Karli did it! That little stinker!

Last year Karli wanted to ride a 2 wheeler, so Rob started to practice with her.  He took off the training wheels and practiced going down the hills in the grass.  But then she lost interest.

This summer started off and she didn't say much about riding her bike.  Then they went camping and were gone for two weeks.  First thing Karli wanted when she got home from camping was her training wheels put back on!!  Rob said no way!  But she begged.  So Rob said if you go out and practice and learn how to ride your bike I will buy you a razor, like Kelsi.  That little stinker went outside with Kelsi's help and came back in a 1/2 hour saying, "When are you going to buy me a razor?"  We went outside and she had done it! 

 She was riding all by herself!

I had to take a picture of Nate, too!  Just practicing!

Summer Camp

First, both girls went to Grandparent's Camp with my mom for a week in Ohio.  They had a great time!   According to Kelsi this was their schedule:  breakfast, swimming, bible study, lunch, nap, swimming, dinner, "vespers", more swimming, snack, games, and bed!

Karli was so excited to have made a new friend!  Kelsi's favorite part was the bible study.  Kelsi is already planning how she can go back next year to another camp while Grandma and Karli go to Grands Camp again.  

Big THANK YOU to Grandma!!

Then my mom and girls picked up my niece and nephew in Dayton and drove to Turkey Run to meet my Dad with the camper.  We drove Nathan down and did a little canoeing at The Shades Park before they arrived.  Had a blast and are looking for more places around here to do some canoeing!

The van ride to drop off.

 Unloading the canoe and kayak.

The rapids!

Nate loved kayaking!

Snake!!

After our adventure, my mom and dad arrived.  We were excited the see the girls, hadn't seen them for a week. Kelsi gave me a big hug but Karli wanted to be held for a while and then she was ready to camp! We helped them with a little set up but then knew they wanted us to go home!!  :)  

They had another great week of camping!

This was their schedule according to Kelsi:  Sleep in, pancakes for breakfast, hike, lunch, nap, swimming, camp fire for food, smores, showers, watched a movie, and bed.  They also did some canoeing, visited the nature center, more hiking, ate some ice cream, and played at the playground.  Karli loved swimming, the chocolate chip pancakes, and sleeping in the camper.  Kelsi loved the smores and swimming.  Nathan's favorite thing about camping were the hiking trails!

Wonderful memories made with Grandma & Grandpa!!  

THANK YOU!!!!

Karli's Last Day!

Today was a very sad day for me! I didn't even want to leave school and  I think I was the last one to leave the building.  I was not sad that the workshop was over.  (Sorry, Lisa!)

It was Karli's last official day at Lorene's.  :(  [tears]

She has been our babysitter for 13 years!  Isn't that amazing!  She started with Nathan and ended with Karli.  What an amazing gift she has been.  Words can not express my gratitude for this gift that she has given me as a working mom.  She taught my children, cared for my children, and loved my children so that I could teach.  I am so very grateful for her and thankful that God placed her in my life!  I know that it will not be the last time I see her but it is a phase in my life that is over.  I look back and can see God's handy work!  He knew the perfect person for me when I had Nathan and fretted (remember, Rhoda!) over finding just the right person to take care of him.  He also knew that she would be there for my other children that I would have five years later and continue on for the last.  I never had to worry!  God had it covered!

Now all of my children will be school age!  I will continue to put it all in God's hands.  He can handle it so much better than I can.  :)

(If I forget, please remind me!!)

School is out for the summer!

Here we are at another end of a school year!  Nathan completed 7th grade and Kelsi 2nd grade.  Here are a few of the end of the year activities that I didn't have time to post.

Pet Day

Kelsi's 2nd Grade Teacher, Mrs. Merryman

Kaity's Prom

One of our favorite McFarland girls, Kaity.

Soccer

End of the season tournament is June 4.

We are looking forward to a relaxing summer!

Boys....

 (Notice the splatters of mud on his nose)!

and their toys!

"Reading Rocks"

Back in March, Kelsi had a "Reading Rocks" week at school.  

They did all kinds of fun stuff and dressed up like the 80's, 70's, 60's, and 50's.  

We did our best to dress her appropriately!  

80's - big hair, big ear rings, pegged pants, baggie sweatshirt, and lots of bright bracelets

 I missed taking a picture for the 70's and 60's.  Here is the 50's.

Kelsi was sure that Lorene, our fabulous babysitter, could make her a poodle skirt.  

First she practiced on a skirt for Karli and then made Kelsi's. 

They both loved them!

Every girl has to twirl when you have skirt like this!  :)

(Mom, notice the flooring?)

Easter Festivities

Saturday I took the girls up to the Nappanee Easter Egg Hunt.  

It was a little soggy but at least the sun was trying to shine through.

Kelsi found a friend from school to hunt with.

Karli was quite the little sprinter!  

It was a good hunt with lots of tootsie rolls! 

                                    

Can't forget this cute kiddo!  He had a soccer game and couldn't go with us.

Sunday, they were dressed in their best, ready for church! 

It was a beautiful day!  Perfect day for Easter!   

I was in the nursery at church, which I love!  I usually end up with the same sweeties when I go to first service.  But, to be honest..... I was a little disappointed to not be able to worship on Easter Sunday.  Towards the end of the service/worship Rob came back to see if I could come take communion with him and Nathan.  So I did and man, did I feel full after that!  Full of joy!  Full of blessings!  I don't know!  

I just felt the Holy Spirit!
We took communion and the worship team was singing "Beautiful The Blood".  

That is my most favorite worship song ever!!  (Well, one of them!)

Do you know the lyrics?

I never knew death could be so sweet
I never knew surrender could feel so free
I never seen such meekness in majesty
That the blood of Jesus was bled for me

And now I sing freedom for all my days
It's only by the power of the cross I'm raised
The King of Glory rescued me

How beautiful the blood flow
How merciful the love show
The King of glory poured out
Victorious are we now

Never knew through these nails would love unfold
And never knew these wounds would heal my soul
I've never seen such beauty and sorrow meet
The blood of Jesus was bled for me

Once I  heard that song, I wasn't disappointed that I missed the service.  

After being thanked for helping in nursery, "on Easter", by a sweet, sweet family I wasn't disappointed!   

I was so glad that I had nursery duty that Sunday!  I hope that everyone that serves at church some way or another can feel that joy and appreciation when they think they might "miss out" when serving, like I thought I was going to.  I will definitely be more thankful for those people who help out!

 Sunday continued.......
After church, we had a wonderful Easter dinner at the Blucker's
and spent the afternoon hanging out with family.

  

Pete, Sheri (Rob's oldest sister), Jordan, Cristen (Jordan's girlfriend), Niall, and Zoe
Rick and Jen were there, too!  They just didn't ask for a family picture.  :)

Then we went home and dyed some eggs!  Little late but the girls had to do it!

Nathan did not like the smell of vinegar!  Can you tell by his face?

(That's the one bad thing about putting a finger coated with vinegar on a terrible two year old's tongue when they  say "no"!  Now he hates anything that has vinegar!)

Finally, a slight smile!

The end result...happy girls and sweet memories!

It's only by the power of the cross I'm raised (and my children)!  

Thank you, Jesus, for dying on the cross!