Juneeeee

June, what a whirl wind! We started off with a surprise for Grandpa's birthday: Rays game and a family party. Mimi&Grandpa played dress up with the kids, and it was a sweet time.

I got to go help with Calvin's end of Kindergarten games!  Such fun to get to see him with his classmates.

James and his candy bar he made at school. 

End of the year pictures for all the boys! James and Mrs. Lewis (3rd grade). Hayden and Mrs. Gullett (2nd grade). Calvin and Mrs. Bowie (Kindergarten!).

Calvin's vacation shirt for the win!

The prose boys kitchen band.

I love getting a great book recommendation. Thanks Jen Knapp!

Come on Jags- we are rooting for you!!

While Matt took his Young Life guys to pioneer plunge camp for a week, I took the boys on a road trip up to Illinois for a family reunion in the city where I was born. Had to stop at my parents on the way up & got some target practice in with the bow&arrow.

First Stop: St. Louis! We made a trip over to see my cousin Jess who is a cloistered nun at a Carmelite Convent. We had some local barbeque and loved seeing Jess. We even got to stay in the guest house for family members & the nuns made us breakfast! I teased the boys that you have to eat eggs made by nuns because they have to be holy, ha!

The boys wanted to surprise Jess when she walked in; you can see them hiding in this picture.

We got to see one of our families great friends! Chenoa was once my babysitter and also in my wedding! Her girls are around my boys' ages so we had a play date at the splash pad.

We got lost of pictures of David crying in group photos because he was clearly well rested. Road trips will do that to a guy!

We got settled and spent a couple of days eating and hanging out with my aunts and uncles and cousins. It was really great. My boys loved seeing the town and loved my Aunt Diane's house. They had a great time playing video games with Stuart in the basement, and they played with my cousin Sarah's kids in the 'bear cave' and making teepees in the woods. So so great.

I went to drive by my Grandma Momoo's house. It made me weep to see it again, but it was good.

I got to have a meal with my cousins Jenn and Becky! Michelle came too which was really fun.

The boys with Becky's kids, almost the same ages.

Big Dave and Little Dave. 

Had to try and take some pictures of people, but failed at getting everyone. David&Angie. Stewart&James. Diane&Bob.

My best shot of most: My Mom&Dad, Charlie&Stephanie, Sarah, missed Aunt Cindy&Robbie in this one.

Saying goodbye to the Peoria River and listening to some concert on the other side.

On the road home! 

Matt's group at camp.

The boys missed our pup sooooo much!

We met a really friendly Sheriff at Chick Fil A, and he let the boys run his lights! Haha, had to take pictures.

My girl Camryn's graduation party!!

David learned to swim with ISR! He did amazing and can float and swim across our pool. He passed his final test with a flip into the pool wearing his clothes! 

Packed up our kiddos to take them down for Word of Life Camp! Matt&I flew out of Tampa for our special trip to ROME. Italy, here we go!

Lord thank you for our family, for our Young Life community and the relationships you've given. Thank you for camp for the boys and for David learning to swim. Thank you for your gracious gift to us- thank you for our anniversary trip to Rome!! Thank you for all the goodness in this life, and thank you for making it so easy to see in this picture reel. Thank you for the pictures not taken, the tears cried and the messes. It wasn't all beautiful to look at, but it was all worth it. Amen.