Day 181 - Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Day 181 - Wednesday, June 30, 2010 - Even though Kev can't stand it, I just can't resist buying matching shirts for the boys. So cute!

Day 180 - Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Day 180 - Tuesday, June 29, 2010 - I rewarded the boys' playroom cleaning efforts yesterday with a trip to the zoo today. Watching the seals dive in the water at the Polar Bear exhibit was quite fun, but we were really hoping to see the Polar Bear in the water. Maybe next time.

Day 179 - Monday, June 28, 2010

Day 179 - Monday, June 28, 2010 - NINE HOURS. That's how long it took us to clean up and de-stuff the playroom today. I'm sure I violated child labor laws in some way. But the boys rediscovered toys they had forgotten and played together like champs afterwards.

Day 178 - Sunday, June 27, 2010

Day 178 - Sunday, June 27, 2010 - Look who likes the Snugli.

Day 177 - Saturday, June 26, 2010

Day 177 - Saturday, June 26, 2010 - At the hotel pool in Mt. Pleasant, Owen swam on his own. I told him that the key to swimming was to not panic. Once I told him that, he became brave and swam from side to side across the pool. Despite this look of panic on his face, he was really swimming. And he was very proud of himself.

Day 176 - Friday, June 25, 2010

Day 176 - Friday, June 25, 2010 - Today was the first day of a two day wrestling camp at CMU, Kevin's Alma mater. The instructors of the camp were CMU wrestlers and they were great with the kids. I could tell that Liam really looked up to them.

Day 175 - Thursday, June 24, 2010

Day 175 - Thursday, June 24, 2010 - Liam's baseball team made it to the semi-finals in the play-offs this year. In their final game against the Cardinals, they were ahead the entire game until the last inning. It was a heart-breaking loss, but I'm so proud of all of them. We had a good bunch of boys, great coaches, and a wonderful cheering section. An exciting end to a terrific season.

Day 174 - Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Day 174 - Wednesday, June 23, 2010 - This cigar box that I've had for a few years sits in a basket on top of my armoire in my bedroom. I don't know what made me take it down and look at it today, but it made me smile to see that the brand name was "Ashton".

Day 173 - Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Day 173 - Tuesday, June 22, 2010 - Day lilies that were given to me from my good friend Natalie Arnold, that I divided today from the Cotts Way house and planted at this house. I'm looking forward to them growing in fully next year.

Day 172 - Monday, June 21, 2010

Day 172 - Monday, June 21, 2010 - Owen was ecstatic to receive his t-ball trophy today. I wanted to take a picture of him holding the trophy but he insisted that we take a picture of JUST the trophy. He was so proud of it and carried it around all evening.

Day 171 - Sunday, June 20, 2010

Day 171 - Sunday, June 20, 2010 - Spending a relaxing day at home on the lake, surrounded by his kids is how Kevin wanted to spend Father's Day. And that's exactly what he got. That, and a broom.

Day 170 - Saturday, June 19, 2010

Day 170 - Saturday, June 19, 2010 - Today we went to Portrait Innovations in Grandville to get a Hillary family portrait taken. All 28 of us! With two newborns and nine kids under the age of six, I feared the worst. But it went surprisingly well. Hannah enjoyed holding a yawning Ashton in between sittings.

Day 169 - Friday, June 18, 2010

Day 169 - Friday, June 18, 2010 - Yesterday we went to Shelby's end of year pool party. Owen thought it would be great to bring this cup home from the party to use it as a hat for Ashton. So, today, he punched two holes in each side of the cup and threaded some yarn through. It fit perfectly and was quite hysterical. Poor Ash.

Day 168 - Thursday, June 17, 2010

Day 168 - Thursday, June 17, 2010 - Schoooooooool's OUT for SUMMER!! And I don't think anyone was happier about this than Owen. The Kindergartners counted down the days to the last day of school using the letters of the alphabet from A to Z. When they were on E day, Owen said, "Mom, wouldn't that be cool if the power went out at school from now until Z day?!? Then I could stay home with you and Ashton every day!"

Day 167 - Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Day 167 - Wednesday, June 16, 2010 - Today was Owen's Kindergarten end of school picnic at Kids' Kingdom. Here is Owen with all of his friends. JUST kidding. He does have friends, but he really enjoys playing by himself and today was no exception. "Watch me, mom! Watch me!!"

Day 166 - Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Day 166 - Tuesday, June 15, 2010 - My darling daughter made the honor roll once again. She was an honors student all three years in middle school. Let's hope she keeps this up in high school. Way to go Jordyn!!

Day 165 - Monday, June 14, 2010

Day 165 - Monday, June 14, 2010 - Liam convinced me to let him walk around while carrying Ashton. He's such a willing helper.

Day 164 - Sunday, June 13, 2010

Day 164 - Sunday, June 13, 2010 - At 9:00 am on an overcast Sunday, Owen decided he wanted to set up a lemonade stand, at the top of our driveway instead of at the end. He brought everything out himself and made his own sign. Apparently $10 for a cup seems reasonable to him. He did get three customers, though .....and collected a total of $1.25. He was thrilled.

Day 163 - Saturday, June 12, 2010

Day 163 - Saturday, June 12, 2010 - This is called the sleeper hold. When Kevin holds Ashton like this, it's only a matter of minutes before he's passed out.

Day 162 - Friday, June 11, 2010

Day 162 - Friday, June 11, 2010 - Tonight was Jordyn's 8th grade farewell dance party with a theme of Black & White, A Night in Paris. I can't believe these gorgeous girls (Kayla, Jordyn, Shelby, and Molly) are going to be ninth graders next year! I hope they remain this close all the way to graduation (and beyond). I fully expect to attend every one of these girls' weddings one day.