Family Reunion, Malabar Farm in Mansfield, July 2nd, 2011

The huge rock at the end of the cave. Cool how it got stuck right there.
The crew entering the cave.
There was a bit of a tight spot. Jenna and baby made it through just fine:)
Most of the family members who made it through the cave. The "aunts and uncles" took their turn later in the morning.
Kyle, Seth, and Larry came through a bit later. There was a crevice in the roof of the cave and I took this picture looking down on them.
We were able to have a baby shower for Jenna while there. What fun to celebrate the coming life with family.
Family picture before heading out. We then went to visit Randy and ended the evening at Grandma's house for root beer floats. It was a great day.

July 1st, 2011, Columbus Zoo

Elli posing on the tiger. All the real cats were sleeping, but we had fun looking for them hiding in the shade.
One of our favorite animals is the Okapi. It is such a funny looking thing. It leads to great discussion on God's creativity in creation.
The polar bears were awake and playing. We went down to the underwater viewing area to watch the bears jump on the glass.
This one was playing with the balls and discs. So cute!
The bear would jump off the glass below, up to the people in the viewing area. The kids there were loving it. So were the adults actually.
Poor little goats. Elli got to all of them, I think, brushing their hair.
Of course we had to ride the carousel. Such a big girl she is.
This baby elephant was fun to watch. He was playing in the water, swimming, flipping, etc. The mama was pacing back and forth though until he got out!

We decided to spend some family time together on our 11th anniversary, so we went to the zoo. Great way to spend the day.

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.