play structure

Andrew built an awesome play structure for our kids and these pictures do not do it justice! But unfortunately, at this point it has been mostly deconstructed for our move and I can't take better pics of it. Andrew put in a lot of time on this thing! Originally, we thought he'd have it built in few months. Just in time for me to be going though the first trimester with Bitsy, when I would be sick and need to just send the kids outside to play. Ha! Instead it took three summers! It really became more of a hobby where Andrew would just have fun adding stuff to it. We loved it and the kids adored it. It had two swings, a slide, stairs, steps, bridge, rope ladder, play house, and a sand box underneath. Its was a kids dream and we're all looking forward to another one at our new place! Although, we're a little more realistic about the time frame this time around.  

celebrating the boys

Father's day and Tank's 5th birthday fell on the same day this year. So we had a lot of fun celebrating the boys around here! Andrew got a nice breakfast celebration and Tank had a great family dinner birthday party with lots of cousins running around. We are so grateful for each of them!

Tank still loves anything that goes, construction and farming equipment, trucks, trains, cars. He has even surpassed my knowledge of the specific names of such machines. And about once a week we'll pack a lunch and go find a construction site for him to watch while we picnic in the car. He is really starting to get into the idea of how things are put together and work. Unfortunately, its getting to the point where I am unable to answer his questions! He wants to know the actual mechanics and engineering behind things, which I'm not too familiar with! He is the worst at cleaning up his room, doing dishes and picking up his toys, but will happily help and follow Andrew around all day Saturday doing the 'big boy' work of digging, fixing sprinklers, hammering, building and so on. And every morning, I'm not exaggerating, he stands by my bedside until I wake up and then gives me a sweet little smile and hug while I thank him and tell him how wonderful he is. It cracks me up and melts my heart at the same time. Life just wouldn't be the same without our Tank!

He requested a car crashing cake.

Apparently, his world became complete with Grandpa and Grandma Duffin's birthday present! He woke up the next morning before 6 (his good morning smile and hug were not as sweet at that hour) to start putting it together. 

And it was also completed with Allison's birthday present, a musical birthday card.

Happy birthday buddy! We love you!

end of school year

Bug just finished up first grade and had a great year! She loved her teacher, her peers and learned a ton. Andrew and I love Bug's enthusiasm and willingness to learn. And this year she even came home with a physical education and reading award. Good job Bug!

dance

Bug had a great year at dance. She did a hip hop and jazz combo class and really loved the hip hop. I'm not too sure how I feel about that one! But she loved having two costumes, performing in two dances at the recital and got to apply her own lipstick this year. She did a great job! 

our first house

I always meant to put before and after shots up of all the projects Andrew and I did around our little house, but somehow I just never got around to it. Mostly because when we got started on a project, I never wanted to take the time for the before pics. I was being lazy. But recently, we decided it was time for our little family to move and that instead of selling our current home we'd rent it out. While taking pictures to post our house for rent, I decided that was as close as I could get now to before and after shots of our house. The post now is mostly to indulge ourselves in the memories. So here are the few pics we have of when we first moved in and now.

After pics

And for a little more indulgence on my part, a few Christmas's ago, Andrew made me this hanging mantle which I love. And last Christmas Andrew made the kids this awesome marble track, which is still a big hit with our kids and their friends.

Its a little bittersweet to be moving on, but we're excited for the new adventures waiting ahead, a little more space, new projects, and the idea that maybe we'll never move again.