June 2014 misc.

Here is some of what happened in our lives in June of 2014

Nikki had us over for gymnastics a few times and the kids loved it!!!

I participated in the Angelman syndrome walk for a very special 'Angel'

Outdoor fun

Many trips to the pool - which I will admit I will GREATLY miss the coming summer when we live in the middle of a pasture.

This picture is one of my all time favorite pictures.  It just speaks to me about Jaren I will forever treasure this memory and this time in our lives.

A lot of Ninja invasions happened this month

A passionate love for cookie dough emerged at our house

Ryland really started to get into things (literally) (That was for you Rhonda)

Jaren and Landrie helped make Landries cake pops for her birthday party

Ryland LOVES to brush his teeth still today - his favorite part is to spit.  SOOOO cute

Ryland's first haircut

After Landries birthday party we gave Ryland his first haircut. It had gotten really long as you can see in the first picture here where it is almost covering his entire ear.  He did ok, much to daddy's fun and games with the pacie.  

Isn't he SOOOO handsome!!!  We are another haircut in now, but had to document his first one.  

Tanganika 2014

This summer we took a trip to Tanganika Wildlife Park in Goddard.  The kids and Mark really enjoyed it.  It is an interactive zoo which is quite neat.   

We got to pet and fee a giraffe

Lorekets (I misspelt that birds name terrible I know)

Kangaroos

Turtles

And leamur monkeys and their babies (twin babies it was so cute)

Check out Jarens nails too :)  Bright red baby!

Tball

Jaren had such a wonderful time playing t-ball this past summer.   Mark was his coach and they went UNDEFEATED!!!  Jaren was the youngest boy on the team as he was actually to young to play.  I don't agree with the rule anyway.  Jaren is old enough to go to kindergarten with these boys but not old enough to play t-ball with them because for some reason they have a different cut off for school and ball.  So anyway he played a year early.  He will t-ball in the end then for 3 summers, but it will be good for him.  He absolutely loved it and asks all the time when he will get to play again.  He is a bit confused as to why he can't play for Andale again, but knows it has to do with moving to our new house.   

Jaren got to play against his cousin Hunter this summer too!!!  That was a fun game!

Jaren gets a hit

Jaren plays pitcher

Jaren scores a run!

Last game and our first sports medal!!!

Jaren with Coach DADDY

End of season swim party!!!

Swimming lessons!!!

The kids had such a GREAT time at swim lessons this summer and while they both did a wonderful job JAREN blew my mind and grew LEAPS and BOUNDS.  He started lessons not even wanting to walk off the last step to get his chest wet, to jumping and diving under the water to get rings over and over and over again.  I was such a proud mama.  

Landrie on the other hand just kept smiling and tilting her head at the life guards to get out of what she was supposed to do.  

This is the life Guard that was AMAZING with Jaren and had such patience and encouraged him to go under and believe in himself.  I thank her so much.

Here is a video of Jaren John jumping off the diving board.  If you listen close you can hear me gasp when he jumps because I REALLY did not think he would do it!  So proud!!!

This was Landrie's 15th of so attempt at jumping in.

This was the first time he was going under by the next day he was going under head first.

Thanks for prayers

First I want to apologize that this post hasn't happened until now.  

Thank you for all your prayers for Kevin.  She is now an angel in heaven.  She passed away and joined Jesus in heaven to celebrate his birthday on the 22nd of December.  

Her memorial service was just this past weekend in Manhattan.  My mom and Amy graciously kept the kids for Mark and I so we could go alone and help Kelsey and Marshal in any way they needed.  

Kevin was a quilter supreme and they had everyone that could bring their quilts (mostly baby quilts) to display at the service and it was impressive.  There was over 50 quilts there on display and it was beautiful.  To honor Kevin and her passion my mom and I, with a little help from Amy, spent some time experimenting with our first ever fabric floral bouquet.  I will post pictures later.  

Thanks again for all your support and prayers during this difficult time.  Kevin was my Manhattan Mama and most importantly my best friends mom and I will ask for continued prayers for Kelsey and her family as they learn their new reality with Kevin helping them from heaven rather than here on Earth with us.  

The quilt that Rylands chunk chart pictures have been taken on was our quilt from Kevin in fact.  I will post Rylands 11 month picture here so you can see our little piece of Kevin.  

Rest in Peace Kevin

I BELIEVE

I BELIEVE

I BELIEVE