Memorial Day Get Together

We had a great time hanging out with our family at a park in Hillsboro. This park has fun playground equipment that we haven't seen anywhere else. It also has some nice turf soccer fields, basketball courts, a fountain, etc. We had a parents vs. the kids soccer game. Unfortunately, the parents lost 5-4, but we gave it our best shot! We missed having Conner with us since he was at the beach with his friend for the weekend. He just got home, and it's great to have him back!

Marathon Birthday Party

We just finished McKenzie's 30-hour birthday party. She and a friend decided to do a joint birthday party since their birthdays are one day apart. The first weekend that all 6 girls could get together for a party was this weekend - even though their birthdays were almost a month ago. The party included 5 hours of shopping at the mall (including playing hide-and-go-seek in JC Penny's and "planking" (laying totally still, face down on the floor in a public place!), cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory, a sleepover at McKenna's house, a trip to the movies, and then to church. Everyone wanted to go out for dinner afterwards, so we took all of them with us for dinner. McKenzie had a great time with her amazing friends - they are all such sweet girls. She will really miss not going to school with them next year. Two of her friends made her the most incredible scrapbook of their many years of friendship. McKenzie is a very lucky girl to have so many great friends!

Happy Birthday, Conner!

Conner turned 15 yesterday! We did a small celebration yesterday by Peter taking him and some of his friends out for frozen yogurt. Then we had Kelsey's piano recital, went out for McDonald's, and then had Kelsey's softball game! Conner had a sleepover at a friend's house with 5 of his friends. He played basketball for a few hours and played lots of video game. We celebrated tonight by going out for dinner at Red Robin and then eating our favorite chocolate cake. On Monday he is going golfing with Grandma which he is really looking forward to. Conner is really growing up to be a very kind, respectful, and tender hearted person. He adores his sisters and is so good to them (most of the time...). It is hard to believe that we have a 15 year-old who is now old enough to drive!

Outdoor School

Kelsey went to outdoor school last week and had a good time overall. After she told me about how badly the cabins smelled, how a lady grabbed her shirt and pulled her down into her chair, all the "grafitti" on the walls, and having to clean the boys' bathroom, I got to hear about the fun parts. She went on a night hike without a flashlight and got to chew mints and watch sparks fly out of each other's mouths. She loved the campfire songs, the high school counselors, and being with her friends. We were all so excited for her to come home - we missed her a ton! The house sure is a lot different without her.

Wonderful Mother's Day

We had a great day yesterday celebrating Mother's Day. My most favorite part was receiving very thoughtful cards from each of the kids and a very nice card from Peter. This is the first year the kids really took the time to express themselves - it was a nice surprise. Peter made a delicious dinner - steak, asparagus, and baked potatoes. Kelsey made chocolate cake with homemade frosting. Peter and I went on a walk and then watched "The King's Speech." It was a nice, relaxing evening!

Happy Mother's Day!

It's time to celebrate an incredibly amazing person - my mom! When I think about this past year since our last mother's day, I think about a year filled with time spent with our family, due to your unending generosity. You have hosted a game day, taken us on a vacation to Eagle Crest, hosted Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve celebrations, made my 40th birthday extra special, taken us on a girls' getaway to the coast, and taken the entire family to Olivia Beach for a vacation. In addition to planning tons of fun times together as a family, you take the time to connect with each of us in a very special way. This past week, you were the only spectator at Conner's golf tournament, as you walked all nine holes with him! He was SO happy to have you there, and I believe he won the nine-hole tournament because of your support. Thank you for calling us to check in with us during the week, for bringing by magazines and special treats when we're sick, for going to my doctor's appointment with me, for watching our sporting events even in the rain, and for all the countless other things you do. Every single day I feel grateful for your love and am so thankful that I get to call YOU my mom! I love you!