Monkey Around

Can't let Grandma and Grandpa

come to visit without showing

them our favorite hang out!!

 Seeing these massive animals up close

is breath taking!

 Bonding time!

 Grandma was a little hesitant 

of the Giraffes.

Eventually they won her over.

Who could pass up such an opportunity?

 After some time Grandma got the guts

to bet these wild animals.

Trying to show Sydney how

it was "no big deal".

 Today Mr. Cat laid right in front

of the glass for all to see.

 Although I would be lying if I didn't

admit that this is what Keira did

for 90% of the time.

I don't think the heat agrees with her.

 Dan ate his weight in snacks while

he impatiently waited for Daddy

to come so he could ride in the

backpack.

 Peek-a-boo I see you!

 After using every opportunity to

cool down in the shade

and in the A/C buildings around the zoo,

we ended up at the Children's Playground

and let the kids play in the river!

Happy Days

 What is that you see Dan?

What has got you all giddy and happy?

And clapping for joy?

And showing off your mad skills

at playing the game

"SO BIG"?

It's because Grandma and Grandpa

are here!!!

We love it when the come to visit!!

The kids love all that extra

love and attention.

Plus Larry and I could use

the extra pair of hands!!!

Naughty Naughty Boy

 Now that Dan is on the move,

he has found every possible dangerous

thing in the house and stuck it in his mouth.

Like knocking over plants, 

pulling out the DVD's,

chewing on fridge magnets,

empties the family shoe box

and...

sucks on wires under the computer,

licks the Wii controls,

and has a jolly good time

with the strings from the blinds.

He is one very very

curious george!

But no worries,

we watch him like a hawk!!

Quilted Jean Baby Blanket

 By no means am I a good seamstress,

my patience wears thin quickly

usually because I have 5 little ones

trying to "help".

So my goal is to keep things simple by sewing

2 full sheets of flannel together

and whipping it up in less then 30 mins.

But for some close friends who were

having their first son

I tried to go the extra mile

and put more effort into it.

And when I think "boy",

I think jeans.

And since this special boy is due around

the 4th of July,

red/white/blue was the obvious

color scheme.

Adding in touches of soft with 

Winnie The Pooh.

The the back was this

gorgeous night sky blue

with bursting stars that

reminded me of fireworks.

Before School Gets Out

Our friends the Kern's joined us

for one last trip to the Zoo

to enjoy a random 75 degree day

and the older kids still in school.

March of the Elephants

This boy is obsessed with his map

of the park.

We were treated to a leaf of

lettuce to feed the giraffes.

Keira liked to keep her distance.

But she did it. 

Who knew they had so many horns?

And we treated our friends to 

the monorail ride!

Maybe some day we can

convince these two to go on

a date together!!

Share The Love

There are no words to express

this precious moment.

It started with Dan pounding out a few tunes

to entertain us on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Then slowly each child came to join him on the piano.

And this was the result.

Our Kids!!

That A Boy

At 10 months old,

Dan is finally showing signs of

movement...

it was an explosion of physical

maturity!

One day he was fine with scooting around

on his bum in circles and the next he was up on his knees...

And the next day he could control

his walker forward, backwards,

everywhere around the house!

And finally yesterday,

Daniel grabbed on to his favorite toy,

reached on to the top of his dragon

and pulled himself onto his knees.

Then stood up!!

Say what!?!?

I was so shocked.

What a crazy kid!!

Rare Moments

 In the end of May we had some very

wicked storms.

Full of winds, heavy rains,

earth shattering thunder,

constant lightening

and many threats of tornadoes.

This particular night we even brought the kids

downstairs around 1030pm for about 30 mins

while a tornado passed very close to our house.

I tried to get a quick run around the neighborhood

in before the violent storms arrived,

but the unrelenting lightening that drew closer

by the minute pushed be back home

sooner then I wanted.

Instead I laid on our front lawn

and took pictures of the craziest

cloud formations I've ever seen...

And then I got this shot!!

It's light the finger of God

streaming from the heavens above!!

Emma's Kindergarten Program

Emma's first musical program at school!
This year they did funky versions of

Nursery Rhymes.

It was very cute, very funny

and very entertaining.

The kids did a great job

of remembering the words

and keeping with the beat.

I was a little worried that Emma

would be her "shy" self and 

mubble the words,

but she proved me wrong

by singning loudly to all the songs

and remembering all of the hand movements

to all of the songs!!

Emma chose to dress up as 

"Mary with her little lamb".

I think Ben is dying to go to school!
He's very jealous of his sisters.

What a great back drop!

Emma and her BF Madison.

They are about the tallest and fastest

girls in their grade!!