Photo Shoot

One of my goals this year was to learn how to use my camera.  I love taking pictures of the kids.  I take so many.  I love them.  I love all of the reminders of everything.  I don't want to miss anything.  The kids are not as excited about pictures (although I am hoping that someday they will appreciate them).  Mike is not excited about pictures.  It is just me, forcing them on everyone.  The big field has been filled with dandelions lately.  It is yellow, the kids love dandelions, it is picturesque...how can I pass it up?

I tried taking a few pictures one day.

It didn't go well.  Ryan said it was too sunny.  They just wanted to pick flowers.  No one wanted to look at the camera.  Leah didn't want Ryan to touch her.  I was trying to work on my focus.  It was frustrating to me and them.

I thought I would try again at night.  When it wouldn't be too bright.  When I had Mike as back-up.  When I had jelly bean bribes.

The results were better.  I will keep practicing and we will make it work sometime.  Hopefully.

Side Note -- when Leah put the dress on she told me that she looked like a princess.  It was adorable.  Little does she know, she always looks like a princess.  Ryan cried and asked why he had to wear a "fancy" shirt....

Milwaukee Zoo

Last summer we went to the Milwaukee Zoo with the Sabatke's.  The kids had fun and have been asking if we were going to do it again this year.  Thinking we should go before summer, we decided to go last Thursday.  We did not anticipate how many field trips there would be.  The zoo was packed.  The buildings were a little crazy, but we still had fun.  Every time we get together I am so amazed at how well the kids all get along.  It is amazing.

All set to go.  Breakfast and DVDs for the long ride.  

All 4 kids looking.  All excited to start the zoo adventure.  

Big kids.  No stroller needed.  

Resting their feet.  

One of my favorite pictures of Leah.  She was so excited to stand by the giraffe!

2014

2013

So grateful to have such great friends.

Last Day of 4K

Ryan finished up preschool last week.  Can you believe it?!  I can't.  I can't believe that kindergarten is right around the corner.  I can't believe how fast he is growing up.  I remember the beginning of this year.  I remember thinking the last day was so far away.  Now it has come and gone.

Ryan was pretty happy for summer break.  For the past few months he has been telling me that he doesn't like preschool.  He has even gone as far as asking me why I sent him to a school he doesn't like.  I assured him that I tried really hard to pick the best school for him.  I am not sure he bought it.  He did always seem to be happy when he got home.  I am pretty sure he enjoyed it a little.

I guess we are on to bigger and better.  I am trying to have a positive attitude about next fall and kindergarten and 3K.  I am talking about how exciting it is on the outside, but screaming and crying on the inside.

Look at how much my babies have changed over the school year.

Dear Summer, Take your time.  I plan on enjoying every single minute.  

Cellcom Half and Bay Beach

 I am running behind on these posts.  I knew it would happen.  We are busy, life is good.  My goal is to get caught up and just stay caught up, I'm sure it can happen...

On Sunday, May 17th Mike ran his 3rd half marathon.  He did awesome!  His official time was 01:31:48.  This was 5 minutes than his race a few months ago.  He finished 105 overall, and 21 in his age group.  We are so proud of him!  

He hasn't spotted us yet.  

Generic wave for the crowd. 

I love this picture.  This is when Mike spotted us and was headed over to hi five Ryan

The kids and I watched the Lambeau lap.  We didn't get to see him cross the finish line (he is just too fast for us), but we did meet up with him after to watch Nate cross the finish line.  

So proud of Daddy!  

After the race, we went to Bay Beach with the Boyce Family.  We had a great time.  The kids love the rides.  Their faces just light up and they are so excited to run from ride to ride.  

Leah got to pick the first ride.  She was so excited!

Would Ryan choose anything else?!  Packer Horse.

Buddies!  Ryan was bummed he had to sit in the back.  

So sweet!

Train ride.  I squeezed in with Ryan and Leah even though they didn't want to share the seat with me.  

Serious little drivers.  

Who has 2 thumbs and just got off of the Zippin Pippin?  That guy right there.

It was a perfect day.

Disclaimer:  I am just learning.  I have no idea why the font / font size is so messed up.  I have to catch up and I don't want to waste time figuring out how to change font and size.  It is probably staring me in the face.  

Touch a Truck

This was our 3rd year going to touch a truck and every year Ryan loves it (even Leah liked it this year).  It is such a fun event.  Sitting in trucks, honking horns and getting candy.  An event made for Ryan.  I took Ryan out of preschool early so we could go...because this is the last year we can go.  I can't believe it.  An event we look forward to, an event we won't be able to go to next year because he is in school.  I almost cried this year and I am guessing I will actually cry next year.  I know it sounds crazy, I know I AM a little crazy.  It is just all of these things that I take fore granted, like spending everyday together.  Being able to do stuff during the day while the BIG kids are in school.  In the fall Ryan will be BIG kid.  I'm sure that will be exciting and life will still be great, just a big adjustment for all of us.  This is all I have known for the past 5 years.  This is what I love.  And this is what going to our last touch a truck makes me think of...  Anyway, we bumped into a few friends while we were there.  Drew and Ryan were very happy to see each other and having friends there seemed to help the lines go a little faster.

Field Trip

Ryan got to go on one field trip this year for preschool, it was to the fire station.  I was lucky enough to be able to go with him.  I was more excited then him.  Ryan has been in an "I don't like preschool" kick.  He says that he doesn't want to go, it isn't fun and that he is bored.  he even asked me why I decided to send him to a preschool that he doesn't like (clearly, I did it because I thought it would be fun).  Anyway, he said he didn't want to go to the fire station because he knew everything about it.  Everything.  I tried to explain that we could never really know everything and that we can always learn something new...blah, blah, blah. He didn't buy it.  Luckily at the last minute he decided that it might actually be fun to go, and he did have fun.  So did I.

Ryan and Carusso on the bus

Listening to the Firefighters

Helping with story time

Learning that the gear isn't scary

Happy kid who had fun at the fire station

Entire preschool class, minus Molly who is on vacation

They talked the fire fighters into turning on the siren

It was such a fun day.  When we got back to school they practiced "stop, drop, roll" and watched a fire safety video and then had a pizza party.  I hope this is the first of many field trips that I can go along on.  I am very grateful that Grandma Joan came up for the day so I could go.  

Soccer

Last week Wednesday was Ryan's first outdoor soccer game.  I remembered my camera, but forgot the memory card.  I can't believe I didn't get any pictures (other than 1-2 so so ones on my phone).  Not a good night to forget the camera -- Ryan scored his first goal!  We were so proud of him!  He did great!  He seemed focused and stayed with the ball.  He didn't score any goals tonight, but he did great and almost had a goal tonight.  I just love watching him play sports, he is so happy and has so much fun.  I also love watching Mike coach.  He does an awesome job.  I'm excited for the season!  Go, Ryan!