Grace in Gymnastics

Grace started Gymnastic the first week of June. It has been so much fun! The first week was classic Grace. Totally cooperative and excited for about the first 15 minutes, and then she was so naughty. She didn't want to do anything the teacher told her to do but when they went on with out her she would get totally upset. She would fold her arms and "hmph" and walk away and wander around. So all the next week we had long talks about how we listen to the teacher and do what she says. The next week she was perfect! (also bribed by a piece of Gum...but it worked!) She has been fairly good since and is loving it! Here she is with her class. Her little friend Hattie is on the left, I love having Hattie's mom Tomie there to talk to during class.

(She is in the black....she picked it out herself. They had a pink one but she wanted the black which totally surprised me!)

Here she is looking up and saying "HI MOMMY!!!!" She does this at least 10 times per class. If one kid does it another one has too. It's like yawning- contagious!
Here she is doing one of her little routines. I love how she moves the circles so they are closer. Also check out the little boy and his somersault! He's pretty good.


I am so glad we decided to put her in gymnastics this summer! It has really taught her how to participate in a class and listen to directions and to someone besides me. Good preparation for Preschool this fall and other fun classes!

Liberty Land

On the 19th of June we had Bryan and Alyssa and Jacob and Alyssa, Ben's brother's and their wives, down for a visit. I also hosted Bunco that night so it was a fun weekend! Bryan's Alyssa played Bunco with us and won a Gift Card to Liberty Land! So the next day we all headed over to Liberty Land for some fun. This was our first trip and we were surprised to see a big blow up slide inside! Garett enjoyed taking a ride down with me.

Grace and
Ben had a fun time too.

We had turns driving the go carts.

I was REALLY Awful!!! I could not do the turns, plus it started raining so the track was really slick. Yeah, lets blame it on the rain!

Ben rocked climbed and the boys and Jacob's Alyssa all played laser tag.

Gracie rode some of the rides inside so overall it was a fun day. Since it was raining there were some things we really wanted to do but couldn't so we'll definitely have to go back!

Father's Day

We really had 3 Father's Day celebrations this year. One with my Dad the week before, one with Ben's Dad the night before, and one with Ben on Father's Day. I made him a yummy breakfast and he got to open his presents. A Gift Certificate to go Golfing and a new alarm clock. He was excited about both....except not so much the alarm clock anymore. As I write this 2 weeks later he has exchanged it twice and still hasn't found one he likes. Apparently it has to have the right look, the right size of numbers and the right ring. He hasn't found that yet and the ladies at the return desk at Walmart are going to think I'm crazy if I bring back another Alarm Clock! Who knew he would be so picky about such a small thing!

Here's Garett helping me wrap the presents.

This happens about a hundred times a day. As much as Garett doesn't love it right now I hope it continues forever!

Garett & Copper

Garett LOVES Dogs! Well, cats too. but cats aren't that excited about his grabby little hands that pull hair. Copper, my Dad's dog, liked Garett almost as much as Garett liked him. These pictures are from a few weeks ago. Garett tried to follow that dog around for about a half hour. He was going under chairs and in circles trying to catch him. When Copper would get close he would laugh and laugh.

He LOVED getting kisses from Copper.

Here's the proof.

Kangaroo Zoo

While Michelle was here we went to Kangaroo Zoo one night for FHE. Ben stayed home to study for his SPHR test so he watched Garett while the rest of us played! This was such a great place to let the kids run around and play while Michelle and I could just sit and chat. Loved it!

Grace was as fearless as ever and loved going down the slides.

There was a Dragon blow up and a Castle blow up. Everytime Grace went by the Dragon one she would scream and run and ask me to "rescue her".

At the very end we found this fun baseball one. The ball just hovered in the air thanks to the air blowing out of a hole.

The Discovery Gateway

At the end of May Michelle and I took the kids up to the Discovery Gateway Museum. On our way we stopped to visit Grandpa Hardy. He was so sweet and had snacks ready for the kids and invited them to play with the toys. The same toys we played with as kids, such memories! It was wonderful to visit him and we love him so much!

Grace knew right where to go when we got to the Museum. She headed straight for "home". This adorable kids sized house that had a kitchen they could stock with food at the "market". She loved this place.
They had all things miniature. Here Grace is filling up the car at the gas station while dressed as a chef. We spent a long time in this area playing dress ups, "shopping", and playing house. SO FUN!

We then headed upstairs to see the helicopter and eat our lunch. Then we happened upon the "TV Studio". Michelle and I became news anchors.

We headed back down stairs and Grace had a go on the horse at the farm.

Garett was such a great baby! I know one day he will be running around chasing after Grace doing all sorts of fun things, but I'm happy that for now he is content to sit and let me hold and snuggle him!

Hooray for Ben!

It's official... Ben is now a Senior Professional in Human Resources. He took the SPHR test almost a month ago and the results came in the mail today! I am so proud of him! He took the classes and studied hard, and I think he's the only one in his class that actually took the test! Most people just take the PHR, but not Ben he jumped right up to the Senior Level! I just have to brag for a minute about how great he is and how he has excelled in his career. Congrats Ben and I love you!

For those of you who have never heard of the SPHR it's like the CPA test for HR People and looks awesome on a resume!