Just Pics

Here are just some pics.  I just couldn't resist.  :)

Lainey Ann - June 2010 (6 years 3 months)

Sophie Ellen - June 2010 (4 years 9 months)

Friends...much of the time :)

Sawyer Matthew - June 2010 (2 years 9 months)

Sawyer with his good buddy and neighbor, Nolan!  They are just 3 1/2 months apart...we're so fortunate!

The summer is flying by; we've done lots of fun things with lots of fun times yet to come!

Father's Day

A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child.

(Knights of Pythagoras)

Matt's Father's Day gift...3 exceptional children...

oh yeah...and a Special Editon Weber Grill too!

What do you love about dad?

Sawyer:  "Happy"

Lainey:  "He always helps us.  He helps us play games, and he helps put us to bed."

Sophie:  "He has cute little hair.  Daddy gives nice kisses to me.  I love daddy."

Walk a little slower

Walk a little slower, Daddy,

Said a little child so small.

I'm following in your footsteps

And I don't want to fall.

Sometimes your steps are very fast,

Sometimes they are hard to see;

So, walk a little slower, Daddy,

For you are leading me.

Someday when I'm all grown up,

You're what I want to be;

Then I will have a little child

Who'll want to follow me.

And I would want to lead just right,

And know that I was true;

So walk a little slower, Daddy,

For I must follow you.

A Weekend of Surprises and Family Fun

In my effort to play catch-up, I'm now posting on Memorial Day activities.  :) 

We had a great weekend full of surprises and lots of family fun!  My dad did it!  He pulled off some GREAT surprises for my mom's birthday this year.  The first (and best) surprise was flying Kim, Bryan and Aubrey home from Seattle.  The second was an actual surprise party.  On Memorial Day, Matt golfed in the morning and we enjoyed lunch and the parade in Axtell during the day with Matt's family.  This year the kids even got to see the Good Samaritan Flight helicopter land and explore the inside, sitting in the pilot's seat and in the back.  What fun!

We picked Kim, Bryan and Aubrey up from the airport Friday evening and headed home to Kearney...my mom not having a clue!  We didn't even tell the kids until that afternoon in fear they might let it slip. 

Dad told mom she had to go in her room as Russ, Scott, and Matt were bringing in a birthday present he just couldn't find in Kearney and had to ask me to pick up in Omaha.  They were getting it set up, then she could come down.  We all lined up in the basement with Kim, Bryan and Aubrey front and center.  She honestly didn't see them at first...suspiciously looking for what in the world this mysterious gift could be!

NOW she saw them!  :)

Last time the little ones saw each other was Christmas when they were just 2 months old.

First kisses and hugs for a little cutie since Christmas!

Kinley Jo (Russ & Mandy's)...7 months here

Aubrey Lynne...7 1/2 months

Celebrating Mom's birthday on Saturday

The kids loved all of the excitement of the weekend!

My Grandma Keller was honored as Alumni of the Year (another surprise) and great honor at Humphrey St. Francis this year.  My parents were gone and we spent the night and had a sleepover at Russ & Mandy's.  The kids LOVED having a sleep-over in th basement all together with Keaton.  We enjoyed it too!

Sunday we had a surprise party for my mom at the Harmon Park Activity Center.  We thought if she had any incling that something was going on, the surprise of Kim, Bryan & Aubrey would squelch any suspicions.  It was almost exhausting the coordinating of stories we all had to do in order to keep our activities' secret.  We were all relieved when we could start telling the truth again!  :)

Walking in...she had NO clue...great job, Dad!

Birthday cake...and yep...she is 39 again.  :)

Despite the busy holiday weekend, lots of friends and family came (THANKS everyone!)  Here are my some of my mom's brothers with Matt, Bryan and Russ.

4 Generations

On Monday we got to go to Axtell with Matt's Grandma, Elaine, and his family.  There was SO much candy thrown at the parade, there was still some candy in the streets when we were leaving!  Fun! 

