We had a little fun yesterday with the camera...the girls and I decided to do a picture copying one of myself with my older sister. These dresses have survived the many years of wear- even after my younger sisters wore them. So here you are:

Heather and Brooke almost 30 years ago

Little Brookie

Little Gracie

Katherine

My two princesses

Lots of love!

and tickles

Hope You Enjoy....

Ohio Trip

We went to Ohio over Labor Day Weekend to visit Jeffrey's parents. On the way through Kentucky we stopped to see the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. We have been studying the Underground Railroad, Slavery, Abraham Lincoln, and the Civil War this semester. Small trips such as these are really fun reinforcements of what we are reading at home.

Guess who is President Lincoln?

David looks more the part of Lincoln as a boy

We also got to see Jeffrey's brother and sister-in-law, as well as their little boy, Alex. This was the first time we got to meet Alex.

Regan and Kent

Alex and Regan

Alex trying to keep up with the big cousins

We had a very pleasant and restful visit after many busy summer weeks. Here are some pictures from our day at the zoo.

Everyone rode the carousel this year without any fear or arms holding onto mom and dad.

The zoo was busy, but the animals were quite active, which made the experience very entertaining. Our favorites were the monkeys, apes, and polar bears.

This ape seemed to like having it's picture taken.

July parties

Happy Birthday David and Grace!

On June 27th, Grace turned 3 years old.

On July 3rd, David turned 5 years old.

Here is Grace in her new dress with her new roller skates.

Happy Fourth of July! (picture #1 facing the sun)

(Take 2)

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!!!!

Much love to all of our family and all the cousins...you are missed. :)

May and June

My sister Anna graduated this May.

All of my siblings were in town except Amy who was in

Germany on a college trip.

The proud nieces and nephews were there as witnesses.

Grace is soon to be 3 next week. She is all girl-very into shoes and clothes. She doesn't let her older brothers and sister boss her around either. She has quite the voice to show her displeasure when others are not playing fairly.

Jonathan just finished 1st grade and loves reading. He reads more in one day that I can read in a week or two. I am thrilled that he enjoys it so much. Katherine finished Kindergarten but completed all the same work as Jonathan (since we homeschool). She too is an avid reader. Jonathan and Katherine love reading the Boxcar Children and discussing what the mysteries were about. I am glad they have each other to dialogue with because I cannot keep up with their books anymore! David is soon to start Kindergarten in the Fall. He has already unofficially begun and is anxious to learn to read so he can catch up on all the books.

This last month we purchased a wooden swing set for the backyard. Due to the business of life it has taken quite awhile to get it all pieced together. My dad and Jeffrey worked on it two full days with lots of helpers. I will have more updated pictures of the finished project.

Updated pictures

Happy Birthday, Katherine (6 years old!)

Biggest snow of the year

Happy Easter!

Jonathan's attempt to get mom and dad

Oh Well!

Happy New Year

There has been little time to collect all the fun memories we have been making this season. We are finally beginning to settle into our new home. It was fun having decorations all through the house and sad to take them down this week. We miss the color since we do not have curtains or new wall paint yet.

In December we enjoyed time with Jeffrey's parents and Brooke's family. We also connected with some friends. We have also added two pets to the family- Faith and Ginger. Enjoy the pictures!

Ginger

Faith

Brooke and Siblings

Dave and Molly

Gifts from Grandma and Grandpa

Grace's new boots

Brooke and Rachel (friend from college)