First Communion!

Ella made her first communion last Saturday.  We are so proud of her and all her hard work leading up to this day.  We were lucky to have Grandma and Grandpa, AC and Al, Christy and Kylie, and Dana, Hannah and Caleb join us for her special day.  They had a special mass for all of the kids receiving their first communion which was beautiful.  The church then had a cake and punch reception afterwards and we followed that with lunch at our house for everyone.  It was a very special day! 

Ella with her school and church friends, Jessie and Ava. 

A Hiking We Will Go!

The second grade field trip this year was to Runge Conservation Center in Jefferson City.  Ella and I had never been so we were excited to go exploring.  Ella was in a group with three of her friends and two of their moms.  We spent the morning hiking the trails.  The girls had a scavenger hunt they were following on our hike and were able to cross everything off of their list.  
After a morning of exploring, we headed indoors for a presentation by a conservation agent.  She was a great speaker and taught the kids all about food chains and food webs.  They really enjoyed it and learned a lot.  After the presentation we headed back outside for a picnic lunch.  Following lunch we had about forty-five minutes to explore and do another scavenger hunt inside the conservation center.  We had a great time in the great outdoors and learning more about the outdoors inside. 
Ella left with me from the field trip and we took advantage of a little time we had to hit up a favorite in Jefferson City, Central Dairy.  It is another place we had never been but always heard about so we wanted to give it a try.  It is an ice-cream shop where we each ordered smalls but got huge cones and enjoyed a cold treat after all our hiking.  One of Ella's friends also happened to be their with her mom and brother so we got to share our time with friends.  It was a fun way to end her field trip.  

Ella showing the worm she dug up to find an animal that lives underground. 

Our field trip group posing for a picture.

The conservation agent is letting the kids look at a red tailed hawk nest he found. 

We found the girls' teacher, Mrs. Howard, and stopped for a picture. 

Ella climbing down from the fire tower. 

The kids loved the hole in this tree trunk.  Ella and Aubrey climbed in together. 

Enjoying our ice-cream at Central Dairy!

The fire tower we climbed. 

His Banner Over Me Is Love

As we were heading upstairs at church to make Ella's first communion banner the bible school song from when I was younger kept running through my head.  "He brought us all to his banqueting table, His banner over me is love."  The banners that the kids made that night were beautiful.  They showed their own unique styles and choices and they hung over our heads on Saturday as we entered the church to greet us for the childrens' first communion mass.  A mass where He did bring us all, and especially these amazing children, to his banqueting table.  Ella and I both enjoyed working together on her banner.  I think it shows her personality and style perfectly with lots of purple and a little bling.  We have enjoyed seeing it hanging at mass as we walk in each week and it will hang in her room as a wonderful keepsake of this special day.  

Lock-In

Sam went to a lock-in with eleven other kids from EDGE, the middle school youth group at our church.  The lock-in was held at our church and supervised by Emily, our youth director and college volunteers.  The middle schoolers arrived around eight Friday night and I picked Sam up at 8 the next morning.  The lock-in had a balloon theme.  Ella and I  stuck around as they played with balloons and had a shaving cream filled balloon fight. Ella even got in on the action.  Then Ella and I headed home while Sam played more games, snacked, went on a scavenger hunt around the church and watched movies.  He won the award for the middle schooler who stayed up the latest.  He had a great time and was amazingly not that cranky after very little sleep.  

Playing with the balloons as they wait for everyone to arrive.

It's a little hard to see, but they are lined up to start the shaving cream in balloons fight. 

Rock Bridge or Hogwarts?

It was book character day at Ella's school and she decided to dress as Hermione from the Harry Potter series.  Two of her friends dressed up as characters from the books too as well as a many other kids at her school.  Ella enjoyed pretending to be a wizard for the day! 

Our Triumphant Holy Day!

