Swimming with our cousins!

Ava and Addy feeding the cats!

Mitchell and Connor in the apple tree

The boys warming up after being in the cold pool!

Papa and Ava!

Connor and Caleb having a race!

Mitchell jumping into the cold water!

On Wednesday we went to Nana and Papa Olsons's for the day and we got to go swimming for the first time this year. The water was quite cold, but the kids didn't care! They just jumped right in! Thanks to Papa for taking such great care of the pool and getting it ready for us to swim! The kids loved swimming again and Mitchell was excited b/c he could finally touch the bottom of the pool! After swimming, the kids played around the yard and enjoyed climbing Nana's cherry tree and playing the kitties.

We always have a great time at Nana and Papa's house!

I-Cubs Game

A picture of some of the cousins after the game!

Connor with dad's binoculars watching the game!

The three musketeers!

Mitchell and Nora!

On Monday night they had dollar days at the Iowa Cubs where you could get in for a dollar and have popcorn, pop and pretzels for a dollar. So we decided to go to the game with my family and all the cousins! The kids had a great time and loved all the popcorn! They weren't too interested in the game, just playing with each other was fun for them. Unfortunately, the I Cubs didn't win the game but it was a fun night!

Signs of Spring!

Last week Monday was so beautiful outside in the morning with the dew on all the flowers, I was just walking around my yard enjoying God's creation. The Lilly's and flowers all had dew on them that looked like diamonds on them and the sound of baby robins chirping in their nest always makes me enjoy the newness of spring time and new life. Here are a few pictures of God's creation

Preschool Graduation

Mitchell singing "My God is so BIG"

Mitchell singing "YEEHAA" at the end of his last song!

Mitchell and his wonderful teachers!

Very proud!

Mitchell had a very important day in his life today, he graduated from his preschool. Nana and Papa Olson, Nana and Papa Van Zee and Aunt Nancy all came for the special day! Mitchell and his classmates all stood up on the kid decorated stage and sang some great songs! My favorite was "My God is so BIG" where the kids all sang really loud at the end! After singing songs they each got their graduating caps on and sang a couple last songs! Mitchell did a great job and we were all very proud of him! Here are a few pictures of his special day!

Farm Field Trip

On the way home from our fun day!

Mitchell and some of his friends from preschool!

Mitchell and Valerie on the hay rack ride!

Riding his pony!

He got five eggs in his basket!

Mitchell finding fresh farm eggs!

Mitchell holding the kittens

Mitchell bottle feeding the cow!

Looking BIG standing on the Hay bale

Feeding the goats corn

Mitchell on the JD 4440 tractor

Best friends!

This morning was such a beautiful day for a field trip! I got to go to Mitchell's last preschool field trip today. We went to a farm near Lynville called West field farms. They had lots of different animals there to look at and help feed. The kids had a great time going on miniature pony rides, going on hay rack rides, feeding the horses and bottle feeding the calves. They also enjoyed jumping in the hay barn, climbing the hay bales and finding some fresh eggs! Here are a few pictures of the fun morning we had together. We'll miss doing fun things at preschool but look forward to Mitchell's graduation on Thursday. I'm sure I'll post some pics of that fun day soon!

5 1/2 Birthday and Happy Mother's Day!

Mitchell's preschool does a great job making a child feel special on their half birthdays. So on Tuesday, Mitchell got to celebrate his "half birthday" for the day. He was so excited to go to preschool that day, he could hardly wait. I decided to go to preschool as well to help him celebrate! I made some watermelon sugar cookies for the kids to eat for snack, which the kids loved. The teachers do a really great job making the day special! They make a birthday crown, be a line leader, let them pick out a prize and sing "happy birthday" . I got a few pictures of his special day and a video of them giving Mitchell a "birthday pat". Happy "half" birthday Mitchell! I was a proud mommy! Happy Mother's day!

Minnesota Trip

Mitchell and Sophie pretending like they are on a train!
Look at all of the amazing flowers!

Connor and Sophie looking for fish!

Laura, Katie and Sophie having fun!

Connor and I riding the horse!

Mitchell riding on the Merry-Go-Round!

All of us having dinner on Friday night!

The three musketeers!

Connor and Sophie!

Mitchell and Connor on the Giraffes!

This past weekend we went to Minnesota to visit Elden's cousins and Bob and Carol Slings. It was Connie and Elwood's anniversary and Uncle Bob's 60th Birthday so we thought we'd celebrate! We haven't been to Minnesota to visit them as long as Elden and I have been married so it was past time for a visit. Thankfully it rained, so Elden got to come along as well! We were glad to have the whole family there! We got there on Friday evening for dinner and ate together and it was good to see everyone again! We stayed at a hotel which was nice b/c then the kids could swim for a while. Mitchell was ready to swim at 6:30 a.m. telling Elden and I that the sun was up and then opened up the blinds to show us that it was indeed up! That was a nice start to our Saturday morning !) Saturday we spent the day looking at each cousin's home; we liked to call it the "Tour of Homes". On Saturday afternoon we went to a small zoo and a conservation building (which is a lot like the botanical center in Des Moines). In one of the rooms it had the most amazing flowers! That was by far my favorite spot in the Conservation Center! The zoo had a few giraffes, zebras and monkeys for the kids to look at. They also had an amusement/carnival part as well beside the zoo where the kids could go on rides. Probably the most unique ride was the Merry-Go-Round that we went on. It was made back in the '40's and each horse was hand carved and painted. The kids have never been on one b/f so they thought it was pretty cool. Saturday evening we headed back home. It was so good to see all of the Sling's and we were thankful for their hospitality!