This Week at Our House

Last week, after returning from Chicago, I came down with tonsilitis, so we basically did nothing all week. I am trying to change that this week!

We bought Isaac a pool this past weekend, so Isaac and I set it up today and got in...felt wonderful!

Last night, Isaac was definitely putting on a show for us!

This is David and Isaac celebrating David's 21st birthday (at least that's what the waitress announced to the restaurant) at Red Robin!

Chicago with Mimi and Papa

Okay, so, yes, we go to Chicago quite often because Mimi, Papa, Amber, Ed, and the girls (and the coming boy!) live there. This time, however, we went because my parents were keeping Jamie's kids for the week. We had lots of fun!

On the way to Papa and Mimi's from Ohio, the boys crashed!

On Sunday, we went to church. This is Chloe after church was over.

Isaac and Carson (aka, double trouble)

Tuesday night we took the kids to the park

Thursday we took all of the kids to Portrait Innovations for Christmas card pictures

After we got back home, the boys decided to play a game of cards around the table, in their underwear. (Notice that Isaac is in briefs...not cute, well, okay, maybe a little.)

Friday we loaded up two vans to take all seven kids to the beach...it was fun!

Lily lookin' all stylish

The kids had dinner when we got back to the house.

On Saturday we went to Amber and Ed's to play on the new slide

Isaac is slightly afraid of some water activities, but he loved this!

Garrett Grandkids' Photo Shoot 2010

We had a difficult time getting Isaac to smile today, but there were a few teethy shots.

I love this one because he is showing his personality!

Chloe wasn't ready for pictures at first, so the first group shot is missing one grandchild:(

Here they are in all their...umm...glory.

Toledo Zoo

I hate when I put these in the wrong order--oh well!

After leaving the zoo, we stopped at Walbridge Park; Isaac LOVES the park!

Horrible picture (of me), but the best I could do of the two of us...we were by ourselves.

Isaac loves the fish!

His birthday...again!

Playing in the stream

He loves these hanging animals!

Baby elephant

Outer Banks, NC Vacation

I have to say that the Outer Banks were, by far, the most beautiful and peaceful beaches I have ever visited! We actually had room to enjoy the beach instead of being right next to all kinds of random people. Here are a few pictures of our trip; there are more on Facebook.

Isaac in a HUGE chair in an adorable little town called Manteo. There was so much here, both fun and historical. Next time we go, we will spend a lot more time here.

Isaac cheesing it up on our last night at the beach. He really enjoyed the sand, but it took him a while to warm up to the water...this night, however, he kept running back and forth into and out of it!

Playing in the sand...pretty sure he would have spent his whole week here!

Steering a pirate ship...this was a cute novelty restaurant, complete with dressed up pirates coming to the tables to hand out temporary tattoos and chat it up with the customers!

Isaac LOVED watching the crabs!

Isaac with one of the lighthouses in the background...it was under construction.

Eating a fresh donut at Duck Donuts. He decided when he got a donut with sprinkles that it was his birthday.

Isaac and Mommy...we climbed up a ton of stairs to get here...wish you could tell that in the picture.

Playing in the sand with Papa

Memorial Day 2010

This picture was taken at the Memorial Day parade. I hate that my shadow is in it because Isaac looks so cute...not sure why he wore his hat this way!

Fare thee well, FCCS

For four years I have made the daily hour-long trek to Fountain City Christian School to fulfill my teaching position. During those years, I have met some amazing people, and I have grown in unestimable ways. There have been laughter and tears, times of seriousness and silliness! I will miss each student, parent, and co-worker!

I have a short summer break before starting my new job at a new school with new students, parents, and co-workers. I look forward to new friendships as I cling to my old ones; I look forward to new students as I consider how much work it will be to get to know them; I look forward to new times of growth! But, really, what I look forward to the most--the eight-minute drive! I am only slightly kidding here!

Here are some last-day pictures from FCCS. I had an afternoon of games planned for my kids...and tears came unexpectedly along the way!

I do realize that we all look horrible here...this was at the end of the day...after spending several hours outside in the 90+ weather and after being soaked in water sports!

Some of the girls during our web game...each student threw the spool of yarn to another student while saying something he/she would always remember about the student. Then, in an emotional turn, they each said something he/she would remember about me...those were a rough few minutes!

Chubby Bunny--a classic!

Not sure what happened here, but we were having fun!

Shaving balloons---oh yeah!

Overheard by the flies on the wall in my son's room during prayers tonight:

Me: And thank you for Isaac...
Isaac: Thank you for Mommy...
Me: And please help him to make good choices and be a good listener
Isaac: Help her do good and be a good listener

Ah, to be a Mommy! Lovin' every minute! Oh, and there are not really any flies on the wall of his room:)

Palm Sunday Antics

David and I typically ask Isaac what he learned about in Sunday School on the way home from church, and we often get somewhat understandable answers. Last Sunday, however, Isaac had a difficult time remembering the Bible story, but we had seen all the props they used when we picked him up, so we guided him along in his recollection. This was how it went:

Mommy: Isaac, what did you learn about at church today?

Isaac: We...played.

Mommy: What story did they tell you?

Isaac: Ummm....Jesus. (Which we all know is one of the two correct answers to nearly all questions in the preschool Sunday School classroom:)

Mommy: What did Jesus do?

Isaac: Ummm...Jesus is comin' to town! (At this point he is getting really excited with bright eyes, a huge smile, and an increasingly louder voice.)

Mommy: What did the people do when Jesus came to town?

Isaac: They wave leaves! (Again, more excited and louder)

Mommy: What did they say?

Isaac: They say... (Again, more excited and louder)

Mommy: Hosanna!

Isaac: Anna! (more excited and louder)

Mommy: What did Jesus ride into town on?

Isaac: (more excited and really shouting!) A school bus!

David and I burst out in laughter! I love my son!

Isaac's Third Birthday

Where has the time gone? I can't believe that my little baby boy is three! He is a complete joy, and I am daily thankful for him!

Getting ready to open presents from Mommy and Daddy!

Isaac and Madison in the tunnels at Chuck E. Cheese


Isaac and Madison eating yummy pizza

Opening presents from Mimi, Papa, Aunt Amber, Uncle Ed, Aubrianna, Annaliese, and Lilliana

This picture is blurry but still cute...me with Annaliese and Isaac

Blurry again...from Jump Zone in Illinois

Isaac and Aubrianna sharing icecream at Choo Choo Johnny's

Annaliese and Papa

Sleepover:)