Memorial Day Weekend at Norris Lake

OK, we were posing, but the camera went off before Brent and Leah could run in. They were there, I promise! We were getting ready to eat our cupcake cones for Heather's birthday celebration.
Making breakfast casserole.
Ready for the pool!
They were ready for their first boat ride.
Brent and dad went golfing, but the rest of us went out on the boat for some riding and then swimming.
Elli was not afraid this year, at all!
The boys were out there with us, enjoying every minute...of getting out of the water. JK They calmed down after the first shock.
Evening ride out to get some ice cream.
And this group shot is blurry. Not doing too good on the group pics. Leah stayed back with the twins because they wanted to go to sleep.
Happy birthday Heather!

One Carefree Day!

Elli wanted to pose in front of our pretty rose bushes!
She thought a bun would be a good idea for rising her bike today.
Getting to be such a big girl.
Cannot get over how she loves to pose for pictures. She picked out her outfit, said it was perfect for riding a bike, and then asked if I could take her picture:)
How I love days with nothing to do but play.

Elli's Graduation from Cedarville Learning Center

Never a picture without a pose!
Family picture in front of the Opera House.
So happy Kyle, Meg, and Seth could come.
Gonga and Papa also made it out. (Jenna and Justin had to leave right away because Justin's sister was having a baby!!!!)
How do you get 14 5 and 6 year olds to all smile in the same dirention at the same time!
Elli getting her "diploma" from Mrs. Liz. I missed the hug! (her diploma was a poem about sunflower seeds with a few to plant. She was so excited!!!!)
She was so lady-like up there. She got a little embarrassed with all of the staring at her and taking pictures.
Getting ready to go back up on stage for her graduation, after her preschool program.
The program was called, "The Diary of a Preschooler." The kids sang some songs, recited some poems, and read some stories. This was Elli putting letter "R" on the coconut tree for the book "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom." Fun graduation at the Opera House.

Storms!

Some hail next to a golf ball. We found some bigger than this even! Our screens were torn, siding broken, grill cover ripped, and many dents in our downspouts and Elli's swing set. Other than that, we were all safe.
Hail on our deck.

We lost power for a couple hours so we played UNO by candle light, ate ice cream by candle light, and then made a sleeping bag in out room for Elli using our flashlights:) The power came back on just as we were going to bed, so Elli slept in her room.
The storm blew our grill and furniture across the deck. We thought it may have been destroyed, (because of the noise) but not so. Thankful for that!
Elli was a little nervous, so I told her how great God was to make these storms. She then noticed some lightening and asked Brent if he had seen the amazing lightening. She slept through the rest of the storms that night and even during her nap today. I love that she is learning to turn some of her fear into awe of her Creator.

Bad Situation Room

Elli will be going into a new ballet class next year. She asked what room she would be in. I told I wasn't sure but maybe the middle room or the one at the end of the hall. She replied, "Oh no mommy. That room at the end is the bad situation room. There are big girls in there that wag their hair, get on the floor, kick their legs high and wag their hair some more. It is totally a bad situation." I am glad she is learning what is appropriate and not appropriate for dancing:)

Lucia Hope Raymond, May 23, 2011

Elli got to hold her Monday night.
Brent's turn.
Lucy only about an hour old here. I was so excited to be part of her entrance into the world. Paula made it look so easy to have a baby! I LOVED being there. Cannot believe I didn't pass out!!!!!
How very sweet is she?
Proud brother and sister Andrew and Lily. The other two girls came later to meet their newest sister. So fun.

Dragons game

We walked by at the right time to get this picture! She was going to get her picture with just Gem, then Heater walked up, she got scared, and I had to hold her:)
The man in the red shirt in front of us, snagged this shirt and handed it to Elli. She was so very happy!!!!
Posing before the game in her own Dragons shirt that Heather and Gary got her for her birthday.
And we may have our own little dragon! She is pretty good at hitting the ball. Look at her determination. She can hit it far too!
She took a break to hit her shoes with her bat. She said she learned it from watching the dragons:)

Brandi's baby shower

Elli helped Brandi open the gift from Heather, Leah and I. We got her a convertible swing and bouncy seat. She got lots of fun things for her little boy, coming in a month.
Elli wanted to sit on Grandma's lap so she could see better.
Mom, her sister Tanya, Brandi, and Grandma. This little boy will be Brandi's 4th baby and second boy. His name will be Logan!

Ballet pictures

For two years now, these girls have enjoyed ballet at Bellbrook Dance Academy. They are so cute in their little outfits this year. They are dancing to "Feed the Birds" from Mary Poppins.
Love their little friendship.
So sweet!

AWANA awards and time with Seth

Elli got a t-shirt at the dragon's game. It is a little big, but fun to play in.

Seth's turn to try it on.
Such a cute little guy. We love our time with him.
AWANA awards night. Elli finished her second year of Cubbies. She did a great job memorizing all her verses. So proud of our little Cubbies!
We were in the Red Lambs group two years in a row. Deanna and I worked together both years. Such fun to build those memories. This year we also had Stephen Bruckart as well as 3 great LIT's. It was a good year.

My Mom, by Ellianna Ferguson

Elli dictated this poem to her preschool teacher abut me for Mother's Day:

My mom always says, "We're goin' to Kroger!" She cooks the best pancakes. We like to play with my doll house together. Her favorite thing to wear is her pants and a white shirt. My mom was beautiful when she had curly hair.

I laughed and cried. I hope she doesn't think I only want to go to Kroger. I think I say I love her more than that. Not sure what white shirt she is talking about, but if I find one in my closet I will wear it with pants:) I have very straight hair, but plan on curling it more often. I love this sweet little girl. Happy Mother's Day to me:)

Twins, Monday May 16

Look at these sweet little smiles. Just after I took this, they started holding hands. They love each other.
Oh so sweet.
Little Wesley! Love his sweet little face.
They are both into sticking their tongues out, a lot. Here is Luka showing off his:)