Summer Fun

Tuesday we had several people come over to hang out in the pool. Zoe was thrilled to play with "her cousins" Jack & Kate who were in town visiting their real aunt, uncle, & cousins. We also got to see their new little brother Joe. He is just precious! Some neighbor girls also came over. Not only did they swim, but they were also kind enough to color with Zoe.

Lyndsay & Zoe - Best Buddies!

Little Fish Kate!

"Cousins" Jack & Zoe!

Kate gets a little push from her mom Carrie!

Baby Joe fast asleep!

Look at those cheeks!

In the late afternoon Zoe went to the movies with her "cousins" and their family. (Dad Jon, Grandma Ellen, Aunt Holly, Uncle Toby, and cousins Abbie and Bennett.) They saw Space Monkeys. The kids seemed to like it & most of the adults said it was okay.

Wednesday we just kind of hung out around the house. It rained in the morning but ended up being a nice day after all. That evening Zoe and Maggie had their pictures taken in matching dresses - black with very small white polka-dots with a pink bow! However, Zoe's dress was a little too short so we ended up having her wear pink shorts underneath. I cannot wait to get those pictures back from the photographer. I'm afraid they are going to be very cute - so cute I'll end up purchasing several of them!

Maggie wonders what is so cute about this dress!

Today we are packing, doing laundry, etc. Just getting ready for our Disney trip. We leave in 2 days! Yahoo! Tonight Zoe & I are going with a teacher (Jen) I work with and her little girl (Morgan) to see Beauty and the Beast. It's just a small production being put on in the town I teach in. A couple of my former students are in the play so that will be fun. Plus, Zoe & Morgan get to meet the characters before the play starts. I will be sure to take a lot of pictures!

Wet Dog - Mad Dog

Yesterday the most exciting thing we did all day was give Maggie a bath. She hates getting a bath so it always makes for an interesting time. Paul mainly does the washing with a little of my help while Zoe stands back watching & laughing. This time Zoe wanted me to take some pictures so here they are:

World Series or Bust!!!!

Zoe & her "Tricky Cousin" Zack

Well, Zack's team won the tournament championship last night so they are now headed to the World Series for their age division in Bay City, Michigan. (The pitcher threw a no-hitter! That made the game even more exciting.) Paul, Zoe, & I enjoyed watching the game as well as visiting with family & the friends we've made from the ball team. My sister Tracy & her husband Brent now have to decided who is going where, Michigan or northern Illinois where their youngest (Blake) plays. Unfortunately, Zack & Blake play in separate locations, but on the exact same days. Zoe & I would love to go watch either cousin play, but we have too much to do before heading to Disney World. We hope both Zack & Blake come away from each of their tournaments with a World Series Championship!!!!

Zack checking out the action.

Waiting for the play at shortstop.

Isn't he a cute kid?

Shows that hard work pays off.

Last night at Zack's game Zoe had a great time. She played with her friends: Haley, Danielle, & Ahnna. Several of us had a good chuckle because there was a group of kids (including the 4 girls) who were playing tag. There was a certain area that was base. Zoe would not leave the base. When Paul asked her why she wouldn't leave the base she told him so she wouldn't ever have to be it. For never having played tag before, she picked up on that very quickly!

Getting the glow sticks ready for the girls.

Waiting on base.....1001, 1002, 1003.......

She got bored on base so she started doing cartwheels!

Acting silly......Hayley, Ahnna, Danielle, & Zoe

Ending the night with a cheer.

We had the opportunity to see my niece Gracie last night. She is soon going to be 7 months old. It just seemed like yesterday my sister called saying that she & her husband had been chosen to adopt Gracie. Let me tell ya, she is a cutie. It's amazing how her big brown eyes follow Zoe wherever she goes. Those two are going to have so much fun growing up together.

Gracie & her bright eyes!

Hey, punkin!

Loving her tongue....

Today, we are bumming at home. We have a lot of housework & yardwork that has been neglected for quite some time. It must be done before vacation. Enjoy your weekend!

We are the Champions!

That's what my nephew Blake's team was singing after winning their baseball tournament last night by a score of 7 to 6. (Way to go, Blake!!!! :) What an exciting game! After several scoreless innings, Blake's team finally game alive. Now they are advancing to the World Series for their age division (5th & 6th graders) which is being held in northern Illinois. Of course, Zoe enjoyed playing with Emily & Ashton, whose brothers are both members of the team. We also got to see my niece Bethanie. She recently injured her shoulder (possible hair-line fracture) during cheerleading practice & is supposed to find out soon what her next step of treatment will be.

Blake on deck!

The winning team!

Another banner to hang.....Blake & his buddy Reid.

