Shawn turns 38 and has fun doing it!

We went to Incredible Pizza Company with the kids and grandparents for Shawn's birthday. He had a good time celebrating with everyone. Who says we can't act like kids when we get old!

We went down the street to our friends house after Ryan called and asked us to play with him. The kids ran around in their driveway and rode bikes in the cul-de-sac for a bit before our next round of rain. Which I am very, very tired of, just for the record. It was hot and humid even without sunshine. So the kids each got Popsicles. They LOVED that. They loved the second one they got too. If one is good then two is better (smile). Then we ran home as the rain started (and cooled things off 20+ degrees (pout). ..here is Lexi (2), Julia (1), Ryan (3) and Nicolas (4).

Lexi and Psalm 23

Lexi teaches her mommy and daddy too every day about her world and all she learns. She amazes us, quite honestly. Something I am sure that all parents feel with their children. We did with Nicolas and now we do for her. Nicolas opened her world up to music and the love of learning... song after song after song after song.... after song (is my head spinning yet).

Here is just the first glimpse at how much better the memory is of a young child then her dear ol' mom.

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In case you didn't know the entire thing by heart (as I did not) here is her interpretation.

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no "people" (should be evil),

for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

and here is where we get distracted by the strong desire for candy which we needed to use to get past the shyness of the camera .... she would normally go on to say:

"You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

May God Bless all the sweet little children who, like Lexi, see the glorious world with a smile and a song in their hearts. More songs to come....

Fun at the Festival

Kicking off the summer with festivals (not weather). The sky cleared long enough for us to get to Bonifest at St. Boniface Church on Saturday evening. Kids were so excited. Lexi wasn't sure why she was so excited yet but Nicolas remembered from years past. And this year he would be bigger and could ride even more rides. And that he did. They rode the cars, the dog, the train and the merry-go-round together. Then big brother Nicolas rode the caterpillar roller coaster. I honestly didn't think he would go through with it but he proved me wrong. He had a blast! Fun was had by all! Next week.... Peter & Paul Picnic! We are on our way!

St. Vincent Church Dishes Out Some Family Fun

Went met Grandpa and MaeMae at their church, St. Vincent de Paul, in St. Louis for a church picnic. The kids had fun and we had a hard time getting their tired little selves to leave. Grandpa had an especially good time letting Nicolas pull the tabs on his tickets.... little lucky guy won grandpa $50! That a boy, Nicolas!


Nicolas and Lexi paint butterflies. Don't want these little beauties to fly away!
Some of the older kids of the church were doing face painting.



















Lexi loved it! I think she would have let them paint her entire face!

Nicolas and Lexi got deep into the chalk drawing. Even Daddy lent a hand.... or a foot.

Gotta Love Great Grandma's House!

Great Grandma has the best photo climbing tree! We got cute pictures last year there and now again. Nicolas is getting to that climbing age of boyhood... and Fearless Lexi is going to be following him anywhere she can... even up the highest branch if we let her. Which we won't! My how they have grown!

We got to visit with Max again. What a love-bug he is. Look... Aunt Trina is multi-tasking! Master of no-handed-bottle-feeding! Feeding the cute little baby, Max, and reading a book to an adorable little girl ... well, if she would sit still long enough to hear the whole story. Max seemed to like it, at least.

Mom & Dad Hit Vegas

Shawn and I finally got our trip to Vegas together. He has gone... I have gone... and now we have gone together. We had a great time. It was nice to be alone and enjoy each other's company without having to worry about diapers, distractions and little people. We walked we talked and most of all we played Blackjack! We had fun at that and are looking forward to going out and doing it again.

Riding on a Rainbow!

Our Mom & Me went to the local Rainbow Retail Store and had a morning out. Thankfully the rain stopped long enough for us to play outside too.

Here I go!
Wee!!!!




















Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!






















Nicholas' friend and mom, Brigitte, are playing too.






















Allison and Nicolas are having a blast as they climb to the sky!