Anna and Xavier

Anna reading to Xavier.  He obviously thinks the story is very funny!

Watching a show on Daddy's iPhone...two peas in a pod!

Levi Visit

Emily and Paul came up to visit and get some things from their house, so Levi hung out for a while.  Everyone was very excited to see him again!  I think in a year he's going to be taller than Anna!!!

Bank Deposits

The kids all got savings accounts this summer, so one Saturday morning, we rolled all their change and got all their money together for a big deposit!  The thought sorting their money and giving it to the bank was pretty cool...of course, the suckers from the bank was the best part!

Xavier sorting his money...

Anna sorting her money...

While dumping out her piggy bank, Anna discovered a lost necklace.  Apparently, she wanted to protect it in her piggy bank!

Isabelle sorting her money...

Anna thought her "piggy bank was hungry" after she rolled all her money, so she dusted our bedroom to earn some food for her piggy bank...

All counted, rolled, and ready to go to the bank!

Princesses and Dreams

Isabelle's piano teacher put on a theater camp for a week this summer.  One of her other family's hosted the camp at their house and they performed on the last day.  Isabelle had a lot of fun and learned a lot!

The girls and Isabelle's teacher, Miss Heather (she's the one kneeling with the black sweater!)

Dublin 4th of July Parade

We stayed at home for the 4th of July this year and went to the Dublin parade.  It was a scorcher, but the kids got a lot of candy, so they were excited!  We swam in Rachel's pool in the afternoon, which was a great way to cool off.  We had plans to go to Coffman stadium for Dublin's fireworks and other festivities, but were too pooped from the parade and swimming and heard the fireworks from bed!  Maybe next year we'll be up for it!

Chilling in the shade...

Waiting for candy...

Anna and Isabelle were not fans of the heat!

Last Day of 5th Grade

The last day of school for a 5th grader is a big one!  It's their last year in elementary school, so the PTO has a pretty good send off!  The kids all receive a diploma and a DVD is shown with pictures from the school year and from when the kids were younger.  After watching the DVD, the kids go back to their rooms to gather their bags while the parents and other students line the halls.  The 5th graders are "Clapped Out" of the building.  It wasn't until the Clap Out that I got a little emotional!!!

She's always so excited when I take her picture (sarcasm!)

 Getting her diploma!

 Watching the DVD with her friends...

 Isabelle's class heading out, lead by her teacher, Mrs. Tucker, in tears!

End of Year Soccer Celebration

Isabelle's soccer team had an end of year party.  One of her coaches had to leave in the middle of the season to be deployed to Afghanistan.  They took pictures together to send to him!  They had a GREAT season this year.  They lost in the second round of the tournament, but lost to the overall winner.  They were by far the second best team, too bad they had to play the best team before the final game!!!

Strawberry Jam

On Sunday afternoon, the kids, Grandma Selhorst, and I went to Fulton Farms to pick strawberries.  We got back to Columbus on Monday around lunch and then made jam!  24 jelly jars and 3 freezer pints.  It was our first time making homemade jam and it's delicious!

Anna enjoyed picking the strawberries more than anyone else.  Xavier and Isabelle thought it was too hot, so they picked a few and then left me and Anna to finish!

Xavier and Anna played on the wooden train set for a little bit after strawberry picking.

Everyone helped make the jam.  Brian and Isabelle cut the tops off the strawberries and Anna and Xavier cut up the strawberries (kind of).

 Xavier and Anna were both very diligent in their cutting...

Apple Nachos

Apple nachos?  Anna says "thank you, pinterest!"

Mother's Day Circus

We went to the Ringling Brothers Circus on Mother's Day. Anna thought it was a little loud (of course!), but Xavier thought it was AWESOME!!! Isabelle has been to the circus with the Angerman's a few years ago, but she was excited to go again and had a great time.

Xavier didn't really want to pose with me...can you tell?

Anna covering her ears...

ELEPHANTS!!!

Xavier and Daddy...

Xavier and Anna each got to pick a souvenier (Isabelle didn't want one), so they both picked swords.  Xavier's lights up and has a spinner and Anna's is just a regular one with a sheath, but of course as soon as we got back to our seats, Xavier thought Anna's was neater and has been playing with hers ever since!

Tigers standing on their hind legs!  Some of these tigers were getting a little fiesty and we were pretty sure we were going to witness a tiger attack at the circus...thankfully, everything was fine!

Last Day of Preschool

Today was Xavier's last day of preschool.  He's had a great year and is ready for next year to start!  He got a certificate and a bag of golfish with a tag that read "You're o-FISH-ally done with preschool" from his teachers - too cute!

The kids sang us some of the songs they learned throughout the year.  Here they are singing "5 Little Pumpkins."

Hugging Miss Julie...

Getting his goldfish from Miss Jessica...

Zoo Day

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!  Oh my, indeed!  Jenni and I decided to take all the babysitting kids to the zoo today.  We were very on the ball and dropped Isabelle, Ethan, and Kylie off at school and then headed straight to the zoo.  2 adults, 7 kids...no problem, right!  It actually went really well and the kids are all beat!  We only made it across the road to the Shores, Australia, and Africa.  North Ameria, Polar Frontier, and Asia are for the next trip!  Check out the pics of our madness!

Everyone on the manatee (you'll notice it is IMPOSSIBLE to get 5 kids to all look at the same time!)

Levi and Abby...off to the side, poor kids!

Walking to the other side of the zoo, NOT seeing a manatee, and then going through the kangaroo land was apparently very tiring...a snack was needed!

Leopard...

Gorillas...

On the gorilla...is everyone looking?  nope!

Bonobos...

Levi enjoyed himself!

Anna didn't want to leave the bonobos, so she pouted for a while!

Carousel...this could have been a disaster, but turned out really well!  Jenni had to sit in the bench with Levi, Abby, Anna, and Alex.  Xavier was tall enough to be by himself, and I had to stand right next to Mady and Kara. 

Chasing ducks after our picnic...