A Visit from Gramma

We were thrilled to have my mom come to visit us the first week in June. It rained constantly while she was here, which was kind of a bummer, but it gave us lots of time to just hang out and play together (I think she needed a nice long nap when she got back home to NY!). Mom and Jon playing "bicycle built for two"
Mom helping Lizzie bounce on the hippy hop. Lizzie was belly laughing! It was so cute!

A future piano player??? I would love it!

We took mom up to Jersey on Sunday so that she could spend the rest of her time with my grandparents and my sister, Jenn, and her boys. We always enjoy visiting with Gram and Pop down on the farm! Here's Liz and I with Pop.

Four generations: Gram, Mom, Me and Liz (or as Gram always calls her, "Elizabeth"...not a big fan of "Lizzie" ;-) Loves the girl, not the nickname!!!)

Gramma holding Lizzie in front of the old barn.

We took a walk all around the farm: saw the barn, the sheds, tractors, milking parlor, corn crib, fields, and old railroad bed (where Jake found a five foot long snake skin...that was the end of that walk ;-) )

I'm so thankful to have a picture of me and my kids with my mom and grandparents.

We had a great time with you, ma! Come again soon! We love you and miss you already!

We Have a Graduate!

From Kindergarten, that is!!! Though he looks more like he's ready to go to the beach than a commencement ceremony, it is, indeed, Jake's graduation.

Here he is with his teacher, Mrs. DayAnd walking into the cafeteria at the beginning of the ceremony

My handsome nephews, Darnel and David, stepmom Kaycee, and Andy's mom all made the trek down. Thanks guys! It means a lot that you all were there!

Lizzie in her pretty dress with Mommom

Jon and Jake posing in front of the palm trees

Mommom Kaycee brought down a little gift for Jake

Okay, the bear says class of '09...in the pamphlet they handed out at the ceremony, Caesar Rodney Class of.....2021!!!!!! Yikes! Isn't that crazy? Congratulations, Jake. What a milestone, you graduated from kindergarten ;-)

Actually, we're very proud of Jake. This is what his teacher wrote on his report card:

"Wow! What an interesting young man Jake is! I have thoroughly enjoyed having him in my class and watching as he inspired his classmates in their learning. He is a quiet leader and although he is totally unaware, others follow in his positive approach to life. He is a very strong reader and writer with exceptional comprehension skills. I have learned so much from him as well and will truly miss him next year as he moves on to first grade. Best of luck and have a wonderful, safe summer!"

Good job, bud. Mommy and Daddy are very proud of you!

Kristen's Shower

The lovely bride-to-be: Andy's sister, Kristen
The morning of the shower, Jon and Lizzie riding on the horse...the same toy that was Andy's when he was a kid! Pretty neat, huh?

Lizzie (out of her pjs), Andy and Aunt Jane (Andy's great aunt)

Liz walking with Popsy, hand-in-hand

Popsy, Liz and Grandmom Merkle

We did a really nice brunch for Kristen's shower and it all turned out great! It was fun to see all the ladies that came (also fun to meet Chris's mom who came down from New Hampshire!) and Kristen and Chris got loads of beautiful gifts, too!

Signs that Summer is Approaching

Jake's kindergarten class took a field trip to the beach! I was lucky enough to go and we had a blast! I wish we got to go on field trips like that when I was a kid!!! What fun!Jake's all the way on the right in the green swim trunks, playing in the sand with his classmates

Jake's bud, Brandon with his mom and his sister. Jake and Brandon have a ton in common. They both love to read, both love K'nex and building stuff, both like rocks and planets, both bright kids and good kids. It's been fun to watch their relationship develop throughout the year. I hope they remain friends throughout school.

Brandon's sister, Natalie and Jake, touching a horseshoe crab!!! How exciting!

Though this is not local corn, it was delicious and Lizzie's first corn-on-the-cob! She loved it as you can tell!

Time to turn the sprinkler system on...and what fun would it be to have all that water squirting around and not play in it? Jon is obviously having a blast! What a riot!

Strawberries!!!

A few weeks ago, we all went to Fifer Orchards in little Wyoming, DE (just outside of Dover) to pick nice fresh strawberries! YUMMY!

Boys and Their Toys

Jon and Jake learning all about different countries...capitals, climate, landmarks, etc., all with just a touch of their finger on this toy from Mommom Kaycee and Poppop
Jon practicing his heading skills with this great giant tetherball game Aunt Kathy, Uncle Pete, Adam and Kara gave Jake for his birthday back in December.

They are having a ball with this game!

Jake followed the directions and built this Seattle Space Needle out of a K'Nex set Aunt Kristen gave him! He did an amazing job!

The Merkles Go Camping

This was our first-ever camping experience and, I'm happy to say, we had a great time! Andy's squadron planned the whole trip to Trapp Pond in southern DE, which made it fun. We all brought food to share and there were lots of people to hang out with the whole time. We even borrowed the Morris' fishing gear and the boys caught their first fish (it works much better with an actual hook and worm unlike the "dummy" fishing they did in the Poconos)! They were so excited! Jake caught two and Jon caught one!

Fishing was probably the highlight for them, but they had a blast just playing in a little clearing by our campsite with sticks, pine needles and stumps! They also enjoyed chasing after potatotes shot from a potato gun one of the guys made.

Daddy and Lizzie by the campfire...standing back this time ;-). The boys made s'mores, so you know they were happy!

We borrowed all our gear from our friends, the Playfords, who are camping pros! Kandi even jotted down some notes and tips for us! Thanks guys!

We were supposed to get some major thunderstorms (the pilots were all analyzing the radar on their fancy internet phones!! Yeah, really roughing it!) But, I'm happy to report that we only got a few showers and we stayed completely dry! The best part was waking up in the tent to Lizzie standing in her pack-n-play looking all around smiling and squealing with delight that we were all in her "room"!

I'm not sure we're ready to go buy our own tent, but we did have a great time!