Happy 11th Birthday Caden!!

Caden wanted to wait to celebrate his June 9th birthday when his cousins from Florida came to Indiana on June 26th.  So we had a big birthday bash with 36+ people.  Hosted it in the garage.

Caden opening his presents.

Took a picture with his Aunt Tricia because June 26th is the actual birthday for her.  So we kind of did a dual celebration.

Caden picked dirt pudding for his cake.  I asked Tricia what she wanted for her cake and she chose Tiramisu.
I had NEVER made it before and personally always wanted to try it.....so this gave me a great reason to make it. It was really good, but it was time consuming and expensive....so needless to say I am not sure I'll ever make it again.

Although I once again don't have the greatest pictures and man, I am regretting the lack of pictures for sure.  We did have a fun time celebrating your 11th birthday Caden.  You are a good kid.  We love you and pray you grow up to be a God fearing man.  Happy Birthday!!

This and That

This summer we decided to let the kids get some kittens.  They were so excited.  Pets sadly do NOT last long around here as we live close to a busy road and we have animals that will hunt kittens as their prey.  

Ellie with Spice

Caden holding spice and Ellie holding sugar

 In June Caden took a spill on the pavement.  He was on a ripstick being pulled by Elijah who was on the mower.  Ahhhh......boys will be boys.  Caden's wheel hit a stone on the pavement and he went down hard.  Thankfully no broken bones but we sure have some scars that remain.

 WARNING>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> next picture is gross.

For two weeks my sister Tricia and her girls came to Indiana.  It was so nice having them here for that long.  They came for vbs and then also for a week of relaxing.  We hit up Indiana Beach one day.

Ellie LOVED the rides.  Sadly I get sick on any ride but thankfully Tricia's sister in law who was here that week as well loves rides and was Ellie's side kick on EVERY RIDE ELLIE WAS TALL ENOUGH TO RIDE!!!!!

cousin fun

Aunt Joan did the honors of taking Ellie on the bumper cars.  

more cousin fun...there wasn't a line so the kids rode this 4 times in a row!!

 And then we got a couple more kittens to help Sugar and Spice not be so bored.

Elijah holding Pepper

Caden holding Salt
Sadly since these pictures....Sugar, Salt and Pepper are gone.  We have gotten a few more named Brown Sugar, Poppy and Sage.  Our remaining kittens to date are Spice, Brown Sugar and Poppy.

Summer Fun on Lake Mississinewa

We have been boating several times this year at Mississinewa Lake.  Its been a ton of fun.  In June we were heading to the lake for the day and told Caden he could pick one friend to come with.  Caden chose his cousin Alivia.  I think Alivia was thrilled since it wasn't long ago her brother got to go boating with us during Elijah's birthday camping trip.

She was bound and determined to sit up front and center.  She never moved from that spot until it was her turn to get in the water.

She was so brave.  She tried double skiing but wasn't able to get up to well.  So she was willing to try wakeboarding.
And yes, even though I don't have a good picture of her up....she was out of the water for a few moments.  Great job!!
A first time for everything.

 Always fun to pack a lunch and have a picnic on the back of the boat.

 Then it was tubing time.  Caden and Alivia rode the tube a long time and then they let Ellie join in on the fun.

Hmmmmm I think we wore out the girls?  What do you think?

Happy 14th Birthday Elijah

Talk about pathetic picture taking when it doesn't involve a huge birthday bash.....

Elijah chose to pick a friend and go camping for his 14th birthday.  We packed up the camper, brought Avery Pritts along and spent a weekend at Lake Mississinewa in Peru.

Lots and Lots of tubing.  Avery wasn't up for much more than tubing so that is pretty much all they did on the water.

They set up their own tent and I think they enjoyed being on their own away from the parents.

Ok so you may wonder what this picture is all about, but we went and did disc golf.  Everyone was really good at it EXCEPT me.  When I threw my frisbee it would go in all directions.  So everyone learned to "take cover" when I was up to throw.

Even though there wasn't a huge deal out of his birthday I am pretty sure he had a good time camping with his cousin.  It won't surprise me if this is what he picks next year too.
I know I say this probably every birthday but its true.....where does the time go??  To think that I have a Freshman this year.....a HIGH SCHOOL son!!  Wow!!
Happy Birthday Elijah.  We love you and we pray you stay dedicated to whats important.  

Punta Cana, DR

Happy 15th Anniversary!  

We took a belated trip to the Dominican Republic in April.  Neither one of us had been there and had heard it was a nice place.  Even had friends stay at this exact resort that we stayed at.

 Just got off the plane and heading into the airport....it was cloudless beautiful skies.....too bad we didn't realize it was going to be one of two nice days we were going to have.

 We stayed in the preferred club which was more quiet then out in the non preferred club.  We had our own swimming pool right outside of our door so that was nice(when we used it).

our bedroom.  toilet and shower behind the brown closet

Our room wasn't actually ready when we got there so we enjoyed lunch while we waited.  We tried the calamari here on the first day and every day after we ordered it while we sat on the beach. (rain or shine....literally)

We sat in the same chairs in the preferred section every day(rain or shine)....in hopes that on the rainy days the sun would come out.  This was our first day. 

 And EVERY.SINGLE.DAY at least two weddings happened right beside our chairs.  Nothing like up front and center to see everyone's weddings.  This couple was the only couple we saw get married in the sunshine!!

The next morning we ate breakfast at the Seaside Grill.  Then headed straight out to the beach for a morning of sunshine.  It was so nice to sit and relax and swim in the ocean.

Dinner time!

This is the preferred club pool.  Our room is in the background....ground floor room on the right corner.

Every morning we walked to the coffee shop for our morning coffee.  Yummy!  Yes that is a sweatshirt wrapped around my waist!!!  Nick and I were heading out in the rain to walk the grounds over and over again until we got the distance we wanted that morning.  You just gotta make the best of rainy weather......scrabble anyone????  We played this quite a bit on our trip.  They had several games inside the preferred club lobby.

More coffee midday:)
There always seems to be time to act "not our age".  Always have to have some goofy pictures....right??

 Another beach walk was underway.  Look at those amazing clouds...Ha!!

Didn't think to get my phone out until it was going back up....but there was even a small waterspout that formed.

The pool that I think we got into three times max!

Is the sun going to shine today??  Maybe just maybe??

                Yummy food at this resort.  And some really good drinks too!!

This was the night in which venders come into the resort.  We got all our boys a Tiki necklace(which nick is wearing:), and we got Ellie a pink bracelet(which I am wearing).

On the last day nick decided to give wind surfing a shot.  He didn't do so bad.  

 Yet another dinner and again some really good food.

Look at that sky......this is the day we left.  It was almost cloudless!!  Which made it super hard to leave.  

Although it was not ideal weather for a beach vacation we still enjoyed our time and recommend the resort.  However both Nick and I don't have much desire to return to DR.  We will be ready to try a "new" place and "new" destination.