Bikes, Helpers, Birthdays, & More!

 While the kids were at Granny's, Lily decided she was big enough to ride a bike with training wheels!  And she loves to ride, too!  When they got home, all the kids got out their bikes and rode up and down the street.  It hit me hard that my babies are growing up so very fast!

 Lily wearing a silly hat at our friend's house. Lily and Cait at church.

 Flowers my honey bought me.

 Miss Lily loves writing letters.  I don't think she will be far behind her sister in learning to read.

 Lily and I whipped up some brownies while Cait and Cam played Wii. She's a good helper!  I bought a elementary cooking curriculum and I can't wait for all three kids to start it!

 My big one.  I don't get many pictures of him these days.  He's working and studying and hanging out with friends.  I regularly see him for dinner and snacks!  I am so thankful for his help around the house and I'm so proud of his hard work and determination!

This weekend, we went to see our sweet niece for her first birthday.  She had an absolute blast digging into her birthday cake.  It was fun to see the grandma's giving her a bath together.

Our Wedding Anniversary Weekend Celebration

 While the kids were gone to Granny's, we took advantage of the time and had FIVE dates!  Friday we went to our favorite date spot, BJ's Brewhouse.  We have always had great food at BJ's and besides all the TVs, it's a great atmosphere too!  (Funny faces at BJ's)

Saturday, Daddy took me to La Baguette for breakfast.  We had never been but it had been on my list of places I wanted to try.  Our breakfast was super yummy, we were happy we went.  And that evening we had a stay in date with some local delicious street tacos.

Sunday we watched two movies and went to Johnny Carino's for dinner.  It was odd to have the whole weekend to ourselves.  Bren was home but we didn't see a lot of him.

Monday night we went to HeyDay.  After I SPANKED JC at laser tag, we had our most enjoyable dinner and then he whooped me at putt putt.

It was a wonderful Anniversary weekend.  Our marriage has had more than it's share of ups and downs.  We have had a lot of hard years.  Standing here at the end of another year together, we both agree that this has absolutely been our best year together.  We have grown closer together, closer with the Lord and closer with our children.  I am so thankful that God answers prayers and gives us strength.  I am thankful for friends who have encouraged me and taught me how to be a blessing to JC.  I am so thankful that we decided to be committed to each other and that we didn't give up when things were so very hard.

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12

July's Summertime Fun

 Finding fun to do in the heat of the summer can be tricky. To be honest, we've spent most of the month at home and only venturing out to visit friends or for the necessary errands.

 My van battery died at the gas station and while we waited for Daddy to rescue us, we walked over to a nearby truck stop and passed our time.  I am so thankful Daddy's work is so flexible that he can leave when we need him!

 We've never been successful at growing tomatoes until this summer.  We have had a perfect amount to keep us stocked with tomatoes.  It's fun for the kids to go out everyday and pick them.

 My Grandparents celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary.  And I found out they eloped.  I love my grandparents so much and I am so thankful that I have been blessed by spending so much time with them.  The kids were happy to spend time with their cousins during the dinner for my Grandparents.

 Cam got a Balloon Bonanza for his birthday.  It was actually pretty amazing.  They didn't all work but more than 1/2 did.  It was way better than filling up individual water balloons!

 Cait has a new found love for Tin Tin.  I recently picked up a Tin Tin book from the library for Cam but it was Cait who has spent HOURS (literally!) looking at the pictures.  Every day, that has been her favorite thing to do.  We had to take back the library copy but we bought 3 books for her and even found these old Tin Tin cartoons that follow the books perfectly!  I'm not sure what she likes so much about them but I love seeing her show such an interest in books!  She isn't reading yet but she's so close!

The kids went to Granny's for a week.  I cleaned the house from top to bottom (above is my odd assortment of treasures that I found), Daddy and I had FIVE dates and I got to take a trip with some friends!  I think it was win-win all the way around.   

Cait & Lily had a blast playing with their new friend at Granny's.