Rewind to Father's Day

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this picture of my sweet, sweet family!

We always try to do something special for Andy for Father's Day. The kids have painted their hands and feet and pressed them onto a t-shirt that I painted "World's Best Daddy" on, Jake did a shadow box with his plastered footprint in it, we did those stepping stones with the kids hand/foot prints on (I guess I've started a trend of hands and feet!!!).
This year, I saw a great idea in a magazine. We did a scrapbook for Andy. This picture was on the first page. The next spread was pictures of Jake , a picture he drew for Andy with a letter he wrote to his daddy about what he loves about him. This is what Jake wrote: "Dear Daddy, Happy Father's Day! I love you. I love you because you take care of me. Also because you play games and sports with me. I love you very very much!!!!! Love, Jake"
He drew a picture of them playing baseball together in the yard.
Jon drew a picture of himself in his green and orange t-ball uniform with Andy in his Phillies shirt playing ball with him in front of the swingset. Jon wrote, "I love you becuse you love me and you take care of me. I love you Daddy. Love, Jon"
Little Lizzie swirled some spectacular purple, blue and magenta lines and when I asked her, "Why do you love Daddy?," this is how the conversation went:
Lizzie: "I love Daddy because I love him! Ummm, hmmm...What Mommy?
We play tickle. Hmmm...Tickle!
Yogurt.
Ball.
I poopy! In my hiney!" (yes, she was pooping in her diaper)
Mommy: "Is Daddy nice?"
Lizzie: "Noooo..."
Mommy: "Is Daddy funny?"
Lizzie: "YES!" (big smile on her face)
"I go on Daddy's back.
He flies an airplane.
I love you!"
And that about wraps it up.

So, each year, the kids will add another page with a picture of themselves, a picture they draw and a letter to their Daddy. I think it will be a keepsake we'll all treasure for years and years.

Andy is an amazing daddy and we all love him so very much. We treasure every second we spend together. Love and hugs, baby! Happy Father's Day!

Darnel and David Visit

We had a wonderful time when Darnel and David came to visit this summer. We went to NJ for my dad's birthday and brought David home with us. It was the first time he had stayed with us by himself and he did great. David is 6, so right in between Jake and Jon and the three boys play so well together. A couple days later, Darnel came. He had to stay behind for an orthodontist appointment. He's 15 and so great with all the kids. They enjoyed playing baseball together in the backyard, going to the pool, to Killen's Pond waterpark, to the beach, and just hanging out and playing at our house. Darnel and David are such good kids and a pleasure to be around, so we always enjoy having them come visit. Unfortnately, my camera wasn't working right, so I was only able to get a couple pictures on their last day here..in their pjs at that because we were bringing them home right at bedtime. Oh well, such is life. It was a great visit, anyway. Love you, boys!

Catching Up...Well, Skipping Ahead

Maybe at some point I'll go back and fill in from March til now, but until then, here's just a taste of what we've been doing this summer. These are from a quick trip down to Williamsburg, VA back in June. We squeezed it in between t-ball games and end-of-season parties, but it was a lot of fun. The kids just love amusement parks (and so do I!!!) and you can't beat that Busch Gardens is free for military families. We really enjoyed our time there.

The traditional kids in a barrel picture

Just a little wet, but still happy enough to wave

hands up!

These "baby rides" aren't too exciting for the boys, as they are all about the roller coasters, but they were really excited to take Lizzie on them.

Aunt Kristen even got to join us, so that was fun.