While the Big Girls are Away...

While the girls were away at Girl's Camp, the rest of us had some fun too.  Sometimes with all three of them, it's hard to find something that appeals to everyone.  We decided it would be fun to do things that we knew Parker would love, but the older two might not be crazy about.  So we set off for some summer adventures!

 We went to the Mount Pleasant Children's Discovery Museum one day.  It was fun for Parker, and pretty manageable for a few hours.  Not as big or awesome as the ones in Illinois, but still a great place for her to play and get some energy out.  And who am I kidding, Mark and I played a little too!

Another day we took a hike through the Chippewa Nature Center hiking trails.  We got a bit lost, but ended up having a good time anyway.  It's been such wonderful weather this summer to be outside enjoying nature and getting some exercise.

We also took a little trip to Dow Gardens again.  We've been here several times this summer, but it never gets old.  It's so nice to just walk through the gardens enjoying the green that surrounds you, as well as the flowers, architecture of the bridges and landscapes, and water.  The sounds, smells, and feelings of summer are just so calming and inspiring. 

Her last moment of glory...being an only child, so to speak...until the big sisters came home.  I think she really missed them, but also got a taste of what it's going to be like someday in the distant future.  Oh boy, that's an interesting thought!

June Random-ness-es

A nature walk with Parker while the older girls were at YW.  We found a beautiful bouquet of June splendor!

Taco Bell's new Quesarito...life changing...haha!  I've had 2 of these this month already! 

We enjoyed a visit from our little Addie-bug...oh and the rest of her family too!!  Haha!  We love it when the Griswold's come, but man alive that girl is the star of the show!! So cute!!  Thanks for coming!

Summer blockbuster time!  We all enjoyed the sequel to this family favorite of ours on a Tuesday afternoon.  (That's the day when concessions are half price!)  I have to admit, the sequel was better than the first one...highly recommend!

Maryn and her school-friend Nadia at the church for "Flour-Ball", which was obviously planned by the YM-Priests for Mutual.  Water balloons filled with flour...you get the gist.  You may wonder how much fun it is to wash flour out of your hair...answer?  Not fun.  As we all know, flour + water = glue.  The End.

Northeast 6th Grade Honors Assembly...Avery is 4th back...the tallest in the row...as if you can miss her.  Very proud of her this year...she made the all A's honor roll, and got 3 awards.  Go Ave!

This is us babysitting a little boy from our ward.  He was delightfully chubby and scrumptious.  After playing for awhile, this is what happened to the 3 of them after sitting down to rest.  Melts your heart a little, doesn't it?!?

So far, June has been a busy month with LOTS of fun stuff happening!

We are all so grateful for SUMMER!!!!

Parker's 1st year of Preschool

Chippewa has created a special place in all our hearts, I think.  It is a bittersweet ending to Parker's first year of preschool.  While it was quite a journey of ups and downs, I am glad we made it through and didn't give up.  I have seen a lot of growth in Ms. P this year.  She is growing up, and figuring out how things work in the real world.  She is still the same social butterfly she has always been, but is also becoming a more aware and capable playmate.  She is sensitive, curious, loving, enthusiastic, articulate, and energetic.  I think her teachers can hear her coming from a mile away.  I think she has created a special place in their hearts for her unique personality.

Thank goodness for them...the great teachers who help shape our children's lives and worlds.  I appreciate their patience, direction, and never-ending compassion.

We'll see ya next Fall!!

My Baby's First 5K

Avery has some pretty awesome 6th grade teachers this year.  Mr. Swanson and Ms. Doran have been motivational, fun, and hard-working.  Most impressive is that they have inspired their students to join in the city's annual Dow Run/Walk.  The kids were expected to complete at least 1 mile in the run/walk, but given the option to run alongside their teachers in the 5K if they chose to.  Not normally a huge runner, Avery stepped up to the challenge.  She started out thinking she would just do the mile, but as she trained for it both during school and after, I think she got the running bug.  She ended up running alongside her teachers, and several of her buddies.  It was a great event, and we were so proud of her determination and example.

Some of the girls on the A-team

Northeast 6th grade A-team

She crosses the finish line!

So proud of Avery!!

