Wishing for pics...

I'm currently wishing that we had brought the camera with us yesterday, but still extremely thankful for all the wonderful memories made, just the same. :)

Adam told us all to get some comfy clothing on and then, in classic Adam style, he took us all out for a day of adventure and fun. :D (Which is why I married the man in the first place. Some of us are fun personified and others are along for the thrill of a lifetime...I'm the later! :p)

He started by taking us out to eat, nothing fancy, but lots of laughing. Then off to our local nature center for a 1.1 mile hike through the woods...strolling down by the river and over fallen logs...so many bugs that the girls ran, while Adam and I soaked in the bits of sun pouring through the overhead canopy of trees. It was so beautiful. In another season, we will be heading back to do this much more often!

Then we hopped in the mini-van and were off to the most beautiful spot by the river, I have ever been. No other people were around...a lovely deck, strong wind...blue skies with lots of sun, gave way to skipping rocks and talking as a family for over 2 hours. Sitting on the edge of larger rocks, splashing our feet and dreaming out-loud.

Off to the mall to shop for an hour and then grabbing some fresh pretzels on our way out to the car we all waited patiently for the fireworks to begin. And WOW! They lasted a full 27 minutes (which is the longest we've experienced the whole time we've lived here) ending in the most amazing display of grandeur. One right after another...they seemed like they were exploding straight over head. Such fun!

The best memories to be written down, talked about and remembered for a lifetime. This is what living is all about. Not all the hype you see on tv, but rather movement, laughter and love. Happy 4th of July everyone and much, much LOVE! (((HUGS)))

End of the Year Shows

Well, the end of this school year has been a bit of a blur, but a lot of fun. :D Sam had a Jazz Band performance at the Norwood Green. Sam and Alex were both in the Heritage Festival. (Sam marched while Alex played at the Arena.) Then there was a Jazz Band show at the art exhibit downtown and Alex's final band recital at the High School. Phew! We made it! Summer here we come. :p

Sam's 8th Grade Band Recital

Here are just some of the 45 pics and 8 videos I took the other night at Sammie's last band recital in the Jr High. Can you believe we almost have a High Schooler on our hands!?!?!? :O

She did so great! (Sorry about the order of these shots...blogging just isn't what it used to be with my work schedule now, but I still try to share. :D) Here is where Sammie played (yes, with the sunglasses on...LOL...) during the Jazz Band performance. She got to play a solo this time, Misty (Mr. Alderson played on the piano and the others came in as accompaniment. One person came up afterwards and said I should put it on youtube as it made her father next to her cry.
Bryan, (which Sam informed me I spelled wrong in the last post) helped bring over all the necessary equipment, so, he was already there when we arrived.
They were all preparing for the evenings events when Bryan walked over and asked, "Sam, can I borrow a pick? I forgot mine." He grinned and she pulled one of two that she always has on her belt loop off. He gave it back at the end of the night after a smoking performance! :D
Then Sammie moved up to play with the full band and did an equally wonderful job. They all sounded great!


I followed everyone out back afterwards and snapped a few more pics. Good times, great memories. (So glad I could be there and share in Sam's joy with Alex by my side to giggle with.) :)

Sam's 8th Grade Spring Formal

I showed up with Sam just a few minutes early to get pics of her friends as they arrived before the dance started. This was such fun! Alex and I watched everyone arrive in their pretty clothes.
One of Sammie's best friends right now is Brian. He showed up with a rose and necklace for her.
Another great friend is Jen...she arrived after I took the pic of everyone else. Then there is Callie, but she always comes 20 minutes late...I never manage to get a picture of her. But I saw her at the end and she looked lovely as every too! :) Fun teen moments.

Alex's 5th Grade Band/Chorus Concert

Last night Alex had her first band and chorus concert. She was so great! She plays the flute very well and I was smiling ear to ear when I watched her sing and dance. Amazing job honey! What a great night. :D At the end, Alex's feet hurt so much that her big sister carried her into the house! Good times.

Easter Egg Hunting...teen style

At 11 am, Sam finally awoke and the girls headed out for some good ol' fashion egg hunting. :p Sam strode around slowly, while Alex ran everywhere trying to find them all first. We discovered, after I looked around myself, that one of our local animals must have run off with an egg again. :D We usually lose a few to the animals in the field next to us...it was nice to see some things never change.

Easter Morning

It's Easter morning and what a beauty of a day! The girls are going to go hunt for their eggs when they awake and then we will plant some new flowers in the front yard.

Adam and I agreed that the Easter Baskets would end this year. Ok, Adam said, "Sam will be driving in two years...and still getting easter baskets????" Putting this in perspective for me...LOL...I went shopping with them yesterday for some new flowers.

Walking around all the flowers the girls both said how it reminded them of Grandma. I completely agreed. Grandma=garden. :) Happy thoughts of family bounced between us as we shopped for just the right flowers. We picked out Sam's fav at the moment, Pansies.

The girls felt their first kiss of the sun this week and so I invested in an aloe plant. :0

Sam & Alex have fallen in love with cacti as well. Each purchased a small potted one and today we will repot them in larger pots and water once a week. In the hopes that they will sprout their brightly colored blooms at least once!

With birds chirping and skies of blue, we will bring even more life to our yard and home this day. Thank you Jesus for this celebration of life, that always begins with you! :)

(((HUGS))) and Kisses...Happy Easter!