I love MN

Have I mentioned I LOVE Minnesota this time of year. The parks and trails that meander through the trees and lakes around our new home are breathtaking! We love savoring this time of year.

Our neighborhood even has a gorgeous rose garden!

I also love those beautiful faces!

Nothing like spontaneous cartwheels in the "formal lawn"....

My little muscle man is adament that he pull ME in the wagon! Only every once in a while does he get his way.

I do cheat and give him a helping hand though!

This time of year in MN has a special magic that makes us smile! We love, love, love our new house and it's location.

Schools out scream and shout

Teyah has loved attending Joy school with her church buddies for the past two years. This year was particularly fun because the group this time was ALL GIRL as you can see.

Of course we had to dress these cute girls in the obligatory graduation garb -- made out of shiny black trash bags. They were super cute as they cheered, "Joy School is the BEST school!"

As you can see all the mommy cameras were sure to capture the moment.This year was the first time we have had a Joy School graduation at our house. It was quite the celebration with over 20 siblings in attendance to support their sisters.

Afterwards, we celebrated with treats.

Of course we had to snap a picture of all the great ladies who made this fun year possible: Special thanks to Kim, Carmen, Kimberly, Natalie, and Jamie. These moms are what make Joy School so special.


I may say this every year, but I think this group of girls might have been my favorite JS group so far (I've been doing this for six years straight!). These girls are sure to be good buddies as they venture on to kindergarten. (From left: Emily, Lindsay, Teyah, Ainsley, Hannah, and Jinnie).

Coach Dave & Teyah

Little Miss Teyah played her second soccer season this year!

Teyah was the first of our kids to have Daddy be coach!

The over-sized uniform makes it just that much cuter.

Daddy was the best coach! The 'Silver Sharks' were lucky to play his clever, on the spot games, that he created such as "Princesses and the Pirates" and "Princess and the Frog." Nothing better for four and five year old girls!

Teyah began to create her own rules for the game. She held her arms out to create a barrier between her and the ball, so nobody could take it.

Unfortunately, she never quite got the concept that you shouldn't push, but you should especially not push your own teammate or take the ball from them.

Teyah had fun, but she was ready for the season to be over. She took a huge amount of spills, and decided that tennis shoes are just not comfortable. I'm not sure if soccer will be her sport, but it was fun seeing her experience it for a couple years. She definitely understands how to be aggressive! My favorite move, was when she would bend her knees over the ball, push everyone out of the way, and then kick the ball into the net. I admit, it was pretty funny to watch!

Dynamic Duo

For the first time ever, Aubrie and Ellie were able to play on the same soccer team!

These girls have both been playing soccer since they were tiny, but with three kids playing all at the same time at different fields across town and Dave coaching Teyah, we were unsure we could have them all play this year. So, we received permission to have Ellie play up with Aubrie.

It took Aubrie a while to process the fact that she was the oldest on the team and wasn't sure if that meant she wasn't 'good' at soccer. But once she got over that, they both had the funnest time!

Interesting to note the height differences at this age! Check out Ellie (No. 2) and the white No. 10!

Ellie is definitely a striker! She sure knows how to score!

We aren't sure they will ever get to play on the same team again, but it was a memorable, fun and convenient experience!

Enjoy their little highlight video.

Lighting the sky for a special friend

Recently, a good church friend of Aubrie's (and who also happens to be her piano teacher's daughter) was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma (a kind of bone cancer). Aubrie and Ellie have both been so worried about their friend and immediately wanted to do something to help. Selling Kool-Aid and  then donating the money to Anya was completely their idea.

The same night of the Kool-Aid sale, the community that Anya lives in put together a special evening to celebrate and support Anya.

Everyone in attendance purchased a lantern, and we all lit them at nearly the same time. The heat causes the lanterns to float --just like in the movie "Rapunzel!"

The wind, weather and evening were perfect, and it was a beautiful, spiritual experience. It was a sight I have never before seen, watching all the beautiful lanterns gently bob to the heavens.

This evening happened just as Anya was starting her first round of chemo. Cancer is ugly, and it is frustrating that a sweet 9-year-old should have to even know what cancer is. We are all learning through her experiences. Nearly every prayer said at our house includes Anya. Our heart's ache for the trials this sweet family has to endure. I hate cancer!! But for one summer night, the hope and light of a community seemed to completely overcome the pain and fears of these events.

Ellie the American Idol

For weeks, we were treated to several mini performances by Ellie of "You're a Grand Old Flag" in preparation for her big spring performance at school.

Days before the big performance, she had her special patriotic outfit picked out and ready to go.

Although Aubrie is usually the one to take center stage and grab the spotlight, this was Ellie's special day and she did not disappoint.

Kyler enjoyed the performance as well, but not as much as he enjoyed gathering up everyone's guest "musical" label badges.

Happy sandwich

 

A little Saturday morning sibling fun never hurt anyone!

One, two, three... everyone pile on me!

Four, five, six ... Quick take the pix!

Seven, eight, nine... Get off, you are breaking my spine!