Vacation and More!

 

Aunt Ruth invited us to spend some time swimming with them and Alissa at the lake a few weeks ago.  The kids had so much fun together!

 

Kate and Lincoln participated in a kids fundraiser for St. Jude. 

Last week, we spent in Shell Knob, Missouri, with the Curt Rassi family.  Mike and I were in charge of organizing this year and I spent the last 30 minutes of our drive praying that the place would not be a dive and that no one in our car would throw up due to the windy nature of the roads we were on. 

The cabin we all stayed in.  We missed you, Nic and Amanda, can’t wait for to meet your lil’ guy when he arrives.  The cabin turned out to be quite nice, much to my relief.  Thanks Lord. =)

Some swimming pictures – Jane (as Creighton calls him) or Uncle Jason to the rest was quite popular in the pool.

  

The jump picture photo bombed by Lincoln. =)

Hiking Dogwood Canyon (a 6 mile hike) – the kids all did fantastic, but they were exhausted.

Mary, the rock star, carried this boy the whole way.  You are amazing.

We played lots of things ending with ball.  Kick ball, scatter ball, baseball.  Also some croquet, frisbee and bags. =)

       

The hammock got a lot of use.

More playing

  

Grandpa leading Who Sir I Sir

The Cat Refuge – this place takes in big cats that people think they can have as pets and then realize it’s not safe. =)  It was a neat experience. 

   

The Talented John Rassi family acting out a book. So fun!

 

Some musical talent.  The one on the right is bad, but Creighton was in awe, he loves instruments of all kinds.

Mini-golf – I had Creighton, Lincoln, and Silas in my group – the picture of Creighton may have been the time Creigh hit his ball 2 holes over and Silas had to go get the ball

Snapshots on our last morning

 

Thank you, Dad and Mom, for everything!  Our family had a wonderful time.  Thank you to the rest of the family for your flexibility and making the effort to come!  It was so fun to spend the week with all of you! 

Evidence we had a truly great week!

Summertime Fun

It’s been awhile, so I thought I’d post a few pictures of some of the things we’ve been doing, however upon looking back, I did not take very many pictures the last couple of weeks, but here are a few.

T-ball wrapped up the end of June.

 

It’s always fun with Daddy gets to swim. 

  

We had the chance to soak up a few hours with the Koehl’s, but since they were here for Derek’s visitation and funeral it was certainly bittersweet.

For anyone who may not know, my (2nd) cousin and our friend, Derek, went on ahead to heaven last week.  It was a difficult week in a lot of ways as Derek was an amazing guy, he will be greatly missed by many.  But my heart simply hurts for Leann and her 4 special kiddos.  I will miss a lot of things about Derek.  I will miss his easy laugh, I will miss watching him interact with Leann and his kids, there was no mistaking they meant everything to him.  I will miss the way he made me laugh, whether it was talking about printing comics on toilet paper or the way he could make any story funny.  I will miss him, simple as that.  But I will not forget the absolute picture of courage and grace he (and Leann) were during this 3 year journey with cancer.  (If you want to read about it, you can find the story at www(dot)lrsauder(dot)blogspot(dot)com).  I will not forget so many little moments from last week.  My heart was touched as I watched my dear friend, Leann, walk the path she has been given these past 3 years, but specifically last week.  Leann is the type of person that after you’ve spent time with her, you know that your life has been blessed and quietly challenged.  Leann, I don’t know if you’ll read this, but if you do, please know that your friendship has meant more to me than you will ever know and I am so proud of you. 

One last picture, this is one my favorite memories with Derek from last year.

Anya

Don’t let this cute face fool you, this girl is as ornery, naughty, and spunky as they come.  =)

It’s Summer??

I can’t believe it’s summer break already, although today it really doesn’t feel like a summer vacation day.  Hopefully that will change soon.

Dee-Mack Primary does a Young Author’s program where the students write and illustrate their own books.  Kate did a great job on hers and was a finalist in her classroom for best illustrated book.

 

I was also able to eat lunch with Kate and Lincoln and help with Field Day.  I didn’t get any pictures this year, but have a few from lunch.  Every year we have spent at the Primary school I have felt that Kate had an exceptional teacher. This year was no exception and Lincoln also started his time at the Primary with an exceptional teacher.  Mrs. W and Mrs. H, we are beyond grateful for the time you invested in Kate and Lincoln!

Anya, Creighton, and I went to the park with Lincoln’s class, and when it was time to go home, these two both thought the stroller was for them.

 

Last Day of School!

 

Come to find out, Kate’s been having trouble seeing far away.  We probably still wouldn’t know if it hadn’t randomly come up in conversation.  A trip to the eye doctor and a few hundred dollars later….

Kate has decided her summer goal is to teach Creighton to read….he’s only 3.  =)

You just never know where you may find Anya or Creighton OR what they might be doing….

      

Playing with Joce

  

Lastly, the Turkey Festival Parade.  Creighton would sit and people would just walk up and drop him a handful of candy.

The older kids got so much candy.  The people across the street were collecting candy and then coming over and dumping it out for the kids.

The candy pile….this was even minus some that we “forgot” at Grandma’s. 

Enjoy the rest of this rainy day!  =)