Gracie met her goal of earning enough money to pay for one cleft lip surgery through operation smile! She was very excited to donate, and wants to start saving for another surgery. Thanks to all family and friends who purchased brownies, cookies, or punch or gave donations. It truly will change the life of a child and their family.

Garrison is in a shoe phase! He loves shoes and steels them from everyone's closets, especially Gracie's. Her's have the most personality. Below he is in her purple, fake gemstone studded high heels, and then her rain boots. Above, he is in her Hannah Montana wig, but don't worry, he didn't like the wig so much. It was funny for a minute, then it bothered him and he wanted it off.

Gabe and I are headed to Idaho soon! He has been enjoying time with friends. He and Qadry are enjoying a good book here. Below he went fishing with Kade. I think they enjoyed the doughnuts as much as the fishing!

Summertime

` We are having a terrific summer, hope you are too! I'm teaching summer school half day and loving it. Gracie attends summer school, and the boys play a Sue's in the morning. Gracie and Gabe are doing a terrific job in swimming lessons and having a ton of fun. I am also enjoying the lessons. There are several other mom's I know and we get to hang out and visit. Garrison plays well with the other kids there.

Mark, Gracie and I took a mini vacation together to see Elly Scheuerell in a professional production of Annie in Missouri. She was an amazing Molly and stole the show! We couldn't have been prouder godparents! Gracie thought it was so cool to see Elly up on stage, and Elly showed her around backstage and introduced her to some of the cast. Gracie loved the Miss Hannagan (sp?) and all the orphans. I'm sure we will be seeing Elly in many more productions. Gracie and Elly were also so happy to see each other since Elly had been gone several weeks. I think that is the longest they have ever been away from each other. Garrison and Gabe got to spend the weekend with Sara (Saint Sara is what she should be called!) and the William's family. I'm sure she was plenty busy with her 3 children and my 2 boys!

Gabe and I will be heading to Idaho as soon as summer school is over, and Mark is taking Gracie and Garrison to visit the Iowa family. Other than that, we are just enjoying hanging out and playing. Mark's new job is going well and he gets the opportunity to help a lot in the community through his job which is making it very fulfilling for him.

Garrison has the Micheal Jordan tongue. Maybe a career in basketball is in his future, he certainly has the height!



Fishing with daddy and friend Marissa.

Here we are in Missouri.

Gracie and Elly, reunited!

Dance Recital

Gracie had her big dance recital last Sunday. I tried to put the video on here, but I couldn't get it to work. She was so funny! The teacher had her in the very front, but Gracie didn't know the dance, so she kept trying to look at the other girls. She was terrified to go on and wanted to go home, but she got out there and did it. I think you'll agree that she looked fabulous! Here she is with Elly before the recital. Elly couldn't relate to Gracie's stage fright!

In the car Gracie was still excited. She loved the makeup and gitter spray. Once we got there, she wasn't so happy any more.

Happy Easter

Gracie and I dressed like book characters during Read Across America week. She is Alice the Fairy and I am the little boy from the book Parts (if you haven't read this book, you should).

Garrison and Gabe liked meeting the Easter bunny at Gabe's school. Gracie said she thinks it is scary when people dress like animals (she also mentioned Chucky Cheese).

Gabe got to drive the tractor with Uncle Dan and cousin Gus. This was his favorite part of Easter!

Gracie and Garrison only got to pretend to drive, but they liked that too.



Thanks to Aunt Missy the kids got to play with the horses, fish, row a boat and drive tractors.

Gabe is very proud of his bluegill! He caught 2 fish.

Long time no write!

What a hectic couple of months Mark and I have had! His work has been crazy busy and I've had a bunch of extra stuff going on. Garrison had every illness in the book for a while, too. Now Spring is coming, we are all healthy, and life is slowing down, at least a little bit. Garrison had his 1st birthday, which has made Gabe ask several times a day when his birthday is (not til September!). Gracie is doing so well in school and loves being there. We did take time for a short mini-vacation to the Dells. The kids loved the water park and were very brave going down BIG water slides (not Garrison).

Gracie and Gabe at the Dells.

This was the day Gracie taught Garrison to ride these little scoot-a-long toys. He thought it was the funnest thing ever!

Gabe enjoying fondue on Valentine's Day

Gracie put together this stylish Valentine outfit for herself; zebra pants, purple high-heel boots, sequined heart shirt!

This is how I took Garrison outside to help take down Christmas decorations. Seemed like a great idea until he got the flu the other kids had had and threw up all over me!

Garrison is at such a fun age right now. He is almost always happy, more independent, sleeps well, and loves anything Gracie and Gabe are doing. Below is a picture of him enjoying the birthday cake!

The last day of school before Christmas vacation was canceled because of snow, a lot of snow! We were trapped at home and decided to make gingerbread houses out of supplies we had. Gracie and Gabe really had fun, but both ate more than went on the house!

Garrison and Gracie in Idaho at Grandma's house. It was VERY tough getting to Idaho (with an extra night's stay in Casper, WY), and when we got there Garrison got Roseola and was sick until the last day, but it was nice to see everyone. I won't be traveling alone again with children any time soon, I promise you that!

Kelsey and Gracie playing in the snow at Aunt Pauli's house.

Crew and Gracie hanging out at Chase's ball game.

Christmas pictures

Here is the proof of how challenging it is to get a decent holiday picture of 3 kids! Above we all look pretty good, until you realize Garrison ducked his head behind Santa's. Then below it was just insanity to think we could add a dog in and get a good shot.

Much better with 2 children and a snowman that can't move.