Fun!

Last week the kids and I headed to Washington for our annual Twin Lakes trip. It was a great trip and after about 5 years, we finally got some good weather! Lexi and Jace have really missed their cousins and it's crazy how much they grow in a year's time.

Lincoln, Max, Sadie, Jens, Maren, Natalie, Lexi, Katrina

These two were born only a week apart...aren't they cute??? Jillian and Sadie with Bryan

Natalie, Maren, Lexi, Jens

This was a highlight of the trip. Grandpa pulling three bike trailors behind...while the kids sang "All the single ladies" and "you spin me right round"...Grandpa the IRONMAN!

SNUGGLES!

Sticks!

Zingo

Fourth of July Weekend

We had a wonderful 4th of July weekend. Our favorite friends from New York (Austyn, Dustin, & Brody) came down to see us. Their car had been having troubles so we weren't sure if they were going to make it...but they did, only for their car to break down right when they got here...at least they made it! It was a great, enjoyable, relaxing, fun weekend!

Saturday morning we left all the kiddos with a babysitter so we could go out for breakfast

They had fun painting

We also headed to the pool and the park this day, but I didn't take any pics.
On Sunday, Auntie Austyn made cookies with the kiddos...look at Brody's cute face peeking over the side

That night we headed into the city to see the fireworks. Brody and Jace having a good time

Aren't we more beautiful than our college years...HAHAH...well Austyn is, and look at her cute baby bump!

The fireworks were great...for some reason I remember them lasting a lot longer a few years ago. It was perfect amount of time for the kids though and they all fell peacefully asleep on the way home. Thanks Austyn and Dustin for coming to see us!

Waking up is hard to do

Lexi is fourth from the left, next to her greatest friend Gretta (3rd from the left)

Dance Recital

Lexi had her first dance recital this past weekend. It was the cutest thing I've ever seen! All the girls did so great! I tried to upload the video on here, but it was taking forever, so I will try again some other time. Here's some pictures in the meantime.

Lexi was so excited because she got a medal for her class for most improved.

Fancy Lexi

For Lexi's birthday party she wanted a fancy Nancy theme. One morning, about a week before the party, the kids went out on the deck to paint and so, in preparation for the party, I made this banner.

The fancy invitations...they turned out pretty cute I thought

The party began with the girls coming and getting their nails and make up done.

We then headed to the table for a little fancy Nancy bingo and necklace making.

For lunch they had "fancy" heart shaped sandwiches, fruit in a "fancy" dish...

"fancy" flower cheeses. For drinks I had frozen grape juice in flower ice trays and poured ginger ale on top to make it fizz...very fancy!

Gretta, Lexi, Larkin

They then hit the floor for a fashion show...
Brittain, Lexi, Ellie

Peyten, Megan, Claire, Larkin, Madison (a video of the fashion show is coming soon to theaters...)

The presents of course

And last but not least, "fancy" cupcakes.

What a party right??? It was a lot of fun and it was great to see Lexi surrounded by her friends. Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate with us! We are so blessed to have Lexi in our family and can't believe she's a big 5 year old...am I old enough to have a 5 year old???

I have to put this in here, just for the sake of documentation, but when Lexi told me she wanted to have a fancy Nancy party I, initially, was kind of nervous about it, and here's why: Whenever I read these Fancy Nancy books, I always think of my little niece, Mara. I was able to spend some time with with sweet little girl during her last week on this Earth and I got to read these books to her, more than one time. She was to the point where she couldn't talk, but I will never forget as I was reading the Fancy Nancy book where Nancy gets a papillion puppy for the first time, I pronounced papillion just as it was spelled and Mara's little chuckle was the cutest thing ever, as she knew that was not the correct way to say it. Her little laugh rings forever in my ears. Mara, also passed away as my older sister was reading one of these books to her and her other daughter Natalie. So, initially I thought this would be hard just because thinking of Mara and her struggle is a hard thing happened, and its not that I don't think about her often, but to have this party and to be thinking of my sweet niece I thought would be very difficult. However, I knew this was kind of an opportunity to do something fun for Lexi's birthday and to have a celebration for Mara, in my mind anyway, as well. So, while I was preparing for the Lexi's party, it was fun to think of Mara and not only was I thinking of what Lexi thought would be fancy, I was thinking of what Mara thought would be fancy too. I think all the little girls that came had a great time, Lexi sure did, and it was fun to use some creativity to do something to celebrate Lexi (and Mara's) life!