Dells 2010

To celebrate the start of summer, we took a trip to the Dells with some friends. Our kids had a total blast. We all shared a big condo.

Eating in front of the TV... only while on vacation.

Lorelai and Zoe relaxing in the sun.

The moms "bathed" all the girls in the HUGE hottub. Efficiency, baby!

The age and gender match-ups between our 3 families are impressive:
Our group included three babies, three preschool-aged girls, two 5-year-old boys, two 7-year-old boys, one 9 year old boy and one 10 year old boy.
The mommies are all in their thirties. And really cool, of course.
And all the daddies have PhDs.
Like I said, good matchups.

Another trip is in the works for July...

Quest

Now that school's out, our boys have created some of their own fun.
Like when Azael taped 6 sheets of paper together to make a board game called
QUEST.
Quest is not just "any board game."
Quest has teleports to move players around the board more easily.

I'm happy to report that Quest kept them happy for 2 straight days!

Double G is 80!

My Grandma just turned 80! Our kids call her "Double G," which stands for Great Grandma. Double G is hip, fun, happy, loving, and beautiful and we had a blast helping her celebrate. Our family had a big party/talent show to celebrate. Here we all are:

Double G and her 4 children, Joan, Wanda, Linda, & Bob

Some of Double G's more "sophisticated" posterity (posing for an Abercrombie ad): Sydney, Spencer, & Heather

Uncle Gary and my Dad

My Dad with Lorelai

The STARS of the talent show: my aunts Joan & Linda and my Mom singing "Mama" by Il Divo. It was HIL-AR-IOUS!!!

Double G, we all love you so much! We are blessed to have you for our Mom, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother!! I love you Grandma!

End of School - boo hoo

The last week of school was chock-full of fun. The kids all had a blast!

Ephraim and his teacher at an end-of-the-year picnic.

Azael and his teacher.

Silas and his preschool teacher, Sara.

Silas with his other preschool teacher, Josh.

Silas' class had a cute little Preschool Graduation ceremony. Here his teacher Sara hands him his diploma.

I can't believe the year is over... boo hoo

Cuter Every Day

Our cutie pie
heartbreaker
Jane

Silas' music recital

Silas had his Let's Play Music recital a few weeks ago. He wasn't nervous at all and sang out loud and proud. It was fun to see all the progress he made throughout the year.

Maxxin' and Relaxxin'

Our biggest project after moving into our house was to screen in a portion of the deck. It was worth every cent. We have enjoyed our mosquito free, breezy bliss surrounded by trees and birdsong. Our kids must absorb the peacefulness to some degree, because they seem to sit just a little longer when we eat outside. We feel very blessed to enjoy nature so easily and comfortably here.

In this photo everyone was enjoying a relaxing lunch/snack after church and Azael is showing MM a drawing he made.

Music Recital

This year Silas attended weekly "Let's Play Music" classes, taught by our great family friend, Gina Weibel. He has learned SO MUCH! Let's Play Music is a fun approach to music theory. So far, Silas has learned to sing a Middle C mostly on pitch without any cue. He can recognize music patterns, such as sol, la, ti do and mi, re, do. He can recognize rhythmic patterns and read music on the lines. I am so glad we did it. He has 2 more years to complete the LPM course, after which he'll move naturally on to piano with an excellent music theory foundation behind him. Here's a photo of Silas performing with some other students at the LPM recital (Silas is in the back row). He wasn't shy at all - he had a blast performing. I like that about him!

7! Seven! 7!

Ephraim is now 7! Recently we celebrated his birthday by inviting some friends for a party. They had a treasure hunt, an orange puffle cake (club penguin), and lots of fun! Ephraim's current faves: Wii, Super Mario Brothers, Poptropica, Club Penguin (screen infatuation, huh?) Ephraim is a kind brother and always takes care of Jane and Lorelai. If Jane cries, he is extremely concerned and asks, "Mom, PLEASE give Jane some milk!" This summer Ephraim is taking swimming & tennis lessons. He's reading Secret of Droon chapter books. He wants to do lots of baking. When asked what Ephraim plans to do while he's 7, he responded, "Be good. Be happy. Play Wii." That's Ephraim. We love him!

The kids on the birthday treasure hunt...

discussing treasure hunt strategy...
finding a new piece of the puzzle...

The Orange Puffle Cake

Ephraim, 7 years old!

The kids enjoy their cake.