June Highlights

Patrick assembled a playset for the kids to use in our backyard.  We do have many parks close to us, but this is great to have right out the back door.  It's the perfect size because even Charlie can use all the features of this without any help.  For mommy (me), that was key!  When Patrick opened these boxes, there were hundreds of pieces of wood and oodles and oodles of screws.  This seemed a bit daunting of a task (to me anyway).  But within a day or so, it took shape.  Patrick did a great job!  And Adeline pretty much watched daddy screw each and every screw....a daddy's girl for sure!

 Good job Daddy!

and an added bonus is having rubber mulch in the play area...softer and cleaner!

The girls and I flew out to NYC to visit my sister in law and niece for the weekend.  My brother was gone on a business trip so it was just a girls' weekend!  Charlie stayed back with Patrick (until he had to fly) for a part of the weekend and then stayed a couple of nights with our good friends, the Ammermanns.  This was the first time I had been away from Charlie over night.  I felt bad about leaving him behind, but I knew traveling alone with 3 kids (ages 4, 2 and 6 months old) would be a bit of a challenge.

 Charlie sportin' his new bike helmet.  He really isn't riding a bike per say this summer, but he wanted to ride in the bike trailer with daddy.  He's kind of looking serious here about the whole thing...

 Addie and Charlie are getting some good use out of the new playset, and mommy is liking just opening the back door and letting them loose!

 sisters...4 yrs apart in age...

 Happy Father's Day to the best daddy we know!

 What are you doing in there Charlie?!

 Over 6 months old and getting ready to crawl... Adeline crawled at 7 months, Charlie crawled at almost 10 months....we will see when Miss Clara crawls.

  At grandpa's wedding

May in summary...

Miss Clara, just relaxing...

The drooling has begun...we're waiting for her first tooth to arrive.  Charlie got his first tooth at 4 months and Adeline at 7 months.  So we shall see...

picnic lunch on the front porch...we love spring!

Charlie's BSF teachers: Miss Rhonda & Miss Heather

We studied Genesis this year, and I am always amazed at what God teaches me through the study of His Word.  I am so fortunate that I've able to take the kids with me.  The children's program is done so well, organized, and purposeful.  I'm grateful for these teachers (who are all volunteers) who teach and love on my kids.  My kids have been blessed beyond measure.  

Adeline's teachers: Miss kathy & miss jenny

Clara's teachers: miss teresa & miss barb

Clara started on solid foods this month at 6 months old.  With Adeline and Charlie, they started at about 4 months.  Adeline is very intrigued by this process, watching her sister very closely, wondering why she is drooling everything out instead of swallowing it.  

my 4 favorites!

Charlie's birthday gift from Uncle Joel, Auntie Hye Young & Mia - this has been an awesome addition to Charlie's Thomas train set!

Charlie's birthday dinner:  homemade mini pizzas, fruit kabobs, and homemade ice cream cake!

Happy Birthday sweet boy!

let me get a taste of that!

birthday gift from auntie Kate & uncle Kevin - Charlie loved it!

Charlie playing with his birthday gift from grandpa 

Adeline was able to celebrate her bestie Riley's 5th birthday at the American Girl Cafe at the Mall of America.   It is a special blessing that these girls have known each other since they were tiny babies....we hope they will have this friendship for a lifetime.

Happy Birthday Ry-Ry!

This is how the cake/ice cream was brought out for the girls...so cute!!

Bye bye baby bouncer...I don't need you anymore...movin' on up!

"Let me get in there..."

We had many rainy days in May.  Going to parks was out of the question many days because of the weather so Patrick one day offered to take the kids to the "park" (play area) at the airport!  Patrick listed everyone on a flight so they could all clear security, and voila...they had a great time!

morning at the zoo

wow....this giraffe is really tall!