Sawyer and Grammy Ruth

(Soon-to-be Uncle) Adam & Lainey

Our sylin' niece, Aldyn, lovin' the parade

Aunt Mollie, Grandpa Monte & Sophie

What a fun and busy weekend was had by all!

Round the bases at Tball

Lainey had an impressive season at Tball...ending with coach pitch (and her never having to use the tee).  She can really hit it out there, had some wonderful catches, improved her tossing, and just overall had a great time.  Matt assisted in the coaching.  She's already looking forward to next year, and of course, Sophie and Sawyer are just looking forward to when they get to play "for reals".

Getting the bat from dad after touching home plate.

Look at this girl! 

Great season, Lainey!

My Baby Bumblebee

Sophie completed her first year of dance class this year and absolutely LOVED it!  She, like Lainey, seems to be a natural at dance (comes from her dad for sure) and loves the spotlight (again, dad).  May 15th Sophie had her rehearsal downtown at the Music Hall.  Her class danced to "My Baby Bumblebee" and "I Feel Good"...to which Sophie would yell out "Shu Gur" (instead of So Good).  Even after I told her what it should be, she simply wasn't convinced I was write and continued to yell out her own phrase...and I know she wasn't the only one yelling out her own version of the song.  The teachers maybe took it for granted that the girls knew the words to the song...or could understand what Mr. Brown was saying.  I had to smile because that, I'm pretty certain, she did get from me...you know, belting the song out, whether or not, I know the song.  :)  Sophie did a steller job during her performance, and the concert was well-done by all the dancers and a lot of fun to watch.

 

All of the Baby Bumblebees

Staying entertained before their performance

My darling little girl

Ahhh...

Performance time

Loving the stage

Sophie was SO excited to get flowers

Grandpa Marv and Grandma Ellen drove up and back going only to the concert.  (The kids were so confused.)  :)  It was a lot of driving for a 2 minute performance, but it was nice to have them there!  Uncle Scottie just happened to be up that weekend and was able to stay and watch the show.  Grandpa Monte and Grammy were just getting ready to head out on vacation, but we know they wanted to be there.

And the star of the show!

How can so much happen in a year?

Wasn't it just yesterday when I was dialing the phone, choking back tears and signing my baby up to ride the bus to school?  Yep...pretty sure it was.  Lainey had a fabulous Kindergarten year and grew up right before my eyes!  We were blessed with a wonderful teacher and paras.  Lainey made some good friends and had some great experiences!  She bounded off the bus the last day sporting a paper graduation hat full of the knowledge of reading, Math, spelling, performaning, respect, penguins, plants, writing, insects, money, time, etc. etc.  I don't remember learning SO much in Kindergarten...but then, I defiitely think times have changed.

Getting ready to enjoy the Gretna Last Blast Carnival with the kids...put on by the 3 elementary schools here in Gretna.  It was so much more than I expected.  We need to get there earlier next year!

Acting silly...eating grass before the carnival.

Lainey used 2 of her tickets on face-painting...beautiful!

We waited a long time for the face painting, but she sure did a good job.

Our little princess, Sophie!

Who doesn't enjoy some good Cotton Candy!?!

Another 2 tickets on Sandy Candy...gotta love spending money on colored sugar!  Why can't I think of these ideas?  :)

Helping at Lainey's insect day with Sophie and Sawyer.  FUN!  We volunteered to bring chunks of sod from our yard; it was eye-opening for us too to find some unwelcomed creatures in the soil.  :)

Lainey and the kids pulling out some earthworms!

The kids and I were back in the afternoon to help with a pizza/book party!

Lainey was the only Kindergartener out of all 6 Kindergarten classes to perform solo at her school talent show.  She choreographed and performed a dance routine all by herself!  This was a proud mama moment for sure!  :)

1st Day/Augst 2009   -     Last Day/May 2010

That evening we had a neighborhood end of school year firepit/party.  There was hoola-hooping, riding bikes, lots of laughing and running around and of course.....

SMORES!