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Dear family and friends who don't live around here,

There is NO first day of Second grade picture yet....because there has been NO SCHOOL YET! We had a freak storm Saturday that knocked out power to most of the city. It has taken them this long to get it all restored. Our power went out Sat evening around 5pm and came on Monday Morning.

School couldn't be held Monday b/c they still had 80 schools w/o power. And Tuesday b/c 1 school w/o power and 2 bus hubs w/o Internet and phone. Which is apparently very crucial to making sure all students make it to their building and home again(which as we all know from the 2010-2011 year was a problem...hence the new Superintendent!!!)

They are slated to go tomorrow, so stay tuned for a picture.

1 week left

Can you believe how fast this Summer has gone? Hannah only has one week left of break. We go tomorrow for orientation. She claims she hates school and doesn't want to go, but I bet once we go shopping for supplies and get her some new shoes she will warm up to the idea.

Today we are headed to the Zoo with some friends. These photos of them on the Zoo carousel were taken earlier in the Summer. Calvin is obsessed with "Butter-THY's" and was literally racing these little girls to the Butterfly ride each time!! Ha!

2 more days

Only 2 more days of (freedom) until Hannah and Calvin come home:)

They have been visiting with relatives. From what I can tell, they have had a great time. So have we. We have enjoyed eating out, shopping and a little day trip to Cincy. I eagerly(NOT) look forward to detox-ing them on Thursday...

before and after photos!! (finally)

Before (above)
After (next 3)

No more wall!!
awesome huh?

Before (above)
After (below 2)

Before (above)
After (below)

Before (above)
After (below)

what do ya think?
We love it!

MiriLou Walks!

She walks!!!!! Yeah MiriLou!!

feed'n time

Did you know that reign deer like carrots?!! Well, they do....and by the pounds! They can eat a whole 5lb bag in just minutes.

7-year check up

I took Hannah for her 7 year check up on Tuesday!

She is 50 1/4 inches tall and weighs 52lbs. She is excited she is 1/2 way to 100lbs. We were in for a surprise when we saw the Dr. Hannah had a double ear infection!!!!!! WOW, totally didn't know. She had had a runny nose for 2 days and wasn't eating as much as normal(which isn't anything...) but no ear pain. She is on meds now and feeling much better.

*side note* - We think they will be ALL done with the upstairs by tonight or tomorrow at the latest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1/2 way there

National Donut Day
FREE donuts for everyone

Today marks the half way point to our Summer break. We have been having tons of fun hanging out with friends, going on day trips and eating out. The first half has gone by so incredibly fast that I am sad about entering the second half. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the consistency of a school year routine, but I also really enjoy the laziness that Summer brings:)

...Although we haven't gotten to sleep in any yet. Our upstairs is STILL being renovated! We are hopeful that they will be done by this weekend. Before and after pictures of that coming in late August. It looks AMAZING up there though, I can tell you that!!!!!!

These are pictures from our first day of Summer. The next day we left for KC. (pictures of our trip to KC coming soon) We went to the water park area of our Zoo. It was Calvin's 1st water experience of the year, so he wasn't on board yet with the whole getting wet idea. Let me tell you he is a changed BOY now. He was violently tossing his little body down a jumbo water slide on campus Saturday!!! Southern had a family fun day complete with water activities. The kids had a blast.

MiriLou still doesn't walk. She can hop like a frog though. It is the cutest thing. She is almost 15 months.

Hannah goes tomorrow for her 7 year apt. Calvin will go late Aug. after school starts.

St. Louis

This is my new FAVORITE picture of the kids!! If you need to enlarge this to see MiriLou's hands go for it! I laugh every time I look at her. I think she may be a ganster wanabe:)















Every time we drive home, we pass right by the St. Louis Arch! We always have contests to see who can see it first going both ways. It is so much fun for them, and they think it is one of the coolest things. This past trip home I made a spur of the moment decision to actually stop!! You can imagine how excited they were! I think it is pretty obvious in their faces. We ended up being there for about an hour, and when we got back on the road they were happy and tired, which equaled a good 2-hour rest, and some quiet drive time for me.

Happy 4th of July

We had a fabulous day yesterday. The kids started out with a trip to the donut store to pick out donuts, then we made "flag" cookies, headed to a fun parade with friends, and ended the day with a big fire works display across town. They are tired today, but it was well worth it.

sleepy head

I think he was trying to get out of bed...then realized it was not a good choice!!

I scream for ice cream!

so cute

The seminary just finished a really nice new terrace on campus. The kids love to run and play and throw pennies into the fountain.

ML getting into trouble

Look very very close around her neck!!!!! ML loves to destroy the diaper basket, but this time she got a hold of Calvin's man bag....:)

Happy Anniversary

Today Dan and I celebrate 9 years of marriage!! (and Calvin's BD)

The past 9 have been awesome, I can't wait to see what the next 9 will be like!!