Sammy turns 8!

Such a big birthday for Samantha...8! She got baptized (picutres to come), gets to start Activity days with our church, & is ready for more reponsibility...at least we hope. Sammy is such a great helper around the house, an amazing swimmer, very caring, & loves little children. I don't know what we would do without Sammy as a part of our family!

Celebrating her birthday with a few of her friends from church during Fun Club!

Sammy chose rainbow sprinkles with sprinkle frosting.

We went to the beach to celebrate her birthday and Alex's as well. They brought their best friends, Ashton & Jilian. It was a great day at the beach and we had a blast playing in the waves.

A look at some of her gifs this year. She waited and opened them all at once.

Sammy chose chocolate cookies dough ice cream in special cones for her birthday treat! YUMMY!

Alex Turns 6!

Alex had a birthday! Alex is growing up too fast! He is almost as tall as his older sister. People would think I have twins. He is a great reader, sweet with babies, & loves to play with his friends. We are so happy he is a part of our family!




Birthday crown first thing in the morning. He opened a gift with each meal.


Punching bag from his sisters.


Favorite meal...grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.


Birthday pudding cake! He wished for a hamster:)

Key West

We headed off for a quick trip to Key West over 4th of July weekend. We had a great time and feel lucky to get to experience a little more of Florida!

The Pirate Museum...I wish those things fit properly :) Clara was scared to death of the pirates, but Alex loved it!

The kids wanted to ride them down the street...so instead settled for some silly posing.

Southern most point in the Continental United States. Been there. Done that.

Doesn't the water look so inviting? Too bad the beaches down there are rocky.

Mallory Square at night. The kids watched the little side shows for a long time and loved it!

Mallory Square during the day. Soooo hot! We couldn't wait for our boat ride!

Glass bottom boat ride! We saw lots of fish a some dolphins (Clara's favorite) on the way back to shore.

Alex and George swimming out to the big rocks. So proud of him for swimming that far!

Sammy and Clara playing in the only sandy part of the beach.

Sammy having a go at swimming out to the big rocks.

Father's Day

We had a wonderful Father's Day. Waffles with strawberries and whipcream for breakfast. Steak, potatoes, & asparagus for dinner. And the presents this year the kids picked out. They each bought him something that represented what they loved about their dad.

I chose an exercise shirt, because I love that we can run together.

Sammy chose a joke book and a tie, because her dad is funny and handsome.

Alex chose a science experiment set, because his dad teaches him new things.

And Clara chose a book, because she loves it when her daddy reads books to her.

Clara's first salon haircut

Clara needed a trim, so we took her to the salon.

Excited to be just like her big sister getting her hair cut.


Not daring to move an inch...she did a great job holding perfectly still.


So glad it is all done:)