The little things in life

Maddy has convinced Sam there is a monster in the closet. Now he always points to the closet and says "monster scary."

Christian has been busy making zombie movie sets with his legos. He wants to make a still animation movie! This week he zombied up some of his lego guys by painting parts of them red (blood).

The first week after vacation bible school is always tough! The kids had been going, going, going all week, and the week prior we were at the beach. So "I'm bored" is all I've been hearing about the past couple of days.

We've been trying to grow grass in the back yard. Daneo our great dane, and our little mutt Lady are not enjoing their dog run! But since they are the reason our back yard has looked like a horse patty they'll have to get used to it. I want my back yard back!!

Speaking of Daneo, I think he has hip dysplasia or arthritis. He doesn't like to take long walks and this gait seems a little off.  Twards the end of our walks he sometimes leans up against me, w/ a 120lb dog it's quite annoying! But he is almost 7 yrs old and great danes don't usually live far past 7yrs. Just makes me sad to think he might not have too many more years left in him :(

Maddy has been asking me to sign her up for horse back ridding lessons, so I think I'll look into that tomorrow. And then in the fall we're back to gymnastics!

Future winner of hot dog eating contests!

This adorable video shows Samuel enjoying powdered doughnuts, eating like a chipmunk. And, yes, I know the Heimlich maneuver!

Our 11th Anniversary!

It's been 11 years since Dane and I walked down the aisle and said "I do." We've known and loved each other for over half my life now! Happy anniversary, honey! I love you more than my heart could ever beat!

Vacation Bible School 2010

Today is the last day of vacation Bible school. Christian and Maddy had a lot of fun this year learning songs, dance routines, crafts, games, and Bible stories. It has been challenging to wake up early in the middle of summer vacation, but it has been worth it. This is the first year that Maddy hasn't had separation anxiety and I haven't had to stay the whole day. It helps to have your brother, cousins, and friends in your class!

My sister-in-law Tani teaches a class every year. However, this year has been different because all her kids - Heath, Heather, and Han - are teacher aides instead of students! She has been teaching Sunday school and VBS since her oldest Heath (who turns 20 next month) was in her class. I think next year I'll be brave enough to teach a class along with my other sister-in-law Kari. Samuel can be our little helper or mascot :)

The kids can ride!

Last Wednesday I bought Christian and Maddy bikes for MY birthday! It was the best present ever to see my kids learn to ride bikes. They've had small training wheel bikes they rode a few times years ago, but now they are big kids! Our family got side tracked with all the baby stuff, plus Christian and Maddy never really wanted to ride a bike. Sun River changed all of that! The extended family and ours vacationed there a few weeks ago. Sun River is an awsome resort community with lots of bike paths. After Christian and Maddy saw how much fun all the cousins were having on their bikes, they decided right then and there they had to learn to ride. Lessons started on Thursday with me holding the back of their bikes. By Friday they just needed a little push to get going. Saturday they were good to go! Today Dane got his bike all fixed up and gave Sam his first ride. He's taken rides in a bike trailer (the buggy that hooks on to the back of Daddy's bike), but this was whole new adventure! Samuel couldn't stop smiling and saying "wee".

Aside from all the scrapes and bruises the kids are loving their new bikes. We plan on buying a couple more bikes off craigslist for when my nephews come up from Las Vegas for a visit. Just think of all the fun bike rides we're gonna have with 5 kids. Look out here we come!