Biking, biking, visiting, and running this summer

Camping 2016

We tried a new camping venue this year for our annual trip with Grandma Deni--Indiana Dunes State Park. It was a big hit with everyone. Great campsite, beautiful beach and a fun time overall.  Delaney rode her bike nonstop, even while wearing her princess nightgrown and kitten helmet. It was adorable. Brinnly learned more campfire techniques and all the girls loved riding in the back of the truck. Jonathan and Carrigan even completed the 3 Dune Challenge Hike! We could have done without the middle of the night lightening, but we're not ones to let that get us down. Maybe next year we'll even let the twins join us for more of the trip.

Ten-to-Ten

Our family doesn't do sleepovers, but we all agreed that ten years old is a milestone birthday to celebrate. So we created a 10 am to 10 pm birthday party for Mali this year. Her friends came over after church to hang out and prep for the rest of the day. We then headed to a gymnastics studio for the main event  (we had won a party from there at a charity auction with Jonathan's work) and a quick lunch. So much fun! The studio had a party limit of 16 guests so the younger girls each brought a friend along too. (Thanks to Grandma Sandy and Grandpa for watching the twins during their naptime!) All the girls loved it. We used up any remaining energy they had with a trip to the Tosa Pool that even the twins got to enjoy.  The birthday girl had requested a baked potato bar for dinner that night after that as well as Italian Ice for her treat. The big girls all collapsed in front of a movie until the 10 pm pick-up time arrived. It was a busy but sweet and fun day for our girl. She is SUCH a celebrating-personality that it was great to watch her plans all fall into place. And someday soon we hope to listen to her play her new guitar!

Ten!

Our own Amalia June Ward is ten years old! How is that even possible? That sweet seven-pound, ten-ounce girl that we met a decade ago is well on her way to grown up. She is a blessing and a delight to all of us, with an individual personality of her own. This year was her first chance to play on the school basketball and volleyball teams and she loved everything about the experiences. She has yet to score any points, but leads her teams in hustle and positive attitude. She's still a die-hard Pittsburgh sports fan and is now allowed to stay up late to watch any games with her daddy. She's a strong swimmer and hasn't met a water slide she doesn't like. But she has absolutely no use for running for fun, as much as her mama would like her to. She has a big heart and is excellent around her babies, and hates missing them. She dreams of being a home ec teacher or pastry chef or dress designer someday but we hope she uses her God-given gift of planning activities in some manner. Mal-Doll, we love you so very much. Thanks for teaching us how to be parents and loving others with your gift of time. You are such a gift to us!

40!

Happy 40th Anniversary to my mom and dad. I am abundantly blessed to be their daughter. What a lovely example they are of love and dedication!

(Here's a few shots of our celebratory family dinner)

Last Days of School

I cannot believe that we now have kiddos in 5th, 4th, 2nd, and PK4! The big girls all wrapped up their school year last week with a beautiful closing Chapel service. At the end of the service, each grade is called up by their teacher to receive their report cards and individual awards were also given. Carrigan received a ribbon for breaking the 1st grade record in the 400-meter at Track and Field Day. Brinnly received her class's prize for highest number of AR points. Mali missed that award by a few last-minute points to one of her good friends, but blew away her own goal for AR. I'm proud of them all for their effort this year.

We celebrated with an afternoon trip the pool and enjoyed hot sun, warm water, icy root beer, and carmel brownie ice cream. The babies played along sometimes in the water, sometimes in the sand nearby and even snoozed in the stroller. We look forward to more days like this!