Cole Blogs

this is my water-bottle and with water in it.

Cole Says...

Cole: Momma, what do you want for you birthday?

Me: Hmmm....

Cole: What's your favorite food?

Me: Fettuccine alfredo with broccoli and tomatoes.

Cole: Well, maybe you can make that for yourself on your birthday.

Plastic Pot Castles

We bought some flowers for our front porch and were left with all those little black plastic pots that plants come in. So we decided to make some castles. I'm pretty proud of how they turned out. Eli and I made the top castle, and Michael and Cole collaborated on the bottom one. The drawbridge on Eli's opens and closes by pulling a string. Next, we're working on making some little wooden soldiers and pirates.

Cole Says...

After being put to bed...

"Sometimes when you're not in here, I pretend that I'm asleep. And sometimes, the pretend sleep turns into real sleep."

Joy School Graduation

I taught a little Joy School class in my home this year with Cole and Eli and a little girl from church. At the end of the year, we had our graduation party. The kids performed some songs they learned this year, and then I presented them with graduation certificates. If you can't what's on their heads - I made little graduation hats.

Cole's third time receiving this certificate. Hopefully he's learned how to have joy by now!

Eli smiles at Daddy after receiving his certificate.
(Note how Rylan snuck into both of these pictures. :)

Photos from Our Vacation in April

We have a timeshare at a resort called Massanutten in Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. Our timeshare is two weeks out of every three years, so even though we bought it a couple years ago, this was the first year we could go. We spent the week relaxing, chillin' in the hot tub, and swimming in the indoor pools. Michael went golfing a couple times, and we topped off the week at the resort's indoor waterpark.

It was super fun, but Michael and I have decided that next time we need to go without kids.

The view from our condo.


Eli and Rylan rolling around on the pull-out couch in the livingroom.

Eli crashes after a long day of swimming.

Family photos on the mountaintop.

Random Pictures from the Past Few Months

My little helper.

Cole reading two books at once. He's addicted! (Like his mom and dad.)

Rylan officially joins the band.

Cole and Eli love these Walt Disney Comics.

Enjoying the first picnic day of the year.