Summertime

We are enjoying the start of Summer. The kids are home with Dani again this year and they couldn't be happier. Ashley spends most of her day outdoors and is asleep within minutes of hitting her pillow most days. Nicole enjoys her quiet time inside reading but is outside much of the time. We are so fortunate to live in this great neighborhood! The kids always have someone to hang out with and Chad and I have made lifelong friends.

I made Freezer jam for the first time with a friend last week. It was a lot easier than I had imagined and will more than likely continue to do that for years to come. In a few weeks when the corn comes in I am going to prepare and freeze some so we can have yummy corn all year round!

Nicole had soccer tryouts last week and will be on the same team next year. One of her friends from school made the team this year so they are both very excited! Ashley is going to play for an academy team in the fall through the same club. She also has a friend on her team whom she has played soccer with for the past two years. For now we will enjoy the break from soccer, soccer, and more soccer! Nicole never stops completely which is the way she prefers it. She begins soccer training next week, twice a week for 6 weeks and has been attending youth group on Wednesdays. She attended the Red Cross babysitting class last week and tells us she is ready to babysit.

We started attending a non-denominational more contemporary church a month ago. Deciding to try a church outside our Catholic Faith which is all we have ever known was a decision that we thought long and hard about. I am happy to report that our entire family feels we are where we are meant to be and are enjoying this new chapter in our lives.

Below are a few pictures from early June.

My babies are growing up

School is almost out which will close another chapter in our lives. Nicole will be moving on to the middle school next year and Ashley will be leaving elementary and attending the intermediate school. For the past few days I have been reflecting on how blessed I am. You always hear how times goes by so fast but you never appreciate that until you are married living the dream. It seems like just yesterday Nicole was starting Kindergarten. Both girls are changing before my eyes. Just this past couple weeks Nicole seems to retreat to her room for quiet time and Ashley is needing me less everyday. At times I feel like our lives are on fast forward but I really make an effort and remind myself to enjoy every moment because before I know it they will be moving out on their own and I will be left with too much time on my hands. A card I received when Ashley was born comes to mind...YOU CARRY THEM FOR A SHORT TIME BUT HOLD THEM IN YOUR HEARTS FOREVER!

Enjoy a few pics from the past week.

Ashley lost her 2nd front tooth. See looks so much older to us.



All things considered we had a good time at Nicole's soccer tournament this past weekend. The weather made it a little rough. Once again the girls played in mud and standing water and all remaining games were cancelled late Sunday due to the weather so we had to drive home during a storm.