Abigail's 8th Birthday!

On August 18th Abigail turned EIGHT! Crazy to me because I can remember holding her for the first time in the hospital eight years ago. What did she want for her birthday? A pedicure with mom and family time going to the Street Performers. We did both of those things as well as a little manicure, presents and cake too.

Opening her present from Aunt Rebecca, Uncle Brad, Josh and Luke while getting her pedicure. It was a butterfly garden...where you grow the butterflies. Thanks, Bec. Paybacks...


Abby thinks it's pretty cool that Uncle Tavid (T-Bone) seems to always be in Michigan over her birthday. I think she thinks he makes the trip from Seattle just for her. :)Most of Abigail's gifts this year had a common theme...books. She got lots of books and Barnes and Noble gift cards...she was in Heaven!

Happy 8th Birthday, Abigail!

EIGHT! I really can't believe that Abby is 8! And what a fun, crazy, challenging, exciting, stressful, interesting, lively, energetic and amazing eight years it's been! Abigail is a joy to be around, loves life and is just an all-around fun kid! She adds so much to our family and we all love her SO much! Happy 8th Birthday, Abbers!

Henry's 6th Birthday Party

Henry wanted to have an "Angry Birds" birthday party this year. What fun! I had to get a little creative to pull it all off since I couldn't just go to the party store and get Angry Birds plates, napkins, etc. I bought an iron-on transfer off ebay and then put it on a plain blue t-shirt for Hanks' birthday shirt. I can't believe he's SIX already!
We had Cindy make our cupcakes again and I just asked for plain, bright colors. I bought the cupcake toppers off of etsy and they turned out really cute!

Henry wanted "Corn, fruit and chips" for his party food..."with something else like hot dogs for everyone else to eat" since he doesn't eat meat. Cracked me up. My mom brought the fruit kabobs and he was so excited about them and asked for his picture by them. They were so fun looking!
I made these favor bags after finding some templates on line. They turned out super cute and were really easy.


Josh and Johanna were LOVING their cupcakes! I was thrilled when Josh chose black. :)

Sylvie and Henry...headed to kindergarten
together this Fall.

Pinata candy!

Josh and Jos with their Push Pops...lovin' life.

I believe this present was Playmobil. Henry got Playmobil, Phineas and Ferb toys, art supplies and crafts, a gift card to Build-a-Bear, an Angry Birds backpack and an Angry Birds game...he was so thrilled with everything and very appreciative.

Abby and Bebe...headed to third
and second grade this year.

Blueberry Picking 2011

We made our annual trip to the Gold Barn this year on July 14th to pick our blueberries. We went with my mom, Rebecca, Luke and Josh on a gorgeous afternoon. We picked around 25 pounds this time around and most went right into our freezer for the winter months. Our kids LOVE frozen blueberries and wanted to stuff our freezer full. We might go back again before the Summer is over and get a few more pounds.

Camp Geneva

Abby was blessed to be able to go to Camp Geneva again this year. She went with cousin Bebe again and they chose to go during the week that Joel Tanis was there, along with others from the "Come on Over" crew! Abigail had such a fun week learning about God, singing songs, playing in the pool and at the beach, doing crafts and just having fun with old and new friends!
Abby's in the top row, middle, in the white shirt. Her cousin Bebe is on her right.
Bebe, Abby and their counselor this year, Kara. They had a great time with her!
The kids had an awesome opportunity this week with Joel Tanis. Joel painted the top of this amazing painting, based on Psalm 42:1. Every camper got to paint a flower or creature at the bottom. What a cool thing! I know my daughter well too - I picked out which flower I thought would be her's before she showed it to us. It's just so "her" with the multiple, fun colors. I'm still hoping that we get the opportunity to purchase a print of this picture!