Strawberry Picking!

Last week we headed out to go strawberry picking with the cousins! We actually had all 10 grand kids together for this adventure!

Here is Ellie and Timmy. I don't know why, but every time I took Ellie's picture she posed and said Captain America! 

Here is Ellie and Katie Mae.

Look at all those strawberries!!!!

We had perfect weather that day.  We actually wore jackets, because it was a little cool.

Anderson and Austin walking to go get their strawberries.

Wow, I'm actually in a picture!  My sister took this one!  Again, Ellie posing like Captain America!  Sometimes I would like to have a glimpse of what goes on in her mind.  On a side note, I asked her the other day to close her eyes and tell me of a beautiful place.  She told me that she saw a smoothie place where she was the maker.  Have I ever mentioned that she likes to eat???? 

Running in the fields!

My mom hired babysitters to watch the kids swim in the pool and us adults got to work to make jelly!  We had 4 bushels of strawberries.  My job was to cut all the stems off the strawberries. 

 Look at all these jams!  My mom said that we will really enjoy the jam this winter!

These two were determined to make a lot of jam!

We were determined to keep our cool with the madness that was happening all around us!  HA!  My sister and I can be a little up tight with ciaos!  We are a work in progress. 

Happy Father's Day!

Father's Day was yesterday and we spent the day honoring Daddy!  We went to church that morning with some tired kiddos.  The night before they went to see fireworks and didn't go to bed until 10:00 that night!  The kids graduated into their next Sunday School class.  Anderson and Avielle were over the moon about moving to the Kindergarten room!  I wasn't sure how Ellie would react with not having them in class with her.  I was shocked to see that she was okay with it and she just told me that it was all alright since her friend Brynnie was with her.  :)  YAY!  

So after Great America we headed to Ryan's favorite place, Great America!  I know shocking!  That place gives me anxiety!  It was really hot yesterday, so we headed to the water park.  We had fun getting wet! (Well the rest of the family did.  I try to stay dry!)  It was surprisingly not too crowded for a weekend.     

Then we headed home and got ready for a really home cooked meal!  HA!  Well, not really!  Chevy and I had salads from Wendy's and the kids had frozen waffles with strawberries and apples.  The special part about our dinner is that we sat outside and all the kids got dressed up and served us dinner!  They just loved the part of serving us dinner. 

 Here Avielle is pouring us drinks.  The kids made cards for daddy. 

Then I got a picture of "his" many arrows!  :) 

"Sons (daughters) are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.  They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate." 

Then we played SPUD!

Next, it was time to frost our cupcakes.

Daddy had the first one! 

Then we laughed...

laughed......

laughed....

We were listening to music as we were outside.  On Pandora we heard the song, "Dancing In the Minefields" by Andrew Peterson.  Chevy and I started dancing together as the kids just laughed at us!  It was such a special moment and as we danced I just felt so blessed to have a wonderful husband and 3 special kiddos.

Happy Father's Day, Ryan!  Thank you for choosing daily to be an amazing father to our 3 blessings.  I know that when each of our children came into the world they each had a dramatic story, but you always kept your cool and your eyes on the Lord.  Thank you for our 3 children and thank you for being my husband!  We love you! 

I have 2 Kindergarteners!

Avi and Anderson had a little program/graduation last week!  I truly can't believe how fast time flies!  I remember when they were babies and I just wished I could see what they would look like in a few years and know what their little personalities would be.  I can't believe that the time is already here!  I'm so blessed by them and couldn't be prouder of who they are and who they have become!

This little lady was waiting patiently for the program to start.  Daddy got her this yummy sucker. 

Avi and Anderson got a surprise from their cousin Kaylin who came to their program.  Avi spotted her in the crowd and during her song she gave her a big smile and wave!

Avielle with her friend Lily!

Anderson with his best bud Kyle! 

Here are the Kindergartners! 

This is their teacher Mrs. Dillon!  We just love her!  I taught with Kathy years ago (6 years.)  I'm so blessed that she was able to be my kiddos teacher!  :) 

Cousins! 

