Remembering Carrie

Each year we have a tradition of letting balloons go up on Carrie's birthday.  This year she would have been 13.  Titus was delighted to discover that he COULD keep one because Craige's mistakenly gave us 14 balloons!

Briella had the most questions this year.  We had fun perusing Carrie's box of memories.

I believe babies who die are in heaven.  It was interesting that Pastor Brett talked to Jared's class about this very topic a few weeks ago.  I'm grateful for thought-provoking SS discussions for my son!  We don't know for sure, but I do know God is loving and just.  I trust Him with my little one.

This picture is for me.  I am grateful for my kiddos!

The cousin reunion -- hosted at Lissa's.  Thanks so much for building such fabulous memories and carrying on some long-lived traditions.

Whenever Daddy comes home from work the kids love to run to the end of the drive to greet him and get a ride in the back of the pick-up.  This doesn't change when they are teenagers.  Their enthusiasm was contagious.  Dan was "coerced" into rides for all!

Happy times with simple pleasures!  They even collected "evidence" from the trees/bushes.

The annual German sweet chocolate cake -- singing to Lissa Friday night.  We had several June birthdays to remember.

The slip-n-slide was a big hit -- Marci and Anna Grace.

Zack!

Marci,Anna Grace, Anna/Ashlyn, Micah, Luke, Adam

Dan, showing us how it's done!  Such a kid :)

Rob and Zack, trying to figure out the "hand cuff" puzzle.  Thanks, Uncle Chad!!

Silly String WAR!

We white people just don't know how to do this properly.  But, we had fun!

Sweet time visiting with these people!  Wish Lissa's face were in here too...

Making music in the loft

The men in the man cave.  The pictures kept getting worse as more & more of them began to imitate Seth's example.  This is the best I could get.

All the kiddos!

Self-timer -- needs some PhotoShop work.  I'll get to it next week, but wanted to get the blog updated for those eager to see pics! :)

Dance Recital ~ Sneak Preview

Long Live Elvis!

My beautiful dancer girl all grown up!

If You're an Addams ~ Musical Theater

It's picture week!!  I was a sneaky parent and stole a couple shots behind the photographer to whet your appetite for the upcoming recital!  June will be here soon and you're all invited...

First Friday Music

Beautiful music on First Friday in Binghamton.  Just fun motherly memories... I had to document them.

Brave Briella

Briella's mere flesh wound. She crashed her bike and hit her head on a rock.  This all happened about 20 minutes after I left for a jog.  Fortunately Daddy cleaned her up and took her into the ER.  I am so glad he was home!!!

This evening -- all cleaned up and reading in her bed.  I am so very grateful for her nurse -- Renee Tyler.  She is so awesome!  She even called me after they had glued & steri-stripped her forehead so that I could hear her sweet voice.  They did a CT scan just to make sure all was well. 

And she had a big smile for me :).  Praising God it wasn't anything worse!  She had a very interesting story about two brothers -- one who had a bee bee in his abdomen and was being transported to another hospital for surgery.  Sobering for my two boys who like to play with guns ... and shoot each other (darts, just darts!). 

Marci's Recital

As one of the older students, she was awarded the privilege of directing the little ones to the piano as their turn came.  She's adept at this kind of job, thanks to her many siblings!  I love this look :)

 Marci: I played Schubert's piano duet Marche Militaire with another student and Liszt's Un Sospiro (a sigh) for my solo.


I can't believe this is the only picture I snapped!  And she commented, "Yeah, and I looked fabulous!"  So sorry I failed to capture the fabulous one up close!  Maybe I'll upload the video footage later. (our OLD video camera - in 15 second clips -- better than nothing!)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rgo7vTMTC7Y  (duet)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cSsAIMdDkc (solo)

Easter Sunday

A "twirl fest" inspired by little Kerith (wearing Marci's 6-year birthday dress!).  Ahh, what joy in girls twirling, skirts flying, air swirling, hair flying ... smiles!

And now she's not embarrassed to "get into" a big twirl!

Mommy: The Photographer; Daddy: The Entertainer.

