Memorial Day

I feel a trend going on... we're so so so busy!!!  I cannot wait for things to settle down, and luckily, there is an end in sight.  We found a townhome in Bluffton, purchased my plane tickets, reserved a rental truck, and are starting re-packing all over again.  I am so excited about our townhome.  It's 600 square feet bigger than our house, and even has a 2 car garage.  Oh, and it has a library a block away.  I am so very excited to have my own home again.  Cavan starts his new job with Compass Energy next week, and we are so anxious for what is to come.

We have been trying to spend as much time with family as we can, and when Janelle suggested going to the Memorial Day parade, I couldn't resist.  The boys (Cavan, Derick, and my Dad) went golfing - they had way too much fun - so it was just Janelle and I with all 4 kids.  The first 30 minutes before the parade started we were both questioning if we made a good decision going by ourselves, but once the parade started the kids were mesmerized.  I couldn't believe how much fun they had.  Leah got the hang of snatching candy really quickly, and Brayden and Charlee loved the bands, hummers, and planes.

It was so warm out, we decided to only stay for about half of the parade.  It was a good decision since Leah's bag couldn't handle one more piece of candy.  She was beaming from ear to ear.  I did let her have a couple pieces, and she only wanted more.  Not even a minute into our car ride back, Brayden was asleep.  They had so much fun.

Later that evening, my Mom and Jack came over and brought dinner.  The kids loved having Grandma and Grandpa Jack over.  Their favorite part was running around naked eating watermelon outside.

Enjoy the pictures.  I hope to update one last time before the big move, but we'll see!!!

Summer.

The weather here has been just like the weather back home in SC.  It's been so nice and hot outside.  The kids have enjoyed a giant slip and slide, playing in the sprinklers, and ice cream in Rockford.  We have been so busy between seeing family and friends, searching for a place to rent in Bluffton, SC, and enjoying the kids.  It has been hectic, but we are so excited for things to come.

I have a collage of pictures from this week.  Some of my mom baking cookies with the kids, Leah and Derick making funny lemon faces, ice cream in Rockford, and bedtime stories.  Enjoy!!

Mother's Day

What a week!  We have been really enjoying time with my family lately.  Saturday morning I went horseback riding with my cousin, Amy.  It was so much fun.  Then we had my cousins, Amy, Tami, and Travis over with their kids.  We had 11 kids over at once... boy was it crazy, but they had so much fun! 

I woke up Sunday (Mother's Day) to flowers and a card.  Derick and Cavan made us breakfast, and we got ready to go to my Grandma's house.  It was great seeing my Mom's side of the family.  After, we went to my Dad's house for dinner.  We rode quads and played outside.

It was exhausting, but fun.  We also went to the zoo last week.  The kids had a great time.  We went fishing last night, and caught some really big fish.  The kids loved it.  I am jumping all over the place, so enjoy the pictures!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Time outside.

It's been freezing cold here!  Ok, ok, not freezing, but seriously, it is so cold compared to what we're used to.  Luckily, the last few days it's been steadily getting warmer.  We have been having so much fun enjoying the beautiful Michigan outdoors.

We spent Sunday afternoon with my Aunt Cheryl, Grandma Goltz, cousins, Amy and Tami and their families. We seriously had the best time.  Leah and Brayden loved playing with Taylor, Grace, Trenten, Sarah, Torie, and Alivia.  It was so nice sending my kids to play with the older kids and not to worry about it.  It was the first time we have been able to relax at someone's house without worrying where the kids were.  Taylor and Grace watched Leah and Brayden so well.

After letting the kids play, we went to the barn and rode horses again.  Brayden got to ride Izzie all by himself.  I was so proud!  Leah acted like a natural.  I cannot wait to have horses again some day.  All 8 kids were playing on a little John Deer tractor, and they wouldn't stop laughing the entire time.  We had a blast!!

The last few days we have been outside as much as possible.  Brayden found a huge mud puddle in the yard and went swimming in it.  He was laughing so hard.  Leah dove in as well.  Charlee wanted nothing to do with it.  I had to scrub them from head to toe once they were finished.

We also got to skype with Cavan's family.  Leah and Brayden were so excited to see Aunt Cassie, Aubrey, Grandpa, and Grandma.  It was amazing seeing them, and Leah cannot stop talking about it.

After dinner Leah asked to go to bed (she missed a nap today) so we put her in bed, and Brayden, Charlee, Cavan, Derick, and I went and played outside.  We took a walk around the pond, got to see a baby robin, saw tons of baby geese and ducks, and let the dogs run and play in the grass.  We had so much fun tonight!