Some of my recent favorites...

Just sharing a few of my favorite photos lately. I drag the kids out every so often and try to get a few good shots of them... Of the three hundred or so I take I was lucky this time and got several that I just fell in love with. They grow so fast and change so much. Looking at them lately I'm seeing little things that I hadn't noticed or realized had happened... like, how did Rachel's hair get so long? When did she get those long legs and arms? Where did my baby go? Noah has grown so much too. He is an inch over four feet already... everyone who sees him thinks he is a seven year old instead of a boy new to five years. Both of them have dozens of tiny freckles popping out all over their faces. They continue to amaze me each and every day. You can click on any of the images above for a closer look.

Noah's Last Day of Preschool

Today was Noah's last day of preschool. The kids opened the day in the usual way with songs with Miss Suzie and all the other classes and then the four/five year olds recieved their certificates from Miss Stacey. It was cute to watch how proud all the kids were as they recieved their certificates. Then we all headed over to Mills Park to enjoy the rest of the day together with playing and cupcakes. Noah had a really good time and Rachel was excited that she got to stay and play with the big kids. It was a good day. It is amazing to think that our little (big) guy will start kindergarten in just a couple of months.

A Kiss for Papa

and a silly girl singing a song...

Burns Park and Conquering the Trike Bike

Amie and I took the kids over to Burns Park on Saturday for a day of playing on the play structures and also for a bike ride on the trails there. This was Rachel's first time riding her trike bike after just learning to pedal it a couple of days before. Her maiden voyage you could say and she also took her first big fall... poor girl. However, true to her nature, she cried for less than a minute and didn't hesitate when I sat her right back on the bike. She was determined to master the art of pedaling that tricycle, no matter what. I love that she is so determined. Noah has been riding for about a week on one training wheel and is learning to balance better on his two big wheels everyday. He is getting really close to shedding that second wheel... We know he can do it, but he has to believe he can do it. He has also learned how to catch himself and recover pretty well when he swerves off balance. It's so fun to watch them learn and discover. Noah also had fun climbing all over the tank that is parked in the fields there at Burns Park. He thought it was a really cool thing and kept trying to pry open the top of the tank so he could climb inside.

Last Soccer Game

Noah had his last soccer game on May 4th. He said he really enjoyed the season and can't wait to play again. We're glad he seemed to enjoy it so much. We can see him improving with every game. He also had his pizza party a week later and recieved a trophy from his coach. He was very excited to get it and we were very proud of him too.

One Very Happy Girl...

Rachel got her ears pierced today and we couldn't believe how good she did... She didn't bat an eye when the lady pierced the first ear and after the second her lip pouted out and her eyes teared up for just a second and that was it... She has told me at least five times today " I really, really like my earrings, Mommy". I'm glad. She's asked a hundred times for earrings like mine. She is one tough, very brave girl.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day. It's been a good day here. I started out the morning finding a beautiful card from my two monkeys (that made me cry... ofcourse, that isn't hard to do these days.) - I love it. Then we headed over to the Cracker Barrel for breakfast with Amie, Olivia and Dave since Daddy was working. Afterward we spent a couple of hours playing at Mills Park. It was such a beautiful day here and it was nice to be outside. Noah and Rachel are the world to me. They, and their daddy make me smile every single day and I am so blessed to have them in my life. I hope all you moms out there have had a great day as well. Happy Mother's Day Mom and Darla!! We love you!!!

I also want to put out a big Thank You to all of you that have sent cards, letters, e-mails and flowers to us in the last two weeks. You can't imagine how much it has meant to us. We appreciate all the thoughts and prayers that have been shared with us.