Blake & Zoe....

She loves her cousin!

Goofing off as usual!

Ashton, Zoe, & Emily - The 3 Musketeers!

We also received some good news about Paul's cousin Whitni. Yesterday she had surgery to wire her jaw shut. Well, 5 of her missing 6 teeth were found - IN HER MOUTH! Now isn't that bizarre? Apparently some of the teeth were bent backwards, some had shifted to other spots, etc. But the main thing is that the doctors were able to put the teeth back into place & attach them to her braces before wiring her jaw. So, after all of the trauma to her mouth area, she only ended up losing 1 tooth. Pretty amazing, huh?! Whitni continues to get better everyday. She is still in the hospital in St. Louis & probably will be for a couple more days. Please continue to keep her in your thoughts & prayers!

Tonight we are going to another baseball game. This time Zack's, Blake's older brother. Zack is playing for the championship in his tournament which determines if his team advances to their age division's World Series in Michigan. So, good luck, Zack!

Around the House

Yesterday was spent doing chores around the house: laundry, balancing the checkbook, more laundry, dusting, even more laundry, cleaning the bathrooms, another load of laundry, .....(You get the idea!). Paul was busy at work so it was just Zoe & I. However, two of Zoe's cousins, April & Rose, came over in the afternoon & swam. Zoe enjoyed their company. They are always good with her. Plus, it was great for me because it allowed me to get some things done.

Tonight we are going to my nephew Blake's baseball game. He is playing for the tournament championship. If his team wins, they will advance to the World Series for their age division. That would take place next week. So, good luck, Blake!

We are counting down the days until we leave for Disney World - 9! We are all looking forward to it, but I think Zoe is REALLY looking forward to it. We've tried to explain to her several times that it is going to be a long ride in the car. We are going to break it up by stopping to spend the night on the way down, but it will still be long. I'm going to surprise her with some "goodies" for the trip to occupy her travel time - coloring books, stickers, new movies, etc. Anyway, you can bet that I will be busy trying to organize everything this next week.

Thoughts & Prayers

We are asking for your thoughts & prayers for Paul's cousin's little girl, Whitni. She was involved in a motorbike accident this past weekend. She is currently being treated for a skull fracture, two broken bones in her right arm, a severe fracture in her right wrist, a shattered jaw, & several missing teeth. Thankfully she was wearing a helmet or her injuries would have been worse. She is a patient at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

Backyard Fun

Zoe & our friends, Abbie & Maddie, enjoyed swimming in our pool all afternoon. Here are a few pictures of the girls having fun:

Maddie & Abbie goofing off!

We love to cheer!

The three monkeys!

What's with the tongue sticking out?!

Ready - Set - Jump!

Lovin' My Cousins!

Zoe's cousin & our niece Courtney stayed with a us for a few days last week. It's always so much fun watching Zoe & her cousins. Zoe loves playing with them all & getting them to do what she wants to do!!!! (Not so sure if they enjoy playing with her as much as she does them!!!) Anyway, while Courtney was here we attended the local county fair pageant & parade & then on Tuesday night Courtney & I saw an outdoor musical. The show was good & Courtney was very excited since this was the first time she had been to this particular outdoor theater. After 5 nights of being with her crazy aunt, uncle, & cousin, it was time for Courtney to go back home. When Zoe found out Courtney was going home she said, "Can't you just stay forever & be my sister!!!!!"

County Fair Pageant

I know it's been a while since I've posted. Things have been quite hectic around here. To start with, Zoe attended a local county fair pageant as a guest jr. miss. As many of you know, Zoe won the jr. miss contest for our county last year in September. Well, Zoe along with our county queen, Kayla, were invited to attend a nearby fair pageant & parade (Zoe's favorite part) last week. It just so happened that two of my former students were queen candidates, & I work with the mother of the newly crowned queen. Kind of cool, huh? Anyway, here's a picture of Zoe & Kayla at the pageant:

All smiles & crowns!

Maggie Moo!

Well, we've had Maggie for two weeks now & she has been quite the hit. It's kind of like having a new baby. Everybody wants to see her. She has gotten really good about sleeping. In fact, you could definitely say that she is beginning to become Zoe's puppy more & more. (Zoe likes to sleep late & Maggie is starting to sleep later each day!) These are a few pictures that we took. Hope you enjoy them!

Fourth of July Weekend

We had a wonderful time sharing our backyard with our friends. The kids enjoyed swimming while the adults hung out. Zoe is our little fish. She can never have too much pool time. Once it got dark Zoe went to see the local fireworks with her friend Marlee. When she got home she told us that her favorite fireworks were the rainbow ones! She was so excited.