Hello!

I've been a slacker since Ally arrived, but my plan is to post regularly. I always start with that plan. But, I really want the kids to have this to look at when they're older. It's nice for me to go back & read them too. Sean graduated Kindergarten in May with a performance that blew all of our minds. He, along with his class, recited the books of the bible, the presidents, Eph 6:10-18, the 10 commandments & a few other songs & poems. Wow... He had his first season of tee ball & played for the St. Clair Shores Pirates. He's an AMAZING swimmer & we're thinking about getting him lessons to work on technique. Swimming just may be his "thing". He's going to Spring Hill day camp at the school next week, Monday-Friday. He starts 1st grade on 09/04. Slow down summer!!! Evie Loretta is like NO other 2 year old I know. When you're around her, you can't help but feel happy, proud & sometimes VERY frustrated! We were somewhere the other day & she looked at a woman & said, "Hi, I'm Evie, what's your name?". She's fearless, stubborn & quite the performer. She's an entertainer, almost always talking, singing and dancing. We're working on removing "no" from her vocabulary. As always, she adores her brother. They bicker a lot, but both of them can't stand to see the other one hurting or in trouble. And, they're both amazing older siblings to Ally. :) Ally Joy joined us on 04/20/12. She's been such a good baby. No belly issues; the best burper ever! She started sleeping 7-8 hours at 5 weeks & now she sleeps from 8:30 or 9:00 until 8:00 the next morning usually. She loves watching Sean & Evie. She's very smiley & just recently started laughing. We're working on tummy time & see some rolling in the near future. She always has her fists in her mouth, even after she's just finished a bubba. I went back to work the second week of June & the kids are with Grandma Sue & Grandpa Larry the days I work. They have their own system there & have adjusted wonderfully. Grandpa Jim picks them up to go swimming or to the park or to our house to play wii. They love having Paige there too. We just finished a trip up to St. Ignace for Nolan's dedication. We loved spending the weekend with them & Grandma & Puppa. I wish every weekend could be like the last (minus the driving!). As always, if the kids aren't with us, they're with their grandparents. They spend as much time with them as they do with us. This is great on so many levels. I love watching my kids light up when they see their grandparents. They love each one of them so much. My grandfathers passed away when I was young, but I had a special bond with my grandmas & I treasure the memories. I'm so thankful my children are making memories with their grandparents that they can treasure always too. :) We leave for Pennsylvania in 15 days!!! Can't wait!!!! :)