Happy Father's Day

Honey, the kids wanted to tell you the things that they LOVE most about YOU!

A.J. said, "My favorite thing about dad would have to be how invested he is in my future and how selfless he is."

Madie said, "I like how he is always funny and how he does his "Jared" voice."

Easton said, "How much he loves you (he was talking to me.)" My favorite answer, but I absolutely agree with all the others.

Brooke said, "How supportive he is to me!"

Ellie said, "That he married you! (Once again talking to me.)"

Annie said, "I love daddy very much!"

Honestly, I couldn't have put it better than that!

I love him! I love that he loves me! I love that he supports us in everything we do! I admire how selfless he is! I love how he tries to figure out things that aren't perfect and always tries to make them better. My heart literally jumps when I see him across a room!

Happy Father's Day to the one we LOVE!

Ellie's summer reading

This is Ellie's potential reading log for the summer.

She has the sweetest teacher who let her "checkout" books for the summer.

Happy reading Miss Ellie!

Six Flags with FRIENDS!!

Every summer we get Six Flags season passes.

We have it down to a science how to get them for as little as possible, and this year was no exception.

With passes in hand, a free day pass for each friend, we headed downtown this last Wednesday.

With Madie in Orlando, A.J. in Seattle, and dad in St. Louis, the "middle" kids, their choice of friend, Annie and I set out to have a great day!

We started in the water park, took in some rides and even ran into some cousins on our way out!

Too fun!

One Rainy Day

Last Friday, when the kids and I pulled in the garage, it had started to rain and we decided to open the front door and take a look.

To our surprise, it began to hail. Not for just a brief moment, but for a good TWENTY minutes!

The kids ran in and out, up and down, trying to have the most fun possible!

We even discovered a major leak in Easton's room downstairs. All the kids pulled together to stop the leak. Duct tape and towel after towel couldn't stop the water, but they sure tried.

After they gave up, they must have ventured into his closet where we store the winter coats and jackets, because this is what we discovered minutes later...

Gifts of love disguised as boxes full pea-sized hail on my kitchen countertops...

...and Easton, Brooke and Ellie "floating" to their hearts content in the pool, shoes and all.

Some pictures are not the most flattering...

...but you had to feel their experience!

They must have played together during and after this storm for over an hour. A fun memory that they will always have!

Lots of Easton's lacrosse baby!

For the last FOUR weekends, Easton has had lacrosse tournaments!

It has been fun to see him play each Saturday instead of doing yard work and housework. (We should probably address yard and laundry soon however!)

Last weekend they had to play with 7th-9th graders because of some early birthdays of team members. Most of the team is only headed to the 6th grade, so this was quite a challenge. They worked so hard and played some of their best lacrosse of the season and ended up in 3rd place overall in their division. (Only losing ONE game all weekend)

It was great when he was playing hard, challenging when he wasn't, but wonderful to be there to support him all the way!

Fishing for Family Night!

Daddy was out of town, Madie was playing volleyball in Orlando, and the rest of us were anxious for some FUN!

We decided, spontaneously, to head to the Pinery Lake and go fishing for Family Home Evening.

Great decision...lots of fun!

There was a very kind man there who redid all the kids poles with appropriate flies for that lake. He taught them all about the fish there, complete with pictures of HUGE fish he had caught a few weeks ago. He was wonderful!

It was a calm, overcast night, full of small fish, learning, and happy kiddos!

Annie showing off her ouchies.

NICE FACE BROOKE!!

A.J. and Annie trying to catch the fish by hand!

A.J. was the only one to catch his own fish! Lucky fisherman!