Summer Vacation

 We had plans to do a South Dakota trip which included a visit to Mount Rushmore and the Badlands, this summer. After realizing that Olivia was not getting any better on long car rides and her screeching ability was reaching new heights, however, we decided to shorten the trip and stick to Aberdeen. Maybe we'll do Mount Rushmore next summer. Either way, we had a great trip. 

In addition to Storybook Land, we went to the aquatic center, go-karting, trampolining, and were able to try the new laser challenge game (where you basically pretend you're a spy trying to navigate a room without setting off any lasers). The laser game was Charlie's favorite - he did it again and again until he held the high score. And they've added several playgrounds since we were there last. There was never a dull moment, and the kids are already asking if we can go back next summer.

Ready for High School!

 

Elena graduated from St. Edward's and is ready to head onto high school in the fall. I wasn't expecting to feel this unprepared and for one of our children to be finished as a student at St. Ed's forever. The school has been like a second family to all of our kids, and she will certainly miss seeing her teachers and friends there every day. I've been so thankful we are fortunate enough to live in a town with a Catholic school where our kids can learn about and share their faith throughout the day. I hope as she moves forward, she will hold onto the knowledge that Jesus is not left at the altar, but wants to guide and influence every moment of our days no matter where we are.

At the 8th grade awards ceremony, Elena was honored with 3 of the 5 awards given out: Most AR points (and she was probably one of the most resistant readers of her class back in early elementary!), Community Service award (earned jointly with her 2 friends Wyatt and Kylie), and Most Helpful Cafeteria Volunteer (or something to that effect).

Livi's 2!

 Liv turned 2 at the end of May and, like all of our children, she's very good at being two. In other words, she's alternately adorable and difficult (mostly adorable, though, as you can see in these pictures). 

To celebrate her birthday, Elena made a caterpillar piñata, which lasted through several children....it only made it through one 12-year-old boy, unfortunately, so the other two who were present did not get a chance to hit. 

 Here are a few of Livi's most common doings/sayings at 2.

- 'Eat! Eat!" and "Is that nummy?" at supper time, when she scoops up the food of whoever is sitting next to her (usually Frank or Charlie) and force feeds it to them. She herself barely eats anything and seems to be growing on just a few bites of food here and there throughout the day.

- "So cute!" usually said to her dolls as she rocks them or puts her sunglasses on them

- "Go away!" and "Stop it!" are fairly frequent when she wants to be left alone by her older siblings or when Coco gets too close for her liking

- "Oh, come on!" when something goes wrong

- "DA DA DA DOP KIDS DOP DOP!" this is more or less her imitation of Seth if he gets after the kids for something. She usually stands right next to him and joins in the scolding, pointing her finger at the kids with a stern face. It makes it pretty hard not to laugh.

I'll leave you with a video of her daily story-time with Dad.