Basball Loving Family

While we have been going to games at the local Double A ball park it was this past spring that my Aunt Lori and Uncle Joel came to the game we sold tickets for from a school fundraiser. They fell in love with the park and so we got tickets for games once a month. The AA team for the Red Sox was a must this month and a good time was had by all. They may want to warn Internet buyers where the PA speakers are though. I picked out seats for the games that were right under the speaker. It is a good thing we got Rowan ear muffs for the fire works at the games because as you can see, she got a lot of use out of them. Why do we even bother to buy her a seat when she is usually on some ones lap? Love up Lori!!!

One of the best parts of going to games on Friday nights is the free fireworks display afterwards. Of course with all the rain we ended up at a double header and the kids were really tired but they give one of the best displays I have ever seen and they are always different!!!
Rowan not only made friends with the little girl in front of us she seems to have found an admirer in the local mascot!!!

I Have Seen That Face Before

Since their birth my kids, like all kids, have been compared to all their relatives that have come before them. We agree in house that Victor looks like me and Rowan looks like her dad. However there are some cross over traits. Vic has Kel's ears and Ro makes my faces. Then there are the Grandparent traits like Rowan's forehead has grandma Paula's V. Now I have also had the mind blanks like calling Victor Jared or Rowan Fred. We both play the their you kid game when they do crazy things like have to pick of all the wrapping paper and tape on a gift they are my OCD child. When they have an unreasonable temper flare they are their fathers. Then the other day I took this picture of Rowan that stopped me in my tracks. I assure you that it is a photo of Rowan but if I didn't know any better I would swear that it was my sister Sarah. What do you think mom?

Aunt Beeee-e's Bash

Happy 65th Birthday Aunt BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

After church we drove down to Aunt Lizie's house to help celebrate Aunt Beee-e's 65th Birthday. It is always nice to get to spend time getting to know my new found family. The kids seem to enjoy it even though they are the only kids around. I think it is all the attention and praise about how cute they are and how well behaved they are and how they get all they want that really gets them. I hope that Aunt Bee enjoyed the party as much as we did!!! Balloon Fun with the Birthday Girl!!

Hanging with Anut Gerry and Auntie Liz!!!

Camp Joseph

We had the opportunity to go with some of the families in our ward up to Sharon, VT to go camping. The Church owns 400 acres there around the birth place of the Prophet Joseph. It is a beautiful place and we had a good time!! With Victor's baptism fast approaching I tried to instill some appreciation for where we were and for all that he has because of the faith and strength of the Prophet. My son is a little to much like his father to know whether or not it worked. We were the first ones to arrive in Friday and set up our tent and unpacked and then made the adventure of finding a grocery store. Note to all readers don't Google grocery store in VT. I refused to even get out and check the store that I had found directions to. My highly amused hubby dragged his laughing self in and came back with directions to a Shaws. MY HERO! Saturday we went a little further north and went to Ben and Jerry's, then the Cabot store, and to Cold Creek Mill. We had a BALL! The kids were great. On Sunday the ward there doesn't start till 10am so after we got dressed and ate we headed up to the Monument and drove in the woods to see the foundations of the older homes. Victor wanted to know where the rest of the houses were, because the foundations were so small. We had to tell him that they only slept and ate there because they had a farm to run. No room to play with a Wii we assured him. Over all we had a really good time and can't wait to go again.
Happy campers after stopping for a delicious Lunch!

Victor after giving mom moral support to mom as she started the camp fire. And Rowan tired from travel got in her jammies early the first night.

YES!! Our version of MECCA, the place where they make our favorite ice cream!!

And two very happy kids after free ice cream!!

What do Crazy Parents do? Buy ice cream cones after free samples!!!

Pretending to be our hero's!!

We had a hard time getting Rowan to leave Ben and Jerry's but thankfully Cheese is even more popular with her (she is her Daddy's girl)! This cut out cow stopped the tears and the kids couldn't wait to pretend to be cows and have their pictures taken to show Grandma!!

Not a real surprise that their was yet another cow at the cider shop. They agreed to this only after they were promised to have pics of themselves alone with the cow! I prefered the apple cut outs and Vic had me take his picture from each apple that opened before he would let his sister in on one!

We wish our ward didn't start till 10!! It gave us a chance to sit around the monument and talk about the Prophet before sacrament meeting. We also drove around the trails and checked out the foundations for the Soloman Mack and Daniel G. Mack homes.

Park Play Dates

So our ward is trying something new this summer!! We are going to have weekly play dates at a kid friendly spots! This week was the first one and it was a hit with my kids. There is a local man made pond with a small beach area, a playground and picnic tables. It didn't open till noon so it was lunch time when we got there. There was only one other family there when we got there and we tried to sit and have lunch. Vic is always agreeable at meal time it is of course my little bird that wanted into the water with all her might. Every time I looked over she had another piece of clothing off. First her shoes, then her shirt, and then her shorts till she was sitting there in just her swimsuit!!! When we finally got to the water she was even more of a determined mind!! I told her since she can't swim and shouldn't get water in her ears she needed to stay where she could sit with her head above water. I can't begin to count the number of times I had to call her name and get her to come in closer!! Vic is really improving with his water skills and over coming the fear of sinking. I was really proud of him but I was almost tempted to tell him he needed to stay in closer so his sister wouldn't try to follow him but that would not of been fair and really hard since a new family to the ward with 4 other boys came and they were all swimming out farther. It was really a nice day. Next week the date is at the beach!! I bet that will be a long day for mom!!! I choose the week after and I think we will take a break from the water so mom can save her voice!!

Happy Anniversary to MY Best Friend

Victor and Daddy 2000

Rowan and Daddy 2004

Fourteen years ago I met someone who changed my life. We became friends and he shared the Gospel with me. Truth be told I fell in love with him at first sight. I know it is a corny line and I know I didn't believe it was possible till it happened to me, he wasn't even my type! Twelve years ago today we were married and Eight years ago today we were sealed in the D.C. Temple for time and all eternity. We have been blessed with two GREAT kids and suffered our fair share of trials. It hasn't always been easy. The last year hasn't been without some hard times but I think that it has by far been the best. We have had our faith and strength tested but in the end we are Happier and stronger than ever. I take great comfort in the fact that I can wake my hubby at 3a.m. to seek his priesthood council for things that are bothering me. I love all that we have in common and all that we share. It is nice to know that we both think the best days are the ones we spend as a family. His unwavering support and encouragement makes all trials bearable and anything possible. I hope he knows how much I Love Him!!! I LOVE YOU KELTON!! Happy 12th Anniversary! (I know you hate pictures of yourself but I love pictures of you!)

HAPPY 4th of JULY!

We would like to wish all of our family and friends a very safe and happy holiday weekend. We were able to have a great time on Friday despite the weather. We went to Grandma and Grandpa's house for a great cookout. The kids love going there and seeing everyone. I can't remember the last holiday that we spent there with both of my Sib's home. It was a good day we hung on the porch and Vic brought me game updates while Row roamed the back yard. She loves the swings and got her brother and Grandpa to push her "higher" I also got a lot of cute footage of her swinging on her tummy then backing up and running at the swing again and again. I tried very hard to get a picture of the dogs and the kids all looking at the camera at the same time but I have trouble with just the two kids so add the dogs and it just increases the odds out of my favor. Rowan did however have fun chasing and playing with them. It was the fourth so of course there was a water fight which I am still drying out from. The sky may have been overcast but the spirit of the day wasn't. Hope everyone else had a great day as well!