july 4

having experienced some truly great 4th of julys in snoqualmie made me work a little harder to enjoy our 4th in cincinnati this year.  we made plans to meet up with family at a pierce township park for a small little community celebration.  i had fun decorating the kids' bikes in red, white and blue and watching them ride around the path with all the other kids.  there was face painting and hot dogs and cupcakes and a whole lot of sweating!  this weather is so hot and humid...  immediately following the celebration we headed straight to the pool at the Y.  we had fun swimming as a family with lots of other families and kids.  we went home to get the kiddos some rest, and then we spent a quiet evening at home.  gavin and i slipped and slid all over our new slip-n-slide :)  kevin grilled some delicious burgers that we served with watermelon.  a perfect 4th of july dinner!  after dinner we enjoyed sparklers in the backyard, which both the kids enjoyed this year.  it was another great 4th!

july 3

brooke is becoming quite the little swimmer!  she loves to practice, and i'm so proud of the way she's progressing.  i'm still getting used to the fact that i only have one child in floaties.  they are both even more demanding of my attention in the pool now.  we went to the Y late this afternoon/evening and enjoyed cooling off in the pool.  i'm definitely delivering on my promise to get the kids in the pool a lot this summer!

july 2

it's so hot out!  the only time we're outside is when we're in the water.  today we visited with heather & stella.  the kids had fun splashing around in the big blow-up pool and dumping water on aunt heather's head :)  my sister is never so beautiful as when she is laughing and playing with the kids.  i can see the pure joy on her face, and it makes her all the more beautiful.  i am so happy for these moments we have together; doing a whole lot of nothing but it meaning everything.

july 1

although we don't see randall, antje, lexi & kenzie nearly as much as we would like, we always enjoy the moments we squeeze in amidst our busy lives.  this morning we met up at the hyde park farmer's market.  brooke and gavin learned what a farmer's market on a much, much smaller scale looks like :)  we strolled the square looking for yummy things to buy.  waffles fit the bill!  then we headed to the echo for brunch.  the echo has been a favorite spot for so many years, and it's even better when enjoyed with friends.  lexi and kenzie are growing up so fast, and i love to watch all of our children playing together.

june 30

brooke did it!  she's swimming on her own without any floaties!!!  this evening we went next door to help our neighbor, kendra, celebrate her 40th birthday.  we were having fun in the pool when brooke declared that she was ready to swim by herself.  i really couldn't believe it!  she was ready!!!  and she did it.  just like every single thing in her life.  when she's ready, she just does it.  she swam to kevin over and over again, gaining a little more distance with each try.  she still doesn't want to put her face in the water, but that's ok.  we'll take it.  this is just the beginning.  we're so proud of her!

june 29

today was a super emotional day - kevin's final day at p&g.  we've been mentally and emotionally preparing for this day for quite some time, but it didn't make it much easier.  kevin and i both kind of grew up at p&g.  the company shaped the persons we've become and the lives we lead.  we met each other at p&g and made some wonderful friends there.  for a very long time it's been our identity, our sense of accomplishment, our past, present and future.  i have the luxury of being separated from the day-to-day since i've been on leave for the past 3 years, but i still know exactly how kevin is feeling today.  i know a piece of his heart is breaking.  so is mine.  so there are tears and embraces and a lot of words of comfort and encouragement.  together we will get through this.  together we will create an even better future for ourselves and our children.

june 28

gavin and i were back at the pool today while brooke was at a play date at lynn's house.  it was nice to have some 1:1 time with gavin at the pool.  it's definitely a lot easier to keep one child happy in the water than it is to keep two happy!  gavin did a lot of jumping and swimming today.  we're enjoying our time at the pool this summer, and the kids love going to the "Y" (or as gavin likes to say, "hawaii" :) :)

june 27

the kids and i went to the pool today, and i was so happy that brooke was finally ready to jump in on her own :)  she tried her hardest not to go under water, but she was definitely more comfortable with her face getting wet.  it's all about baby steps with her... :)  i know she'll get there.  brooke and gavin both had a lot of fun jumping into the pool today.  we're making great progress on the swimming front this summer.  i'm hopeful :)

june 26

since we're home a day earlier than expected, i thought we'd make the trip out to costco to stock up on some things.  it's hard to believe, but we haven't been to costco since we moved back to cincinnati.  that's probably a good thing for our bank account since it's impossible to go to costco and not spend hundreds of dollars!  the great thing about shopping at costco is that i can fit both kids in the cart :)  oh, they look so big!

june 25

we were planning to stay in chicago until tuesday morning, but this morning carl woke up not feeling well so we decided to cut our trip a little short.  we quickly packed up all of our things so we could head home after taking the kids to the brookfield zoo.  we made the trek across town and had a fun day with mercedes, london and pierce.  the zoo was great.  we saw a wonderful dolphin show, had a picnic lunch, rode the carousel and visited with some animals.  it was a really good way to end a great visit, and it ended up being very convenient for us to hop on the highway and head home from there.  we really enjoy our trips to chicago and all the memories we make for the kids.

