A sure sign of Summer . . .

. . . our first juicy watermelon!!

Kellyn's Preschool Graduation

Kellyn graduated from preschool last Wednesday and Paul, Breckyn, and I were there to witness the adorable ceremony. The kids sang several songs before being awarded their diplomas by 2 very emotional teachers. It was a wonderful afternoon which we capped-off with ice cream at DQ! Now, on to Kindergarten - in a few months, of course!!

Performing a song with words and sign language


Waiting for her name to be called to receive her
diploma (top row, third from right)


the proud graduate!


Kellyn and Breckyn enjoy their ice cream

Field Day

Yesterday was Preston's Field Day at school. It was much different than the group races I remember from elementary school. For this, the teachers split the kids into pairs and they went around and did each of the activities in the order they wanted, competing against their partner in events such as the Ball Kick, Scooter Race, and Football Throw. Preston and his buddy Matthew had a great time, especially at the "Cotton Candy" station!

Preston and Matthew get ready to
hit a golf ball with a gigantic club


the football throw


tug of war


the joust

Mothers Day Weekend

We had a fabulous weekend! Friday night, Paul and Preston went to the Boys' Club camp-out while the girls and I stayed home and enjoyed the lovely evening outside. Saturday morning, the boys returned and we went to Preston's first baseball scrimmage. He did an awesome job, getting a hit at each turn at bat, including an RBI, and scooping up a grounder to throw a kid out at first base! After that, we had a late lunch at Pizza Hut and then came home for a much-needed nap. That evening, we took the kids to Barnes and Noble to spend some of Memaw and Papa's Christmas giftcard. Next up was a trip to Cold Stone for some yummy ice cream! Sunday, I got to sleep in a bit before we went to church and heard a great sermon on Motherhood, then on to Gram and Grandad's for a delicious dinner and lots of fun playing in the yard. On the way home, we stopped at Lowe's and got some tomato plants, which we promptly planted in the back yard. I hope they grow and produce - I can't wait for some juicy summer maters! It was just such a perfect weekend; we didn't get much done, but it was so nice and relaxing, which we all needed!!

playing with the trains at Barnes and Noble


mmmmm, ice cream!!!


Gram treated the kids to pudding with whipped
cream and a cherry!

Catching up: April in review

Whew!! April flew by in a flash and I never had time to sit down and do a blog! Spring definitely sprung and we've spent a lot of time outside enjoying it. I got to see my cousin, Jerrod Niemann, sing in Hutchinson and Wichita (check out his site - he's gonna be a star!!) My sister, Holly, and her family visited from Alaska for a couple weeks and we had so much fun with them here! Also during the month, Preston started baseball practice, and Paul and I signed up to play softball. Somewhere along the way, we missed getting pictures of roller skating, a Boys' Club hiking trip, and Preston's school art show, but here's a quick pictorial review of the month:

Jerrod and his band


my cousins Misty, Jerrod, and Heidi, Heidi's
husband Jamie, and me after the concert


Gram and Grandad with all but 1 of their great-
grandkids during a family BBQ


Paul got a new toy: Rockband for our PS2

a family trip to the Zoo

our little penguins!

Breckyn started gymnastics just like sissy!

the fruits of my labor: Spring tulips!!

Preston's Spring school program (he's 2nd row

up, 5th from left)

we had a blast at Chuck E. Cheese's

we took some updated pics of our families

Julie and Holly (it's just not the same without Shelly!)

Paul planted 20 trees across the back of our lot

Daddy, Breckyn, and I joined Kellyn for her

field trip to the Zoo.

I finally got my old yucky tattoo changed

from this:

to this: (what an improvement!)

Hopefully I'll be able to keep up with the blog now, but with summer busyness quickly approaching, I make no promises!! :)

Pinewood Derby

Today was the anxiously anticipated Pinewood Derby for the Boys' and Girls' Clubs at church. Paul and Preston have spent quite a bit of time getting the car ready for the event and Pres was pretty excited about it! The girls got to go along and enjoy some yummy treats before the races started. Preston placed 3rd in all of his heats, which he was very satisfied with, especially since he came home with a medal!

enjoying some cookies and juice before the action


the competition


the kids gather to watch the races


Preston displays his car and medal!

Boys' camping trip

Yesterday evening, Paul, Preston, Trey and Bryce camped-out and fished at Todd and Sarah's pond. The weather wasn't the greatest at about 52 degrees when they left, but luckily there was no wind or rain. They had a great time, catching several 2-pound bass. The boys really enjoyed roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, listening to their dads tell scary stories, and sleeping in the tents. The girls and I got to visit Gram and Grandad and sleep in our nice, warm beds, so we had a great night as well!! (Paul forgot the camera, but he got some decent pics with his camera phone - enjoy!)

a nice big bass!


Preston and his catch


Trey and Bryce hooked a big one


the "campground"

Our "baby" is 3 years old!!!

Breckyn had her 3rd birthday on March 22nd. We held her party at home that evening with lots of friends and family to help us celebrate! We started the Easter-themed party with fried chicken and baked beans, then (of course!) broke a pinata, opened presents, and finished with cake and ice cream. Breck had a great time and was thrilled with all her awesome gifts! I just can't believe my little baby girl is a walking, (back)talking, dramatic little preschooler!! Okay, I'm gonna go cry now. . .

where did the time go. . .

taking her cuts

a beautiful princess dress!

ready, set, blow!

say cheeeeeeeeese!!

Easter Sun Run - I finished this year!!

The annual Easter Sun Run 10k that my church helps out with was held Saturday morning. This year I ran with my friends Sarah and Chas and we all finished! I haven't had much luck with the Sun Run in the 2 previous years I trained for it - the first year I got dehydrated, passed out just past the 9k mark, choked on my gum and almost died (a looooong story!), and last year I got sick the day before the race and couldn't go. This year I almost didn't run because Friday I tripped running up some concrete steps and banged my knee and shoulder (a rather ridiculous and humiliating incident)! Fortunately, I didn't do any real damage so I sucked it up, ran the race, got across the finish line in just over an hour, and felt great!!! I guess the third time was the charm! ;)

Sarah, Chas, and I getting ready to run


waving (goofily) at Paul and the kids

Easter Party!

Last Tuesday afternoon, we went to the neighborhood kids' Easter Party. Preston wasn't feeling well, so he stayed home with Paul, but the girls and I had a great time hunting eggs and enjoying a BBQ!

Kellyn hunts eggs


Breckyn has her basket loaded!


the girls examine an egg


all the kids with their Easter baskets

chowing down on hot dogs

1st day of Spring Break. . .

. . . and it's raining!! :(

we are here

but we'd rather be here

or here

or here

or here

or here

or here

or here

or here

or here

or here

or here

or here

or here

or especially here!!!

can you say SPRING FEVER?!?!?!?!
(okay, we've got a little Summer Fever, too!)