California or Bust

Nama and Grandpa surprised our boys with an all expense paid trip to California to visit Ross, Riley and Calia. They were gone for 9 whole days! More about their adventures will be posted soon!

The last day of our schools

Clara was 1st to have her last day of ECFE. I will miss all the cute babies in her class and it is sad to think how much each of them will change over the summer. Some them even will move on to toddler class. She loves all the singing and all her teachers at baby school.


























Next, was Laken's last day of school. Look at her pics from the 1st day to the last day. Mrs. Duerr (her teacher) has been her teacher since she was a year old. Oh, why can't she just follow her through? It will be weird for her to have a new teacher for 4 year old preschool.













When did my Pudge grow up? He looks like such a little dude at the beginning of the school year. He graduated Kindergarten with flying colors! He got all pluses (the highest mark you can get). He can write his numbers to 199 (the goal was 31) and can even read little kids books now!













Oh my how my Brae, Brae has grown, too. He received rewards for world passport (a geography thing), orchestra and a diploma for passing 4th grade. His lowest grade was an A-. His music teacher wrote, "You have a nice voice and would do well in choir next year. You have a lot of ability." His 4th Grade teacher, Mrs. Dekam wrote, "You have amazing test scores! This is an indicator that will have great success in your work in 5th grade. I am so pleased with your positive efforts to make sure you are not getting late assignments. Great way to start 5th grade! You are a great student and I will really miss having you in class. You have become a very positive role model and leader. I really appreciate what a respectful listener you are. You also take a lot of price in being a hard worker and that skill will take you far as well."

It is always sad saying goodbye to awesome teachers. I sure hope he gets a 5th grade teacher just as great.

soccer

Soccer has finished for another year. Love all the running up and down the field involved in soccer. Preston played for Prairie Ridge Purple and loved all his team mates and especially his coach Daddy. He always would let you know what their record was and the scores of his games.







Braeden played for Kirchner Orange. He took his game up a notch from last year. It was fun to watch him bust butt out their every game! He got to play every position, including goalie.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day started off with the tradition Memorial Day parade. The boys collected plenty of candy and were nice to share with Laken, too.














Clara enjoying her 1st parade.













Then, we set off to find and explore one of the area lakes, St. Olaf. We were pleasantly surprised to find a very nice playground.













And, tried our luck at Geo Caching, but soon discovered their wasn't a cache nearby.













The kids were bummed that I didn't pack their swimsuits as there was a beautiful swim beach. We'll have to plan to come back to go swim there.

Clara's 1st camping trip

So, after my LaCrosse wedding adventure with Chrissy. I decided I was too beat to drive back home. Plus, I need to pick the girls up at the River, anyway. So, I called Brad and told him to pack some things up for all of us and come on down. It was Clara Lily's 1st camping trip, but it is not really roughing it when you have an indoor bathroom and a bed to sleep on.









Clara loves being outside.









Preston waiting for Grandpa to hitch up the boat.









Madeline came down as her parents went car shopping in Chicago. Here her and Laken are doing some song a dance pretending that one is ketchup and one is mustard. Is there anything better than childhood imagination?









Clara enjoying herself.





Brad cooking dutch oven camp slop.

Crafting with Chrissy

What a fun week we had with Chrissy when she was home for her shower. We were able to go to her dress fitting and help her pick out a veil. I was able to sneak away from the kiddos and go to LaCrosse and be part of selecting wedding music, getting things squared away at the church and taste testing! Wedding planning is so much fun! Here are some pics of the wedding favor assembly line.

Clara's 1st food

Ever since Pudgie, I've liked to give my babies bananas for their 1st food. They are nutritious and very easy to digest. Plus many cultures use bananas exclusively as their first baby food. I wasn't as eager to begin starting her on solids until 6 months, but the kids were urging me to feed her. They would say, "Mom, she seems very interested in our food." She was ready and so far sweet potatoes seem to be her favorite. She's also tried rice cereal, avocado, apples, pears and prunes.

Slip and Slide

Chrissy got Braeden this sweet slip and slide for his birthday. We busted it out for the first time in May, of course it drew the neighborhood crowds. Our neighbor Mike even stood at the end rating each slide. For some reason it is now totally destroyed, even though the boys used it in the proper manner. But, no worries I just have to take a picture of it and email slip and slide and they will send a replacement. Gotta love that customer service.

Clara Lily's 5 Month Stats

At 5 Months Clara Lily weighs 14 lbs 14 oz.









She can sit for quite awhile by herself (when did my baby get this big?).









She adores her siblings and will laugh so hard at them. She has developed seperation anxiety...something I'm not to keen on, but you can hardly blame the girl when she's with Mommy 24/7. I keep reminding her to remember this when she is 16. Her adorable dimples have us all wrapped around her little fingers.

Chrissy's Wedding Shower

We hosted Chrissy's Bridal Shower in May. I think everyone had a good time and Amy, Gammy and I worked together to put it together. The food turned out yummy and Chrissy looked adorable! Chrissy got many nice things and it was a treat for Clara to finally meet Chrissy, Amy, Lexie, Jane and Phyllis. I especially enjoyed finally meeting the Egan clan. This wedding is going to be a blast :)