Still Alive & Kickin'

For those of you wondering if I've dropped off the face of the planet, never to return...no worries, I am planning to find my way back in the very near future!
I have so many things to share,
so many beautiful things happening,
a few tough roads we've been traveling down
and some pretty fantastic insights I've gained through it all...

The biggest and the best:
Our beautiful daughter, Danielle, 
is spreading her wings, 
following her heart 
and chasing after her dreams...
On the 3rd of July, she will be leaving our family for 18 months while she serves a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I am so happy for her.  She has been called to the Baltimore, Maryland Mission.  I am thrilled that she will be able to touch the lives and hearts of so many ~
Baltimore, YOU are in for a treat...
this sweet girl of mine is a rare treasure and I am willing to share her with you, so treat her well.  :)

Before she takes off on her adventure, one of the top things on our list to do was FAMILY PHOTOS!!!
Tonight was a night of fun and laughter for our family as we headed out for our previously scheduled family photo shoot ~ to be held outside.  It was dumping buckets of rain as we were driving...a couple of my boys insisted that we should cancel and reschedule, but I was certain all would be well and that we could make this happen.
And guess what???

I was right, it was a perfectly wonderful evening!
Can't wait to share our photos with you just as soon as I see them...

I just have to say, my family is quite a spectacular sight!!!

Good night all...
Be ready for me, cause I am going to have post after post after post coming in the very near future.
(Smiles and winks!!!)

Summer Fun with your Kiddos!!!

YOU MADE IT!!!

The “Official” school year has come to a close…

And SUMMER is upon us!

This month, I’d like to give you a short list (maybe a long one, we’ll see!) 

of fun ideas to do with your kiddos over the warm summer months.  

It’s definitely time to give yourself a little break and enjoy those kiddos you’ve been blessed with!!!

As soon as I hit "Publish", I'm outta here with my little clan...

off to the park with a picnic basket in hand, a blanket and a book to read aloud.  We'll search out the greatest looking tree and plant ourselves under it...read for a bit and then explore for a few.  LOVE that summer is here!!!  

Sunshine is such a happy thing!

And on with the list...

(Warning:  This will make you just want to play all day and never sneak in a moment of work)

Create amazing artwork on your driveway with sidewalk chalk

Laugh as much as possible

Head to the park with a Frisbee and a watermelon

Run through the sprinklers

Grab your sidewalk chalk and enjoy a game of sidewalk Tic-Tac-Toe or Hang Man and don't forget to create your best HoP-ScoTch game...your kids will love to see you hoppin' with them!

Build a blanket fort

Visit the zoo

Get on that scooter and head out with your kiddos

Go on a hike

Build something together

Hit the drive-in movie, take sacks of hot popcorn and a blanket or two

Go for a ride in the car, windows down, hair blowing, music turned way up!

Feed the ducks

Go fishing

Play marbles on your porch

Blow bubbles

Go out and play in the rain, then head in for a day of puzzles

Enjoy a game of croquet or soccer in your yard

Take nature walks and really look for the beauty and wonder, taking time to point it out

Watch the sunset

Do a little star-gazing

Provide some water balloons and let the fun begin!

Dig in the dirt

Go to a lake, find a dock, head to the end and lay down looking into the water, talk about everything you see

Plant a garden and spend time there together

Have a hula-hooping contest

Have a tea party

Jump on the trampoline (go potty first, Momma!)

Lay under the trees and listen to the wind blowing through the leaves

Have a bug exploration day

Enjoy a game of capture the flag

Build a lemonade stand and hang out with your kiddos sippin’ on lemonade

Go bird watching

Build a firepit and use it as often as possible, for extra smiles, be sure to have a few marshmallows and a stick or two

Plant HUGE sunflowers and measure their heights

Find a creek and splash around in it

Take long walks in the evening

Make ice cream cones

Search for the wonders that surround you

Climb in your kids “fort” and hang out with them

Hit the pool…go ahead, put on your swimsuit and get in with them, it’ll be okay!

Go camping in your backyard

Climb that tree with your kids

Play a game of hide and seek

Find a hill and roll down it together

Hit the swing sets and see how high you can go

Kiss those sweet kiddos of yours each night and hug them as tight as you can every chance you get!

Wishing you each a magical summer with your families!

And we're off...

so many FUN things to do!!!