Fathers Day

We spent the majority of our day in Francesville. John was in IL at Craig's bachelor party, so he met us in Francesville. After we spent time there we stopped off in Monticello at the lakehouse where John's parents, Jason and Sarah and Marie and the kids were hanging out. It was a busy, busy day but was good (I think). We need to get better at knowing when to leave. We need to follow the wise advice of Joe and Tara who say, "Leave while everyone is still having fun!" Otherwise you end up with crying, tired and hungry kids and a 40 minute drive home. :)

Few videos from my phone- John

Jackson loves blowing his Whistle

One of her favorite songs.. mine as well!

Summer Fun

After a long, fun week of VBS I thought it would be wise for the kids and I to stay put here in Lafayette and get some R & R. John went to IL for the night to be with some friends for Craig Janssen's bachelor party, so the kids and I stuck around home today and then went to Columbia Park with Cara and her kids. It was a great time. We played on the playground a while, then had a picnic dinner and finished with a brisk walk through the zoo. Abigail tolerated it. :) She is just not so sure what to think of animals...on our way back to the vans there was an ice cream truck parked right next to ours. You think we were able to get the kids out of there without stopping for ice cream? I think not! Abigail of course picked a blue popsicle, so she was a blue, sticky mess. I had her finish it in the grass outside before coming in the house. I repeated the entire way up the stairs - "Don't touch anything! Walk straight upstairs to the bath! Don't touch anything! " We were a filthy mess, but it just felt like a satisfying, fun mess - hot and sticky as all get out, but we had fun! :)

This is a random picture of Abigail. I came out from the bedroom in the morning after I was finished getting ready. She was laying on the couch, watching cartoons like this - wearing her jammies, slippers and sunglasses. What a diva. :)

Update

I don't know what my deal has been lately. It's been such a long time since I have blogged! Here is a quick recap of the past couple of months.

We spent Easter in Francesville with the Gudeman family.

Jackson with Great Grandma Gudeman. This kid loves the camera. Seriously, you put up a camera in front of him, and he strikes the best smiles. It's hilarious!

The girls getting ready for the big Easter Egg Hunt!

So excited!

Dancing Queen

Abigail LOVES to help me in the kitchen and she wanted to bake cookies. Well, the only time I will bake cookies, is if there will be opportunity for us to share (or give them away rather). We had Brad Widmer and Ben Sprunger over to lay a patio in our backyard, so I said we could bake cookies and serve them to Brad and Ben (we also delivered them to friends and neighbors - of her choosing :)).  Well, she took a plate out to them while I busied myself with something else. Before I knew it she was back in and heading back out with a plateful of cookies. I asked her what she was doing, and she said so matter-of-fact, "They want more." She looked so cute I had to get some pictures.

All the Gudeman grandkids at Lincoln's first birthday party. I can't believe he is 1 already!

There is his charming smile. This kid is so cute I want to eat him up. His squishy thighs don't help matters. I just love to squeeze and kiss on him!

Here is our family on Mothers Day at Family Dedication at church.

We have a fun week planned for Abigail this week. She is spending three days (started today) in Pretty Princess Dance Camp (I just can't stand how cute it is!) and then tonight we are attending a soccer call out/ice cream social. Abigail is a funny kid. She loves nothing more than glitz and glam and the more she can get the better! I'm talking hair accessories, make up, lip gloss (or chapstick, doesn't matter), jewelry, lotion, shoes, dresses, etc, etc, etc. She loves it all. HOWEVER, the funny thing about her is she also is showing a real interest in sports. She loves dribbling a basketball, kicking around a soccer ball, etc. So we are going to try it out and see how it goes.

Chicago-Bluffton

We've had a really busy spring thus far! We were in Florida the last week of March. We then had one week home. The next weekend we were in Chicago for an appraisal seminar. The next weekend (last weekend) we were in Bluffton for a Moser get together. Now this weekend we will be celebrating Easter with the Sprungers on Saturday in Bluffton and Sunday with the Gudemans in Francesville! Whew! The traveling is tough on the kids and the parents - though it's all been fun stuff that is hard to say no to. I'm trying to take it easy this week so to recouperate and rest up for the weekend to come. Although I will say I realize that our family does pretty well when we are on the move.

Yesterday I was home all day with the kids and after a few hours of just being home, we were all ready to be doing something! Melissa King came over in the afternoon to chat so that was a wonderful breath of fresh air for me.

Then, John had a meeting last evening, so I had Heide Sprunger come over to join us for dinner. Aahhh that was nice. I mean I love my kids but after awhile talking to a three year old and 8 month old just doesn't cut it. I need adult interaction!!!

Speaking of 8 months...Jackson turned 8 months yesterday! My baby is getting so big! I am affirmed in this as we go out in public. People see the infant carrier and they expect to see a baby. Nearly every time they say, "Awwww,"  but then as they peek in the carrier we hear, "OH! Oh! He is a big boy!" :) Cracks me up! He's got such a round face that if you just see his face he just looks huge. :)

She's becoming quite the poser. :)

Abigail in FL wearing Grandma's golf visor.

Abigail with Grace and Ryan in Chicago.

Jackson with his "tool bench". Is he going to be my handy man? :) Thanks Yerglers!

Abigail, Lucy and Grace

Isn't it like a rule or something - that you have to have multiple bath pictures of your kids with other kids? :)

Florida

We had the wonderful blessing of visiting my parents in Florida over a few weeks ago now. It was marvelous! The kids were healthy and happy. They slept great and we just relished our time there. We took Abigail to the beach one day but the rest of our time we enjoyed at the pool and the park.

Excited to hit the beach!

Abigail refused to give me the satisfaction of looking at the camera and smiling (stinker!).

Jackson's first time in the pool. He loved it! :) He kept putting his face in the water and would come up sputtering and smiling. So funny!

Abigail's scalp got red after our first day so we had to improvise with a hat.

For some reason Abigail was obsessed with the water guns? :)

Gone Mobile

Well, Jackson is now mobile. Not sure how I feel about this...I have to say I have mixed emotions. Now - he is not yet crawling. He just uses every other skill he has to get places. :) Yesterday I laid him on the floor to change his diaper. I remembered I needed something in the other room. I quick ran to the other room to grab something I needed to return to the store (we were getting ready to do some shopping). When I returned he was across the room chewing on a toy that was on his bouncy seat. I couldn't believe it!

Then this morning we were in Abigail's room getting her ready. I laid him on the floor, and the next thing I know Abigail is complaining about how Jackson has one of her books. He had somehow gotten himself several feet over to her book basket, gotten in the basket (which is a significant size for him), and got a book and was happily lying on his back chowing down on it. :) I told her it was ok - it was actually God's book, and God wants her to share. Plus it was a board book that a little slobber wouldn't hurt.

I proceeded in getting her ready and next thing I know I look over and there he is - he'd gotten himself back over to the basket and was straining for yet another book.

The crazy thing that I need to get used to with him is he has always been VERY patient and determined. When he is trying to get something or do something he remains very quiet and patient. He will work and work until he gets it.

I have always known when Abigail is or was trying something or having trouble with something - she is EXTREMELY impatient and will let you know quite loudly if she is struggling! But he is just quiet, determined, strong and fast! I have to say I think both qualities come with their challenges. I'm going to have to watch him like a hawk!