Labor Day Camping

Lance, the kids, and I went camping over the Labor Day weekend with some friends from church, and let me say, we couldn't have asked for a more awesome weekend! The weather was great, the company was great, and the kids all had a blast! I am so thankful for such wonderful friendships (for both us and the kids!). Hopefully this will be something we will continue for many, many years to come! Here are just a few of the highlights of our weekend.......

Playing Red Rover (apparently Kelsey thought Maddox wasn't capable of getting a good enough start on his own....she had to give him a push start!)

Riding bikes

Buddies:-)

Playing at the beach

Kneeboarding (she made it look so easy!)

Tubing

All of the kids (except Laney)

Heroes AND Champions!

Francesville Fire Department won the local softball tournament a couple of weeks ago! There were 3 departments competing, and it looked like everyone had a lot of fun! Great job FVFD!!

Kayla and Caleb's Big Day!

So, I didn't get a lot of great pictures from Kayla and Caleb's wedding, but here are a few of my favorites that I did get.......

The beautiful bride:-)

Kayla and Kelsey

Cousins:-)

Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Leman!

Kayla and Caleb left the wedding on a fire truck (they were on the back), and the boys got to ride up front with Lance:-)

Great picture of Kayla and Robert

I thought this was a good picture too

Aunt Lacie dancing with the kids (all night!!)

The happy couple:-)

First Day of School 2011

As most of you know, the first day of school for West Central was last Wednesday, August 17th. I had been dreading this day all summer for several reasons........
#1. Getting back on a schedule and into a routine. I always love summertime because we don't have to worry about a schedule. We can go to bed whenever we want and get up whenever we want. I love it. So, going back to school ends that, and we are back to 8:00 bedtime and getting up at 6:45. Yuck!
#2. Maddox's best buddy (aka Landon) would now be gone all day:-( So sad for Maddox! These 2 have been best friends for several years now and have had all day, every day to play together. Now that Landon is in Kindergarten, Maddox is by himself all day.
#3. Landon had to go to Kindergarten. I probably dreaded this the most. He is so shy, and I worried constantly about how he would do in a big school with lots of kids and teachers he didn't know.

Well........to my surprise, going back to school has been wonderful in every aspect!! I absolutely LOVE being back in a routine. The kids are in bed by 8:00, giving me and Lance several hours of peace and quiet each night! I can't say I love the getting up at 6:45 thing, but oh well. I'm sure I'll get used to it eventually. (Maybe). Maddox is loving being at home by himself. He loves having mommy all to himself:-) He's so sweet! The biggest surprise of all, though, is the fact that Landon has had no problem at all adjusting to the Kindergarten life, and I actually think he really likes it!! He is such a big boy......we have had no tears, and he is already walking into school without me! I'm sure it really helps having Kelsey there to walk in with him:-) Let's hope things stay like this the rest of the year!!
Here are a few pictures of their first day of school......

Summer Fun!!!

Ok - so this post is really long, but with good reason! Here is a summary of some of the things we've been up to this summer. It was a fabulous summer filled with fun, sun, and water:-) My kids are finally old enough that we are able to be outside as much as possible and fully enjoy our summer days!


Slip N Slide fun with church friends

More Slip N Slide - this time at home

Swimming at Stu and Liv's

Sleepovers

Landon's first time to have a sleepover

Waterslide!!

Cookouts (and of course my firefighter is playing in the fire!)

Races

Swimming in the pond

Zip-lining!

Rowing the boat:-)

Face painting:-)

Visiting Grandma at work (the lion statues are outside the courthouse where she works)



Days at the Dunes............

Loving the waves

So cute!

Little stinker wouldn't take a picture with the rest of the kids.

And finally....

A Day at the Zoo......

Petting the sharks

Say cheese!

Ready for the dolphin show:-)

Kelsey with the zebras (although you can't see them very well!)

Landon with the giraffes

Maddox with the lions (he's back there - you just can't see him!)

Cooling off after a long day at the zoo

Catch-up Post #10: Maddox's First Day of Sunday School

Well, my baby is no longer a baby:( He's a big boy that now goes to Sunday School! This is huge for Maddox. He is a mama's boy who has never really had to be separated from me. So far, he is still adjusting to this. He really likes Sunday School, and he has a lot of fun, but it is still hard for him to let me leave. Sometimes there are tears, sometimes there aren't. Lucky for me, he has an awesome big sister who helps out and sits with him for a while (if needed), and he has incredible teachers! I love to see my kids learn about Jesus and stories of the Bible. It's seriously amazing:-) I just pray that they can grasp it all while they are young......remember these stories and their memory verses and keep them close to their heart. I'm so thankful for our church and the amazing Sunday School program we have. We are so blessed..........


Here are a few pictures of Maddox on his first day of Sunday School. All 3 kids felt the need to have their picture taken:-)