Lila's Painting

Lila has recently started taking art classes. She LOVES it! She is always drawing, creating, writing notes and making everything around her beautiful. This is her 2nd painting from art class. We were all pretty blown away. She wanted to have it framed and give it to her dad for Father's Day. What a treasure.

Lila's Birthday

We just celebrated Lila's 7th birthday! She has been looking forward to this day for months! We had a fun family party on her birthday and then the next day we had a friend "Lady Bug" party. We had fun.

Lila ....

LOVES art classes

learning to swim

loves Littlest Pet Shops

is excited to have a baby sister

is so kind and loving

is a hard worker

enjoys reading

and has a smile to melt your heart.

I just LOVE my girl!

A Few Odd's and End's

ALL of the boys out shoveling poop! Why?...

The culprits. This whole week we have been dog sitting.

3 big dogs in 1 back yard = a TON of POOP!

Talmage's dream come true.


The first day on the lake with family. It was a great day!

Talmage and his dad on the boat. Oh happy day!

Caleb cruising around in his jeep. He's got this down to a science.

He calls it his "broom broom"

Father's Day

For Father's Day I wanted to surprise Tal with pictures of the kids. He has had 16" X 20" frames sitting in his office for months. So, we had a day of picture taking. And yes, it took a lot of the day. Caleb was ... well a 3 year old. Out of probably 100 pictures there was only 1 with him looking at the camera and sort of smiling. Good thing he's cute.
Tal loved his Father's Day gift! We blind folded him and each of the kids held up their picture in front of their heads. They all looked like bobble heads with these little bodies. It was fun!

Scout Camp

The second week of June, Braden headed out to scout camp with his dad the Scout Master. I don't know how I didn't get a picture of the two of them together. I will fix that. Tal looks so cute in his scout outfit... complete with a cool hat that makes him look really official.
Braden had a great time with his buddies and earned 5 merit badges! Apparently, Braden rocked the shot gun merit badge. Talmage said he obliterated the clay pigeons. It was a proud moment for the Papa!

A Few Highlights of the Past Few Months...

Finally I am getting back to blogging! I had some computer frustrations and I just was not feeling well. Thankfully, I am over the "sick" part of being pregnant and am semi functional again. I have missed A LOT (ugh) , but here are a few highlights of what we have been up to.

We've been singing, "All I want for my birthday are my two front teeth!

When the Tooth Fairy came on the second tooth, she said she felt the little fairy going underneath her pillow and she didn't dare open her eyes because she didn't want to "break the promise" Phew!

Collin getting his Webelos! A very exciting moment.

Caleb's 3rd birthday. He LOVES trains and could hardly keep his hands off of his cake.

We had fun celebrating!

Caleb at age 3:

* LOVES trains

* LOVES milk and his blankey

* Has his own cute language.... Braden = "Brae", Collin = "Daw" (we have no idea),

Lila = "Lellow", Grandma and Grandpa = "Jamma and Jampa" Funny!

* Is an escape artist... we are CONSTANTLY asking ourselves, "Where's Caleb?"

* Loves books

* Always wants to be outside playing

* Cracks us all up by the funny things he does

* So lovable and happy!

Braden started Lacrosse this year. He really enjoyed it and played awesome!




A sweet picture with Great Grandma



Baby Animal Days. Caleb was begging to take a bunny home... it was tempting, but we thought Charlie (our dog) might think it was a stuffed animal... which he tears to shreds!

We had a hole dug to put an in-ground tampoline in. We had a huge pile of dirt and Caleb was in HEAVEN digging with his shovel. (I promise he started out with clothes on)

This is our second year of walking the Race For the Cure. I love it! It is amazing to be there and be a part of something so big. There are so many brave people in the world.

Braden and Collin built this snow cave all by themselves and were SO anxious to sleep in it. I was a nervous wreck all night... You can see they had a terrible time.

St. Lucia

For our 15 year anniversary we celebrated in St. Lucia. It was beautiful! We stayed at the Sandals resort - which was great. Everything was included and created a totally stress-free vacation. We had lots of fun exploring and relaxing by the pool.

Standing in front of the Gros Piton.

This mango literally fell from the tree right into our room which had an open wall to the outside. Talmage was in HEAVEN. It has always been a dream of his to eat a mango fresh off the tree.

Diamond Waterfall. The water changes colors throughout the day depending on what mineral is in the water.


Yummy Dinner!