Happy Father's Day...

We are headed out in the morning to spend some time with both of our families in Ohio. We are spending a few nights with Mike's brother in Bowling Green and then a few nights with my family in Toledo. We are hitting all of the Northwest Ohio hot spots with the highlight being a day at Cedar Point! I'm excited to go and show it to the kids. It is soooo long ago that I spent a summer there working. What a summer!

Tomorrow is Father's Day and I hope all the Dad's out there have a wonderful day. I have to say that my kids hit the bonanza, the numero uno, the savior of all Dad's when they got Mike as their Daddy. I know that there are a lot of really great Dad's out there in the world, heck some of you reading this know of your own, but Mike is hands down first class when it comes to being a Dad. His children absolutely adore him and he gives it 110%. I know at the end of the day he can be really tired but he still puts his best foot forward for his kids.

Michael, we love you and hope you know how much we appreciate all you do for our family! You ROCK!

A huge thank you...

A few weeks ago we had some friends over to celebrate Molly and Amanda's birthday's. It was a fun time and Mr. Shook and I decided instead of gifts we would like to try something different. We asked our friends to bring new and unopened craft and art supplies so we could donate them to the local Children's Hospital. It was a hit and we got so much great stuff. The kids and I dropped them off today...











We owe a huge thank you to The Sullivan's, The Majors', The Bair's, The Tewksbury's, The Hall's, The Grieder's and The Anderson's for helping us to make the donation such a success! We all help make a huge difference today!

It's hard for me to believe that a year ago today Molly was having her last surgery that corrected all the kidney and ureter problems that she had been having. Kind of ironic that I realized that as I was getting ready to drive to the hospital. These fun supplies will bring lots of smiles to some very sick and scared children. I think we will need to make this a yearly thing.

Thank you everyone!! Thank you friends!!

The new pool...

We started swimming lessons this past week for Cameron and Molly. They both have done lessons with parent (Mike!) before in Michigan but we hadn't done any yet here in Morton. Last year when Molly had surgery in June we were not allowed to get in a pool until mid-August or in other words, after all the summer fun had passed. We are taking advantage of the new pool that opened up over Memorial Day here in town. It is very nice and will provide lots of fun!

While Cam and Molly are taking their lesson I am able to take Amanda in the kiddie part of the pool which has a fun water area. Here are some pictures from our last visit...





One of the fun things about the swimming lessons is the chance to jump off the diving board at the end. My girl needed a little coaxing but she did it! I got a few pictures from that...







We hope to enjoy more times at the cool pool!

Amanda Halle...

Today my baby turned 3. It seems just like yesterday that Mike and I drove uneventfully to the hospital for Amanda to be born. When you have a scheduled c-section there isn't much drama to it. It was a typical c-section birth for a not so typical baby. She has always been a spit fire, opinionated, afraid of very little and attached to her Mommy and Daddy's side. Some of you may remember just a year ago when I tried to leave her in the nursery so I could help at our church's vacation bible school. Amanda wanted very little to do with that. I don't get very far out of her sight yet I have left her with several friends without any problems. I think there are a few of you out there that have warmed to her little heart.

I knew from an instant that I was pregnant with this little one. I could just tell in my heart. I dreamt that she was a little girl even before we were able to find out. I can't imagine our lives without this little girl. Even if she is giving me more gray hairs daily! You absolutely give the best hugs I have ever had!

I love you Miss Amanda!

Who couldn't love this adorable face??...







I know you were brought to us for a reason and I thank God every day for that. As I tell your sister all the time I hope you are always known for being a nice girl who is friends with everyone. That will get you very far in life.

Happy birthday, my little one!

What a start to summer!!...

It has been one busy week here in Morton, IL!

It started on Tuesday with a garage sale at my house for us and my friend, Diane. The town we live in has the most interesting (strange!!) garage sale days. Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday mornings. We opened the doors at 1 on Tuesday and within the first 20 minutes I had made my first $100. Yes! Bye-bye Co-sleeper, sit and stand stroller, double stroller, booster chair, one single stroller, and lots of clothes! It feels good to have purged a little.

Thursday started a 3 day bonanza of Molly's dance recital. It is a fun, but exhausting, 3 days. Thursday is the rehearsal and Friday and Saturday evening are the performances. Here's a few pics from that...







On Sunday we had over some friends and their kiddos to celebrate the girl's birthday's. It was fun and the perfect reason to get out the slip and slide!






Then on Monday night we took the kids to a kid fun run at Proctor Hospital in Peoria. They have a quarter mile walking path that they allow the Illinois Valley Striders (Mr. Shook is a member) to use and host a run for kids. All 3 kiddos did it and it was a perfect way to celebrate Amanda's b-day!







We really have kicked off the summer good here! Hope you are enjoying lots of fun things at your house!