PI cheese fest

4H is a big part of small town living. So, when there is a festival, there are sure to be farm animals. 

 True to herself, Zola LOVES animals and is not afraid of them... but more afraid of the people holding on to the lead. Its funny because people assume its the other way around. I always feel bad telling people that she is afraid of them... and if they simply look the other way and ignore her, she will warm up to the animal very quickly. Like this cow... with no people.

During cheese fest they close of Main street and set up a huge carnival. Of all the rides to choose to spend your limited tickets on, Dennis chose this obstacle course that was nothing more than playground equipment. But he had been eyeing it on the side of the road in its boxed up truck form for some time.

 We rode on a scrambler as a family. Surprisingly, there wasn't an age or height requirement. Zola was terrified to say the least during the first half of the ride, but towards the end I think I saw a little smile.

 Zola pretty much freaked out when she saw the carousel.

 She was in heaven...

 Dennis' last ride that he HAD to ride was the ferris wheel. It was his first one he had ever been on. And he was terrified at first. But after a few times around he started to get used to it.

 Zola, I think was oblivious to the fact that we were way up in the air... she was just glad to be sitting next to her dad.

It was fun. I felt sick from the fried foods and the scrambler. Baby funk #3 I'm sure was a scrambled mess.

preschool grad

Dennis had a great year of preschool. He participated in two different preschools this year. One was a coop preschool that we did with some kids from church and the other was the Pine Island Preschool. 

Its funny because one day Dennis told me that he plays WAY more in PI than with our coop. That just goes to show that paying for preschool isn't always the best option. 

Amalia, Callie, Sarah, Lucy, Judilyn, Dennis, Micheal

 He had a graduation program in Pine Island.

 He was so cute always flashing me the "I love you" sign. During practice the teacher told me that Dennis said that he wanted to be a doctor... but during the actual presentation he said that he wanted to be a hockey player when he grew up. That was the first time I had ever heard him even mention hockey. haha

 Here is his teacher, Miss Liz.

 Zola found the folding chairs a little complex.

 Here is Dennis' other teacher Miss Jen. We really liked working with them this year. Dennis had a blast.

 When asked to peal a carrot, Dennis might get a little carried away and see how much he can peal off! I love that kid.

supa-mahn and newman newman

This girl is definitely getting older. She has given up her formal nap time. She still sneaks in a nap when she can. She will sleep for 3-4 hours if you let her but then her schedule is all messed up... so we try not to fall asleep. Sometimes it is inevitable... like here she is waiting for dinner and fell asleep at 6. Yeah, we had a rough time around 11.  

This girl is so fun loving but is experimenting with her sassy side. She gives the furrowed brow and a strong will often these days. It doesn't matter what the choice is... her choice is whatever mine isn't. 

 She still loves to sing and dance. When nobody is paying attention- she is singing a song. Zola and Owen helped out at our garage sale and grandma's house. They LOVE each other and play so well with one another.

 One day Dennis found a tiny bottle of finger nail polish and he wanted me to paint Zola's toe nails. I just wasn't feeling up to it that day. So, later I saw Zola and her nails were painted. Dennis couldn't wait. I just wish I got a picture of that action going on. So adorable. Zola loved it so much that we have mommy daughter bonding at times.

 Zola LOVES superman and wonder woman... probably because Dennis does. In the winter they would wear their one piece jammies with feet around their neck as capes. Then they would run around the house. Now Zola is obsessed. She calls him "supa-mahn". Then she recently read a super hero book and found out about wonder woman, "newman newman". Its pretty cute.

The weather finally warmed up and Zola LOVES swimming. She normally wears her swim suit but this evening she was just going for a dip before dinner so she stripped down and thought it was hilarious going without clothes. She laughed hysterically.

number 3

This happened... We had a rough couple of months battling the side effects of the first trimester but I think I'm in the clear now at 16 weeks. Food is delicious again and I have the motivation to do some cleaning and cooking. We are just thrilled to add a little guy to our family. Ryan and I just look at each other in awe at how cool we think our life is... and our kids have a lot to do with that. 

mother's day at the cabin

 It was barely warm enough to get in the water... I even had to wear a sweatshirt watching them. But, if there is water around... Dennis is bound to get in no matter the weather. The water is extra high this year because of all the rain. It hasn't been this high since I was a little kid.

  The sauna always warms us up after a chilly swim. 

 Happy Mother's Day Grandma!

 We did a lot of work out in the woods clearing trail. The kids love riding in the trailer. They are all best of friends.

 Uncle Randy was so good to give everyone a ride.