Josh Turns 3....

On July 5th, we had the priviledge of celebrating Josh's 3rd birthday with Joe, Abby and the kids.  It is hard to believe our sweet nephew/cousin is already 3 years old!!!  We had a great time at a local park that has amusement rides and then we went out to lunch at a local hotdog place we love.  We had a fun morning together!!!  We love you Josh!!!

 Regan was a good sport all morning.  She is definitely too old for these rides but she went along with it and smiled.

 Lizzie and Reece had fun riding the rides together.

 Riley and Josh were best buds, he only wanted to ride with Riley.

 This plane was perfect for Regan because there was a clown sticking out his tongue.  She is always sticking her tongue out at me during photos - like this picture!  She was not even aware the clown was on the plane.

 Regan is making Abby jealous by riding in Abby's dream car.

 I had fun riding the carousel with Lizzie.  She told me, "Aunt K I have riden a carousel all by myself before."  In other words, "Aunt K, I don't need your help."  But, she did not realize I got to ride for free if I was acting like I was helping her. :) 

 Everyone rode the train and I love the look on Josh's face in this photo.  Not quite sure what he was thinking here but would love to know!

 Cute photo of Riley and Josh.

 Joe had more tickets so Josh grabbed Riley's hand and they set off for more rides on the cars and planes.

 All the kids enjoying the train together - without adults this time.

 What could be better than dessert (snowcones and ring pops) before lunch on your birthday! 

 Josh opening his present from us. 

 We got him a Finn McMissile Car that can go in the pool and Thomas the Train squirters for the pool.

 We almost forgot about the cake after lunch, we had already said our "goodbyes" when Riley reminded us about the cookie cake.  So, Aunt Abby lit the cake in the trunk of her new van while Joe responded, "Uh Abby...I don't think that is covered in our warranty?!"  I was cracking up and Joe and Tony were saying, "You might be a redneck if....."

 Then, it got better when we looked up and saw the background of where our kids were sitting on the curb.  Made for a great "redneck" birthday party. :)  We got great laughs out of this and made some memories we will NOT forget!

 Even though it was almost 100 degrees outside, there was still a gentle wind that blew out Josh's candles before he could.  So, we had to re-light them several times.

 Everyone is crowded around so the wind will not get the candles before Josh this time.

 Josh blowing out (or should I say - spitting out) his candles! :)

 Josh carrying around his Thomas Trains.  Hard to eat cake and hold your trains at the same time.

 Lizzie with blue teeth and lips...

What?!?  Something wrong with my teeth??

4th of July...

Every 4th of July (that we are in town) we get together with our friends, the Stepp's.  This year we grilled out hamburgers, hotdogs and chicken and had enough food to feed a small army.  Then, we enjoyed our yearly firework show and this year we seemed to have a lot of fireworks.  We had 3 other families join us during our show (2 of which we did not know at all).  I told Tony we need to shoot off fireworks more often so we can meet more neighbors. :) 

 Our 4th of July dessert, Strawberry and Blueberry Trifle.

 The kids enjoying Pop-Its.

 The guys are setting up for our big show! :)

 One of the first fireworks Dave shot off was extremely loud and shot out sideways.  It caught all of us offguard.  The kids named this particular firework the "purple dude".  We soon discovered the other "purple dudes" did not act like Dave's "purple dude" so Dave's must have been a "purple dud!"  Glad no one got hurt!

 Enjoying the show... Mama Cook, recognize the beads??

 Reece enjoyed doing Sparklers.

 Riley lighting the firecracker and then running...

 Just pretend these are in the air and it would be like an "official" show.

Regan's First Official Job...

On Wednesday, June 6, Regan took an all day Redcross Babysitting Course at a local church with some of her friends.  She had a fun time learning about basic first aid, infant and child CPR, and safety information that would come in handy when babysitting.  She received a babysitting manual that summed up what she learned and when she got home she was already reading through the whole manual.  Not even a week later, she was asked to become a "Mommy's Helper" for a boy at our church.  This is her first job and she is enjoying it very much.  She is getting paid about $3.00 an hour and is making quite a bit of money. 

The Girls Have Their Own Rooms...

