From May right into busy June… our anniversary, my birthday, Father’s day, VBS and an extended cousins visit from Florida… oh and schooling and the first day of summer. If anything June is NEVER boring for this family.

We slipped some school in around the cousins, but for the most part this was a true summer break for the kids and school.

You never knew WHO was going to come to class… a princess, a batgirl… ever changing.

We pulled out the pool and dusted off the playset. With the cousins around there was lots to do around the house.

The boys were quick to settle down around the computers in the sub basement room.

Echo and I took advantage of the break from school and enjoyed the sun and quiet in the sunroom until the high point of the day when it was simply too warm to do so!

We managed to see our friends play soccer…

Go Evan!

Nathan watching his brother before HIS game

Go Nathan!

Found time for the beach…

Got to craft at a special Target event…

With the highlight of the cousin visit being a family trip to Mall of America for food AND rides in the amusement park! Thanks Nana and Baba!

Silly boys

Lego store too… of course!

Ken and I even snuck away to watch our god son (Anthony) play soccer.

With Aidan benched due to a bad concussion before school was out we made quite a few visits to their house for somewhat quiet, relaxed play.

Gavin and I went to one of Alex’s baseball games

and watched?

And somehow managed to sneak in a week of VBS with the church that runs the day care that Schwartz kids go to.

Party poppers

end of VBS dinner

We even had Aidan over for a sleepover.

The kids were enrolled in summer courses at the YMCA thanks to Nana and Baba. Zander took run club, Emanuel a cooking class, and Gavin and Trinity were in archery while miss Echo loved the daycare time.

Add to that the fun of preparing for an October wedding with my high school besty Shandai and I have to say… the most unusual month EVER! At least for this year.

SHAPE!

Tiny hats! Ready for the wedding

We fit in a second visit to the beach with the Schwartz boys and I even had a full sighting of the elusive “other cat” as Echo has termed her, while crafting with Renee.

And as the photos prove – I was never far from a crafting project. Sunshine and fresh air go best with crochet. I swear it!

There was a whole lot more to see… so be sure to follow on to the overflow post for the rest! Thank you for reminiscing with me, it was quite a month!

I am firmly remind that as the months pass so the kids grow. Where did baby Echo go? And when did Trinity all of a sudden mature? Don’t even get me started in regards to the boys… seriously SLOW DOWN WORLD!

Anyway… April… Easter you can check out HERE with a brief foray into the images and simple day we had. Traditions upheld of course.

Hello Cookie meet your predecessor Fat Sheep and live in fear of the love of Echo!

Trinity’s birthday is ALSO in April… You can read more about her special moments HERE.

Of course we must draw attention to the slick hair cut Mr. Emanuel sported over April as well! His curls… all gone. Not sure if I should be sad or impressed at how mature he looks?

Miss Echo spent some of her April educating her Baba on all the current card shark techniques…

And spent plenty of time introducing Hugo Bear Dog (otherwise known as Bear Dog) to her teddies, her night time routine and her life in general.

We had nature walks in the lovely spring weather…

And made sure to make use of not only our playset in the backyard, but the sport equipment set Gammie gifted the kids. Once spring is here and light sweater weather is on… we just have to grab those moments and get outside!

We had a bit of a religious/faith landmark reached for the 3 boys as well… at this Lutheran church which is ELCIA (Evangelical Lutheran Church of American) instead of ELCIC (in Canada) they do first communion at an earlier age with a one night special class for the kids and parents. We got to make the bread for communion and learn about about the Jewish roots of the service. We then came to the Ash Wednesday service for Communion. It was an interesting class and I think the boys got something out of it. Still very different for me as all this was part of Confirmation growing up! I am still muddling through how I feel about these little and big changes in our faith system being in the States instead of Canada. 

We have continued out swimming lessons with great results. 

We have been having tea time as often as possible… tea, snacks and good books read together. anything increase our interest in reading right? 

Made kites and actually did a whole study on different kinds of kites and things as well as covered a few scout requirements in the making! HERE

April was my stash busting month… everything I made was made out of yarn I had on hand! Here are a few finished pieces!

We even snuck out and took just the boys out for Taco Bell! I think we did rather good with our April…

And now for the rest of our spring fun… scout activites, backyard fun… a wee bit of green and some dress up. Spring is sprung! 

Checking out the dishwasher with Baba

Batgirl in disguise… Mustache style.. thanks Alex!

We even wore them out a few times!

And without any sort of notice it was over! But not without some exuberant amount of photos… so please enjoy the light hearted overflow! 

Goldie Bloks with Daddy

Hello Kitty for life

Aunty Renee Awesome with Miss E

Impromptu arts center.

Science in the kitchen

A visit at the Novak’s

Lunch out with Ken!

Minnesotan’s REALLY love their Ranch??

Embrace the colour!

Batgirl with homemade weapons.

United Noodle RUN!

AN ENGAGEMENT PARTY!!! Congrats Shandai and Ravyn we love you!

Our play anywhere any time girl

Reading and more!

Sewing!