DC ~ Cherry Blossoms

Cherry Blossoms beckoned us away from the mountains to the big city.  And, they were luscious and definitely worth the effort!  We enjoyed the sunny, although chilly, day of walking amidst the crowds.

We were very happy to notice this sun-warmed bench right beside Herbie!  What a welcome spot for our picnic lunch!  Afterwards, we did bunch inside the vehicle for some warmth and more cookies :).

A gracious by-stander offered to snap the family photo ... so, here we are beneach Lincoln himself.

Now, this was just a favorite memory I couldn't leave out.  We were at the museum and it happened spontaneously without Emily, so I had them pose with her in her rightful spot :).  I love my kids! 

 (Cantaloupe, the lone surviving kitten, is still meowing this evening.  New life is such a marvel.  I've never been so observant of each milestone for a kitten.  Her eyes are opening today.  Tomorrow she will be 2 weeks old.  I got to hold little Ella Ruth -- one week old today.  I love newborn snuggles!  Alas, I love any snuggles.  I got hugs from nearly all the kids in Titus's class in an effort to convince Kerith she'd better hug me too.  It worked! )

The much-awaited canoe ride.  I had promised them a canoe ride once Daddy arrived; but, we ended up eating, visiting and going to bed that evening.  So, before our departure for home Wednesday morning we bundled up for some time in the canoe.  I think it was her favorite part of the trip!  My kind of girl!  We were so grateful for the luxurious accomodations at my cousin's place in Great Falls.  We stayed in her barn which included a full kitchen of which she stocked the frig (my favorite part) and a loft full of every toy -- including dart guns (Dan's favorite part!).  The dart guns were necessary to get the helium balloon back to the edge of the room so we could retrieve it for Miss Briella.  So, yes, I'm grateful for the all the good shots.

This was the representative photo of our time at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.  I think she should definitely buy these sunglasses -- what do you think?!?

Lots of walking ALL the way around the tidal basin.  So glad Daddy was able to join us!

The youngest still managed to get a piggy-back ride.  It WAS a LOT of walking that day.  Dan claims it was 6 miles!  Hmmmm. 

And, just in time ... with many caveats in the plans ...  Grandpa arrived!  Can't believe this is the only shot Emily managed to snap of him.  But, we all know about "no photography!"  I'm very, very grateful for Grandpa who overlooks all my disorganization, my definitely-not-perfect kids ... and fills in the holes where he can.  Love this man!  Even though he did get me with his e-mail on April 1st that his eggs weren't staying down.  Stinker!  I worried all night 'cause it was too late to call.  I'm thinking about next year...

The Violin Lesson

Every Tuesday we head across the mountains to Mrs. L's oasis.  Her garden is a litle piece of heaven and her music room is full of light and warmth!  Most of all, her spunk and lively personality awakes all the musical potential in my daughter :).  I am very grateful for her mentorship of my Marci!

I just love the perspective of this shot :).

A Terrific Tuesday

The morning began with sunshine and an early trip to Binghamton (7am is early for this homeschooling mom!).  I zipped back home to gather the rest of the crew who had the luxury of sleeping in.  We made it back for the 11am concert --- the best part for me was getting to entertain little Chase and visit with my friends.  Oh, the music was pretty good too! 

Then we headed to The Discovery Center for lunch and a few hours of play.  The classic big bubble exhibit ... still a favorite of all ages!

When she had to journal about today, her favorite part was talking on the phones!  I love this face!

These boys wouldn't want you to know it, but they are having fun!  The ambulance ride ... I hope they survive :).

Group shot!

Ragen honored me by putting her girls in outfits that E & M used to wear!!! I love these girls <3

Oreos!  Titus and his buddy were running non-stop, so I didn't snap any other photos of them.  They did sit still long enough to eat a few cookies, I see. 

Just so you all know, Mrs. Ely STARTED the snowball fight.  I was just being a good friend and joining in on the fun.

 



I love my friends.  I so needed to laugh this day.  The snowball fight did the trick!  :)



I love this chair :)  It was a Terrific Tuesday ... and I'm very, very grateful for all my friends who honored me with their presence at Marci's concert today, who played with me afterwards, and most of all ... who made me laugh!  Love you ladies!!