Well...it seems like I'm averaging one post per week. With school starting soon and Andy's football camps and 2 a day practices...it's been hard finding time to blog. We are also weaning Ava off naps. She'll only be able to nap on Wednesdays and on the weekends once school starts. Mr. Isaiah seems to think that he can skip naps too if Ava does. So let's just say that naptime is almost nonexistent at our house. The only "free time" that I seem to have these days is after 9:00 at night. By that time, I'm usually relaxing, cutting out things for school, looking at ideas for lesson plans, watching movies with Andy, etc. So I apologize for those of you who are daily viewers and enjoy reading our blog. There just won't be as many posts until I get back in the swing of things with a new school year.
Last weekend my Dad's side of the family had their annual "Egg Burn" reunion in Cedar Rapids. It's always nice to see my Aunt Barbie and Uncle Dave from Indiana...but it was a special treat to see my cousin Katie from North Carolina and her two daughters Bethany and Madelyn. Her husband Peter had to work so hopefully we'll see him soon. My cousin Zach and his son Neil (named after my Dad) came from Ohio too. My cousin Kim, her husband Jeff, and their two kids Luke and Lilly were in Florida and were staying at the Dolphin at Disney World for $12 a night...you can't beat that opportunity. They were still with us in spirit. I LOVE being around my family and can't believe how fast all the kids have grown up! Below I posted some pictures but I really didn't have my camera that much. Ava, Isaiah, and "little" Neil...I call him that so you don't get confused with my Dad...took pictures almost the whole time we were out to eat and at the Egg Burn. Most of the pictures you see out to eat and at the Egg Burn were taken by kids! Even more special!
Three busy shoppers...the kids were taking a break at the Gymboree outlet store and were watching a little TV show they have on the wall. Miss Isabelle likes sitting in Isaiah's lap!
Dad eating at Leonardo's...the old pizza place that my parents used to hang out at when they were in high school! I think "little' Neil took this picture.
What a cute couple! I tease Kevin and Julie because Isabelle likes sitting by me during dinner...I guess you could call this a little "mini dinner date" for them. Love you two!
LOVE this pictures..."little" Neil took this and I thought it was the cutest "action shot:" of someone taking a slice of pizza!
Zach digging in!
My WONDERFUL Aunt Barbie! Wish we lived closer...but anytime spent with her is always amazing!
Pool time...Julie with Miss Isabelle and her floating turtle.
Daddy with Isaiah and Ava in the little hot tub they had at the hotel. I took lots of other pool pictures but they came out SOOO blurry that you really couldn't see them well.
Ava using my Mom's camera at the Egg Burn to snap a few memories
"Little" Neil taking a picture of his Daddy
Uncle Kevin...his mouth must be full of greasy eggs, hash browns, sausage, or bacon...a staple at the Egg Burn
Isaiah and my Mom...how cute!
Neil (left) and Isaiah were using the drinking fountain and this little water squirting button to drench themselves off...it was hot that day!
Katie and little Madelyn...she's such a peach! Gotta love those legs!
One tired boy! He was SOOOO tired...notice his "cowboy" hat from Gymboree!
My Dad's cousin Sharon...does that make her my 2nd cousin???...built a brand new house in Cedar Rapids. It was so pretty! Ava going crazy with Daddy.
Zach pretending to sleep and being silly with Neil and Bethany
Katie and her Aunt Barbie! It's funny how my Mom and Aunt have the same name. Before my Aunt got married...she was Barbara Jean Van Slyke too. Must have been confusing back then.
When we got back into town on Sunday we headed over to Andy's Grandparents house to celebrate our anniversay and Andy's Grandpa's b-day.
Andy's Grandpa (Lowell)...what an amazing guy! I made him pose for his "birthday picture."
Grandpa, Ava, and Grandma (Doris)...Isaiah was a little grumpy and didn't want to be in the picture. Love you all so much...and Happy Birthday!
On Monday everyone came over to our house to play and then we went out to eat at our usual....Hickory Park. It wouldn't be a real visit back unless we didn't go there at some point.
Aunt Barbie, Ava, and Bethany doing a craft project
Everyone was now having fun making foam stars with various sea life foam stick-ons.
A while back my Mom and Aunt Barbie bought matching dresses for all the girls...Lilly has one too...sorry Boo and Luke. But when we went to eat at Hickory Park that night...everyone wore their dress.
Tuesday was Jordan Creek Day! To my kids that means a trip to Build a Bear...we're going to have to do something to break that habit! They LOVE this place and think it's the greatest...and it is! So fun!
Ava putting her heart into her "Alex Bear"...from Wizards of Waverly...a Disney Show.
Isaiah pushing the pedal to add more stuffing to his Puppy...he called is Pandy!
Ava and Isaiah giving their bear and puppy a "bath" to get that extra fuzz off!
"Alex" wouldn't be complete without a Sleeping Beauty outfit!
Pandy wouldn't be complete either without a "Woody" outfit (from Toy Story)
Bethany and Aunt Barbie
How cute are these girls...strollers courtesy of the Grandmas!
Isaiah had to have one too to push Pandy in
My Three Happy's:
1) Spending last weekend with my family...who I don't see much! When we're together...it's like old times again!
2) Isaiah waking up from the night and naps dry for over a week! Way to go Boo!
3) I've become obsessed with following these teacher blogs and found another one written by one of my favorite teachers...but it's her domestic blog from things that happen at home. Anyways she's an amazing cook and posts tons of what look like delicious recipes. I'm hoping to try some next week. I'll let you know how they turn out! I love to cook...but who has the time!
