End of school

The end of our homeschooling year Ben's only request...please take me fishing. So bright and early in the freezing cold we headed to the lake! I was in awe as I watched my boy fish by himself. Putting on lures, walking along the shore line, and casting like he's done this forever. Where has the time gone?

Makenna's one request at the end of our preschool year....swing me! That I can do :)

ok...ok....ok

So this is why I suck at blogging! It's been since June and now I'm going back to tell you about the summer for the first time! It's overwhelming all that has taken place and all I need to blog about but here we go!.......

The kids first dip in the lake for the season.....FREEZING!

I love how Brayden is using Makenna as a warmth device!

But fun all the same :)

Love this pic of my girl :)

Our son Ben

Brandon named our first born Benjamin which means "son of my right hand". I was struck this year as we celebrated his 11th birthday that he really upholds his name. Everything you could ever want or hope for in a child Ben possess. He is good, kind, funny, athletic, intelligent, even tempered, giving....I could go on and on. But beyond all of these character traits he truly has a heart after God. Which makes the bible verse for his name ring even more true, "You have given me your shield of victory, Your right hand supports me; your help has made me great." Ps 18:35. Ben, continue to cling to God for your support as He continues to develop and mold you into a man after His own heart. You make us so very proud each and every day! And we can't wait to see the life God has in store for you unfold before us! Happy Birthday sweet boy xoxoxo

Ben age 11

Its all about baseball!

Words honestly can't describe how much our lives are about this great American past time! 4 nights a week we are at the ball fields! I love each and every moment of this! These are pics from our bball tournament weekend. Dodgers took 2nd...who hoo!! And my 'little B' played with the big dogs, 11-13 year olds, and totally held his own! My boys couldn't make me more proud on and off the field! I cherish this time watching my boys and can't imagine any place I'd rather be than in the stands cheering them on!

little brother graduates!

I was so thankful that I was able to go cheer on my little brother Nate at his high school graduation! I was able to make a trip kid-free which an additional bonus! I'm so proud of all your accomplishments Nate and even prouder to be your sister!

(oh and a little food for thought. I realized you know your old when you go to your old high school and someone you graduated with is now a teacher there! Yep reality really sucks!)

Our trip to the ER

So I am thankful to say this marks Ben's first emergency room visit! By the grace of God this is Ben's first 'real' injury! He was playing hide and seek in forrest with his dad and friends when he tripped over a log. A large piece of the log ended up in his shin. So this is a pic of just the end stinking out but it goes up inside the shin quite a ways. We tugged on it ourselves or I should say Brandon tugged? I was tugging more with my mind :) And when he says, "I think we need to take him to the doctor" I know it's bad lol. So off we went for a nice 5 hour stay. I think Ben said it best after waiting, "there is nothing 'emergency' about this. This will start sprouting in my leg by the time a doctor comes!" But a doctor did come and got him all numb and had to seriously yank that thing out! He was brave and we are just so thankful that this is all we've had to encounter with injuries!

Brandon's birthday

My birthday boy turned 33! Crazy I tell you! First birthday we celebrated is when he turned 19. Is it even possible we've been together for over 14 years??? Oh how I love this man!

So Brandon had to coach Brayden's team on his bday so I made a bday cake and got quite crafty. Hours of stenciling, cutting marsh mellows for the bases, and sprinkling chocolate into the base line. I was SO proud! That was until Brayden forgot about it under his seat in the car and drug his bat bag through the entire thing! All that was left of the memory of the cake was this picture...