Memorial Day

Michel was so glad he made it home in time to go to Grandpa's house.

Daddy and Katelyn.

At this point all Ashlyn wanted to do was get out of those ice skates. Love her face.

Ashlyn is excited to go out (right then she was)

I know I am a little late but here goes. Michel had the awesome opportunity to go with our neighbor up to there cabin in Big bear CA. He left Thurs. after the last day of school and was gone until Monday. It was the longest he has been gone from us. It was certain that our family was not complete with out him. But I know the Willis' took good care of him because he didn't really miss us. He had so much fun we are so appreciative to our awesome neighbors for inviting him and treating him like he was part of the family. Well while Michel was out having fun we couldn't let the other kids be bored. We decided to take Katelyn and Ashlyn ice skating over at Polar Ice. Katelyn has been begging us to take her I think she thought it would be really easy. She learned real fast that it wasn't as easy as it looks. It took her a few tries and after awhile she was able to do it pretty good. Ashlyn on the other hand took some more convincing. Daddy had to pretty much drag her around the rink and that was enough for her. So me, Ashlyn and Tyler just sat in the player box and watched Daddy and Katelyn whirl past us. It was fun. After making it our of Polar Ice in one piece we went to Grandma and Grandpa Lines for dinner and had a BBQ. Grandpa got the quads out and of course that is always a big hit. It was a fun day and always good to have daddy home.

Katelyn and her new hobby!

Shayne and Katelyn with thier ribbons.

Katelyn so excited she got second. I thought she got first-it was that close.

Katelyn getting ready!

Katelyn warming up with the Parry Paranahs.


This year we decided to have Katelyn try swim team over at Parry pool. She diligently wakes up at 6:45 am to make sure she is ready to leave the house at 7:40 am. She attends practice Monday thru Thursday for 40 mins. each time. Every week they learn a new stroke. So far they have conquered the backstroke and freestyle. They practice the assigned stroke for that week and then they are able to participate in a swim on Thursday nights. This last week we had our first meet, Katelyn competed in the 25 meter backstroke and the 25 meter freestyle. She was pretty nervous but she did great. Katelyn got 5th place in the backstroke (she was pretty bummed) and 2nd place in the freestyle. We are proud of her she has turned into a little fish this summer and she is enjoying every minute of it! She loves the fact that she does all this with her good friend Shayne (I do too, it helps with the carpool!). Good job Katelyn!!

Easter take 2

Daddy and Ashlyn

Michel and Tyler. Again Tyler was not interested in finding the eggs.

Our pretty Katelyn!

Grandpa and Tyler.

Easter Morning as the kids waited to look for the eggs. Of course Tyler was only wanting the candy.

Well this is the second post for our Easter. On Easter morning the kids woke up to eggs scattered thru out the house and outside in the backyard. This year we decided to put our money in the eggs instead of buying as much candy. I think Katelyn and Michel got about $12 each not bad if I do say so. Enjoy the pictures!

Easter 2010

This is where we would find Tyler always climbing on something!

Grandpa and Ashlyn

Michel and all his eggs.

Great Grandma Lines and Katelyn

Cousin Krista and Ashlyn.

Ya I know we are really behind but better late then never right? We had a great Easter. It first started out with a party at Great Grandma Lines' house. Thanks Patti for organizing that! The kids colored eggs then had a Easter egg hunt. Fun! The kids look forward to it every year.

Continued again.... Ok last one

I Love this picture of my Big Boy. Todd he misses having races with you at Grandma's house. By the time you guys get back he may just beat you!
Tyler on the swing- Of course he has to fight Ashlyn for his turn on the swing.

Halloween Night. Daddy just got home from his hunt that day.

All the kids Halloween Night.

- Michel started baseball this past fall. He is in boys 7-9 coach pitch. He loves it.

Continued... for Melissa and Todd

Michel at school for his award in Sept. Katelyn was also Student of the month but she hurried off to fast for me to get a picture. They also both received Perfect attendance. Way to go kids!!
Michel's first lost tooth in Oct.

Katelyn observing Tyler's haircutting process.

This is how Ashlyn usually looks-dirty faced, hair crazy, and half dressed! Gotta love her!

Ashy!

This is for you Melissa and Todd!!

Tyler's first haircut. Tyler was 10 months.

Tyler-9 months

Michel's 6th birthday party with the family.

Michel's party.

I found Tyler like this when he was about 9 mo. Now it is a natural occurrence.

These are a few pictures of what has been going on in the last couple months. I want to post them for my sister in law, Melissa who is braving the cold in Chicago and can't be here to watch the kids grow. We love and miss you guys.

Chicago Here "I" come!!