The girls have been asking to have their own rooms for quite a while.  We told them we would do it this summer after our beach trip.  Well, when we got back from the beach they were ready to re-organize, but boy was I NOT ready.  I had a ton to get done for Backyard Bible Clubs but since I had promised them, we went ahead with it.  I had to organize the walk-in storage and attic first because I was losing all my storage in the guest room that would become Regan's room.  We ended up moving all my Kid's Night craft supplies from the BIG guestroom closet to a TINY linen closet in the hallway.  Needless to say, I had to do a lot of purging and re-organizing to make everything fit.  I also put a lot of stuff in the attic and walk-in storage.  Regan chose her paint color first and we went right to painting, she and I.  That was quite the adventure since neither of us had painted a whole room before.  We started in the closet, which took forever because of the shelving, ceilings and doorframe we had to go around, and I was NOT doing a good job.  There was a lot of complaining coming from the closet so Tony came to my rescue!  Tony ended up doing most of the bedroom when he saw my job in the closet. :)  He was not happy to be giving up his relaxing weekend to paint, but he was a super daddy/husband and helped Regan and I complete the task!  I have to say, I did learn a lot that weekend about painting.  I am very thankful we did not have to paint Riley and Reece's rooms!   After the painting was done, we had to go shopping for Regan's new bedspread and curtains.  That was a very difficult task because Regan chose the room color first (Aqua Ice), which was not an easy color to match.  We were also trying to find a comforter for a queen size bed and trying to find a "Kid's Theme" in that size bedding is difficult.  We spent many days shopping and looking online before we found what she wanted at Walmart (of all places!!!). :)  The comforter is very bright and bold but she loves it and it looks great with the wall color.  Plus, it is reversible so I figure when guests come we can turn it over to the subtle, solid purple color. :)  The next task was trying to find Regan an inexpensive dresser and desk, but that would last so we could use them even after Regan heads off to college.  We spent many more days shopping at thrift stores, furniture stores, etc.  We found Regan's and Riley's desk right away at the Habitat For Humanity Re-Store for $25.00 each.  We were so excited to find these bargains but did not have as easy of a task finding the dresser.  Tony decided we should also get Regan a headboard for her bed so that added to our search.  We went to several outlet furniture places and finally found a beautiful bedroom set at Home Comfort Outlet center.  We got a full size dresser with mirror, bedside table (did not need but it was included with the set) and headboard/footboard for a very reasonable price.  Plus, we all liked it and figured once Regan is off at college we can use the antique white bedroom set for my "beach themed" guestroom, which will look wonderful.  So, once all the furniture arrived, comforter, curtains and sheets were washed, and room painted, we could FINALLY move all the girls into their new rooms.  This was quite the task and we had to purge a TON of stuff and made many trips to the Goodwill.  Needless to say, our house is now organized, the girls are finally in their new rooms and everyone is happy --- well, except that I don't have as much storage for my craft stuff anymore!  And don't worry guests and family....we still have a place for you whenever you come to visit.  Regan is happy to offer her room and closet space to you and she will go sleep in the bunkbeds with Reece.  One thing I have noticed, the girls are doing a fine job keeping their new rooms clean because now they do not have anyone to blame that their room is a mess but themselves.  

 This is a beautiful painting Tony found at the Habitat For Humanity Re-Store for Regan's room, there is a flute in the picture.  He got this photo for $13.00!!! 

 Regan's new dresser and mirrors...

 Regan's new dresser, nightstand and we gave her this bookshelf that used to be in the study.  She is thrilled with the bookshelf, and also with the fact that she almost has the bookshelf filled!

 Regan's new desk...

 Riley's new room (Regan's old room) and new desk...

 Reece has the same room but she has a lot more space now that Riley has moved out.  Reece is very thrilled as you can see in this photo! 

 Reece's reading corner...

Reece's desk and she also has Riley's old desk too.

Reece is sleeping on the bottom bunk and then uses the top bunk for reading and hiding out. 

Victory Celebration Closing Program....

On Thursday night, July 28th, we had a Victory Celebration Closing Program for our Backyard Bible Clubs.  There was a closing skit that summed up what was learned throughout the week, and intermixed within the skit was singing of the songs learned during the week and recitations of memory verses by each age group.  We also had a slideshow and Pastor Ross shared a few words about our church.  We concluded with an ice cream bar and socializing afterwards.  It was a great way to finish off our week and to meet some of the families that were not part of our church.   

 This photo shows all the staging we had for the skit.  A very talented member of our church made all of the staging.  It was fabulous!!!

 Here I am running through the closing skit with the kids.  Who ever would have thought I would be directing skits!!??  Well... I guess I have had a lot of practice with drama, since I have 3 girls of my own and grew up in a house of 3 girls. 

 Luckily, my friend, Chris, helped me direct the skits and he is a Professor of Rhetoric so he is more skilled with this than I.  Chris is giving the kids a last few encouraging words and instructions before their final skit. 

 Prayer time...

The children had a great time singing (and dancing) for their parents. At one point, I told the younger boys up front to turn around (meaning to face their parents) and they turned around BUT kept turning around. This got a great laugh from everyone. :)