My little evangelist.

We were watching Jack's baseball game the other day and Ben ran off to play at the park and generally make friends and socialize, as he loves to do.  He later told me a little story about what happened on the playground.

 

There were two kids fighting and arguing with one another.

"Hey guys," says Ben.  "Why are you fighting?"

"Why do you care?  It's none of your business!!" says one.  "We don't even know you!"

"God cares." says he. "He doesn't want you to fight with each other."

"I don't know god!!"  says the kid.

"God created you!" says Ben.

"No he didn't!!" says the boy, "My mom made me!!"

"No!  God made you and he doesn't want you to fight with each other."  says Ben.

"Well...I don't believe in God." says the boy and off he goes.

 

Ben was a little disturbed that the boy didn't believe in God.  God is the Almighty Creator.  He cares who you are and what you do, and only he can make you whole.

A little pool time....

Ben's in heaven cause he is officially tall enough to go down the big slides.  For real reals.

He says he likes to talk his friends into going down with them.  He says they only have to try it once and if they don't like it, that's ok.  But sometimes they love it, he says.  So then he has a buddy.

Off to camp!

I just hate it when she goes.  But man, she has a lot of fun!  :)

'Tis wedding season...

...and nobody tears up the dance floor like these two.

A boy and his tractor...

I don't know why I love this so much.  I just do.

Coeur d'Alene Lake.

What a way to kick off the summer!  My mom had a house on the lake for a couple of days and she invited us up!  We could only make it for one 24 hour period but we squeezed every moment out of it!  Lots and lots of water and sun and fishing...it was heavenly!

We spent many hours out on the kayaks.  Even Ben was a pro.

Will doubled that time out on the dock fishing.  He was in angler heaven!

Summer is great cause they wear themselves out so much that they cannot help coming in for a snuggle.  I love this part :)

Sunset swims.

And then Will went an caught himself a pike!!  A first for this fishing family!

Then he watched Aunt Nette pummel it.

...and then watched her clean it.

We wrapped up the idyllic summer day with some treats and some cuddles.  What a fun drive-thru vacation!!

Violin recital!

I hadn't listened to the kids practice their violins in just ages (I'm not the tiger mother I always dreamed I would be) so I was totally floored by their progress this year at the year-end recital!  So proud of them....and I lovelovelove the violin!!

Family photo!

We rushed out the door in 20 minutes for this event so it was a miracle that we were coordinated.  And miracles like this ought to be photographed.

A little fun out at the Grandparents'

Yummy lemon cakes....

You just cannot beat this May weather we were having!



The last day of school!!!! Yay!!!!

My beautiful people.

This is the last year that they will all be in elementary.  (And this photo will be a lot less coordinated....ah well.)

Dog.

Bought Piper this super-nice pet bed so she can occasionally spend the evening with us.  I had visions of her lying in front of the fire, snoozing away while we watch a movie or read a book.

Instead.

She promptly peed on it.

Twice.

Seriously????!?

Pajama Riding...

...in celebration of the end of the track season...woohoo!!

Sara's Big Day!

Around this house, birthdays are in the planning stages for months...and this girl sure knows how to do it!  Started out bright and early with breakfast with her dad, at the Breakfast Club, of course.  The only place in town that you can get monstrous pancakes shaped like Mickey Mouse.

Then it was back to the house for presents before school, cause we just can't wait!!

As a nine-year-old, you aren't quite old enough to play hookie at this house, which was just fine because there was a great big field trip planned for the third grade and she didn't want to miss out.  And because it was her birthday, I signed up to tag along.... We learned all about trees and plants and beavers and wolves, and then we headed to the park for a picnic and running wild with all of her friends.  It was a dream!

On the way home, she got to play DJ for her friends and the car was dancing....

Later that day, we picked up her favorite present of the day...a goldfish!!

He was dead man walking though, and didn't even make it through the night.....and that meant one more exciting trip to the pet cemetery!

Sara decided she wanted to do a Mexican food buffet and invite her cousins!  She made them chocolate cupcakes stuffed with white icing.

...and because she's a lucky May birthday, we got to eat outside!

....and ended the perfect day with a jump in the sunset...

Sara is my little adventurer!  There is nothing this girl won't try, including cuisine, and she may end up being a bit of a foodie!  She is thoughtful and enthusiastic.  She is strong-willed and strong.  She is fast and determined.  She has filled out the role of little sister/big sister with grace....not an easy spot for a girl to be.  She is a friend and has a soft heart, but it is strong.  I don't know what God has in store for this girl but I know she can handle whatever is thrown her way.  She wants so much to do the right thing and is a people pleaser. I love her little spirited soul so much. She is going to be a force, and I cannot wait to see it when the gate opens and she finally gets to run free!  She will be unstoppable!

Love you so much, little Sara!  Happy Birthday!



Hanging on the deck.

The view is always always breathtaking out here.... but especially when a storm is brewing.