june 24

we took it easy today and relaxed around the house.  brooke, gavin and pierce love being together so much, and they had tons of fun playing outside today.  they played stomp rocket and flew paper airplanes that kevin built for them.  oh, the joy!  mercedes and i took london up to the park so i could take some 1-year pictures of her.  it truly made my heart happy to do something i love so much for my SIL and niece.  i think we got some great pictures, and i'm super excited to download them when i get home :)

june 23

what a great day!  we walked/scootered to the beach and enjoyed a beautiful day.  i never knew how beautiful chicago's beaches are!  the kids had fun playing in the sand and sticking their toes in the water, but the water was way too cold to really get into.  i thought it was absolutely freezing!  we had a nice picnic lunch at the beach, soaked up some sun and let the kids play at the beach playground before we headed home for naps.  this evening we walked up to town for dinner at a local mexican restaurant. i took this precious picture of brooke and pierce walking home from dinner hand-in-hand.  i cherish the time we spend together, and i'm so grateful for the love shared between cousins.  it melts my heart.

june 22

today we finally made it to chicago for a belated birthday celebration for pierce and london!  the kids had their last day of soccer camp this morning so we packed up first thing this morning and headed out as soon as camp wrapped up.  it was a beautiful day for a drive, but the trip got a little too long when we missed a turn heading into chicago and ended up tacking a lot of unnecessary time onto our trip :(  nevertheless, we put all that behind us the moment we pulled into carl & mercedes' house.  they had pizza waiting for us, and the kids were excited to give pierce and london their birthday presents.  the kids were happy to be reunited and had fun playing before it was time for bed.  we're all looking forward to a great weekend in chicago!

june 21

this week has been full of sports, heat and frozen treats!  we've had sno-cones and popsicles and push-ups and tonight after t-ball we stopped at the dairy corner for ice cream.  i use to come to this very same dairy corner in newtown after some of my softball games when i was in grade school!  i loved treating brooke and gavin to a soft-serve ice cream cone with lots of sprinkles and watching how messy they got eating them in the hot summer heat :)

june 20

we are really having a good time this week.  it's been a lot of work getting all of our soccer gear and hot weather supplies ready each day, but it's totally worth it.  i've enjoyed spending 1:1 time with brooke and gavin while the other one is out on the field playing soccer, and i love watching each of them practice their soccer skills.  i love sports - playing them, watching them, learning them.  sports teach us so many important things about ourselves and others, and i hope my children grow up loving them as much as i do.

june 19

brooke is doing fantastic at soccer camp this week.  she comes into the camp having just been through two different sessions of spring soccer, and i can really see her skills improving.  brooke does an excellent job listening to the coach and really giving it her all.  i'm very proud of her, especially in this heat!  she hasn't complained once :)

june 18

brooke and gavin started soccer camp this week with challenger sports.  it's a week-long soccer camp with gavin playing for 45 min. followed by brooke playing for an hour and a half.  so, we're going to be hanging out at riverside park every morning this week.  and it is going to be HOT.  naturally, it's the hottest week of the summer so far with temps forecasted in the mid to upper 90s.  we packed the cooler with lots of ice and cold wash clothes along with big water bottles and the water sprayer/fan.  we also packed lots of snacks and activities to keep everyone busy and happy.  today we were able to beat the heat, and the kids really enjoyed soccer, so i think we're going to have a good week!  brooke and gavin certainly could not have been cuter out there in their soccer uniforms.  i love to watch them in a team sports environment where they have to listen to the coach and follow his directions.  easier said than done for a 3 year-old :), old hat for a 5 year-old!  as a reward, i took them across the street for a big sno-cone after soccer :)

june 17

today we celebrate the most important man in our lives.  we started bright & early with kevin's favorite - donuts!  we had a nice morning at home before we drove up to dayton to spend the day with bob & kaye.  we had another great day of swimming, and gavin even started putting his face under water.  the weather was a bit overcast with scattered rain showers so we bounced back and forth between the pool and the house for most of the day.  we enjoyed a great dinner with bob and kaye before we had to head back to cincinnati.  it's been such a joy to spend the weekend with family and celebrate all the great men in our lives.  the kids and i are blessed beyond belief to have kevin as a husband/father.  he is simply the best.

june 16

it's been 3 years since we've been to mt. orab to celebrate father's day, and i think today was the best father's day with my dad that i can remember.  we had a perfect day at the pool watching all the kids swim.  jackson amazed us all with his swimming skills!  the kids were like little fish and spent most of the day in the water.  we all had lots of fun in the pool together playing around.  the men and boys enjoyed super soaker fights all day long :)  the kids helped jennie pick some vegetables in the garden, and she gave each of them their own little basket to carry.  it was quite cute.  we grilled out and had some great barry burgers, and jennie and i enjoyed some wonderful champagne.  everyone stayed late and made the most of a full day together.  happy father's day, dad!

june 15

my brother is on his own with the boys this weekend so we met up with them tonight at Woodland Mound for some fun at the water park.  i was nervous about revisiting the place of gavin's head injury, but i was very happy to replace the bad memories with good ones!  the kids had so much fun playing together in the sprinklers and on the water slide.  they even got me on the water slide :)  afterwards we headed to mio's for friday night pizza.  it was a special treat for us to share the evening with zach and the boys.

