Last weekend we joined our homeschooling group for a camping day. Most of them were there for the weekend but a couple of families just went up for the day. The boys spent a lot of time swimming in the pool with their friends. We had a scare when we first got there though. Russ was in the bathroom getting changed and I was helping Elijah get in his life jacket. Isaac was in the pool with the other kids and he accidentally went into the deep end and panicked and went under. Thankfully there was a woman there who helped him but he was quite shook up for awhile. It took him a bit but he got his courage up and went back in the water again.

Sam borrowed a baby floaty thing and he had so much fun! He must have spent an hour in it, walking around the wading pool and just having a great time.

We also had a picnic lunch at our friends campsite and the boys got some giant pickles, which they loved.
Even Sammy tried one and he actually liked it! I had to take it away once he started biting off big chunks.
It was a very fun day and we loved getting to know some of our fellow homeschool families better.

Like Father, Like Son

Elijah loves showing off his muscles with Russ so when we saw this shirt at Target, we just had to get it.

Sammy's been trying more table foods recently. Last night I gave him some couscous for the first time and he seemed to like it. He had leftovers for lunch today. It's a bit messy-he even got it up his nose!

New Blog

I've started another blog, dealing mostly with decorating projects, gardening things, cooking, your general homemaking stuff. This one will still be for family and friends to keep everyone up to date on the happenings of our lives and the other will be more of my personal one.

Check it out at www.aboundingblessings.blogspot.com !

Ryan and Emily's Wedding

On May 23rd, Ryan and Emily got married. Elijah was the ring bearer and I had the honor of being a bridesmaid. The wedding was beautiful and such a happy occasion. In talking with Rick, we realized that this was the first happy get-together with all the family there that wasn't a funeral in 10 years-since my own wedding. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. It was so much fun seeing family and friends I hadn't seen in years. Phil, my childhood friend from the time we were 3, was one of Ryan's best men (he had 2) and I hadn't seen him since before his son's were born-they were turning 5 that weekend.
Eli was the cutest little ring bearer ever and he made a great pair with the flower girl-Emily's niece. They got along great and both did a wonderful job walking down the aisle.The reception was at the Radisson in Rochester. We had a yummy sit down dinner of stuffed chicken breasts, rice, and carrots with champagne and raspberry filled cake. The kids looked so nice, all dressed up. Katie got a new outfit for the occasion and Isaac wore his favorite tie. Sam was cute as can be in a little sweater vest and seersucker pants.



Isaac took his turn at the dollar dance with Emily and the boys had fun dancing the night away. Russ and I also got to spend time hanging out with my cousins, Kate and Emma, after for awhile. Got to bed really late, but we had a wonderful time!
It was a beautiful day for a beautiful couple!

Wow, it's been way too long. I have no excuse, really, other than Facebook has stolen my blogging time. I've been uploading pictures and giving updates on the kids there and have forgotten about this.

Way too much has gone on in the past few months for me to update on everything but a few highlights;

The Beauty and the Beast show ran in April and Isaac was a fabulous Chip! He did an amazing job, even surprising us with how professional and well he did.
Elijah and Sam made their stage debuts as "babies" in the opening scene as well. They looked so cute up there!
And Dawn and I pulled off our first try at producing but, boy, was it exhausting!

The week after Beauty and the Best, Winnie the Pooh started. Isaac auditioned for, and got, the part of Roo and Elijah got to be a bumblebee which gave him much more stage time than he got in Beauty. He even got to come out for bows, which I think he really enjoyed.
Winnie the Pooh just wrapped up the weekend of May 16th and we're taking an acting break for the summer. Isaac is still doing an acting class one night a week but that will be done soon and then our time is ours!

Sam is 9 months old, crawling, eating some table foods, and cruising the furniture. He signs "more" and "milk" and loves to dance. He even dances at mealtime prayers! He is just a joy to be around and such a fun, happy baby. Everyone enjoys him to bits.
Isaac had his 7th birthday. He chose to get a Nintendo DS instead of having a big friend party, but I just couldn't let it go with no party so we threw him a surprise ice cream social the night of his birthday. He was very surprised and had a great time! And loves his DS. I thought the novelty might wear off quickly but not yet. He's reading very well and doing 3 digit, 3 column addition and subraction in math (like 235+147+154).

We had our biggest event on May 23rd but I need to get to bed so that will have to wait until tomorrow....

Beauty and the Beast

It's play time again! We started rehearsals for Beauty and the Beast a few weeks ago, performances will be the last week of March and first of April. Isaac was cast as Chip and is really loving it. I'm co-producing with another mom which is fun, but busy. And Elijah and Sam are even going to be making their stage debut's! They're both going to be used in the opening "Little Town" scene.

Elijah is beyond excited. He talks every day about how "I get to be on stage!" and loves when he gets to go to rehearsals. Hopefully he won't have stage fright the night of the performances.