shop while he and my Dad watched the kids. Thanks honey! You're the greatest!

Here's a picture we took at home before church. Caedmon gave me a little present he had made at school (Parents Day Out)...a scrapbook with pictures of him throughout the whole school year. I loved it! Here are more gifts from the kids.

And from my sweet husband...a purse, some bath & body stuff and a foot rub when we got home.

Happy Mother's Day to Mom Ruby

Finally getting a chance to post about our Mother's Day events last weekend. It's been a busy but good week this past week with dance practices & the three services all week and weekend long...more to come on that later.On the Saturday before Mother's Day, we went to Kevin's mom & dad's to spend the afternoon. The guys worked on adding a slide to Grandpa & Grandma's swing set. It was a nice relaxing afternoon and the highlight for me was watching and taking pictures of all the cousins running & playing on Grandpa & Grandma's beautiful property. Grandma always loves to give the little ones a ride in the red wagon, but little miss Karis thinks she's outgrown the wagon now I guess and thought Grandma needed some assistance. I got a big kick out of how she wanted to do big things and tried to keep up with the older boys that day. Here is Lincoln, Kaiya & Karis. Here she has totally taken over for Grandma. So cute! So hard to believe that she's going to be two next month! The boys were busy catching salamanders and those salamanders travelled home with us that evening in a cup. Caedmon was so concerned about them. Bowen is Curt & Sarah's nephew and was with them that day. You'll get a kick out of this one, Joyce. When Caedmon saw him at first and we said that his name was Bowen, he was confused and thought we said that it was Owen. He said "Mommy, he grew up and got bigger." I always enjoy walking around and admiring my mother-in-law's flowers. The tulips were blooming beautifully that day!

While I was admiring the tulips some handsome man came up behind me and gave me a squeeze.

Grandma Ruby had a special activity planned for the little ones. They planted marigold seeds in their own individual cups. The kids have really enjoyed watching them grow over the past week and ask every morning to see how they've changed.

The slide is finally ready to test out. A bumpy ride...I went down once and felt my body creek & crack in odd places. I think I'll let the kids enjoy it from now on. :)

Looks like Caedmon had a rough ride too.

These pictures were so fun to take of Caedmon, Easton & Kaiya playing in the old cart next to Grandpa while he grilled the chicken over the open fire. I am so amazingly blessed to have the privilege to be a part of this family. I love them all dearly! Thanks mom Ruby for all the motherly love you give to our family and the example you've shown of what it means to be a Godly mother. Happy Mother's Day!

Grandpa is with Jesus

Grandpa Daniel went to be with Jesus this morning during his sleep in the home he loved and lived in for many many years...just the way he wanted to go. He was 91 years old and lived a long full life.

When I think of Grandpa I think of his endless teasing, woodworking skills, John Deere Gator, favorite table knife, pancakes, harmonica, milking cows and love for his family and the Lord to name a few.

You and Grandma Lydia are finally together again, Grandpa, and you are rejoicing in your new home today. I love you and will miss driving down the dirt road and up the hill that leads to Grandpa's house.