Tennis!

Sam is playing tennis this summer at our club. He is enjoying himself. On Fridays, they have matches against other clubs. They play doubles and the coaches do the serving. It is just to get them practice hitting back and forth to each other and have some fun.

Kiawah Island

The kids and I in the ocean.

Ella was very excited about her sand castle.

Sam would dig and just throw the sand everywhere.

John and Ella the first night. We had to see the beach!

When John got a brochure in the mail to go to the UNC refresher course at Kiawah Island I was excited and thinking this would be a good way to see our friends the Finleys and get back on the Carolina coast. John thought it would be a good conference and a way to see people too. It also helped that The Kiawah Island resort has five golf courses. One of those courses has even hosted the Ryder Cup and will soon host the PGA Championship.

Kiawah Island was beautiful! The beaches were not crowded at all. The sand was nice and the water was warm! The kids and I spent our days at the beach, the pool and the playground. John spent mornings at his conference and then two afternoons playing golf and one afternoon with us at the beach.

Both kids had a great time at the ocean digging in the sand. Sam was very adventurous and I often had to tell him to come back closer to shore. He was excited to rent a boogie board and surf the waves. Ella loved the sand but when in the water was a little less adventurous. She would not venture very far without wanting to be picked up and carried. She liked it though as long as she was being held.

John's highlight was the golf. He got to play the Ocean Course and couldn't stop talking about how beautiful it was. I think my big highlight was the first morning we went to the beach. There were dolphins just off of the shore. You could see them clearly jumping out of the water. I have wanted to take a dolphin cruise before to see dolphins and here they were giving me a show for free. It was amazing! We all had a nice time and would like to return sometime.

Charleston

Meredith, Alan, Hannah, Ella, Caroline, John, Jen and Sam in the fountain.

Traci, Caroline and me at Waterfront Park

Sam, Ella and John outside the South Carolina Aquarium.

We left last Tuesday for a trip to South Carolina. Tuesday evening when we arrived we went straight to visit our friend Traci and her three little girls.  Alan, was away at a conference but he and John were able to catch up on the phone that night.  We finally got to meet their daughter, Caroline. She was adorable.  I was also amazed at how much Hannah and Meredith had grown in the last two years. We enjoyed a delicious dinner that Traci prepared and caught up while the kids played.  It felt like we picked up right where we had left off the last time we saw each other.  

The Finleys have a beautiful house in Mt. Pleasant, outside of Charleston. It is the style of home that John and I would love. The problem is that style is not what is being built in Springfield, Missouri. We took lots of pictures of their house in case we decide to build our own someday.

On Wednesday, we all went to the South Carolina Aquarium and Waterfront Park. My kids loved the aquarium and enjoyed seeing all the new things. Hannah and Meredith were being a little shy that morning but warmed up when we got to the park. All of the kids loved splashing around in the large pineapple fountain! We had such a nice time with our friends it was hard to leave to head to Kiawah Island for John's conference the next day.

Field Day

Sam (above) and Ella (below) in the black hawk helicopter.

Sam waiting in line & doing one of the relays during field day

The day before school gets out is always Field Day at Sam's school. I wanted to volunteer to help out this year but that is hard to do since I always have Ella. So, my wonderful Mom came down the day ahead and watched Ella so that I could help.

I got put in charge of finding volunteers and running the bowling game. I think I have now discovered how I got stuck with bowling (no one else wanted to do it). To work the bowling game you are constantly bending over and setting up pins for hours. Let me just say my hamstrings were screaming the next day! I think next year I will get my request in for a different game early.

I did really enjoy volunteering. I especially enjoyed seeing Sam interact with his classmates, although I didn't get to see that much of him. Sam also likes when I am up at school and I want to take advantage of that before he gets to the age that he doesn't want his mom around anymore.

My Mom and Ella came up to school at lunchtime and had lunch with Sam and his class. They stuck around and watched a few games and went and toured the black hawk helicopter that they had at school that day. I think everyone had a wonderful time.

Weekend at the Lake

Cooper checking out everything.

The kids on the merry go round

We spent Memorial Day Weekend with the Poor family at North Fork Lake. The boys all went out fishing Saturday morning but didn't catch too many fish. Sam had a good time being out on the boat though and having some guy time. That afternoon we went for a drive, a hike and to a playground. The plan was to play miniature golf but the place was not open, which seemed strange to us for a Saturday afternoon. The kids had a fun time anyway. We went home to a yummy steak dinner and called it an early night.

