Friends at the Playground

Brenna and Hannah were too hot and tired to walk all the way home.

This boy was very hot and ready to go home! 

We love having Brenna and Sydney in Wichita! We spent a very hot day playing together. And to burn off some of their energy, I made them walk to the neighborhood playground. Unfortunately I didn't pack enough drinks and it was soon time to go home and cool down!

Botanica with Friends

Jonathan and Brenna making music.

Scary!

Ahh, much better!

Sydney found a praying mantis. Andrew saw an opportunity for a photo opp.

The Butterfly garden

This was the hatchery for the butterflies

If you were very careful, you could catch and hold the butterflies.

Auntie Jill was the official butterfly catcher.

On a warm September Saturday, we met Sydney and Brenna at Botanica and spent a beautiful afternoon enjoying the children's garden! Hannah stayed home because we went during nap time, and we're not quite ready to give that up yet! The children ran and ran in the children's garden while Jill and I sat by the entrance and enjoyed adult conversation. A great day for all!

Summer Fun

 

While the summer has been unseasonable cool, Hannah did not need this jacket, but she insisted. Sometimes you just have to choose your battles.

Andrew and Sydney picking strawberries from our little garden.

All three kiddos attended VBS this year and loved it. The theme was Sonshine National Forest and the whole church was decorated like a forest. So cute! Hannah was able to go because I was helping with crafts and she was so excited to go every morning. It was so sweet to watch her learn all the songs and do them with her big brothers.

And nothing says summer like a Schwan's orange sherbet push-up! Just ask Hannah.

Swimming!

Andrew was in charge of throwing in the rings, while Sydney and Brenna were in charge of retrieving them.

Brenna and Jonathan

Andrew and Sydney, aka Sheldon and Shelly

Hannah taking a snack break.

All three kiddos took swimming lessons this summer at WSU with the WUShocks. The lessons were great and the kids learned so much. Unfortunately, since this summer has been so wet and cool, they've only been able to practice swimming once, and it happened to be with their best buds, Sydney and Brenna, at their community pool. At the beginning of the lessons, no one would put their face in the water. By the end of the two weeks, Andrew and Jonathan put their whole heads under water. Hannah wasn't quite as convinced, but she did master blowing bubbles in the water!

Friends and Grandparents...what more could we ask for?!

 

Monkey see, monkey do

Andrew and Sydney, peas in a pod

Brenna and Jonathan, also peas in a pod

A giant swing for Hannah!

She had to try out all the swings, of course!

Sydney and Hannah trying out the spinner.

Maybe it's better if Uncle Cory helps!

 

So while the Moms are driving across America, the kids and dads found each other at the park. It was such a fun surprise for all of them. So happy the Petersons are moving here and we can plan to meet at the park whenever we want!

Petersons Visit!

Silliness at dinner

The three S's - screens, snacks and silence!

Sydney and Andrew working together to solve a maze.

Manicure time

Brenna was a master Lego creator

These photos are out of order, but I'm too tired to fix them. Here's Hannah showing off her bright green manicure!

Sydney mailed us Flat Stanley and he cheered for the Shockers in the Final Four. Sadly they lost, but they made it to the Final Four, which is more than any other Kansas school could say this year.

Hannah and Brenna flying a kite.

Pool noodle or swords? - boys will be boys!

The Peterson Ladies came to visit the first week of April. This visit was extra special because instead of just visiting, they were here to house hunt and school shop! We are so excited that they are moving back and are going to leave a mere 20 minutes away instead of 2 days by car. This is the first time Jill and I will live in the same state since we got married. It's been almost 12 years, and that is 12 years too long.

The week went by in a blur, with lots of bonding of our children. Unfortunately, Sydney was sick for almost the whole week with a mysterious fever. Poor girl was so miserable, which is why she isn't in very many of these pics. But even sick, the week was a success. Jill found a house and a school and we are so very excited to see them again in a month or two!