Sprinkler Fun or Bidet?

don't really know why she seems to like putting her butt to it.

maybe she just wanted to feel fresh!

Happy Birthday Trevor

Wow, 14 years ago, Trevor was born.  He is my son that loves to keep on moving.  He plays every sport he can.  We call him the jack of all trades, master of none.  He can't just stay still.

Ava surprised him this morning with Krispy Kreme donuts,

yummmy 

Go for a walk?

These are some of the best words spoken, the dogs and Ava just can't wait to go for walks.  Lately, Ava has been walking the dogs by herself.  I say that with a little girl who looks at me with hands on her hips and says "no me do it".

We've been loving our walks!

Yay Summer is here!

We have been really warm here in Chi town.  No complaints from me tho, I was sick and tired of the cold.  I don't know if it is my age or what, but I was way done with winter a long time ago.

I have been crazy busy, doctor appointments, ortho appointments, dentist appointments, basketball camp, football camp, soccer camp and a few parties thrown in for good measure.  Oh and I forgot the best part, our nephew Matthew was able to be home for 4 days, his General has a meeting in Hawaii and Matt was able to come and enjoy a few days here.  He goes back to Iraq on Tuesday.

Ava has been enjoying a new sprinkler I bought her, we haven't been to the pool as much as I would like with all the running around.

Matt and Ava Grace

outside enjoying the sprinkler

she was looking at an ant

when I called her name to look at me 

mad that the ant got away 

come on mom, stop taking pictures of me already 

a little fuzzy picture of a sweet girl with a shirt that says

"pick me"

We pick you Ava Grace 

OK, anyone who knows me, knows that I am a terrible 'green thumber'

but these roses are absolutely gorgeous and I didn't kill them! 



Tylers High School Graduation

I didn't cry!  I was so proud of my son and all of his accomplishments.  It hit me after the graduation ceremony that he is done, done with High School, done with this comfortable life he knows, and is on a journey to the next stage.  I have to admit, I got a little sentimental then knowing that my firstborn is on his way to college.

Before leaving for the school

Walking in 

receiving his diploma

after the ceremony

Tyler got to wear the gold

tassle and scarf because he

was on National Honor Society

May you find your wings to soar
May you find your voice to tell
May you find your legs to go
May you become a leader for Christ.
My Son, We are so proud of you
Keep Christ first
and everything else will fall into place.
We love you so much, congratulations

Trevors 8th Grade Graduation, Andrew Field Day

Trevor is officially a High School Student!  Yikes!

man is this boring, and I have to be quiet?  hmmm when will this be over? 

Today, Andrew had field day at his school.  Ava and I went to watch him.  Ava was a GRUMPY girl, and not happy at all!  The only time she was somewhat excited was when she could run on the track.  She LOVED it, she is a girl after my own heart afterall!  She ran and ran and ran, and didn't get tired, I had to chase her off the track so the kids could do their events.

tug -o- war

Andrews team lost! 

Ava wanted to try

that rope is really long and heavy! 

running... 

lots more running 

mad that she can't go out on the track 

relaxing with big bro Andrew 

Memorial Day

What does the day mean to you:

a day off of work
picnic with friends
swimming
extra day of sleeping in?

Well to me, it means that I can honor the men and women who give their lives, and their family lives so that I can be free!

My nephew Matthew, is a hero to me, along with the rest of the family who have served!

Thank you Matt for your dedication and your commitment to the USA.

Matthew on the left, with the Generals personal body guard.

Can't wait to see you soon!

Playing Hookie

I don't know if you can call it hookie if you own your own business, but none the less, Tom didn't go back into work one morning.

We took the opportunity to head to the Riverwalk.  We played at the playground and watched the geese spit at us, and took a nice walk along the river and had lunch.  It was wonderful to just spend time with my honey!

Ava almost fell asleep on this swing.  We have never seen one like this before.  I think she really liked the back and forth motion of it.

spying all the fun things the other kids are doing...

I look so giddy here...

so excited to have a nice day

taking a break with daddy

exploring...



on a bridge over the river on our walk



also,

we went to a breakfast held by the Rotary Club here in town to pick up Tylers Scholarship money.  It was really neat.  I had never been before, but it was nice and they do so much in the community that I didn't realize.  Tom and I both said, these were people just like Tyler.



Finish Line?

What does May mean for me?

End of year activities at school!

On one hand I am glad that school is almost over, on the other hand I am sad that school is almost over!

We went to an end of the year band concert for Andrew

and then we went to an award night for Tyler

We are so proud of all of his accomplishments.

Throw in some cuteness of Ava:

Samson and Cooper with Ava at the park

I bought a potty chair for Ava and I took it out of the box, and she instantly pulled her pants down and took off her diaper

in my kitchen of all places, I was shocked to see her do this.  I wonder if she was on a potty chair in the orphanage?  She knew exactly what to do, and she didn't want to get up.  NO she didn't do anything in it, but I found it interesting none the less.

So, I see the finish line a comin, where I will have Tyler graduating High School and Trevor graduating 8th grade, and then the flurry of activities in the summer.  HELP, I don't think it ends anytime soon!

Fun n' the Sun

 How I love thee o big beautiful Sun.  I forgot what you looked like, so I traveled to Phoenix AZ to see you again.  I so loved basking in your warmth and walking in slow motion.  Thank you Thank you Thank you for being in Arizonia when i was there.

Well really Ava Grace and I traveled to Arizonia to see my parents.  It has been since last May that my folks have seen Ava Grace.  We had a wonderful time just hanging out, going to the beautiful Phoenix Zoo and to the Mall to see my parents friends.  It was a short trip, but so worth it.

This is a statue they have in the childrens area at the zoo

petting the goats,

she kept saying

"hi" in her best high pitched voice she could do!

this is Dooper, he is helping with a childrens show at the mall

my parents were brought up on stage with Ava Grace

and they sang songs, Ava loved to shake Doopers hand

Papa and Ava Grace 

Photo shoot before leaving

that is my new doggie sister Katie