Happy Birthday P daddy!!

I'm so sorry to remind you but you are getting old. It may be time for me to start looking for your replacement before you start malfunctioning and breaking down!! JK!
We hope you know how much we love and adore you! I lucked out in the hubby department, I found the best dad ever for our kids and that is not even debatable, you have the patience of a saint, your full of life and wisdom, hard working, goal oriented and I don't think I will ever feel worthy to be your wife! I know how much our kids love and adore you now, but I cannot wait till they are older and fully appreciate what an amazing father they have. The things you have taught them, the time you take teaching, helping with homework, encouraging them to be the best that they can be, and best of all just goofing around. You are truly one of a kind. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.Hugs and kisses from your people, and if your really lucky maybe even a back rub later....
I so bad wanted to put your cruise picture on here (ya, you know the one but I refrained out of love!!!)

I love this picture!!

It's a done deal! (and a bunch of other post action below!)

Another year bites the dust!! and it was a doozy!! We had awesome teachers this year and though we are sad about moving on and leaving them behind it looks like next year should be another great year with teachers. The last day of school is always a fun one with early release. This year we had a bunch of friends over for pizza, watermelon, and swimming! Braydon was at a friends and had a graduation party in the afternoon. Kiley, Malerie and Keaton had friends stay the night. We swam some more, danced, and just goofed around. We did nachos and Italian sodas for dinner, YUM!! Keaton, Jace and I slipped out for a few to go to basketball practice. It was a fun day and we are very much looking forward to a busy and fun summer! The trek, girls camp, 2 reunions, summer movies, and a ton of swimming are just some of the things we have to look forward to!

Just for giggles!
First day of school- August 2008
Last day- May 2009

He did it!! 1 down 3 to go....

Our oldest is moving on to high school and we can't believe it!! Their 8th grade graduation was perfect, and again with the bittersweet thing! Braydon started at Oakwood in first grade and had been with almost all the same kids all the way through. There are some extraordinary kids and families, and teachers and administrators at this school and it is sad to say good bye as many are going in different directions.

We are so excited about the future and especially about the opportunity to attend Centennial! I definitely don't feel old enought to have a highschooler, I can still remember my highschool days like they were yesterday! We are so proud of you Braydon and have high hopes that your high school years will be fun, successful and full of awesome memories!Mrs. Whitaker was one of Braydons favorite teachers!!Braydon and Mr. Bower

Graduation, Pancakes & PJs, and Water Day.

Keaton had a busy few days at school. His graduation was so cute, they sang fun songs, they all had speaking parts, followed by an darling slide show. It's amazing to see how much they have changed over the school year, and the progress they have made! The next morning was pancakes and pajamas. All the kindergartners came to school in PJs and we made a yummy pancake breakfast for them! Tuesday was water day!! There were 80 or so little kids rotating between 6 or 7 different stations. Then we had hot dogs, chips and cookies. They had a blast!! It is so sad to think that this is our last time ever having a kindergartner. It's one of those things having four kids that you never think is actually going to come and before you know it, they have all grown up. No more little babies here!!! I am so proud of Keaton. He was an awesome student and friend and grew and developed into a young man this year. It is truly bitter sweet watching him grow up. I did so good sending him to school this year, I hadn't shed a single tear but over the last week I have continually been choked up and had to fight back the tears. The last day was particualarly difficult. Mrs Guida is a one of a kind, extraordinary teacher. Keaton and I truly adore her and she loves them. It was so hard giving her a hug and leaving. Luckily we will still get to see her on campus and will always keep in touch. Thanks for an awesome year!!! First grade here we come!

Keaton & Laura
We love you Mrs. Guida
and YaiYai
Chris, Joshua, Jake, Quinton, Jacob, and Keaton
Keaton & JillMyles & Keaton
What a good looking Kid!!