We woke on Easter morning at our own house and the kids began the search for their baskets.  After a little looking they found their goodies and were happy with what the Easter bunny had delivered.  Then it was time to get ready and head to mass.  While we arrived much earlier than on a normal Sunday we were one of the last ones to get a seat, so we will have to remember next year to arrive much earlier if we are going to Newman. It was absolutely packed with people lining the walls around 3/4 of the church.  
After mass we headed to Kansas City, and after meeting Savannah, we went to my mom and dad's house to celebrate Easter.  Unfortunately, John had to work so wasn't able to travel with us.  We had a delicious lunch then Scott and I hid the eggs for the annual egg hunt.  The kids had a fun time finding them and Cameron was really cute running around and picking up the eggs. The weather was great so the kids were able to play outside and enjoy their time with cousins.  It was a busy but wonderful day. 

Ella decorating eggs a few days before Easter. 

The finished products from artists Ella, Sam and Jen.

All dressed and ready for mass. 

Cousin photo

Emma and Sam racing for eggs!

The little ones get to start in the back yard. 

Ella got quite the haul. 

Sam pausing from hunting for a photo. 

Kylie has found the bubble wands.

Goodies in the basket from the Easter  bunny. 

Meeting Miss Savannah

Miss Savannah August was born on March 22nd.  Sam was hoping that she would be born on his birthday but she was just a few days late.  He was excited though that they would not only be sharing a birthday month, but a middle name.  August is a family name on Lauren's side of the family.  
We finally got a chance to meet Savannah on April 5th.  She is absolutely precious!  Neither Ella or I wanted to stop holding her and felt we could have stayed for hours with her in our arms.  Sam also took a turn holding her and enjoyed the chance to meet her.  Both Lauren and Brian seem to be handling parenthood with ease.  We were so happy to welcome her in person to our family.  

Confirmation Day!

Sunday was Caleb's confirmation day.  We went over to Kelly and Dana's house that morning for some breakfast.   Then it was time for the Lowes to head to the church while we finished getting ready.  We met them there for the ceremony.  We were so glad to be able to be there for Caleb's big day.  There were a few sad moments missing Kevin on this special day but we know he was there with us in spirit.  
Caleb's ceremony was followed with lunch and a presentation in the church hall.  It was a long day but one we wouldn't have missed for anything.  After a few pictures and some more lunch at Dana's house it was time to head back to Columbia.  We are so proud of the young man Caleb is becoming and can not wait to see what his future holds. 

Strikes, Spares, Steaks and Sushi

The second weekend of spring break we headed back to Rogersville.  We spent Saturday afternoon hanging out at the Lowe's house then we spent the evening hanging out with the bigger Lowe family.  Kurt and Kelly had come up with a plan to go bowling and to Nakato, a Japanese steakhouse, for dinner so we joined in on the fun.  First, we all met at Lighthouse Lanes for some bowling.  There was a little competitive fire going on, on one of the lanes which was fun to watch. Luckily our lane was pretty laid back because we haven't bowled in a while and none of us scored that well.  Then, it was time to head to the restaurant.  John had never been but the kids and I were excited to return for some delicious food and entertainment.  At Nakato, they cook the food table side so it is always fun to watch and talk to the cook as they prepare your meal.  They also serve sushi which some of our group members enjoyed.  The food was delicious and the company was fun.  It was a wonderful evening. 

The younger kids at their table at Nakato.

Setting up the scoreboard

Ella and Keena having fun bowling. 

Big Cedar Monday

The second day at Big Cedar was full of more adventures.  The kids and I started off the morning with nine holes of miniature golf and a walk.  Then we decided to enjoy the beautiful, warm weather with lunch on the patio of a cafe overlooking the lake.  After that we headed back to the cabin to get John.  We all took a trip into town to buy some steak and potatoes that John was going to cook for dinner that evening.  
We spent our afternoon on paddle boats, which were a lot harder than they looked.  We definitely got in quite the workout pedaling all around the cove.  Then Ella and I headed out on another hike.  There was a bridge and waterfall that we saw on our way out of the resort that I wanted to see more closely.  They were beautiful and we got some good pictures.  The kids then decided it was time for the pool.  With the warm weather and the heated water they said it felt great.  I sat out and enjoyed reading while listening to them laugh and play.  Then it was home for dinner on the deck and a movie.  Big Cedar has a dvd library and you can borrow movies for the night as part of your stay.  We enjoyed We are Marshall and called it a night.  

Ella and Sam on the miniature golf course. 

Our lunch view

My cute paddle boat partner! 

Enjoying a dip in the pool!