Summer fun

We rarely get naps anymore from this boy, but every once in a while, I'll come in after his rest time to find this.

We think he's pretty precious.

I have to tell you that we have the best babysitters in the world. We had another visit this week from one of our former students/babysitters and the kids took over as she walked in the door. This is a picture of the "fort" that they built in the driveway.

They really could fit in there. Thanks, Kaitie, for entertaining our kids on one of the hottest days of the summer so far! We miss you!

Oh, the joy of having big sisters. This looks like a Little Red Riding Hood Cape, but...





It's not.

See, Mom, I'm Batman!

We also had the privilege of celebrating with Grandma Tower this week. This birthday will go down as her craziest as she and Dad have spent the week moving out of their current house into a temporary home. We were able to get her to relax for a couple of hours for some good food and fellowship. The kids are thrilled that their temporary home is about a 2 minute walk from our house and if they had their way they would be over there 5 times a day. We're working on explaining what boundaries are and why they are necessary, but we'll all enjoy their close proximity for as long as it lasts.

End of the School Year

We are always thrilled to have Eric's former students come to visit. Alex, on the right, was one of the girls' favorite babysitters of all time and she just graduated from college. She and her sister joined us for dinner and had a hard time getting out the door due to all of the children hanging on them.

We have been so blessed to be at Sandy Hill for our children's education. This dear teacher POURED herself into Elizabeth's life this year and will never be forgotten. If we could adopt an additional grandma, she has been nominated. We're so thankful for the input she's had into Elizabeth and feel that our daughter is now a better person because of her. It was very difficult to say goodbye, but I'm sure she will get many visits in the coming years.

Ashlynn also had a fabulous kindergarten year. She has grown and blossomed under this wonderful teacher's direction. Having already taught Elizabeth, she has a special place in our hearts already and we hope she will stick around long enough to have Bryan. Oh boy, that may be the end of her. :-)

Elizabeth has now completed her second year of piano. She is playing beautifully and we all enjoy listening to her practice. This past week she had her second piano recital. Hopefully, there will be many more.

Elizabeth with her teacher, who was also my teacher when I was in junior high and high school.

Great Grandpa honored Elizabeth by sitting through the LONG recital. We're so happy that he
is able and willing to enjoy these special times with us.




Grandma Kregel was also there helping to keep the other children entertained.

And another big thank you to Grandpa and Grandma Tower for taking time out of their busy schedules to support our girl! We love you!

Fun in Indianapolis

As always, we had a wonderful time in Indianapolis with my sister, Shari's family. Aunt Shari and Uncle Stephen have become famous for packing our visits full of exciting and adventurous things to do. Shari is also an awesome cook and I think we're always a couple pounds heavier when we leave. Our first morning there, she got an "Aunt Shari, you are the best," from Elizabeth when she saw the elaborate breakfast we were having. :-)

One night, Uncle Stephen realized that Alivia and Bryan were playing near one of the sprinklers and decided it would be fun to give them a big surprise. The surprise was a hit and they spent the better part of an hour playing in the sprinklers while fully clothed. My family knows that this was much more likely to happen at Shari's than at my house (especially since Uncle Stephen had just cut the grass :-O ) which is probably a big part of why it is was such a hit.

Sprinkler fight

I'll get it away from her!!!

Alivia's turn to get Bryan.

Who will win????

The tables have now turned.

Ashlynn decided Mommy would be happiest if she tried to shower off.

OK, Mom, I think I'm done now. Can I have a bath????

On Sunday afternoon, Stephen treated Eric to a day at the Indianapolis 500 and the girls and children headed to the super cool Indianapolis Children's Museum. Here the kids are helping to excavate a dinosaur skeleton. They took their job quite seriously.

Aunt Brenda, can't you see that I'm busy?

Hey Mom, check this out!

The pro excavators.

Even James got to experience some of the fun.

Snack time to keep everyone happy.

It's a bit hard to tell from this shot, but Alivia is actually sliding down a ramp that has 3 inch boards nailed to it. The idea for the ramp is to get people up into a tree house, not down from it. She must have thumped down it 4-5 times, and to watch her you may have been fooled into thinking that it was great fun.

In all, it was a great weekend and it was very hard to say good-bye and head home. I don't suppose it's ever easy to say good-bye to people you love, but I'm so thankful that we're 5 hours apart and not 15. Thank you, Gray family, for an amazing weekend of making memories. We love you.