Me and Valerie on the Navy Pier. Downtown Chicago in the background

As you can see the clouds behind the city it was always overcast which was really pretty and it kept the temperature nice and cool.

This is one view of the "Magnificent Mile" Buildings and people every where. Doesn't anyone work?

Todd and Melissa at the Navy Pier.

This is the other part of downtown.

I was so excited when my mom invited me and my sister to go to Chicago with her. I have never been there and let's just say it was pretty cool. What was even better my sister-n-law Melissa and her husband Todd had just moved up there for Todd to go to school so we were able to visit them. To top it off I went kid free!! Michel was able to take time off work to watch the rascals. We had alot of fun, it was neat to see a big city like that. We had to get familiar with the local transit system which wasn't bad once you got used to the constant smell of sewer and always feeling like after you were done that you needed to soak in a big bath of antibacterial. oh well! We shopped and ate and ate and shopped. My mom and sister were laughing because i would order anything I wanted instead of always ordering what the kids would have liked. We got rained on when we were on the Magnificent Mile shopping (more like poured on). The weather other than late was cool and breezy alot better then the 110 Arizona had. We went to the Navy Pier which consisted of Lake Michigan. It was huge it looked like an ocean you could not see the other side. Thanks Melissa and Todd for meeting up with us it was good to see you guys-good luck the next 4 yrs. Melissa you will come back a changed woman and you will probably love Chicago and not want to leave. What an experience I loved it but was glad to come home to know that the kids missed me. Thanks Michel for the little vacation next time we will have to go together.

Their New Adventure (without Mommy!!)

After Daddy gave Michel his blessing if you notice Ashlyn needed to have one to-so sweet.

After Katelyn and Ashlyn's blessing. I just love my girls (and of course their daddy!!)

Michel in is classroom by his cubbies.


Michel playing on the playground with some friends.

Right before we went off to school. I usually drive them the first day but after that they will be riding the bus ( I am a big fan of school transportation especially when you have 2 babies usually asleep when they get home)

Well today I sent Katelyn to 2nd grade and Michel into Kindergarten. Sigh!! Katelyn I am used to going but Michel he is mommies little buddy. I definitely had mixed emotions today. I know he is ready but are us mom's ever ready to send our child off to the real world? Probably never. I am so excited for Michel he has waited along time for today and to my surprise he was just as excited. It took him a minute to find his friends on the playground but once he did he was off only to way goodbye to me Tyler and Ashlyn as we walked away. Katelyn on the other hand was getting embarrassed that I was taking so many pictures and she is only in the second grade. She has her best friend in her class which has helped alot with getting her excited to start school. It should be interesting to see how much they really do like school after the first day. what an exciting time of year. One of my favorite moments is when daddy gives them there blessings how awesome for them to receive this gift from daddy. Well I feel like a new woman with only 2 kids at home oh what should I do with all my free time? I love that I get to have Ashlyn and Tyler home alone and get to know them so much better. I do know that the kids will be sorely missed by their younger siblings. Here's to a great year ahead of us full of firsts and new adventures.

Happy Birthday Dad

Sadly this is one of the only a few pictures of my dad I have. This is Katelyn with Grandpa. You would think atleast one of my kids would nice tan skin.

Well I just wanted to say Happy Birthday Dad. This will be our 3rd time celebrating his birthday without him here with us. I miss him terribly and wish every day he were here. But I know I will one day see him again and am very grateful for that. He was an awesome dad and grandpa. I love him and think about him every day. I will try to live up to his example and I am proud he was my father for 29 yrs. Happy Birthday Dad we love!!

Yes I know it has been a LONG time!!

Katelyn and Michel made Ashlyn a bed in one of Tyler's seats- actually they buried her in blankets

Our garden, we got a lot of vegetables from it. The corn did really well. As did the zucchini and the summer squash. We also found a watermelon plant from last year that is growing.

Tyler at 7 months. He is such a fun little baby, who is totally spoiled with his 3 older brothers and sisters constantly around him.

Tyler on the swing. Ashlyn at first was not to happy to have to share her swing but she quickly got over it.

Michel with his coveted trophy. Ya!!

Ya Ya I know but I have have been pretty busy. I am going to do a quick recap over the last few months. Katelyn finished her first grade year and is excited to be moving into second grade. Michel finished up t-ball which he loved. Ashlyn just grew and is enjoying having a full house with the kids home all day. Tyler has learned the art of crawling and is into everything, he is now almost 8mo. old, he weighs about 20lbs. and has 8 teeth so here we come solid food!! The family has been good and our enjoying the summer. Have fun looking at the pictures I will post, it kinda wraps up what we have been up to.