July 4th and Noah's 3rd

We had a great time with Kevin's family for the Fourth of July weekend.  They brought some sparklers up, we went to a few beaches, and was able to celebrate Noah's 3rd Birthday together.  It is fun to watch the cousins really start to have fun together.  

 This was the first time hosting Kevin's brother Ryan's family.  Now that we do live less than 5 hours away we are hopefully be able to meet up with them more often.

 Noah the birthday Boy!  I made a Spiderman cake, which is what he is into right now, and I think he is really getting into the whole birthday idea...although I have been thinking he has been three for the last few months.

I have tons more pictures, just trying to figure how to get Kevin's pictures uploaded...I think there is an app for that.
We signed up for the next session of swimming, have VBS next week, and am gearing up for the next trip to Myrtle in two weeks!

June Monthaversary

I almost missed this post because we are at the start of 3 Days of Birthday for Kevin, and with Father's Day last weekend, and Kevin's birthday celebrating this weekend, it has been busy :-)

We have had a bunch of things go on in the last few weeks, but I think that can save until another post.  I just wanted to highlight Kevin with Noah.  Never have I heard Kevin laugh around a child as much as I hear him laugh with Noah.  I mean it is partly the things that Noah says, and the things that we see Noah do, but there is a joy we have with Noah that is very special.  Just as Kevin is learning parenting with the other two, Kevin is seeing that Noah has some good hand eye coordination, and anything with a ball, Noah is right there. 

I am very proud to watch Kevin with the kids, and it is fun that Kevin is so involved.  He also got an iphone this past weekend, and has a lot of good pictures on his phone, I need to learn how to get them off.  I don't think I am quite ready for a smart phone yet.  And early Happy Birthday Kevin!  Looking forward to what God has in store for you this year!

Strawberries and Swimming

Ah Summer!  When strawberries are in season, and the swimming is good.

 Last time I took the kids strawberry picking it was at Parley farms and Rachel was only able to sit up.  But they did great!  We only lasted 20 minutes or so, but I am training them young. Maybe next time we will pick enough to freeze and not eat the pint on the way home.

The kids have had one week of their two week session, swimming every evening.  Daniel and Rachel have loved it...Noah not so much.  Daniel wants to be able to scuba dive, and I am happy Rachel is getting the confidence in the water, which will make the times at my cousin's pool, and beach time, a lot more fun this year.

 He says the water is too cold.  Maybe at the outdoor pools he will adjust easier.

Homeschool is for all purposes done for the summer.  We are going to be reading all summer, and the local library has a great summer program for the kids that the older to can attend, and it's free!

May Monthaversary

We talked about Daniel last month, and now let me share what a beautiful relationship Kevin has with Rachel.  She was born on his grandmother's birthday, and she is the princess of the family.  Rachel is very different from Daniel, and Kevin is adjusting well to how to meet her needs.  He took her on a Daddy Daughter dance a few months ago, and since that time Rachel has really opened up to him, sharing her thoughts, having talks, things that she before seemed to reserve for me.  Each child we are given has so many special treasures, and I am proud of how Kevin is continuing to strive and meet each of their different personalities.

Gardening and Fishing

I have to get used to this new way of posting...I am used to putting the pictures I want to show up last first, so these are a little out of order.  First things first, I am happy my dad, sister and nephew are around for the next few weeks.  We went fishing with Michael this weekend, and the boys have been non stop!  The weather has been beautiful as well, and we are all getting a darker shade of sun.  

 Daniel caught two fish!  And one using his sister's pole.

 Princess Renea, the chicken we inherited from my sister's flock, is doing well down here.  She only escapes a few times a week, and the other little ladies are quickly growing to her size.

 For Mother's Day we did some gardening and the kids made some sweet cards and very thoughtful of the day.  We started planting our garden and got some squash, green beans, sunflowers, peppers.  We have a more to plant, these are just things we started from seed.  Kevin is excited about the canning we can do this year.  Trying just to be better than last year, and realize this is all still such a learning process.

Spring Daze

The last few weeks have been a different.  We finished off the spring co-op, and by the end of the 8 weeks, Noah was ready to be in the preschool class, and I am excited for Rachel and Daniel to be in the same class next year.  We only have a week or so left of official material to cover, although we have a busy summer planned.

Here is Rachel at her Dance recital.  

 My cousin's husband came over to get a huge rock out of our garden.  It was fun to watch, and we are almost ready to plant some things.

 More of Rachel's Recital.

A few weeks ago a fox got into my brother's chickens, leaving only one left.  We adopted the one and have it with our not so little anymore chicks.  We also had a porcupine in our yard and a snapping turtle that we had to get rid of.  So there are the adventures in country living.

A little over a week ago Kevin's cousin passed a way, allowing Kevin and Daniel to go to New Bedford and attend the services.  It was a good trip for Kevin to take, and little bit of a break with just two kids around.  Kevin is off to San Diego this week, and we are having some house work done, so by the time he returns from his trip he will have a slightly renovated home :-)

April Monthaversary

Over the next few months I want to highlight Kevin in the role of Dad. These are the two pictures that I think of first when Daniel as a baby with Kevin.

I remember that whole time as being such a life changing time, if it was just starting a family that would have been one thing, but with Kevin transitioning out of the military, me transitioning to a stay at home mom role, and us needing to move, it was a lot. And I remember Kevin being so strong during this time. He has been the diamond in the rough, shining brighter despite of the pressure being placed on it.