Sunday John and Jason went out fishing again while Jenny and I watched the kids. They had a great time playing in the pool and the sandbox. It was a nice weekend and the Poors were great hosts.

Awards Assembly

Sam after the awards assembly

Sam's school has an awards assembly at the end of the school year. The kindergarten, first and second graders all receive some sort of award from their teacher. Awards are also handed out for attendance and fitness.

Now let me say that some awards sound much better than others. After nine years of teaching (and I don't even know if you need that) you know what most energetic really means. It means your kid drives me crazy because he can't sit still! It is nice though for all the kids to get an award and interesting to see the award that your child and his friends receive.

Luckily, Sam's award is one that I don't think can be said any other way. Sam got the award this year for being the most helpful. I don't know, maybe he tells the other kids the answers or something but I'm pretty sure that is not it. He can be a very helpful kid. He is, and always has, been worried about taking care of others. That is such an admirable character trait and makes his mom so proud of him. Congrats Sam!

Field Trip

Ella and I stopped for ice-cream on the way home!

Tatum and Sam on the teeter-totters

Colton and Sam on the merry go round

Sam's class went on a field trip to the Jubilee Theater in Marshfield, Missouri. They saw a puppet show and made their own puppets. There was not enough room for all parents to attend so I took Ella and met Sam and his class at the park in Marshfield for lunch and play time.

A new park is always an adventure and the kids had an absolute blast. It was a warm, sunny day and almost a little too warm but they were full of energy and ran around for over an hour. Two little girls adopted Ella and took her around to all of the different equipment. I enjoyed watching Sam interact with all of his school friends. It was a great afternoon!

Mr. and Mrs. Paine!

Jon and Laura after the ceremony

The cousin pic we take at each wedding.

The handsome ring bearer at dinner.

John and Ella on the dance floor.

Jon and Laura's wedding was beautiful! The ceremony took place on a nice sunny afternoon. The church was full of friends and family to witness the event. There was a lot of socializing before the wedding and I got to see a lot of my brother's friends that I hadn't seen in such a long time.

I was a little nervous about Ella making it down the aisle since she wouldn't talk to Laura or the bridesmaids while waiting and looked overwhelmed. Sam on the other hand was letting us know he was not nervous, he had done this before and was a "professional". When it was their turn they both walked down the aisle and did a great job. Then it was Laura's turn. Jon got a little teary as Laura walked down the aisle causing Christy and I to do the same. They both looked great and the ceremony went off perfectly.

After the wedding the wedding party headed off in a trolley for more pics around town. The reception followed that evening. The food was good and the party was a lot of fun! My kids had an amazing time literally dancing the night away. I think Sam danced to almost every song and Ella fell asleep on the dance floor. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Paine!

Jon & Laura's rehearsal

Laura, Grace and Jon

Ella and Sam practicing

John and Sam with John's gift

Ella and me with her jewelry box

The wedding party at the rehearsal.

On May 21st we had a great day with family getting ready for Jon and Laura's wedding! That morning the girls (and Sam) all met for brunch at First Watch in Kansas City. The breakfast was yummy and Laura looked excited that the day she had been planning was almost here. Laura's mom treated us to our yummy breakfast which was an unexpected treat. The boys spent their morning on the golf course and from all accounts had a fun time.

The rehearsal was that evening at the church and all went well. Ella and Sam did their jobs (ring bearer and flower girl) perfectly, although I was a little nervous how Ella would do the next day with a full church and many more unfamiliar faces.

The rehearsal was followed by a dinner at Wil Jenny's. I had never been there before but the food was yummy! Can I just say that I love spending time with my family. We all had a nice time eating and visiting and I enjoyed getting to know Laura's family and friends.

Jon and Laura had some wonderful gifts for everyone in the wedding. John got a framed picture and scorecard of Payne Stewart and for anyone who knows my husband they know that is the perfect gift. Sam got an engraved frame to put in a picture of the big wedding day which I know he will love to look at in his room. Ella got a ballerina jewelry box and a little pearl necklace and bracelet. She carried the jewelry box around the rest of the evening and wouldn't put it down for a second. I got a lovely candle too! I love how they really put thought into their gifts which made them so special. It was a great night!