Max is 8

It's hard to believe that Max is 8 years old today...definitely not the little 3 year old that I see so much in his little brother these days. 

(Apparently he's "too cool for school" in this picture!)

Max has taken a real interest in basketball and received a basketball hoop for his birthday. He absolutely loves it and I know that there will be many nights of shooting hoops to come! He likes soccer and baseball too, and still loves to ride his dirt bike. He really enjoys drawing and likes math too. And of course, he still loves to build with all of his legos and that's usually what he plays with first each day. He is smart, funny, cautious, outgoing, loves music, is caring and sensitive. We pray each day that he (as well as his brother and sister) would want to know Jesus more and know how wide, long, high and deep his love is for them! 

We loved celebrating Max's birthday last night with Sharon and the oldest four, Memommy and Pop. Max requested hot dogs with all the fixings, including a basketball butterfinger ice cream cake. Yum! He enjoyed playing outside with everyone and opening his presents! So thankful to be able to do it! 

 Happy 8th Birthday, Max! We love you so much!

Love,

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school for Adelyn and Max. Adelyn started Kindergarten (what?!) and Max is in 2nd grade. I can't believe that Addie is old enough to go to North Hart and I love that she calls it "Max's school". :) They were both so excited to start today and had a great first day. I loved taking pictures of them and walking them both into the school. We are thankful they both have excellent teachers and we're looking forward to a great year of school!

Love,

Summer Trip to Michigan

We really enjoyed our annual summer trip up to Michigan! We are so thankful we got to go and made a lot of fun memories with the family...

blueberry picking - got the biggest and most delicious blueberries

lots and lots (and lots) of swimming

 celebrating Vada's and Max's b-days

a trip to Bay City to see the boats and visit the Peanut Shop for candy

a night out with Julie and Jay

a trip to Kokomo's for the big kids to ride go-karts and play putt putt

a trip to Chippewa Nature Center in Midland

dinner, playing outside and a bonfire at Julie and Jay's

and just lots of hanging out at my mom and dad's.

A great trip! Thanks family - love you all!

Love,

Happy Birthday!

Today my handsome husband turns 40 years old! It's hard to believe but we just can't stop time from moving forward, ha ha!

You already know this, but I love this man more than anyone in the whole world (besides Jesus!). I sure am thankful that God stirred something in my heart when I visited Atlanta. I'm also thankful to my sweet friend Jennifer for introducing us three months after I moved here! :)

He is my partner and the one I get to do life with! He is an amazing father to our children and gives them so much of his time and love, even when he's pooped. He works so hard to provide for us and doesn't complain a lot. He pursues a relationship with Jesus each day and that is what I love the most about him! Happy Birthday Jason! I love you so much!

Love,

Visit from the Reidsmas

This morning we said goodbye to my sister, brother-in-law, and 5 nephews. It was easier to do because we knew we would be seeing them in just one week! (We'll be making our annual summer trip to MI next Thursday!) We had a great time while they were here and tried to stay cool the best that we could!

They arrived on Friday, a little after lunch time, and everyone was glad to get out of the car. Here's a couple that Julie took on the way...

We tried to stay cool and ate dinner at home that night. (Very dark pics!)

On Saturday we ventured down to Atlanta for the afternoon. We planned to take the kids to the World of Coke but it was extremely crowded and didn't work out.

 

We did get to go to the Varsity for an early dinner and everyone enjoyed the delicious (and not so healthy!) food. Ha!

On Sunday we went to church and then just rested at home. We were going to go to a baseball game that night but decided it was too hot to go. Jay decided to get a piece of plastic that afternoon and the kids had fun using it as a slip n' slide!

On Monday we celebrated the Fourth of July by packing a lunch and going to the lake. The kids loved playing in the sand and swimming. Julie and I tolerated it - ha! (Neither of us liked that we had to "keep moving" so the fish wouldn't poke us!) 

That night we had a big dinner, including delicious pulled pork that Jay smoked all day and a strawberry cake to celebrate Jason's birthday! 

 Like the birthday crown? LOL

 Then we finished the night with pjs, snap pops, and sparklers! (No, we didn't wait until dark because we were pooped and wanted the kids to go to bed!)

On their last day here we finally took a "field trip" to the farm. They were VERY excited to see everything! Jason had to start cutting another farmer's corn that day so Grady and Max got to ride with him and had a blast!

The milk truck was there!

 You guessed it...it was HOT! :)

We finished the day with some more jumping on the trampoline and a fun nature scavenger hunt. Oh, and dinner at La Cabana! We're so glad you all could come and visit - thank you! And we can't WAIT until next week when we head north!!!

Love,