Dow Gardens in the Summertime

What a beautiful place!  If you ever make it to Mildand, we are taking you here!  It's basically acres and acres of beautifully manicured lawns, trees, flowers, bridges, waterways, secret gardens, butterfly exhibit, an old fashioned barn, family gardens, rose gardens, fun stuff for the kiddos...it's a great place to just go and stroll, and sit on the grass, and enjoy the beauty of God's creations.  We had a great day doing just that!!  Enjoy the pics!!  I couldn't pick just one, or three, or five even...haha!!

Dow's house from the back...that water covers his underwater-studio...and he built the garden as an extension of his backyard...some kind of a yard, eh?

I am in LOVE with this bridge!!

Thank Goodness for Daddy!!

Where would any of us be without our dear, old Daddy?!?  We sure love this guy, and are so grateful for all he does for our family!  Who wouldn't want to celebrate such a great guy?!?  Thanks for all you do for us Mark!  We LOVE u!!

Father's Day dinner at it's finest!

I think he likes his gifts!

Trying out his new toy...

Bulls-eye!

Thanks Pop!

...for all the sweet things you do.  We appreciate all of your Golden Advice...

...We love that you are a nerd, and We hope you have many Great Adventures this year...Happy Father's Day!!

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!!