Fourth of July Surprise

This year for the 4th of July we watched fireworks by the bridge on Friday. The day following the 4th we had the Corless and Owen families over for a potluck. The food was great. We watched The Princess Bride on the big screen and afterwards when Eve was showing off her loose tooth, surprise, out came the tooth. Everyone cheered and she was so proud! It was all she could think about for the rest of the evening. We had the traditional flag cake and that evening Eve put her tooth in her little pocket pillow for the tooth fairy. That was such a fun first for me!

We're going to the ZOO ZOO ZOO . . .

We have enjoyed the St Louis Zoo many times this season. The kids love to ride the train and carousel. You may still notice Eve's cheeks in some of the pics. Incidentally, we love to sing the song that goes with this title, especially when we really are going to the zoo!

Eve gets "Slapped Cheek Syndrome" Aka "Fifth Disease"

In June, Eve picked up an interesting virus that I had never heard of that causes "Slapped Cheek Syndrome." I am sure you can see why they call it that. Except for itching, she felt ok. We are glad it wasn't too hard on her. We think most of the residual rashes (it moves to the rest of the body in patches) are now gone.

Father's Day 2010

We love Matthew! On Father's Day, Matthew got breakfast in bed, a salmon dinner, and Rice Chex dessert! We also went to a concert in the park that our city does on Sunday evenings. It is uplifting music played by a band. I especially love to hear The Star Spangled Banner! The kids love to bring the bunnies for all their friends to see. Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful Dads out there, especially my sweetheart!

Eve's Dance Recital

This weekend, was Eve's first official dance recital. She had a dress rehearsal Friday night, and a show Saturday night. Her performances were beautiful! We were very grateful that her experience was so positive. Her ballet piece was choreographed to a lullaby written about Moses. Her tap piece used a cute "Magic" song. I was so excited for her! She did a great job! The last picture is Eve being silly backstage :)

Swimming in the Sun

On Friday, we went to a friend's swimming pool with the Owens. It was great to have some cool water now that things are heating up! Sheri really relaxed, as you can see. Eve's confidence in water is really growing! Most of us ended up with pink shoulders despite sunblock. Next time we will make sure it is waterproof, and apply more often! :)

Fishing Fair

On Saturday, we were able to attend a fishing fair in a nearby city. This was such a well planned event! We had fun at all the little stations learning to cast, tie knots, fish with magnetic frogs and poles, painting fish, making first aid kits, etc. Then, at the end, we were able to fish for real fish! Eve caught a little one and was thrilled. However, she didn't want it to die. We told her that it wouldn't be a good pet or even make it home. So, we took it to the cleaning station where they cleaned it, and the cooking station, where they breaded and fried it. We all enjoyed it. Now that is my kind of fishing! We also got some cool things to take home like a fishing pole, tackle box, and other fun things. Sheri really enjoyed looking at all the frogs, water snakes, lizards, and turtles!

After the fair, we rode the ferry across the river and back. We all went home to relax. We watched Tom and Jerry. My favorite part was when Sheri would say "Yay Jerry!" after each episode. We all had a great day!

Froggie Friday

Last Friday, Matthew had some great bonding time with the kids when he climbed down the window well to play with "our" frogs. We have one big frog and 2 little ones. We're so glad when Daddy comes home! When we were done, he put them back for another day.

We're Blue

Sometimes I have a lot of fun dressing up the family. This Sunday we decided blue was the color. I love my babies in blue!

Strawberry Summer Day

About nine years ago I was introduced to freezer strawberry jam. Thanks Mary! Ever since, I have wanted to make some! Each year in Colorado we went to the raspberry farm and loved spending time picking and enjoying the day out. Well, yesterday we got to go to a strawberry patch out at a local orchard. We went with my good friend Kristen and her kids. We picked about 3 flats or about 35 lbs of strawberries.

After we got home we went right to work making jam. We ended up with about 24 pints of regular strawberry jam and 24 pints of freezer jam. The jam turned out very delicious and we still had stawberries leftover to eat and freeze for later. Kristen and I agree that it is much better to work with a friend (more fun, more hands, more help when kids need a hand, and 2 heads are better than one!) We finished about dinner time. What a full and fun day! I have learned one more skill, Yay!

Sterling's 4th Birthday

Today Sterling turned 4 years old. This year he had anticipated his special day ever since Matthew's birthday back in March. He has been tracking his arriving birthday on the calendar for the past month or so. His favorite things are Spiderman, Batman, and Star Wars, although he hasn't even seen most of these movies. He has, however, seen the Spiderman cartoon. This year he wanted a Batman cake. I was happy to work on my cake skills since I got some great tips from my good friend, Jana. Thanks to her advice, the cake turned out!

Sterling had a great time playing a borrowed Batman Wii game with his friends. I had other activities but since he was happy, we just went with it. Sterling received a Batman with helicopter, 2 basic light sabers, a Star Wars Leapster game, a puzzle, clothes, and other misc items. Thanks to all for making his birthday wonderful!

Sterling is such a good boy. He is sweet, smart, and has a contagious smile. He has been a great blessing to our family. We love him and are so grateful he came to our family!

Bonding with Bunnies

Today Eve discovered that a baby bunny was missing from the nest portion of the cage. After searching, and praying, and more searching she discovered the baby in the window well. This was quite a distance for a bunny that hasn't even opened its eyes yet. It made it out of the nest, out of the cage, off the deck, across the grass, and down the window well that is covered by a grate. Eve was able to climb down and rescue the bunny. Since she is the hero of the day she got special bonding time with our week and half old baby bunny.

Sheri Berry Turns 2

Yesterday was Sheri's 2nd birthday. We watched videos of her as a newborn. She kept saying that she wanted to hold the baby first. I am not sure she understood that she was the baby. Boy, she and the other kids sure have grown! We had the Owens over for Pizza and Butterfly cake. Sheri enjoyed decorating her cake, singing, and blowing out the candles. Some presents Sheri received were a jack in the box, puzzles and games, candy, a dress up doll, a little hat and princess pajamas she got from Grandma and Grandpa Smith! I included a picture of her sleeping so sweetly after her evening of fun was over.

Critters of Illinois

Here in Illinois we have found many new critters that were not so common back in Colorado. When we first moved here we got to see lots of slugs. This spring we have had many frogs, big and small in our yard. Last week was the first time that the kids and I saw fireflies. My good friend Kristen has found a mouse in her shed with a baby that the kids loved to see, and a turtle which she brought over. The kids loved holding it and we set it free in a pond near our house. I little while ago we spotted a deer behind our house. Today we found a trapped racoon in our window well and our rabbit Wolfie had 4 baby bunnies. These kids are having wonderful childhood experiences. I think the most interesting things I ever saw were squirrels and worms (except for the occasional mountain experience.) I had a great childhood of course, but these are fun times for us with all these critters. Don't worry we all wash our hands very well. I just hope that I won't have any inside critter issues. With summer coming I'm sure it is inevitable.

Starting to Blog

Hello All,

Wow! Can you believe I started a blog? I'll be even more amazed if I can regularly post. I hope this will be a great way to stay in touch with you and journal great memories at the same time.