Wildlife park with wild kids!

I was able to join the little man and his friends on their fieldtrip to the local Wildlife Park.  I think I may love this place more than the kids do.

 

Probably the funniest moment was when a camel practially sat in Nathaniel's lap to get food from the kid behind him!  Sorry, I was laughing too hard to get a picture.

Jordan and Nate (he sometimes claims she is his "best friend")

His class

Hayley and Nate being silly at lunch!

Memorial Day Cookout

Things I have learned through working with Project Victory, is to never wish someone (especially those who have or are serving) a Happy Memorial Day.  There really is nothing happy about it.  I am in awe of those who sacrifice everything so we can have freedom, and so very grateful.  I am also grateful to friends who help us enjoy our freedom.  We went to a cookout at the Sykes and had a blast.  Jump house, water, delicious food, and hilarious friends...who could ask for more? 

Daddy giving Nate his famous Natercopter!

I love these silly faces!

Childhood memories in the making!

 This is a small, but very important, part of our village!  We are so thankful for each of them.

Blessed

Sometimes I look at them and wonder how I am lucky enough to be able to raise these two adorable kids.

This is what BLESSED looks like!

We love our neighbors!

I know I have mentioned it before, but I cannot mention enough how incredibly blessed we are to have Miss "Tappy" and Mr. "Duck" as our neighbors.  The kids adore them and ask to go over almost every single night.  Sometimes they are fussy at our house and we walk next door and they are the happiest kids you have ever seen....it really helps us keep our sanity!  So thanks Tappy and Duck.  We love you!

Honoring Addi

Addi's birthday was Saturday.  Although we couldn't celebrate with her, we did celebrate her precious life with her family. We got Marissa all girlied up.  Addi loved the color pink and she loved BIG bows so we painted Marissa's nails for the first time and put on the biggest bow we owned.  Marissa loved it!

 Then we went out to the cemetary, had a prayer, and released balloons with her family and friends. 

 I wondered if bringing kids would be appropriate for this occasion but was glad they came. Nate had a really hard time letting his balloon go.  We had to remind him that Addi needed balloons in Heaven for her birthday before he would release his.  He finally released it, his trailed far behind the rest of the balloons.  Nate did not mention anything else about it that day....

...but that night as I was putting him down to bed he said a little prayer that ended like this "And God, you know you have to take care of Addi, she is just a little girl.  We sent her some special balloons for her birthday party today that you are throwing her.  Don't let them pop and scare her.  I mean it!".

I sure do love that kid. I love his views of Heaven and of God. I love his compassion for sweet little Addi. 

Happy Birthday, Addi!!!

Mother's Day Picnic/Daddy's Birthday

After church and spending time with Granny, we went on a Mother's Day picnic with some of our friends.

We brought along cupcakes to celebrate Daddy's birthday as well.  Poor guy had to share his birthday with his two favorite women this year!  Happy Birthday, Daddy.  We love you!

Mother's Day Serenade

A big shout out to Nate's daycare for helping him be even sweeter than he already is!  Here were my Mother's Day songs from this sweet boy....and his mad guitar skills (ha).

ANGRY birds, kids, friends

You know what?  We are (ok, mostly Mommy is) angry! Some of Mommy's dearest friends are moving away.  They have been super special to Mommy and have taught her so much over the past 10 years.  They have been there through all the bad dates (before Ted, of course), taught her how to play guitar, let her live with them, didn't beat her up after causing a great flood in their house, Linda stayed with Mommy until midnight waiting for Nathaniel's arrival into the world....and Mommy is angry that she did not spend more time with them lately.  Why does life get so busy that we fail to make time for people who mean the most to us? 

But in all honesty, we are excited that they are on their next adventure and will bless many more people..plus they are moving to Vegas, so at least it will be a fun place to visit!!! 

So Sat night we had a group of friends over to send them off with our well wishes.  And what better way to celebrate than by dragging out the birthday party stuff?  Angry bird adventures continue (with the Lee girls)....

So yeah...I did not actually get pics of Tony and Linda....but here's their much prayed for son, Alex (with another good friend, Kathy).  Everytime I think of his adoption story I get goose-bumps!  He is getting big so fast.  We sure are going to miss them.....