Father's Day Weekend at Degray Lake

Last weekend, we went to Degray Lake in Arkansas. Some good friends of ours invited us to join their family for a weekend of boating and fun. It was such a blast and so nice of them to ask us to come along on such a neat adventure! We left on Saturday morning, and I have to admit that I had my doubts as it was pouring down rain when we woke up. We headed out anyway (great to go with people who were not bothered by the weather), and by the time we got there, things were clearing up. Gotta love Texas weather! We had so much fun jet-skiing, being pulled on a tube, swimming, and just relaxing. The kids loved it. The family we went with has 3 boys who are almost exactly the same ages as the girls, so everyone matched up well. The setting was beautiful and it is one of my favorite things that we have done as a family for a very long time. I especially liked the fact that we stayed in a motel which is my style of camping! I am including a few of my favorite pictures from the many that I took!

Regan Roo is Two!!!

Happy Birthday today to my little Regan! She is two years old! And what a two years it has been. I love this girl more than words can say, but holy cow, is she ever something! Tod's mom always says that it was Tod who forced her to be a real mother (his older brother was an easy baby). That is so how I feel about Regan! She has forced me to take a hard look at myself, and her personality and needs have taken my mothering (and our parenting) to a new level. Things that worked with the other girls just haven't worked on her, and I have had to expand my ideas and try new things. She has taught me patience and endurance. Before she came along, I thought I kinda had the whole baby/toddlerhood thing figured out. Enter Regan...and I have felt like a beginner all over again. Even though some days have been challenging, I can't believe how much love Regan has brought to our family and to our marriage. I can't imagine our family without her.

Regan's Favorites at age 2: Her binkis ("ginkee"), keeping up with her sisters, doing somersaults, swinging, her best buddy Hayden, sleeping in our bed, saying "mine", "no" and "don't want to", all kinds of candy

Least Favorites: Bath time, bed time, getting buckled in her car seat, sharing

Since we had been gone all weekend, we decided to have a laid back family party at home. Regan was thrilled with the shopping cart we got her and kept running back and forth pushing it and saying "mine". We always use the Pooh Bear figures for 2nd birthdays.

First Week of Summer Vacation

Our first week of vacation started off with a bang because it was Ashton's official 6th birthday! We had told her a long time ago that she could choose anything she wanted to do as a family to celebrate her big day. We gave her lots of ideas- miniature golfing, bowling, a favorite restuarant. She knew exactly what she wanted our outing to be...a trip to Golden Corral!!!! So that's what we did! Surely this idea has Iowa roots because back in the day when we first moved there, the hockey team Tod worked for had a deal where you could go to the "Corral" for 2 bucks! For two seasons, we really took advantage of the offer...and Ashton remembers those days. Ever since we moved here, she has been asking to go there again. I didn't think she would actually remember and choose this as her b-day activity. But she did! We had a lot of fun- she loved the food, the other 4 of us tolerated it! Right as we were leaving, the power went out, so we were glad we had already eaten. I think she would have been so disappointed if we wouldn't have been able to go there. She got the High School Musical dolls that she really wanted, so all was well!

Also, this summer I found these awesome lesson plans on sugardoodle.com, so we have been doing those each day. Last week we studied the story of Jonah and the Whale, along with the ocean. It has been very fun and entertaining. The pictures are from the day that we make soft pretzels for one of the activities.

We are leaving for Utah in two weeks and are getting so excited! It has been far too long since we saw many of you!

Purple Picnic Pizza Party

For Ashton's birthday this year we had a purple-themed party at the park. It was a lot of fun...very hot, so we planned water games and also a treasure hunt. We had pizza and purple cupcakes, along with purple soda and purple Kool-aid. I was so thankful for the wonderful friends Ashton has made here in Texas. It was a really good night.

Happy Birthday Ashton Kim!!!!

Ashton is six years old today! It is hard to believe how fast the time has flown. I remember the births of each of my babies, but there's something so amazing about that first experience. I will never forget the moment Ashton was born. I was overwhelmed with the idea that this beautiful little girl was mine. I have loved getting to know her and having her in my life!

Six things about Ashton at age 6-

1. She is a social butterfly and can make friends very easily. She loves to play with everyone of all ages.

2. She is very creative and good at using her imagination. She has a silly sense of humor.

3. She is becoming an excellent reader.

4. She is sensitive and dramatic- lauging one minute, sobbing the next.

5. She is a good sister and is concerned about others. She always watches out for her sisters.

6. She is fiercely loyal and gets her feelings hurt when others aren't that same way.

We love you sis! Happy Birthday!

Good-Bye Twin City All Stars

This year, Ashton and Jordan took cheerleading/gymnastics at Twin City All Stars Gym. Wednesday was their last day so I snapped some pictures of them at the end of class. Now, if you have ever seen any TV shows about Texas cheerleading, you'll understand when I say, it is serious business! The girls went from not being able to do somersaults at the beginning to now working on back handsprings! I was amazed at the committment level. It was quite something. Even though the coaches were strict, I can't believe how much more confident the girls were at the end of the year. They also have bigger muscles!

Kindergarten Graduate!

Is it possible? We have a kindergarten graduate! Ashton finished her year last week. She did very well and had a lot of fun. We are proud of her!