Last Day...

for the girls tomorrow!!!

Ty & Tay absolutely LOVE "school" and we appreciate all that their teachers and the helpers do for them!!

I'm definitely looking forward to summer and having them all to myself, but it's such a wonderful feeling to know they are learning lots and are in good hands while I'm off teaching.

So, we wanted them all to know how AWesome we think they are...

Who doesn't like to know how much they're appreciated?!?

Guess who has a....

POTTY JAR?!?!

Oh yeah, baby!! Miss Tay is officially in training.

Potty Training, that is!!!

Gettin' Excited....

And, I'm thinking she's loving the idea!!! 

Send us lots of potty vibes and hopefully, sooner than later, we'll be saying so-long to diapers for the first time in 7 years!!! 

Go get 'em, Tay!!!!

Let's make a...

deal. 

You three need to slow down on that whole growing up thing...

Okay?!?!

And, if you won't slow down, at least continue to let me attack you with kisses on a daily basis.

For like....

FOREVER!!!! 

I-Cubbies....

are another one the family go-to activities! We definitely head over to the park whenever we get the opportunity. The kiddos (and Daddy!) love going early in order to get autographs....

Not bad for a Sunday afternoon!!!

Arena Ball...

in Des Moines means Barnstormer action!! We had a blast at the last game and saw a HUGE win!!!!

Waiting for Daddy...it was rainy and he dropped us off before he went and parked the car...

Tay all smiles and ready to shake that cowbell!!!

Sweet Ty....ready with her cowbell, too!!!

Looking all handsome with his missing tooth!!! 

Daddy and his Barnstormer fans!

Even Jackson sported a sticker....

Deep in discussion....

Finding their way onto the Jumbo-Tron...so fun for them!

Tay cheerin' and checkin' herself out!

What a fun family time!!! Munchkins, you did great! Mommy and Daddy actually got to watch the game and we only had to make 3 bathroom trips....much appreciated!!!  

Can't wait for the next one!!!!

Birthday Party Time!

Trey Man turned SEVEN back on May 21st and had a blast celebrating at a local park with a couple of his buddies....water balloons, b-ball, whiffle ball, soccer, slides, swings, football, bouncy balls, and CAKE! What's not to love about all that...a seven-year-old's heaven!

Waiting on his pals...

I CANNOT believe this guy is SEVEN!!!

Goodie Bags for his guests...filled with balls of all sorts, of course!

Happy Birthday, Big Man!

Water balloon action...the kid in the back was making sure he didn't get wet!!!

Checkin' out the card with the cutest orange mustache ever! Ha! Gotta love "drop-ins".....

I'd say he's liking what he sees!

What a great day!

Who says you can't use a soccer ball to play a little hoops!?!

Our family pic...turned out really well considering one of Trey's buddies took it! 

Hope you had a great day, Trey Man! Always remember how much we love you and how proud we are of you! Keep smilin' and always believe in yourself!!!!

Bunches of Hugs!!!

Oh, and PS....the goodie bags were perfect, but my favorite was the fact that you let you sisters help you fill them up the night before!!! They LOVED helping you and enjoying in your special day!!! Thanks for being such an awesome big brother!!!!

Being a Mommy...

keeps my heart FULL...

Full of LOVE.

Full of JOY.

Full of EXCITEMENT.

Full of HOPE.

Full of HAPPINESS.

Full of AMAZEMENT.

Full of LIFE.

With my children teaching me more about life each and every day, I truly took this past Mother's Day to just sit back and take it all in. Take in those moments of pure joy and excitement for life that they seem to exhibit so naturally. Simple and carefree moments of them learning (a little too quickly) just what life is all about. The little moments where they make the most of every moment and seem to effortlessly find a way to see the fun in just about everything they do...

As I listened more closely and watched more carefully, I couldn't help but wish that I could forever shelter them from the not-so-fun parts of life and all the trials that may be right around the corner. It reminded me of the fact that, no matter what lies ahead, I will be the one that will always be here for them, SUPPORTING them, GUIDING them, HELPING them, CELEBRATING with them, CRYING with them, and STANDING by them....

making sure they know that they are never alone...

ALWAYS being their MOMMA!!!

I love you BUNCHES & BUNCHES, my sweet babes, and I am so proud to be your Momma!! Thanks for bringing so much to my life and keeping my heart FULL!!!

XXX's & OOO's

Birthday Boy!

I cannot believe my little babe is SEVEN!

I seriously feel like I'm constantly talking about how big my munchkins are getting, but I'm super, duper serious when I say that time is flying!

It feels like only yesterday....

Only yesterday when I was surprising Jason with the first of three positive pregnancy tests...

Only yesterday when I was getting the baby book all prepped and ready take to the hospital so I could write down every single, little, precious hospital happening for the baby boy, bundle of joy that was due at any second...

Only yesterday when I waddled into that emergency room and told them that I thought my water might have broken...

Only yesterday when Jason & I took our first look at that big, healthy baby with a full head of jet black hair...

Only yesterday when I became a first time Mommy and never looked back...

It definitely seems like seven years have gone by in the blink of an eye, and he's gone from my little 10 pound newborn to my handsome, smarter than a whip, 50 pound, almost 2nd grader....and, I couldn't be more proud!!!

Happy 7th Birthday, Trey J!!!

You are one curious, extremely intelligent, sometimes ornery, sweet hearted little man! You are almost over your broken thumb and ready to get on that ball field. You still love chocolate milk and beg me to make egg & cheese roll-ups for dinner every night. You are a super reader and have picked up fractions without blinking an eye. You enjoy bossing your sister around and don't like it when she comes into your room, but, at the same time, love helping her read and playing catcher when she's hitting batting practice in the yard. You had your party at the park and chose sports as your theme. You are the best at never forgetting to brush your teeth & always have the most creative ideas. Recently, you made up a theme song for our Clean Team sessions & recorded it on your DS. You shy away from my hugs and kisses as I drop you off to school, thinking your just a tad too cool, but love to be tucked in at night and never let me leave your room without a tight squeeze around the neck and a kiss goodnight. You are into Bayblades and Diary of a Wimpy Kid DVDs. You are beyond pumped about your new Monsters Inc. DVD & are working hard to save up your chore money for something special! You are one amazing kid and I am seriously lucky to be your Momma!!

I love you BUNCHES & BUNCHES!!!

xOXoXOx

Batting practice...

In a dress is definitely the best!!

Love you, sweet thing!!! Here's to lots and lots of batting practice with your Momma in the future!!!

Happy hitting!!!

XoXoX

Getting ready...

For the BIG #7 and I absolutely CANNOT believe it! My babes are growing up way toooo fast, and in a couple days, my little guy will be 6 plus 1....

He's pumped, to say the least!

I'm excited too...

We're READY...

For a little Summer Fun, that is!!!

Yesterday, between loads of laundry, a gym visit, and a trip to the grocery store, the kiddos and I sat down to get all our Summer Fun ideas written down...

Trey's most excited about Camping Out Back...

Ty's most excited about Water Balloon Fun...

Taylen's most excited about "Friends, Teachers, Lilly, Addison, books, ABC's" (Which just happen to be her friends at daycare and her answer to just about anything and everything right now! I'm pretty sure she loves the entire list!)

Mommy's most excited about the Weite Fishing Derby...

Daddy's most excited about the Outdoor Movie...

But, until school's out & these cold temps decide to hit the road, we will just settle for good old table top painting!!

Happy Sunday!!!