Nappanee Trip with Hicks Family

We had the best time last weekend (July 19-22) visiting Nappanee with our dear friends, the Hicks family.  These friends are also neighbors and our kids spend lots of time together.  Their son Caleb is 10 and their daughter Jillian is 6.  Nicholas and Caleb spent many hours running around together and spying on the girls while Ella and Jillian (and sometimes Mae) spent their time being nature explorers....other than sitting still (sort of) to eat meals, they were on the go from morning until bedtime each day.  So much fun!

Jillian, Ella, Nicholas and Caleb at the Wellfield Botanic Gardens in Elkhart

Mae loves to "pose" for pictures these days!

Another Mae pose!!  Ella seems to be wondering what her in the world her sister is doing.....

One of my very favorite pictures

Little girls loving The Chief ice cream

Nicholas modeling his new nose

Two sets of blue eyes......beautiful

The Hicks first visit to The Chief.....they gave it two thumbs up!

Cora and Mommy relaxing at Cabin Hill.....the whole gang went to Lenn's boyhood home to fish and play for the morning

I thought this was a picture of Caleb's bass but my dear husband informed me that this is NOT a bass.....so this is Caleb's fish (whatever it is!)

Ella's big catch

One of the most memorable experiences for our family.....riding in an Amish buggy.  We were so blessed to be able to visit an Amish farm on Saturday.  There were so many animals to see and learn about.  One of the grandchildren at the farm hooked up his pony, Judy (love that!), to a cart and took us on an all-terrain ride!  Boy, that pony can move!  Then we got to ride in the Amish buggy, pulled by Rocky.....a seasoned 15 yr old Standardbred.  It was a little difficult to get used to the lack of carseats for our kids but they did well.  At one point, all 4 of them were in the backseat with me......crowded!!

Our group gathered on Carl and Evelyn's deck Sunday morning to have a little outdoor worship time together before heading back to Avon.  

Staycation Week June 30-July 7, 2012

July 3--Cora is 8 months old!!

July 5--Hiking at Eagle Creek Park

Ella in her element at one of the frog ponds at Eagle Creek

Meemaw, Papa Carl and Nicholas enjoying our trip to Eagle Creek Park.  We spent the morning hiking and visiting the Ornithology and Earth Discovery Centers.

Ella looking for frogs

July 6--Eating at Zaharako's with Mimi and Papa Don.  Yummy ice cream for everyone (except Cora....poor girl!).

Ella and Nicholas playing in The Commons (indoor playground)

Mae Mae exploring in The Commons

Our first stop on our trip to Columbus was Pappou's house.  We had a really nice visit with him.  My grandpa is 93 years young!

June 2012

I'm having a difficult time keeping up with my blog during these wonderful but busy summer months.  We have been taking a much needed relaxing break from homeschooling but the days seem to be flying by.  June was a fun month as Nicholas played Little League and his team won the 8 yr old rookie league tournament.  Our boy was so overcome with emotion......he cried and cried tears of joy when his team won.  It was such a memorable experience for our whole family.

The girls continue to grow and thrive.  Cora turned 7 months old on June 3 and she continues to be such a joy.  Mae and Ella have been busy helping with our garden and doing lots of nature exploring.  It seems that whatever Ella is into these days, Mae is close at hand.....digging for worms, trying to catch butterflies, unearthing roly-polies, you name it. They are so fun to watch together.

June 3--Ready for church 

Ella and Cora

June 3--Cora is 7 months old!!  Juicy!

June 4--Our first attempt at solid foods.  We have since learned that she wants to do it all herself.  She grabs the spoon and sucks off the food.....then gives the spoon a toss.....splattering wet baby food everywhere. 

June 9--Niko playing baseball.  I love this picture.  

My heart sings when I look at these pudgy little baby feet.

June 16--Niko with his championship trophy.  One proud boy!

Canal Walk Visit

The weather was perfect on Mother's Day so our family took a trip to downtown Indianapolis to the canal walk.  Our family loves to go to the canal walk.  The kids can run and climb and see all kinds of people and art and landscaping.  There are numerous sculptures to see and touch.  There are boulders and trees to climb.  There are flowers and ducks and water features and kites and gardens.  So much to see and experience.  And it's all free!!

Cora is 6 months old!!

We can hardly believe that our baby girl is 6 months old.  She is pure joy and truly lights up the room with her smile.  Thankfully, she smiles early and often!!  She is a happy girl and continues to top the growth charts....she is currently 19 lb 9 oz.  Biggie girl!  We are all so in love with her and we thoroughly enjoy watching her grow and develop.  

I cannot resist my girls in matching outfits......

These sweet nightgowns were a Christmas gift from Aunt Lalia and Uncle Jess in Pensacola, Fla.  Thank you!!

First, Mommy saw the hot pink tutu at Target and picked one up for Cora (with a cute shirt to go with it).  Next, Mommy saw that it was only $5.00.  Then, Mommy learned that the hot pink tutus were available in sizes Newborn to 5T......which of course means that the hot pink tutus will fit all 3 girls!!

I just had to do it.  I could not resist.  My princesses wore their ensembles to church and many a mommy, grandma, aunt and big sister asked where I had bought these adorable tutus.  I think Target is happy that I'm a customer!

April 2012

April 13--Eagle Creek Homeschool Jamboree

April 24--Cora hanging out in the laundry basket.  She's been doing this thing with her tongue for quite some time......so glad to capture it on film!

April 20--Ella and Mae inspecting a bluegill caught in our neighborhood pond.  The big kids got to go fishing with Daddy and Papa Carl during Papa's visit to our home for our pavers project.

Papa and his favorite fisher-women--these diehard fisher-people won't let a little rain keep them from catching the bluegills!!

Mae Mae all dressed up to "go to the store"

April 19--The stage for Ella's preschool program

Ella sitting with her class before the preschool program.  We were so incredibly proud of her.  She was too scared to participate last year.  This year, she was still fearful and even shed many tears during her class's performance, but she stuck it out and sang the whole song like a big girl.  Way to go, Ella!!