Father's Day. A day to celebrate family leaders, to appreciate all they do. A day to thank them for the sacrifices they have made to provide for their families. A day to recognize the invaluable contributions they make to the family. A day to have fun!!

We took Matthew to Bugaloo Cafe for a delicious lunch. If you like fish and have never tried their cod sandwich, you are missing out. YU-UM! Emily was more than happy to see shrimp on the menu -- in a kid's meal!!! SCORE!

After lunch we challenged Matthew to a little healthy competition on the lanes. I had a good feeling that it wouldn't be much competition, but it was fun anyway. Eli loved his shoes and was disappointed that he couldn't take them home. 

This was Eli's first time bowling and he was very patient to wait for his turn and did considerably well (thanks to the bumpers). And we were all very patient waiting for his low-momentum ball to roll to the end of the lane. Emily was the only participant to have her ball bounce into another lane!

It was a lot of fun, and for some added entertainment we went through the car wash. Why does that always get the kids squealing??? Ah, the joy bottled up in children!

So, I wish to say to my best friend and parenting partner -- Happy Father's Day! You are so appreciated. You are so loved. I cannot imagine parenting without you! Thank you for being the wonderful father and role model that you are to our three blessings!

Eli showing Emily technique. 

Note Matthew's last frame! I guess it takes him 9 frames to warm up. Apparently it takes me several games to get going. But it was a lot of fun! 

Struttin' on Saturday Morning

We love the local races. What fun mornings hanging out with great people who create a positive, encouraging environment. We try to make it over to Carthage every year for the Strawberry Strut and always look forward to meeting up with friends who make the annual event.

Megan ran the 1-mile event and Matthew and I ran the notoriously hilly 5 miles. I was a 5-mile rookie Strawberry Strutter, and so thankful for Amy Hennings to run with! She is a joy to run with.

I got some photos of our happy little runner. 

Before the start.

Rounding the first turn on the square.

The homestretch! And still smiling!

And finished!

Knee-High by the Fourth of July????

Whose knees? Measuring by Emily, it is neck-high by the 13th of June! :)

Celebrating 3 Years of Joy!

We are so thankful for the friends and family who could come celebrate Eli's 3rd birthday. We celebrated with a wiener roast and cake. You have all had a special impact on his life and we treasure each of you!

We couldn't have asked for a more perfect evening to hang out outside together! Thanks for coming over to celebrate with us!

Off to Camp

On Tuesday we dropped Emily off for the Just for Girls session of church camp at Lamoine Christian Service Camp. She was met up with a sweet friend, Ellie.

Emily had a great time and I was fortunate enough to be able to sit through the last chapel service. The worship and message was wonderful and all the girls seemed to be having a blast! It was like the biggest and best slumber party ever! I wish I were a 5th grader again so I could go too!

Kudos to the camp staff for providing a wonderful camp session for these girls. Blessings for the rest of the summer as hundreds and hundreds of young people come to hear the gospel story and be influenced by some faith-filled servants!

Happy Joe's Makes a Great Birthday!

It is our family tradition to go out for birthday pizza. We have a few favorite pizza places, and I think we just found another favorite -- Happy Joe's! 

We had taken the girls to Happy Joe's YEARS ago before they moved to their new location. It had been so long that I suggested taking Eli for his birthday pizza. It was a hit! He was fascinated by the train. The pizza buffet was delicious. They brought him a birthday sundae and sang to him, and then we finished all the fun with some time in the game room! 

Lots of smiles. Lots of fun! 

Guess who just learned to make fish faces! I know, this is not a great skill that will take him far in life!! But is is cute!

Best friends!

Shooting hoops with Daddy and cashing in the tickets!

Hanging out with Friends

We LOVE to have friends over to play. One week we ended up having three playdates with three different families. Lots of laughter. Lots of fun. Lots of good memories!

Getting Organized with Initials, Inc.

My sister is a consultant for Initials, Inc. and I have grown to love their products -- with free personalization! Here are a few of our newest products that help us stay organized! Love them!

Spring on the Farm

Stomping in mud puddles. 

New litters of kittens. 

New 4-H animal projects. 

Bottle calves.

It's spring on the farm!

Easter -- better late than never!!??!!

Ok, so I know Easter is long gone, and I missed the "Easter photo" boat. I enjoyed seeing posts from friends and family of their Easter egg hunts, Easter dresses and Easter dinners. So, I guess this post is better late than never.

I took the kids to Macomb for the Easter egg hunt organized by The Crossing. I will say that the hunt (which is more accurately and Easter egg collection because there is no hunting involved here) was very, very well organized. It was fun for the kids. 

Now, last year Eli had absolutely no interest in picking up plastic eggs at the egg hunts we took him to. This year seemed to be quite the same. When his toddler "hunt" took place, I could not have paid him to pick up an egg. Finally, I collected an egg and threw it in his basket for him, and we turned it in for a treat bag. I cannot figure this out! All the other kids go wild, and Eli just stands. Despite all the explanations I offer, he has no desire to join in the colorful chaos.

At the "hunt."

I did catch Eli picking up eggs -- at the end of Megan's hunt. I was down on the field and caught him filling up his basket after her hunt was over.

Emily was all about competition. It took her no time at all to fill her basket!

And here are our sweet little ones on Easter morning. I RARELY get Emily to wear a dress, so this was an extra special occasion. She did it without any begging, pleading, groveling!