Aaron is 6 mos old!

School's In Session!

We have a kindergartener on our hands!!!

We're so proud of our brave Ian - heading off to a new school this year.

Did I blink?! Audrey's in school now too.

She is eating it up - feeling like a really cool, big girl, doing big girl things at her school.

 We can't leave little man Aaron out. He & I get to spend more time together alone once in a while now - a nice treat! He's not the rockstar sleeper he used to be... but at least he's still a mellow, happy baby. He'll be 6 mos old in 6 days and he gets around! He can push up & rock back & forth on all fours (mostly scoots backwards at this point), rolls everywhere & almost sits usupported. The next few weeks will no doubt bring crawling, sitting & maybe even pushing himself into a sitting position. Motivation is not a problem :)

Having a fantastic family day of gorgeous weather up in Door County! Here comes fall - my favorite season!

Ian's 6th Birthday!

The "Wild Kratts" is Ian's favorite cartoon (a fun, educational show about wildlife) so we planned a wild animal party at our local Wildlife Sanctuary!

We made "creature power discs" (from the show) that each child picked out of a bag when they arrived. Then they got to pick out the matching mask. Surprisingly most of the kids wore their masks the whole time!

 I made "create your own habitat" jars filled with goodies like glow in the dark lizards, sticky frogs, magnifying glasses, animal stickers, jungle expedition Hotwheels vehicles & Teddy Grahams bear paws.

 Getting ready for our scavenger hunt

 Seriously...

 Off we go...

 What a great group of kids!

 Of course I had a ton of fun making the cake... and as usual Ian got to design it. Beavers - check. Cheetah - check. Alligator - check. It was Ian's idea to have the Kratt brothers in water. This worked to my benefit b/c I didn't have to make their legs then!

Happy Birthday to our "boy wonder!"

We love you, Ian! As the years go by, and memories become snapshots, we're reminded that we learn more from you than you learn from us. Never lose that twinkle in your eyes, that contageous smile & that gigantic heart.

Random fun times with summer visitors...

 Baby cousins 5 wks apart - Ren & Aaron

 That 1 yr gap closed quickly! Cousins Greyson & Ian

 Girl cousins 18 mos apart, finally able to play together! Lyla & Audrey

Showing off our "garden." The kids grew tomatoes, peppers & cucumbers from tiny seeds

 Renneke Family visits for Ian's birthday!

Aaron's Baptism: July 14, 2012

 4 months old

Such a happy little guy! He was our big surprise & such a GIFT from God to complete our family.

 Aaron's Godparents & dear friends, Tom & Alicia Smith

 With big brother, big sister & "Godbrothers" Jack & Benny

 With Nana

 With Grandma & Grandpa

 With Grandma Carol

Summer So Far

Summer has just begun... but we are enjoying every minute of it!

Aaron has had some visitors - Papa Frank got to meet him!!

 & Nana came for some cuddles

 We celebrated daddy's birthday ~ a very special day as he turned the "BIG 4-0!"

 Ian is loving soccer this season (daddy is coach again) & this photo was right after his big goal!

 This little man is just as easy and peaceful as can be. He smiles, goes with the flow & really likes his sleep. We had a cold day so I pulled out one of Ian's old outfits :)

 These two characters just keep us and each other laughing all day long.

Here we are in Door County

 and at our favorite - The Farm (ignore the lady behind us...)