Memorial Day

This might've been one of the best Memorial Days I can remember... the weather was absolutely perfect, low 80's, low humidity, not "buggy'... it was awesome. We invited two other families over to let the kids play in the yard and we had a simple cookout. The kids played for 5 hours straight... that's how you really know that it was beautiful outside!

Our friends weren't coming until around 2 or 3, but this was the kids around 12, looking out the window, waiting on their friends

Zachary just hanging around

Sweet Emma Kate keeping a close eye on the snacks :)

Z-man again

Kater Potater - on her favorite spot on the playset

My milkshake - playing some game that he and the other boys made up

EK, take 2

Twin brother Sam can't be left out!

This one of Brayden just cracks me up - silly and sweet - his exact personality

The gang!

Seven?!

I know I say this every single year, but how is this kid already seven?!?! Time is flying by! Brett is still quietly inquisitive, but also silly and sarcastic. He loves to read, especially non-fiction books about cars. He still likes math, but doesn't love subtraction right now! He loves to play outside, and he's a good friend to his sister, most of the time! Here is a little glimpse of the fun that he had on his actual birthday :)

Picture before school - they get to dress out on their birthday, and this is what he chose... new shoes and all!

A birthday hug from Kate

Coming out for morning prayer at school - can you say excited?!

Running up when his birthday was called out

Getting his pencil from the assistant principal

All of the birthday kids for the whole long weekend (they do the weekend birthdays all on Friday)

High fives from the 2nd grade as he ran back to his classmates

Todd brought on Daylight Donuts for his class during snack time... Brett loved dancing while they sang "Happy birthday... eat more chicken!"

Opening presents from Mom & Dad at home, as well as some miscellaneous family presents that had been mailed during the week - like this one! Thanks, Mary & Pat!

No birthday is complete without new transformers!  This was one of many from friends and family :)

Kickin' party!

We celebrated Brett's 7th birthday a week early at MVP Sports. We rented out the indoor soccer field and the party room for 2 hours. They had an awesome coach that kept the kids running for an hour, and we topped it all off with cake and pizza!  After the party, all of the family came back to our house for a yummy dinner for the adults, and Brett got to open his presents!

Grandma & Grandpa win the prize for traveling the furthest distance to celebrate with the birthday boy!

One-on-one with the goalie/coach

Hanging out on the sidelines with Dith

Mr. Birthday Boy himself :)

Paying careful attention to the directions

Teams are formed, and they're ready!

A few words of advice from coach/dad

Brayden, Ericson, Brady, Max, Zachary, Mark, Emma, Ryleigh, Brett, Logan, and Chris

Silly faces

Tackle the birthday boy!

A little love from the little sister

Party time in the party room

Parker was all partied out - it was his second birthday party of the day!

He loves it when they sing "happy birthday"

Blowing out the candles

Opening family presents at home (he opened friends' presents at the party)

Parker was dressed like a soccer ball :)

Kater-potater :)

Berry Pickin'

I've been commenting for years that I want to take the kids strawberry picking at Page Road Farm, which is less than 5 minutes from our house.  My mom always took us to pick strawberries growing up (at Jean's Berry Patch - that's for you, Apex friends!) and then made the most delicious strawberry jelly that you've ever tasted. But I always put it off with our kids - they were too little, it was raining, I was busy that day, etc. Todd decided to take them one beautiful Sunday morning. I have to say, they do some good work!!

They ran into one of Kate's school friends on the field

Serious about her work

Looking de-li-cious!

What a gorgeous day!

Tag-teaming the row

Stretch break

I see one - one for me, one for the bucket, one for me, one for the bucket

 

Good work, kids!

ABC's of Morning Prayer

Our Morning Prayer experiences have been a little jinxed this year...

 First up was Kate's half birthday. It rained, so she was inside, but had her name called over the speaker system.

Next up was Brett reading. It rained, so he read over the speaker system.

Then it was Kate's turn to read the letter B out of the "ABC Bible verses." Guess what?! It rained, so she read over the speaker system.

This time though, it was beautiful! And she did GREAT! I thought for sure she'd be nervous speaking in front of the entire school and parents, but she did amazing!! I was so proud of her :)

Waiting for Morning Prayer to start with her friends

Mrs. Sperrazza and Mrs. Crisci worked really hard with the kids to get ready!  This particular day was L,M,N,O,P, and then Kate did the intentions and lead the school in the "Our Father"

She looks so brave!  Proud mama :)

Saying the "Our Father" with some of her classmates, her teacher, the Principal, and Assistant Principals

Go, Kate!