Summertime

 Summer has started and now that the rains seems to have ended we are enjoying the hot weather. We like to sit in the back yard under our tree in the evenings and enjoy the cool.

 We like to take in at least one Trenton Thunder game each season. They are always lots of fun and dad buys special treats.

 We have lots of play dates. Above are some friends we are going to miss a lot.

 Some cousins came to visit and we went crawdad fishing in the stream at the farm.

 Even though the original fireworks date was rained out, we enjoyed the rescheduled fireworks and are happy to live in this wonderful country. Can't wait to see what else the summer will bring.

Oakley's 10th birthday

 Oakley made it to double digits. For his birthday, he wanted to visit his friend Joshua in VA. So, mom and Oakley drove down Fri night and came home Sun. We had a great time. We did have cake and presents at home. He got a pocket knife, basketball hoop, and football. I guess he really wanted a metal detector but Tessa forgot to pass on the message. He seems to be enjoying what he did get though.

Catching up: May

 Hathaway got a late birthday present--a jewelry making kit. Of course, she had to dress up to use it.

 Oakley and Tessa had a fun field day at school.

 Lots of cousins and aunts came to visit. Hathaway had fun with the "girly" cousins.

 Hathaway finished her 3 year old preschool.

 With her teacher and friends.

 My friend Becky and I took the kids to Great Wolf Lodge for one night of fun at the water slides.

 For Memorial Day we met up with the Stinsons for hiking and kayaking in Maryland.

A fun and dangerous family get together

 Bryce's family (dad, mother in law, sister, another sister, brother in law, 2 kids and 2 dogs) came to visit us for a weekend. We made 3 batches of cookies, 2 batches of muffins, and a double batch of spaghetti and meatballs in preparation for their arrival. We were worried about space and keeping everyon happy but the weather was great and we had a fabulous time.

 But, the first morning one of the dogs escaped. While Gary was chasing after him he fell on his face on the sidewalk. He came back with the dog and a bloody face. He had to get 7 stitches. Tessa and Hathaway ran into each other on bikes and smashed Hathaway's finger. She cried all night in pain and it was swollen and bruised. We worried it was broken but thanks to a pediatric consult with our good friend at church, it was determined that it was just a bad bruise. Sunday we went for a walk at some gardens. Right before we left, Tessa ran right into a tree. Blood started spurting from her eye. We took her to urgent care where she got her eyebrow glued.

But, we still had lots of fun! And who will forget this weekend?

Dance Recital

 Hathaway finished a year of ballet with friends. They had their final recital.

Hathaway's Birthday, April 16

 Hathaway, unlike her sister, loves big groups of friends and princesses. She wanted a Cinderella birthday party and Cinderella cake.

 She invited over a bunch of friends and we played games that helped them act out the Cinderella story. Hathaway is dressed a "bridal" Cinderella (in case you were wondering).

 All of the girls got dressed up (with make-up too) and played freeze dance for the ball.

 Here are our "helpers": 2 mice, the Fairy Godmother, Prince Charming, and the announcer and picture taker.

 Opening presents with friends.

 The whole group! What fun!

One more present to open when dad got home.

Tessa's Birthday, April 10

 Tessa's birthday was much anticipated. She wanted to open her presents from mom and dad on her birthday, but it was a busy day. So, she woke up early to open the present before dad left for work. A new bike! She was excited and is riding like a wiz now.

 Tessa just wanted to do something with her friend Nina for her birthday (she doesnt like big groups). We invited Nina and Bridget (her sister and Hathaway's friend) to a play place and then back to our house for pizza.

 And, she didn't want cake. She chose chocolate caramel tart instead (and who can blame her?).

The two birthday girls. They love having basically 2 weeks celebrating their birthdays.