Watching Our Children Grown

August 2014 found Blake at Midland Adventist Academy beginning Kindergarten with Mrs. Murphy as his teacher.

Samantha started third grade with Mrs. Hoffman as her teacher.

We found a field of sunflowers in August and took a few pictures in a field of state flowers.

We took out Dad's Father's Day gift and took it to the nearest Jellystone park new Lawrence. The campground had a scavenger hunt so we participated and took pictures throughout the park. The kids had a blast (we didn't get our mattress blown up so it was a long night) and would love to get back.

Before school started we made the annual trip back to Wisconsin for cousin camp at my parents. We enjoyed an afternoon of spa activities, bowling, an old fashioned merry-go-round and the cheese factory.

The Fall found us taking our annual pictures for our Christmas cards. This time we chose Lose Park to take our pictures. I think we have a beautiful family!

October 20 found me starting at Shawnee Mission Medical Center as the secretary for Spiritual Wellness. It was a fast trip into feeling comfortable and learning the ropes. It also found us adjusting our schedules to two full-time parents.

October found Samantha sitting in the orthodontist chair for the first time as she was fitted for braces, including an expander. She has been a trooper through it all and her braces have made a huge difference to her teeth and face.

October also found the kids dressed up for Halloween. Samantha decided to be a cat and Blake decided to be a policeman this year.

At Christmas time we headed to Crown Center for our annual trip to see the tree. I thought it was fun but it will probably be the last time as everyone else doesn't think it's so much fun. At least the pictures turned out great :)

One of the first tasks at work was to organize a surprise trip for the office to Branson, MO to see Jonah at Sights and Sounds and a meal. It was a fun day despite the horrible weather coming back home.

It was a Wisconsin Christmas this year. The kids loved having Uncle Paul pull them around on the four-wheeler and can't wait for him to do it again next time.

Of course, they had to all wear their matching PJ's…

and pose for the the semi-annual family pictures…

2015 started off with Blake's birthday celebration in March. He turned the big "7" and got a new bigger bike for this birthday along with a gigantic monkey.

Samantha turned 9 in April. Bebe and Papa came for her birthday and Bebe helped her decorate her own cake.

The neighbors found out it was her birthday and surprised her with cupcakes. It was terribly sweet of them.

April was Spirit Week at school and started off with the much loved pajama day.

Before we knew it, Easter was here and one of the kids' favorite times…decorating Easter eggs.

We managed to get a sweet shot of the two cuties…

Samantha won the health week poster contest by creating a calendar with different healthy events each day.

The kids decided that doing school work in the evenings was a great deal and Dad was thrilled.

We stayed in town for Spring Break and spent an afternoon at Coco Keys. The kids loved the slides and were tired out at the end of the day.

Samantha made a great diorama of the ocean with same amazing help from Dad.

The school year flew by and before we knew it, Blake was graduating from Kindergarten. Bebe and Papa came to help celebrate the big day with him.

We had to capture a picture with Mr. Bovee, the principal.

June found the kids at Camp Discovery, this year's VBS. I was unable to help as much due to work and timing…we left for Campmeeting the next week. The kids loved the crafts and spending time with their friends.

June also found us at Wisconsin Campmeeting. We were so thankful that our jobs allowed us to take the week off so we could spend the week there. The kids experienced their first plane ride. Missionaries were giving kids plane rides for free this year!

This picture shows our kids and our friends' kids. WI Campmeeting is a generational tradition!

The kids went to Deanna Rose this Summer and and decided that fishing would be great. It's one of their favorite activities there.

Honestly, Blake had been struggling with swimming. He had parts of it down pat and other parts were a struggle. Finally, at the end of the Summer he nailed it and took off like crazy. We now have two fish in our family!

We took a quick trip to Branson just before school started. BeBe and Papa accompanied us for the Sights and Sounds show. The kids actually went down early and spent quite a bit of time with them there.

We visited a fish factory while there.

We also went to the Butterfly Palace two days. The kids loved seeing all of the butterflies.

And Sights and Sounds did not disappoint…Jonah was fabulous!

After Branson the kids went home with BeBe and Papa to spend a few days at their house on the farm. It was a bit frightening for them to spend time away from us but in the end, they had a fabulous time and were so thankful that they did it and can't wait to do it again next year.

Samantha had to say goodbye to Grettah, a good friend who moved away…

We took in a last minute T-Bones game which was a lot of fun…

The kids had an amazing Summer with their "nannies" Mr. and Mrs. Perry. We weren't sure what we were going to do about Summer care for them but Mr. and Mrs. Perry agreed to take care of them and we were thankful that they did. We were spoiled and the kids loved it. It really couldn't be any better. The couple of weeks that the Perry's were out of town the kids spent time at the hospital's child care center. It was a new experience for them but a good time.

The kids had a great day at the Kansas City Zoo with Travis as one last hurrah before school started..

August 2015 found us back at school again. Blake started First grade with Mrs. Prosser and Samantha started another year with Mrs. Hoffman in Fourth grade.