Summer Party

We had a summer party with some of Madeleine's preschool friends over the weekend. We invited everyone over for s'mores and yummy beverages - Madeleine served the kids lemonade out of her lemonade stand and the adults got to enjoy adult beverages :) We even had a pinata!

We were so excited that our family was in town to celebrate the summer party with us! I am so thankful for all their help as well...it is much easier to have four adults prepare for a party than just Jeff & I!

Rardin Family Visit!

The Rardin family has come for a visit...all the way from Cincinnati! We are having lots of fun! The cousins are really warming up to one another and playing well together. We've been a busy bunch between entertaining the four kiddos and feeding these hungry little people! We run the dishwasher AT LEAST once a day!

Here is early bird Braden with Madeleine & Drew in the morning...Elizabeth still snoozing away :)

We took a ferry trip over to Bainbridge Island and had a beautiful day for it! The kids LOVED the ferry trip!

Kissing cousins...Braden adores baby Elizabeth (most of the time)! It has been interesting to watch him share with her...or the lack of sharing! Hmm, we need to work on that. I'm realizing he hasn't had to share much - uh oh!

Ahoy!

We braved a restaurant together with all four kids!

I have a picture very similar to this of Madeleine when she was about Braden's age.

Swimming & Diving!

Madeleine has moved up to the next class in swim lessons and is learning some actual strokes and even some diving! I can't believe all the things they pushed her to do...before the week was over, she was able to 'swim' across the pool (with some assistance, rolling on her back to breath and keep in mind, this pool is tiny!) and learned kneeling dives. So cool to watch! We have been swimming a ton this summer and she has really progressed over the past few months!

Schroeder Family Trip

We headed East for a Schroeder family vacation! We stayed in a small town near Cle Elum and rented a house for us all to stay in - thanks mom & dad! The house was big enough for all of us and had a ton of stuff to do - air hockey, horseshoe pit, ping pong, tons of other games, beautiful yard, close to the lake, close to a pool, ect. We had fun! We swam in the nearby pool and the kids had a blast. We also enjoyed lake Cle Elum and even did some kayaking. 

While there, we took some time to reminisce about my Grandma & Grandpa Schroeder who both passed away this past Winter. It was nice to remember them and think back on the fun times we shared with them. 

Camping & A Date Day

Madeleine went on her first motor home trip with my parents over the weekend! She had a lot of fun riding her bike, swimming, playing and having treats! Meanwhile, Jeff was gone all day on Saturday at his fantasy football draft so Braden & I had a date day!

Braden & I had so much fun being together....and one child is SO easy compared to two! I took him down to my favorite park in seattle and played in the water. It was great to have some one-on-one time with my special boy :)

M

Ballet! Tap! Tumble!

Madeleine took a ballet/tap/tumble class this summer at a dance studio nearby. She had a lot of fun! Her favorite part was the gymnastics! She loves to try and do headstands, cartwheels and somersaults....she can't wait to do another class!

Summer Concert

Jeff & I took the kids to a kids concert in Kirkland for the morning. Recess Monkeys were playing and the kids had a lot of fun! I was worried to take Braden since he loves to run off but he actually stayed close and danced! He also gave us a lot of loves...so sweet! He's been super lovey lately, giving a ton of hugs and kisses to us but sometimes his little kisses turn into bites :(

Madeleine had lots of fun dancing!