So fast...I have a lot of catching up to do!
{...here we go...photo overload!}
The last day of school...always a little bittersweet...
Everyone is definitely ready for summer fun and relaxation, having no homework, no schedules or deadlines, and empty backpacks...
...but it also means the kids have grown another year older...and a little bit taller!
Emily is short stuff...but I can't believe she is now officially a big 4th grader...
...and Alex a 5th grader!
{...who also lost another tooth!}
{they love having their t-shirts signed by friends and teachers on the last day!}
{Emily with her decorated hoola hoop- they were able to duct tape a section each time they met or exceeded an AR goal!}
We also surprised them right after school with a little weekend getaway to start the summer!
A quick road trip to French Lick for swimming and water park fun!
We stayed the first night at the West Baden Hotel and it had a beautiful big lobby that echoed...tested out by the kids upon arrival!
...and it was pet friendly...two of the several dogs we saw in the hotel!
After we checked in, we rode the trolley/bus to the French Lick Resort and enjoyed pizza and bowling...I was winning...but I let Elizabeth help me, so Dan got the victory...this time!
{Abby- "I wanted Mommy to win!" ha!}
The kids finished the night with a quick swim in the hotel pool...
The next day we toured the grounds of the West Baden Hotel and splashed at the Big Splash Mountain water park!
After the water park, we checked into the French Lick Resort for our second night stay...to another beautiful covered porch full of rocking chairs and a band! The kids enjoyed more swimming, and ice cream...my favorite!
It was a great weekend to celebrate the start of summer and the end of a great school year {Alex and Emily ended the year with all A's!}
In addition to Emily continuing to improve her ice-skating skills throughout the summer and finishing her volleyball season...
...we've enjoyed seeing lots of friends and family so far this summer too!
Aunt Janet, Uncle Jeff, Kendall, Emma and Cameron came for a visit to meet the newest cousin!
{the newest little cousin is getting too big...too fast, by the way! She is already approaching 7 weeks old!}
We enjoyed another fun day with cousins again, bowling and playing at the park!
{Aunt Betty and Great-Grandma Martha with Ellie and Abby}
{Great-Grandma Martha and Abby meet for the first time!}
{Grandma, Great Grandma and Elizabeth}
{Aunt Marcia and Abby}
{Kendall and Elizabeth having fun at the park!}
The next week some of our best friends from MOPS who moved away to Tennessee and North Dakota came to visit too!
{having fun at the Commons playground!}
{Carmen and Abby}
{Elizabeth and Abby}
{heading to lunch!}
{such a big, fun group...we had almost 20 kids and they did a great job at lunch!}
{David and Elizabeth}
{Elizabeth, Emily and Abby...two Elizabeth's and two Abby's in our group!}
{a great day catching up with good friends!
me, Elizabeth, Kimberly, Aubrey, Christine, Tammy and Carmen!}
A couple days later...Alex, Emily, Elizabeth and Abigail also met their newest cousin Paige for the first time! Paige and Abby are only two weeks apart!
We had another fun day with family...eating pizza and playing at the park!
{Grammy and Abigail}
{Grammy, Paige and Abby}
{sisters...and cousins}
{Nicole and Paige}
{Aunt Jane and Abby}
The cousins always have fun together...and can't wait until the next time!
{Alex, Abigail, Emily, Hunter, Paige and Elizabeth}
{"Don't leave!"}
It's been great having this time to visit with friends and family!
Alex and Emily have also taken turns going to work with Dan this summer when they get a chance...learning how to make retainers, making new patient folders and helping check patients in for their appointments! He is enjoying having them at the office too...and hoping that one day they will join him and make it a family practice!
And when they're not too hard at work, we've just enjoyed relaxing at home, shopping, eating out, making s'mores around the campfire and swimming!
{Emily flashing her new braces-free smile!}
{first s'more of the summer!}
{Elizabeth watching the pizza-making action at Noble Romans!}
{Emily and I shared a yummy dessert at Chili's!}
{mommy and the girls stopping at Subway to eat with Tonto!}
{back to Chili's for a yummy lunch to celebrate Father's Day!}
{enjoying some Steak 'n Shake outside after swimming!}
{Emily trying on her new dress from the mall!}
{Elizabeth browsing the Barbie aisle at Target...I couldn't resist letting her bring one home!}
{Ellie looking cool at Kohl's!}
{new Crocs for Ellie!}
Summer is all about having few commitments, going on vacation {coming soon!} and taking the time to relax...
...I think we are succeeding so far!