Keaton "wheels" Perkins

Keaton's t-ball team got to play their last game at the Peoria Sports complex last Saturday. He was thrilled to play in the big stadium, and they put each players name up on the jumbo tron! I could watch you play all day, you LOVE it and are 110% in all the time! The best is when you play the pitcher position and Jake plays first, you two are the dynamic duo. You catch or stop the ball and fire it to Jake. If they actually counted the outs, the other teams wouldn't have a prayer. I also love your batting stance! You bat lefty but throw right and it's all business! The coach's are in awe of how fast you run and so are we! It has been fun for you having all your buddies on the same team and we look forward of years of watching you boys play together. Next we are on to basketball!Jace, Luke and Keaton

Mason,Luke, Keaton, Jake, and JaceCoach Chuck and Keaton

Busy doesn't even begin to cover it!!

I can always be found complaining about how hectic life is. You know the drill 4 kids, a part time job, a busy church calling and everything in between! The last couple weeks have been something else! It's been so crazy that instead of putting everything in to my calendar in my phone like usual, I printed a hard copy calendar to list everything out on so I can keep it straight!. For the most part it has all been the fun end of the year stuff but man I am worn out!!!

Just a quick recap of the recent activities in addition to the below posts.
A bunch of baseball games, usually 2 a week and 2 on Saturday's.
A funeral, that was heart breaking but a beautiful service.
A day trip up to Pine to check out girls camp followed by the Fathers and Sons camp out.
Malerie had a party to go to so it was Kiley and I and 5 of her friends while the boys were gone, what a party!!

SUNDAY
My darling niece's baby blessing, a family lunch and mothers day.
I was suppose to work but got put on call.

MONDAY
Keaton's Buddy picnic at the park, followed by delivering dance invitations to 8th graders
I was suppose to work but got put on call again!!
So I had a nice dinner with my hubby ( with everything else date night has been much neglected!)

TUESDAY
gym
some errands
baseball game
t-ball practice

WEDNESDAY
gym
can't remember what happened in between!!
Camp kick off
Went to a movie with a good friend!

THURSDAY
Kileys dance performance at school
Gym
a nice lunch with my mom
My baby graduated from kindergarten!!

FRIDAY
Pancakes and pajama with the kindergartners, we made probably 80 or more pancakes!
A solar BBQ with the 4th graders, followed by decorating for the 8th grade promotion dance. It turned out so pretty. I ran home dropped both the girls off for parties, took Keaton to a friends and headed back to the school for the slide show presentation. From there Eric and I ran to a Trek planning BBQ/meeting where I was almost falling asleep sitting up!!
SATURDAY
2 ball games-really good ones I might say!!
ran and got some groceries
Headed to a beautiful wedding!
Just four more days of this madness and it is on to some much needed R&R hopefully!

SURPRISE!!

We haven't done the birthday party thing in a while, so I decided with Kiley turning 12 it would be a good time for a party. She had been asking if she could have one and I told her to make a list of people and ideas and we would discuss it.I have never done a surprise party so I thought I would give it a shot, thankfully she wasn't very persistent. I did up invitations and on a day I knew I was taking her out early I gave them to a friend of hers to pass out. I really had no idea if it could be pulled off, really how well can you trust 20+ 12 year olds to keep a secret and Kiley is WAY to intuitive for her own good!
We had the party at her friend Sophia's who has the perfect back yard for parties. Sophia had asked Kiley if she could come over on that Saturday and hang out for a while and maybe swim. I was trying to make her less suspicious by saying we would have to see, We just got back the night before from Outdoor ED and you may be to tired, it worked like a charm.
Saturday morning we went to the boys games, and I ran and did the last minute stuff to get ready and headed over to help set up and greet the kids. Eric dropped Kiley off at Sophia's and she walked her in to a huge, loud SURPRISE! The look on her face was priceless.

It was a great party! Swimming, playing volleyball, jumping on the tramp and playing games. After most of the kids left a few of them hung out and swam another 2 hours!!
Campbell and Sophia came home with us to stay the night and go to church with us. When we got home I told the girls to shower, I had another surprise! The girls and I went and saw 17 Again. I'm not sure if I was just to over tired or what but I didn't love it all that much and it probably wasn't to appropriate for the girls. They did have fun though and poor Mal crashed out in her seat! What an action packed, fun filled week! Now I need a LOONG nap!

WAITING