Trip to Canada, June 24-26

Brent got to take his grandfather golfing at Kingsville Golf and Curling Club. They had a good time together. Murray even putted a few strokes.
We planted flowers on Saturday morning. Larry helped Linda plant this little maple tree as well.
Brent and Linda in front of the old farmhouse in Canada.
Enjoying a little conversation on the swing.
We all went to Collasanti's for dinner and a little fun. Here is Elli getting ready to feed the very large gold fish with Devin and Larry. They have lots of animals here though we didn't get to see them because they were closed by the time we finished dinner. We will have to go back.
Dinner of broasted chicken, broasted potato wedges, french fries, coleslaw, rolls, and delicious, freshly backed cinnamon doughnuts. Around the table; Elli, Brent, Murray, Devin, Eric, Donald, Nathan, Larry, Linda, Karen, Gordon, Laura, and Carla. It was a fun visit. We also stopped to see Aunt Ann, Uncle Carl Carolyn, and Adalai, on our way back to Michigan. Sunday morning we got to hear Devin sing a duet in church and Larry and Linda sing in the choir. This was truly a weekend packed tight with family and fun.

Happy Anniversary, 11 Years!

Brent and I went out to The Greene for dinner at the Asian restaurant, then dessert at Cold Stone. Elli spent the night with Heather and Gary and was very excited about it. Happy 11 years Brent!

Blueberry Pickin' at Berry Hill Farm

The farm was actually not open for "U-Pick", but we didn't know that until we got there. When the owner saw these girls, she let us pick anyway!
Elli found a bundle of berries. It is hard to tell in the picture, but these berries are huge and so very good. We had to try a few as we picked:)
Getting serious about these berries.
Elli picked about a pound, Emily picked two and a half pounds! We had a lot of fun.
Then, we baked a blueberry buckle, from allrecipes.com. So good!

Young's, June 28

Elli, Elliot, William. They all had fun on the train:)
Brent is trying out his new driver. Ell
And what is a fun trip to Young's without a pose from Elli, and delicious ice cream. We had a fun night.

Vacation Bible School continues

On a daily basis, more than once a day, Elli sings, dances, and "teaches" VBS songs and lessons. It is sweet to see how she remembers the words and motions, as well as the stories from the week. I would love it if one day, she really did get the opportunity to teach others at VBS. (I will be sure to show these pictures.)
These pictures are of her performing on stage to all the kids watching. (Ok, so Fergi and I are the only kids, but we are a captive audience)
"Start spreading the news."

Father's Day

Elli can do many things all on her own, including making a few items to eat. She does very well at making waffles, so she made some for herself and daddy. She really could not wait to wake him up! So fun.
These made the place mats for Brent's breakfast. They say, "With these hands I show you I love you. Happy Father's Day. Enjoy breakfast." She was quite proud.

The week before Father's Day, Elli told me she knew just what to do for daddy. She wanted to make him breakfast in bed. She talked about it lots and was so excited when the day arrived that she woke up at 7:15 and whispered in my ear that it was time to make breakfast. Here she is waking him up to surprise him. (We brought a blanket so we all three could have a picnic style breakfast in bed together)

How many people can fit on a couch? Strangely, they were all sitting there being entertained by Gary's robot. Elli used to be terrified of it, in fact she had bad dreams after Heather and Gary showed it to her. But now she is brave enough to get it out, carry it to us, and then jump on the couch while it does its thing:) Sorry I didn't get the robot in the pic.
The dad's are getting ready to partake of a delicious dessert.
My dad whom I love and my little girl, whom I also love!
Elli cannot help but pose for a picture. We enjoyed our time at Heather's after lunch at Abuelo's, after church! Too bad it was rainy and we couldn't swim. But, Brent and dad enjoyed watching golf, the US Open. (Rory Sabotini won with the lowest score ever! And he was the youngest to win) We also enjoyed playing with the kids, talking, and eating:) Fun Father's Day. Blessed to have a life filled with a dad who trained me to love God and a husband who loves God and his girls.

Dragon's Game

Elli didn't get a nap on Friday because she had ballet rehearsal at 4:00, but we left home at 3. So, she fell asleep on the way home, slept while I changed my clothes and made sandwiches, slept while I waited at Heather and Gary's for the time to leave for the game, and slept all the way there. At 7:15, Gary woke her up to carry her into the game. She said she was zonked!It didn't take long for her to wake up though. Especially with all the home runs! (and dippin dots:)
She took Gary's hat and put it on her face. She of course thought it was hilarious:) She made it on the big screen with lots of smiles, cute little waves, and her sweet face. What a busy and very fun day we had on Friday!

Ballet Recital, June 18

This is Elli before the rehearsal on June 17.
Her class all lined up before their practice time on stage.
The beginning of the routine. "Feed the Birds."
Love this sweet girl. Gets me a little choked up.
Elli and Lily.
While backstage getting ready for the recital, one of the big girls offered to put some glitter in her hair. She was so excited.
Pre-performance pictures. Not many jitters for these girls.
So serious about her arabesque.
After the show. She was proud of her job well done. What a fun day.
Brent went out and got flowers for Elli before the show. She loves flowers!

For Elli's rehearsal, Kyle, Meg, Seth, Leah, Wesley, Luka, Heather, Mom, and I were able to watch her. She was so excited and was wondering the whole way there who could come. It was just Brent and I for the recital, but she was still so excited to perform and do her best. She is a sweet little ballerina and takes it very seriously. I really do love her.

Vacation Bible School, The Big Apple Adventure!

Thank you to all the crew leaders, but especially Brenda and Olivia for the Yellow Taxis #4. Elli had a good week, so did I.
Elli got mad at me one night because the big girls came off the stage to see the little ones and I had picked Elli up already. She said, "Mommy, I really wanted to see those cabin girls!" They weren't called cabin girls this year but Elli called them that! So, the next night, we stuck around a little!
The girls gathered around Lindsey's lap for a picture. She was one of two girls on stage singing and teaching the songs. The little ones want to be just like those girls!
Borrowing Heather's megaphone from game time. Elli told me she was a helper at game time and should have gotten a thank you card. Oh brother!
Look how fast she is. Well, I know you cannot see how fast she is by a picture, but she is getting fast!
Singing "Big Apple Adventure." At home, Elli pretends to teach others these songs and motions. She is really good at it.
As Travis called this, "The mini Mosh!" The preschoolers would gather in front of the stage to sing and dance. So fun for them.
Really singing those songs!

I taught preschool Bible story this year, Heather and Gary did games. (mom helped one night when Gary couldn't be there!) Fun week a=of teaching these kids about Jesus. We collected over $3000 to buy beds for kids in Haiti. It made quite an impact on Elli!

Heather's birthday celebration

Heather and grandma.
Cute poses:)
When you have a birthday party with aa lot of little ones, this is where you all end up. On the floor playing:)
If it looks like Elli is getting tired she probably is. She had a lot of candles to put on the cake for Heather:)
Elli loves to help blow out the candles!
The boys!