We braved Six Flags last week for the first time with our kids. Overall, it was a mixed bag of a day. . .some good times and some not so good times. I guess that is to be expected with a 6 and 3 year old on a very hot and crowded day. Here are a few pictures of some of the good times because who needs to be reminded of the meltdowns and whining, right?
The kids and I (Kelli) flew home to PA in July to spend a week at my parents. Each morning we started the day with breakfast on their wonderful front porch while watching the array of birds that come to my Mom's bird feeders.
Maia and Caden getting ready to help Nani fill the birdfeeders.
Storytime with Nani, and yes, once again we are on the front porch.
Maia and her baby praying mantis.
Of course every trip to Nani and Pop-Pop's wouldn't be complete without some rides on the 4 wheeler.
Maia and Caden enjoying the tractor and wagon that my brother, sister and I enjoyed as kids.
Enjoying a funnel cake at the Kutztown folk festival.
Yes, that is mule-power! Only in Pennsylvania Dutch country!
4th of July Parade with Nani and Pop-Pop!
Maia and Caden with their boats that Nani and Pop-Pop made for them to race down the stream.
Caden hauling the necessary condiments to the fire ring where we had a little cookout.
Maia hauling some of the other needed things for our cookout.
The kids and I visited my dear friend Lori in Lancaster. Our two oldest were born 2 days apart and we even overlapped in the hospital for a few hours.
Joyful reunion with dear Daddy who we really missed!
This past weekend we camped at Hawn State Park, about an hour south of St. Louis.
Setting up the kids beds. I'm always touched by how important it is for little ones to know exactly where they will lie down their heads at night.
The Cade man enjoying some creek stomping, as we call it. It was a super hot weekend so we were thankful for the great stream that runs by the campground.
Maia and I enjoying the stream.
We found a few little sandy areas along the sides of the stream and built some castles.
Getting ready for our little hike.
Maia helping out with the dishes.
Playing UNO outdoors is way more fun than playing inside.
Our campsite.
Maia was a bit nervous before her debut on the softball field for her first game. One of those, "my tummy hurts. . .I can play outside Mom, but I just can't go to that softball game because my tummy hurts" kind of mornings.
But once we got to the field and she received her uniform and donned the catcher's gear, most of the nervousness seemed to go away.
She played catcher for one inning and somewhere between first and second base for the second inning. . .just a two inning game.
And practiced her hand stands with her friends while awaiting her turn to bat.
All and all, a good first game where no one on either team was called out, everyone got to bat until they hit the ball and hand stands by the bench were allowed. . .just as it should be for 5 year olds playing softball!
And we can't forget about this little guy!
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Decorating Easter sugar cookies with friends
While it is hard living so far from family, it sure is fun to open Easter packages!
Hooray for chocolate lollipops!
Maia working hard at some shrinky dinks we received in our Easter packages from family.
Caden got bored of the shrinky dinks after a while and resorted to making paint towers.
A few weeks before Easter we had the kids make brown bag crosses and as the days went by we wrote on the crosses some of the sin areas we struggle with. Then on Good Friday we painted the crosses in red to remind us of Jesus' blood that was shed to cover over these sins.
The traditional egg dying.
Getting ready for our second annual Easter egg hunt with our neighbor Tula.
Tula and Caden showing off their finds!
Maia and Caden trying out their new beach towels that they received for Easter.