Here is their teacher Mrs. Dillon!  The kids had a great year and just loved school!  They were in afternoon preschool and I never heard them upset about going.  I absolutely loved afternoon preschool!!!!  I was able to do so many errands in the afternoon.  They made great friends this year and they are definitely ready for Kindergarten!

MAE J. VANDER SCHAAF

I wanted to share my Grammie's Obituary with you.  She truly is a wonderful woman.  Just click on the link below. 

MAE J. VANDER SCHAAF Obituary: View MAE SCHAAF's Obituary by Chicago Suburban Daily Herald

Silly Snack!

 The other day the kids were hungry for snacks.  I felt a little creative and thought, lets make a fun snack.  Here it is! 

They thought it was the best!  HA!  Love the smiles!  I love how sometimes the little things they so appreciate!

Building Chicago, Box Style!

My husband has been out of town for the last 5 days!  Yes, I am surviving!  Kelli was also husbandless this weekend and we took the kids to Mitch's for dinner.  Mitch's is a regular hotdog place that we go.  I was placing my order and the cook came up and said hi to me.  He knows Chevy.  Then he proceeded to ask me where my husband was at.  I said he is on a guys golfing trip.  Then he said, "Well it is about time!  He is always here with the kids and without you.  Seems like he always has the kids."  I was quite shocked and thought that it was pretty funny.  Now, to my defensive almost any time that Chevy has the kids he takes them to Mitch's.  :)

We have kept busy and I find that sometimes doing projects is fun and pasts time quickly.  It also helps the 3 of kids not to fight!  HA!

I got this idea from a friend from Michigan, Meeghan, who posted this on Facebook.  We collected boxes, which didn't take long to accumulate and made towers with them.  We recently went to Chicago to visit our friends the Lymans.  My kids absolutely LOVE Chicago and they had so much fun telling me everything they knew about Chicago.    

Before we started the project the kids were outside in the sprinkler.  Yesterday it was super hot and that is why they are in their swim suites!!!!

Avielle made a park

Then we displayed them on our train table. We actually didn't get to all of the boxes! 

Of coarse we needed to put Uncle Jake, Aunt Shari, and Katie Grace's tower!!!!

Then the kids got out all their little figurines to populate the city!  They had a lot of fun with this project and being creative.  Thanks for the idea Meeghan!

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!!!!  I know it has been a while since I last posted.  Blogger changed their format and so I'm learning a new way to make a post!  

 I had a wonderful Mother's Day with my family.  I woke up to breakfast in bed from the kiddos and Chevy.  I received a lot of sweet homemade gifts from my little ones.  They have been so excited all week to give them to me!  The kids and Chevy made me a photo album and put lots of pictures in it.  At first it bugged me that there was no order to all the pictures, but then I realized that each picture has its own special memory and it doesn't need any order.  

  We went to church that morning and I was overcome with joy and thankfulness to be a mommy to 3 wonderful children that I so deeply prayed for.   I am also so thankful to have my wonderful husband!  He made the day so special!!!!

 After church we went to my parent's house.  My dad got this yummy cake and all the mom's names on it! 

 Cousins Ellie and Katie Mae

 The day was absolutely beautiful and Kaeden enjoyed running through the lawn. 

       My sister Jenny and her husband Jay with Penelope

Anderson

                                                            Ellie throwing rocks in the lake.

                                          My sister Jamie!  Doesn't she have beautiful blue eyes!

Okay here is a family picture!  Not the best, but we are all in it together!  Thank you to my 9 year nephew who took the pic.

                                                                             My 2 oldest!

                                                             Cousins Austin and Timmy

 Here are the girls with GG!  I received a sad call today!  GG is in the hospital and they found her unresponsive this morning.  She is at Condell right now and they put a ventilator in.  Could you please pray for my Grammie?  She is 87 years old and she means the world to me.  She has been a spiritual influence to me and my family. 

Baby Jonathan!