june 14

swim lessons + sunshine + swimming outdoors + t-ball + fun with cousins = SUMMER!!!

june 13

we love wednesdays.  i so appreciate that my mom makes time to see us almost every single week regardless of how much she has going on or how busy she is.  and not just us, but every single one of her grandkids.  my mom is one special grandma.  i know brooke and gavin think so, too.  they love to have gram vicki's attention for a few hours a week.  i love to watch them together.  the three of them laugh and giggle so much.  they have tons of fun together.  thank you, mom.  you are such an important part of our life.

june 12

we joined the Y this summer for the outdoor pool.  i love that it's less than 5 minutes from our house so it's easy to go swimming even if it's just for an hour.  today we all stuck around after swim lessons for swimming and lunch at the outdoor pool.  heather and stella met us there, too.  the water was a little chilly, but the kids didn't seem to mind too much :)

june 11

the day started out rainy but ended up beautiful.  the kids enjoyed the chance to use their cute umbrellas :)

june 10

i'm recommitting myself to getting in shape.  it's been too long since i've worked out consistently.  kevin is home most of the time now, and his last day at p&g is quickly approaching.  i'm determined to squeeze as much goodness out of our situation as possible, and i'm starting with a personal commitment to get healthy.  starting today.  here i go!

june 9

one of the many blessings of living close to family is the frequency of date nights.  kevin and i enjoy being with our children so much that we are not very good at scheduling babysitters so we can go out.  we did it a handful of times in seattle but definitely not on a "regular" basis.  having all of the kids' grandparents nearby, and particularly gram vicki who wants the kids as much as she can have them, allows kevin and i to have some great 1:1 time together.  we usually drop the kids off with mom as she's getting off work, and then we almost always head to OTR for drinks and dinner.  we love the atmosphere in OTR and the wine bar and bakersfield are our favorites for drinks and dinner.

june 8

what a fun friday!  we played around at home this morning.  i cut gavin's hair for the first time, and it was not disastrous so that's good :)  we built a big fort in the playroom and had fun playing for hours.  then we all headed over to zach and megan's for a summer cookout.  (unfortunately, heather had a stomach bug so they couldn't make it.)  the kids had a great time playing outside together.  zach, megan, kevin and i enjoyed having a nice low-key dinner together and getting a chance to catch up.  after dinner the kids played some more inside and dressed up as super heroes.  i love all of their smiles in this picture.  it shows how happy they are to be together, even now that we see each other so often.  i love that my children's best friends are their cousins :)  we enjoyed a good bonfire and had some yummy s'mores with giant marshmallows.  then when it was dark, all the kids grabbed a butterfly net and ran around the front yard catching fireflies.  it was brooke and gavin's first time catching fireflies.  it was my favorite moment of the day.  it was a midwestern summer night, and it was perfect.

june 7

gavin started t-ball today!  gavin has loved baseball for as long as i can remember.  right after his second birthday he started insisting on having a "real" baseball pitched to him.  i bought him a "real" bat way before he was ready to use one, but use it he did.  i've spent countless hours pitching and catching and instructing.  it's a special pastime for the two of us.  so, tonight brought me great joy.  his red "Y" t-ball shirt hung down to almost his knees and his batting helmet was many sizes too big.  those things only contributed to the cuteness out there on the field.  gavin was so enthusiastic!  he (and his whole team) ran after every ball.  they hit off the tee and ran the bases.  they learned when to put on their helmet and when to put on their hat.  all very crucial fundamentals of baseball :)  gavin, joey and brandon are all playing on the same team, which is going to make t-ball fun for everyone this year - both the players and the spectators!

june 6

this summer i thought i would put all of my "pins" on pinterest to really good use.  i created a small book of ideas/crafts/projects for me and the kids to do this summer.  the first one is this DIY angry birds game.  we gathered medium sized rocks which the kids painted in different angry bird colors.  then i painted cute little faces on the rocks to illustrate the different angry birds and the pigs.  we used wooden blocks to create the towers and then stacked the pigs at different levels of the tower.  we used toy slingshots from the dollar store to fire the angry birds at the pigs on the tower.  making and playing the game took up a good part of our afternoon and was a lot of fun on a beautiful day like today.  the best part about this DIY project was that it only cost me $2.00!  everything else we already had.  that almost never happens :)

june 5

spending summer break with my niece, nephews, sister and sister-in-law is exactly everything i want to be doing in this moment in my life.  simple play dates at the park.  picnic lunches.  enjoying sunshine and togetherness and the blessing that is family.  i feel so fortunate.

june 4

it's the first week of summer break!  this is the first time i'm truly experiencing what summer break is like with the kids.  in seattle brooke went to preschool year-round, but this year both brooke and gavin are off school for the summer.  i'm so excited to have them to myself all day every day.  oh, the fun things we will do!  we're starting this week with swim lessons.  brooke and gavin are both in the same class.  we're starting out very slowly, but my hope is that i have two little swimmers by summers end :)  i loved watching them together through the glass windows.  the experiences they get to share are so special to me.