Dow Diamond Art Show 2014

The girls have gotten some artistic genes, thanks to the Browns/Sheffields/Days/Oglesbys...they are both really talented, and have gotten some recognitions recently.  Midland Public schools had an Art show this past Spring, where both girls had several pieces selected to show.

It was nice to see their hard work pay off, and we are very proud of their creativity and skills.

Avery's infamous "Spider-Bat"

7th grade self-portrait

Portrait of Demi Lovato 3 ways...color, black ink, and pencil

And before I forget my other little artist, here are some of her recent masterpieces.

The day of memorials, 2014

I have a clever new friend.  The kind of friend who LOVES Pinterest, has a craft/decor/family fun blog, and creates other cutesy stuff that helps make fun events that much "funner".  She is always coming up with just that little something extra to make things really memorable and special.  She invited a couple of us gals over to make Memorial Day fun bags for our families...the kit included ice cream sandwiches dipped in sprinkles on a stick wrapped in wax paper, the makings of US flags with graham crackers, frosting and sprinkles, and edible firecrackers made from pretzel rods dipped in chocolate and sprinkles.  Plus, she added real sparklers and fun-pops for the family.  It was not only fun to get together for girl talk, but it was also fun to take our bags home and make some yummy edibles with the family for Memorial Day!  Thank you Julia, for helping to make fun memories for all of us! 

The Reunion of the SEESTERS, 2014 - Rocky Mountain Edition

I had been looking forward to this event for-like-ever, people.  It was going to be the grand-daddy of all fun times to be had...the pinnacle of GIRL'S NIGHT OUT times infinity.  HAHA!  It was grand, and did not disappoint.  I just wish it didn't have to end!  But isn't that true for lots of things?!?

I began my trip on Wednesday afternoon, driving down to Detroit to stay with my parents before our flight out on Thursday morning.  That was nice because I was able to go out with my parents for a belated birthday dinner, and spend some time with them all to myself.

The next morning, Amy, Erin, and I converged upon the Detroit airport for our flight to DENVER!  Melanie would meet us there, and Shauna would pick us all up at the airport in the giant, white party suburban!

She's so cute, isn't she?!?

That first day we made our way up to Breckenridge, stopping off to eat and shop at an outlet mall on the way.  When we got there we did a little sight-seeing, picked up some groceries, made ourselves some dinner, and took a snow-capped dip in the outside hot tubs.  (It was May, might I remind you?!?)

The chocolate shoppe, first item on our itinerary!!

Cutest condo at the resort!

So festive to have the snow falling on us as we relaxed in the outdoor hot-tubs, haha!

The next day, we enjoyed a day at the Mountain Sanctuary day spa.  It was glorious!  But I have to say we all came away feeling a little bruised and tender.  It was worth it though!  We picked up a pizza on the way home, and just stayed in watching movies and relaxing.  That night we got dressed up for a night on the town...but it started snowing again, so we decided to just grab dinner and go back to the resort.  We were able to watch a movie in one of the screening rooms, and had plenty of snacks and treats to make it extra fun.

At the Mountain Sanctuary Day Spa

2 Mediterranean pizzas, please.

Getting our fix at the Loaf 'n Jug with our pizzas

Ready for a night out!

Selfies in the snow!

Sisters!  Guess which one is oldest...nobody wanted to answer that question!

Movie Night...that grocery bag was FULL of snacks and treats, haha!!

Saturday morning, we took it easy making breakfast and sitting around talking.  It was so nice to be able to just catch up, share experiences, and grow closer.  This is what it's all about.  We spent some time after breakfast hot-tubbing and planning our parent's 50th anniversary party this summer.  After we got ready, we decided to do some more shopping, and packing up to go back to Denver.  We had to fly out early Sunday morning, so we decided to stay the night at the Pierson's house closer to the airport.

It was such a relaxing, and wonderful to spend time with my sisters.  The thing I came away with from our time together were these thoughts, "we are never alone...in our happiness, sadness, triumphs, and sorrows...someone is always going through something similar, and trying their best to do the best they can...we have so much to teach each other, and so much to give to support each other...no matter how much time or distance there is between us, we will always be one in spirit and heart."  They are the most amazing people that teach and inspire me to be a better person, wife, mother, and sister.  Thank you for making it happen, girls!  Can't wait for the next one!!