Roomie Playdate!

My time spent in college at DBU afforded me some pretty spectacular and life changing experience. A deep seeded love for the people and culture of Taiwan, a heart for missions, breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday with my cute boyfriend, and the friendship of these remarkable girls! I count it one of the greatest blessings of my life that I get to have friends like these and that our kids are going to grow up and love each other like we do!

Michelle was in town with her boys for the week and we were lucky enough to find a time that we could all get together with all 8 of our kids! They came over to our house and with the help of my sister's inflatable water slide, the kids played happily all morning while we enjoyed each other!

Miles looked like such a big boy in his bathing suit!

The brothers very diligently helped me blow up the little pool that I thought they would use.

While we were almost outnumbered by boys at this playgroup, they were all under the age of 5, so Janelle took it upon herself to grill us up some dogs!!!

Miles and Sam were less than interested in playing in the water at all, but Laney was a little too nervous for the slide, so she loved that the little pool was there for her to play in. Ella and the boys stopped in the pool to splash for a bit on their way back to the line for the slide.
Time for some lunch!

Followed by some popsicles.

Laney and Gabe turned the swing 'n slide into a water toy.

And Josh and Ella used the same technique on the big swing. Water makes everything more fun. Especially when it is 95 degrees outside

Deck Building with Daddy and Kev!

Kevin is building a deck in their backyard. He is very meticulous and has been working on it for a while now. It is going to be awesome and totally perfect when he finishes. Kevin is always the first one to offer help if Todd has a project going on, like rebuilding our entire back fence in a matter of hours. So, Todd wanted to return the favor with a little deck building help. We stopped by to pay the workers a visit and hang out with Bobbis!
The brothers found spots between the frame to watch the action. Notice Laney's ear covering. The saw was a little too loud for her.

Sam obviously did not get his ability to smile for the camera from his look alike Daddy.

End of the Year Party!

Laney's class had an End of the Year Party last week with a Beach theme. I signed up to bring the dessert because that is way less intimidating to me than trying to come up with a craft or a game to entertain 20 three and four year olds. Google "beach themed desserts," and this is what you get!
Laney and I made these beachscapes for her party. Vanilla wafer sand, fruit by the foot beach towels and a gumball beach ball. Add and umbrella and you're good to go! I usually drop the boys off with Grommy during Laney's parties, but I thought that we would give it a try with them during this last one. Sam was so excited to be in Big Sister's classroom. He and Miles got to explore around a bit while we decorated and the kids were outside playing.

Such big boys!

Ready to Party!

I snapped this picture of Laney right as they came back from outside time. She was so excited to see all the decorations!

Prayer time right before lunch. This little boy led the class in prayer. It was so sweet!Sam tried to join right in.

I have to stop there because Laney's party went a little down hill from here. She just got too anxious because I was there. She wanted to sit in my lap to eat her pizza. I had to stand right by her. She wouldn't participate in the craft. So the brothers and I had to pack it in and leave. I have been to all her parties this year and this was the first one that caused this kind of reaction. It made me sad that she was ending the year on such a crummy note, but her teachers did let me know that she bounced back and had a great rest of the day. We are going to miss our froggy friends and teachers, but summer is going to be so fun!!!!!

Our office chair made it's way out into the living room and quickly became the toy of choice for these two! Sam is such a cheese with his "picture face." I love it!

Laney stepped in to spin the boys for a while. She is such a helper!

Popsicles!

Sam's newest word: Popsicle! "Pop-ell"

Rain Boots!

I am not sure why we had a little mud puddle in our front yard recently. I can't remember if it was from actual rain or from the sprinklers. Regardless of it's origin, this little mud puddle provided lots of enjoyment for our kids! Laney thinks that her rain boots make it absolutely necessary to stomp in any puddle that she comes across! The brothers were quick to follow. Crocs are kind of rain booty!

We ended up needing full out waist high waders for these puddle jumpers!

"We're just chilling out!" -one of Laney's favorite phrases.

Copy Cats

We have been getting to spend some extra time with our sweet cousins. My sister started nursing school at Baylor in Dallas last week. She is on a fast track program that will land her as a real live nurse in just a year. I think that you have to be super smart and driven to get accepted in this program, because it is a lot of hard work. Luckily my sister is both of those things and I know that she is going to be very successful even though it is certainly overwhelming and more than a little sad for her to be away from her precious children so much. We are the ones who get to benefit from her new crazy schedule as we get to spend way more time with the little Goods!!!

My mom is taking care of the kids one day a week all summer, so that basically means an extra day for us to spend with them and with Bobbis! I think that these sweet pictures of Laney and Claire are from that day together! Laney is in heaven whenever Tessie and Claire get to come over. Obviously!

These two little goofs saw Big Sister and Claire Bear and decided to give it a try. They were so cute and happy to be little copy catters!