Thank you Youth!

Sometimes it pays to live close to our church! Our church is currently holding a youth conference, and part of their activities include doing service projects. So they asked if they could come over and help with some yard work. Hmmmm... let me think...

Being next to fields on two sides, we have a bit of a weed problem. So it wasn't hard to figure out what they could do for us. It was great- 20 youth worked for about an hour, and it made a huge difference in our garden.

Elin thought she would get in there and help, too. I don't know why it's so much more fun with the other kids, but it's not usually so easy to get her to pull weeds. Thank you to all the youth for the service!

Summer Reading

It's very interesting to watch a boy with Nate's energy level sit down and read a book. Since his little body just can't sit still for more than a few seconds, it makes activities like reading a book interesting and often humorous.

Nate and a friend of his are doing a reading challenge over the summer in which they have to read 3,ooo minutes by the end of summer. Nate is determined and has been pushing himself to get the minutes in. But it's pretty funny to watch him sit and read while his body wriggles all over the place, making the chair unrecognizable by the end.

New Discovery of an Old Tradition

As someone who enjoys trying new things and making breakfast for the family, this was the perfect Father's Day gift... an ebelskiver pan! (say able-skeever). I first saw this about a year ago, but haven't tried it until now. They are an old Danish treat- a puffy, circular pancake with fillings or toppings. Yum!

This is a basic chocolate mix with chocolate chips in the middle. We've also done regular mix with fruit in the middle, and there are a ton of different varieties.

And viola! Usually topped with some powdered sugar, but our kids don't really care. They just want the ebelskiver. I think we have a new tradition in our home.

Nate's "Compassion" Project

This was pretty cool... all the elementary school kids in the area created an art piece that expressed their view of compassion. And all 10,000+ are on display at a local art museum. Here they are a few of them-

We found Nate's (with the computer's help). It's hard to see, but I think it's a picture of his Mom helping him with something.

April's favorite was this little random chick... not sure why.

I could only take so much admiring of the little projects. After about 4,385 pictures I had to sit and take a rest ;) I guess I'll be revisiting.

Safety City Fun

Both of our kids went to Safety City for a week. It's basic stuff, but hey you can't be too careful, right? Besides they both love it, and they get a free bicycle helmet out of it!

At "graduation" they put on a little "safety city" play.

Can you pick out Nate and Elin?

"Stop! Stay away! Leave me alone!" I dare any stranger to approach these kids, I was deaf afterward.

"Is your dog friendly? May I pet him?" I was pleasantly surprised when they both put this into practice (word for word) at the farmer's market for a BIG dog.

Probably their favorite part, cruising in their "cars" around safety city.

They now know their signs (I have to say with a bit of pride, though, Nate is very well versed in street lights/signals since we ride a lot around town together).

Our "graduation" certificates. Our kids are now safe! (yeah, right)

Daddy Daughter Dance

Elin and I went out on a "date" the other night to our church's Daddy-Daughter dance. The young men and young women did a great job of putting this together, and of course all the little princesses were in heaven. Unfortunately all I had to take pics at the dance was my iphone, so they're not great but they do the job.

Elin was pleasantly surprised to get a flower on her wrist.

Every Daddy's dream- an unprompted kiss from his daughter.

Elin with one of her best friend's, Maggie. They probably spent more time dancing together than I did with Elin (which, personally, I was okay with).

Some of the little princesses dancing it up on stage.

At one point the daughters had to take a shoe off and us Dad's had to guess our own daughter's feet. With some nail polish and tickles and giggles, it wasn't too hard.

More dancing with the "big" princesses... Elin loved every second of it. I guess we'll be returning next year.

The Party!

"I turned four and soon I will turn 4 and 1/2 and then 5 and 5 and a 1/2." Elin just had her party and it was a trip. We invited the guests to dress up. Elin dressed up like "Super Elin" complete with super hero cape and flower crown. Super woman has nothing on her. Not to mention Elin's outfit is far cuter. We did some shots prior to the arrival of spiderman and the other princesses and ballerina.

See my powerful muscles!

That smile gets me (and Jason even more) every time.

The hair and crown.

Laughing at Daddy.

Laughing at Daddy some more.

Smirking at mom.

Oh and then the fun/craziness began! The pinata was a big hit. It has become a birthday tradition. We did it one year with Nate and now they expect to go pick out their pinata each year. Hey, it works it is something to do at a party. Lucy's skills took the burro down, but no candy came out.

Jase had to take his life in his hands to finish it off.

He stepped back a bit for Patryk.

The candy finally came out!

The cake - Nate and Jason were on the Father Son campout the night before and Elin had to suffer with my baking skills. Strawberry Shortcake Angelfood Cake isn't too shabby though.

More fun! Flying through the sky.

The boys.
Intense game of Air Hockey.

Cute smile!
More cute smiles


Jessie! "Hee Haw!"

Fun after with Nate!

Using our bubbles! It was a great day.