Maddie Piano Recital 2014

Another "old" post from the backlog of photos and videos that I'm still catching up with... this one is Maddie's 3rd grade piano recital from April.  She played "Noel" (not the Christmas song) by Alexandre Tansman.  Enjoy!

Searching through old blog posts I noticed that I didn't post her 2nd grade recital, but here's a link to here first grade recital from 2012.

Florida Spring Break 2014

As I post this overdue blog update in the middle of the blazing hot summer, oh how I long for the cooler days of spring.  In March we traveled to Florida to spend spring break with Grandma.  While this area of Florida is known for some of the best beaches in the world, we didn't have the best beach weather during our visit. However the cool (and sometimes wet) weather didn't dampen our spirits.  We had a fantastic week of fun and awesome activities.  Oh, and we did get to the beach (several days) too!

Dad, Luke and Maddie building the perfect sand castle

Luke runs to the waves (and turns around to run away)

A boat sails into the sand castle moat

Maddie, Mom, and crystal clear water

Maddie tests the water

Luke scoops a handful of sand between waves

A new dump truck makes the perfect beach toy?

We caught a bucket full of... water

There's a boy wrapped in that towel...

Planting tomatoes with Grandma

Sitting on Grandma's dock looking for dolphins

Cheese!

Playing chase in Grandma's back yard

Camera shy Luke with Sissy

The freaky gorilla statue makes Luke uncomfortable... okay and Dad too

A moment of laughter on National Green Shirt Day

Maddie + Aquarium = Happiness

During a visit to a wild cat rescue, a "kitty" loves on Maddie

Lots of cat prints in this photo... one is real

Grandma and Maddie

Luke's School Completion Ceremony (from May 2014)

I'm still trying to catch up with blog posts but not doing so well... lots of great photos and videos to post.

Here are a few photos and a short video from Luke's "Completion Ceremony" in May when he completed his first year of school in his 3-year old class.  (This week he started in the 4-year old class)!  By the way, I have a longer version of the video and I can send the link if you're interested, just let me know.

Luke and Miss Erin

He did it!  First year complete!

Random photos from early 2014

I've been bad about posting photos and updates lately (okay, I've been bad for awhile - first post of 2014 is in June?!).  A big reason for this is simply the business of daily family life and work and all that is going on. However I wouldn't be completely honest if I didn't admit (at least to myself) that I just need to resolve to make time and commit to more frequent postings.  Let's see how that goes...

My lack of activity on this blog certainly is not due to lack of material to post and discuss.  We collect hundreds of photos and hours of videos, almost faster than we can download, view and process.

Here are some random photos from early 2014... enjoy!

Dad and Luke feed some hungry goats at the zoo

A moment of laughter at the zoo

Maddie gives iguana a high five

Big Sissy and Little Brother

Expressive... I can't remember what he was saying or doing, but it sure is a cute photo

A bath time photo

Halloween, Etc.

A busy October wrapped up with Halloween (of course) and a few other Halloween-related events.  For the first time in several years we didn't go to our usual pumpkin festival, but Luke's class took a field trip to a nearby farm for a fun day of games, rides and activities.  Both kids had lots of Halloween fun, but especially Luke as this was the first year that he was really excited for Halloween and trick or treating.  Enjoy the photos!

Dad and Luke carving the pumpkin

Dad and Maddie with pumpkin scoops poised and ready

Luke on the "cow train" at the farm

Luke finds the perfect pumpkin in the pumpkin patch

Jumping on the air pillow at the farm

Astronaut Luke and Mom

Luke and Maddie (a.k.a Hermine)

Ready to go

World's cutest astronaut

Maddie and friends gather before trick or treating

Pumpkin carved by Dad, Maddie and Luke!

Camping October 2013

Our annual 3-family group camping trip last month was one of the best ever!  The weather during the four-day, three-night outing was nearly perfect (although a little cold the first night - 39 degrees!).  But even better, it was Luke's first camping trip (successfully) sleeping in the tent!  If you'd like to remember Luke's previous camping trips:

• Camping 2010 (Dad and 3-month old Luke spend night in hotel)
• Camping 2011 (Dad and 15-month old Luke stay in small cabin)
• Camping 2012 (Family stays in large cabin)

This year our whole family slept in the tent together (like a camping trip should be)!  Leading up to this trip, Luke was so excited. He got his very own sleeping bag and headlamp just like the big kids.  He had such a great time and he LOVED sleeping in the tent.  In fact, not only did he sleep great in the tent all night, but he took great naps every day too!

As usual, Maddie had four straight days of non-stop fun with her girlfriends.  With all of the girls getting older now, they really enjoyed their "freedom" to wander away from the campsite on their own (but not too far) to play in the creek, visit the campground cats at the campsite clubhouse or play on the playground.  Luke played some with the girls, some with Mom, some with his big-boy friend Jack, and mostly with Dad.  As soon as we got home, Luke was already asking when we could go camping again.  Since Luke did so well and had so much fun, we're considering a spring camp trip early next year!

Luke and Jack play in the dirt - boy fun!

The girls get ready to play in the creek

Even at night, it's never too late to play with the toys

Maddie swings out over the water at the "Tarzan hole"

Camping - it's not our home... it's theirs!

Mom and Luke sitting by the nighttime fire

Dad and Luke walking in the creek

Maddie and Audrey swing at "Tarzan hole"

Dad and Luke looking relaxed

Luke looking REALLY relaxed - napping in the tent

Dad and Maddie in the great outdoors

Maddie and Kate on the big swing

Maddie and Luke walking back to camp

Four girls... four days... lots of smiles

Family photo - 2013