FAIR FOOD!!!..

Yep..the state fair is here!! which means tons of highly nutritious food like corn dogs, french fries, shakes, and elephant ears!!! this night was really really fun. the kids were so happy. unfortunately auntie na has most of the pics from this night so i will have to post later, but i just had to share a few of my favs!

Hapy Birthday to Me!...

My husband is so good!!! so, special occasions have been going down hill a bit the last year or two. you know, cards bought last minute, presents dwindling, and often replacing presents with flowers (which i hate). so, this birthday i thought i would plant a small subtle seed and i simply said, "honey, my birthday is coming up...and i want a card...and i want a cake...and i want a present." i only repeated it every day for 3 or 4 days, til i thought it was starting to get too obvious.

So, on my birthday i wake up to a card that says, among various other wonderful words, get ready for a weekend of refreshing and reconnecting. i was quite excited, but not too much remembering how the past few times has been. but then, while at the st. louis zoo with the kids that day, isaiah hands me a card at the elephants (who were quite enjoyable that day i might add). it said to make sure i was home by 3:30 and not late.

when i arrived home, i was promptly wisked away to what i soon came to find was a massage. not just a massage, but one that dirk had arranged for the lady to brush my hair with my favorite hair brush too. i love that...he is soooo thoughtful. after my massage i was given another card. this one read something like i hope you are enjoying your time of refreshing, i hope you like who i have for you next. now the word "who" stuck out a bit simply because dirk is very deliberate and eloquent when he rights. however, when no one but the pedicurist (is that a word) showed up next, the thought left my brain.

but half way through my pedicure, in walks oh so nonchalantly my bestest friend of all time from college!!!! we had not seen each other in 10 years!!! we lost touch for many of them and over the last 3 months or so we have really really reconnected. God has always been so gracious and creative with Carmen and I in that no matter where we are in life He allows us to always be going through very similar life circumstances so we are always able to stay connected. so, in she walked, freaked me out, and we spent the rest of the night being pampered, eating out, and just reconnecting (hummm...just like my card said).

the weekend progressed with she and her family stayign with us and we ate a lot, had 2 cookouts and a birthday party to boot!! with a card...AND a cake i might add!!! it was one of the best weekends i have had in many many years!!!

Carmen and Sarah...

My dad came up too for the weekend. little did i know every single person knew about this but me. dirk is sooo good at keeping surprises! it was really great to feel so loved. he also got me two amazing presents!!

Soccer Camp...

Some wonderful people in town set up a soccer camp for homeschoolers last month. it was soooo great! the kids had a wonderful time. plus i got 3 hours every single morning to sit with other moms and just be, learn, discuss and laugh. it was fun. even kenna did not peeter out. they really had fun.

the last day was a water fight day. but they weren't too wet for a group photo.

Daddy's boys...

i just love this pic of dirk and two of our boys. Elias and Isaiah, they were just spontaneously snuggling with daddy one morning. Here is a man that sure loves his babies. he is one of those that wants to be home all day long and just play with them all day. i sure wish he could! What a dad!!!

Playdate...

When my sister-in-law was here we had a playdate with alex too. the three kids are within 3 months of each other and totally different personalities so it is fun. You can so tell Elias has siblings in so many ways. it was fun....

Elias, Alex, and Luke

Vivaldi's Always Good...

the other day i was putting isaiah to bed and asked him what he wanted to listen to as he went to bed. he though for a long time and replied, "Vivaldi, mom...vivaldi's always good!"

well i posted that on facebook that night and the next week a friend came to visit and said that she got something in the mail. she had no idea why in the world they would get a coloring book in the mail seeing they have no kids at home anymore. but her husband said he was so impressed with Isaiah's comment that he ordered a composers coloring book. it was great to see Isaiah put faces to the names he listens to every day!!! what great friends we have...

little Fish!...

The kids are soooo happy in the water these days!! isaiah can hold his breath so stinkin long that it amazes me. here he is challenging his 10 year old friend to a match! as you can see...isaiah won!

Elias loves the water. he had no trouble joining in. he had just started walking that week so he was a little shakey, but hung in there with the best of them.


Bella, Makenna, and Ian

My girls really loving each other at this moment...notice i say at this moment..it did not last long.