Fabulous Five!

We were able to hug and kiss on all 5 kidlets this weekend since we were in Noblesville for the Mini. We saw the three Smith kidlets there and saw the Kattau kidlets upon returning to Elkhart. Love those little people. (Wish they would quit growing so fast!!!

Look at the length of these legs on Nicky!

Check out Blake's cool vest(?) that he made from paper. I followed him around with the scotch tape. He is something special with that imagination of his!

Check out this happy girl! Lexi loved sitting on PopPop's lap playing with his keys and getting bounced!

Brent invited us to dinner Sunday evening and Layla couldn't wait to get to her swing. Is it possible that soon Layla and Nicky will be 3rd graders??? STOP!

Marley is a "swing-a-holic"! If she could, she would sit in the swing during meals. She is nearing the end of her preschool days. I'm feeling older every day!

Did I say how much I love these kids?

Finished!

In spite of the heat, my brother in law Ron Bowman (seasoned runner), daughter Kendra (her very first race) and son Brent (semi-seasoned runner) finished the Mini Marathon in Indianapolis along with 35,000 other runners. I'm so proud of them because I don't understand how a body is made for such punishment especially in the heat. Thanks to Jen Snell for the wonderful photos.

Ron, Kendra & Brent

"The Mini"

No.....not mini skirt or mini mouse! It's the mini marathon! Downtown Indy! Tomorrow morning! No, I'm not running but Kendra, Brent and Ron are and I will be there cheering them on. It is the first time that I have gone to a mini. It's Kendra's first mini. Ron has run several marathons and Brent has run a couple but this is BIG for Kendra and I'm soooo proud of her. My camera will be ready. Now the big concern for everyone is the weather. In this picture, Brent ran and Kendra was a cheerleader. Times have changed.

This n' That

April was such a busy month! It was fun revisiting a few of the March/April "happenings".

Mother & Brent had birthdays.

Tom and I "tripped" our way to Florida.

The "Fab 5" were here for Spring Break!



Alexis turned 3 and began riding that big yellow bus!

College classmate, Dr. David Sly , led the Olivet College alumni choir at a Memorial Service for our music professor.

My neighbors, Keith & Charlene Snelson, celebrated 60 years of marriage!!! Oh my!!!

Dear friends, John & Sherry Weaver pose at John's 70th birthday. party

My calendar was packed but it was a wonderful, warmish winter and beginning of spring. Now May has begun and the race is on!



A "Swinging" Afternoon

Layla, Marley and Brent met us for brunch after church and then came back to our house for the afternoon. The girls headed to the frisbee swing, as usual, and then grabbed their gloves to help PopPop do a little weeding.

"Higher Daddy! Higher!!!"

Layla is always "camera ready".

Marley is excited to have a turn but not for too long.

"Underdog Daddy!!!"

"Is it ok if I picked this leaf?"

"I think that I will plant it in PopPop's garden."

"Where shall I plant my leaf?"

"This is a perfect spot!"

"Oh no! PopPop is going to put me to work weeding this shade garden and............

this one!!!!!!!!! Maybe I need to go home for a rest!

Sisters!

Aunt Eleanor turned 90 on April 5th. She has always been such a special lady to me. She has perpetual joy in her heart and soul. It's one of those things that I wish I could say about myself but can't. I'll just keep trying though. Aunt E doesn't even have to work at it! She has served others all her life. Her daughter (my crazy cuz), Carol Ann and I were discussing all the people that Aunt Eleanor has cared for (not for weeks but for years!!!) and we couldn't even think of half! Now, Carol Ann is caring for her mother. Aunt Eleanor is in a great facility but Carol Ann is there to be with her mother daily. She loves her, laughs with her  and no matter the situation (some of which are quite messy), Carol Ann loves on her with all her heart. She learned well from her mom.

Aunt Eleanor and Jill

Aunt Eleanor and Mother

Here is Carol Ann a couple of years ago. I can't believe that we forgot to take each other's pictures! Oh well!!! I grabbed this one. I always did love it.

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!

Alexis will turn 3 tomorrow...April 7th! Oh my! When I think back to those first three (plus) months of her life in the NICU at St. Vincent's Hospital and the day-by-day trauma, I can't even comprehend that this coming Monday, Lexi will get on a school bus (yes, you read that right!) and head for her first day of Public School. We are blessed to have wonderful programs in place that will continue to enhance the wonderful First Steps therapies that she has had since birth. This little girl is ready to take on the world!

"Have you heard that it's my birthday???"

"I will be 3!!!"

"Oh! I'm exhausted! I have to rest up to go see PopPop and JoJo in Goshen. I hope I get to see my cousins. They are such fun!"



"Nicky, Blake  and I made it to Goshen. I'm soooo glad! Marley and Layla are here! JoJo is already making us sit together for a picture! What is she thinking???"

"Those crazy kids! I think that I'll go get my diaper changed! Maybe I can get them to go outside."

"Yipee! Layla and Marley came outside with me. What??? Another picture? Yes JoJo! The trees are beautiful!"

"Now can I go for a walk?"

"I'm getting soooo big!"

"I see Elmo! Elmo is my favorite!!! Nicky is reading it to us! JoJo made it with pictures of me as a baby. Gosh I was a cutie bug!!!"

"Is it a game, Blakie? I can tell that Mommy gave JoJo some good clues for my presents. Oh birthdays are such fun!