End of the Year Awards and Field Day-Rachel and Emily

Even though the Emily and Rachel had a great year with their classes and teachers they are looking forward to being 6th and 3rd graders next year!  Emily will be next years Student Council President.  She was handed the gavel by the existing President so it is official!  Rachel will move into 3rd grade which is a big transition from 2nd grade.  She will be surprised at how much more homework she will have!  But back to this school year.  Both of them did extremely well...boring report cards which I consider awesome!  (all A's)  They worked hard to acheive their awards in Accelerated Reading and PhyEd.

Passing of the Gavel

Top 15 Readers-Emily

Presidential Excellence Award winners-Rachel (only 2 2nd graders)

National Acheivement Award winners-Emily

Mrs. Grygo & Emily

Rachel and Mrs. Johnson

Field Day fun

Spring Programs & Graduations

Emily and Rachel gave their final concert of the 2013-2014 school year and once again it was very well done and they did a great job.  Emily had a trumpet solo and sang in a duet during their JI children's choir Disney montage.  Rachel was by far the most animated and the one that looked like she was having fun!  I like to watch her because I know she is enjoying what she is doing.  

Emily-Band Solo

Rachel's 2nd grade class

Emily's 5th Grade Class

Natalie graduated with flying colors from Preschool!  She is definitely going to miss "teacher" (Mrs. Voigt) which she called her and her good friends she met along the way.  She is excited though about going to JI next year with Emily and Rachel.  The class performed many little songs they've been working on throughout the year.  They all did a fabulous job!

Natalie and Mrs. Voigt

Proud Graduate

2 in 1

 We celebrated one last time with the May birthday girls, this time with Grandpa and Grandma Salfer and Grandma Elaine.  Natalie wanted a Frozen party so bad and I told her it had to wait until we celebrated with her grandparents.  So finally the day came and I decorated and keeping with the "frozen" theme purchased a DQ ice cream cake.  I put the finishing touches on myself.  That was the easiest part!  It was the most layed back of all the parties which I enjoyed!

A Teenager in the House!

WARNING:  Caitlin has now entered the Teenage Years
                           Please pray for Brian and I!!!

This girl is beautiful, quirky, over the top obnoxious at times, one smart cookie (all A's, all year) never afraid to try something, doesn't feel the need to follow the crowd, athletic, great big sister, awesome helper when she's in the mood, great with Lauren, curious, loves to read, loves school, not into the boy-thing yet, could eat pasta all the time, Loves God, Loves her parents, Loves her sisters, Loves to be in charge.  She's just really fun to have around and a really good kid!!


We had a couple birthday celebrations for Caitlin.  The first one was with the Landwehr's (her Godparents) who came up from Iowa.  They stayed overnight and were able to spend more time with all of us.  In between rain showers we played games, tennis, wii, hung out and ate alot of food.  The girls always enjoy getting to spend time with their cousins (which are the same ages).

After track practice the day of her birthday, we swooped up Caitlin and celebrated at her restaurant of choice-Buffalo Wild Wings.  We had a pretty good time, although surprisingly enough the girls were over stimulated with all the tv's.  I never thought that would happen.  They couldn't wait to get out of there!  After dinner we headed home and had birthday dessert-Strawberry Shortcake.  Nice and light and Yummy!

Tricked Ya!!!  Relightable candles are soooo much fun!

The 2nd party we had was a joint party for her and Natalie with Grandparents.  That will be my next post.

Then last weekend she invited 4 of her friends to spend the night with our crazy family.  Poor Brian...10 girls and himself.  He handles it so well though!  The girls were fun to have over and our kids loved getting even more attention.  Caitlin is lucky to have such good friends...I think she'd agree!

Another Birthday cake...this time no trick candles!

Natalie is 5!!!!!!

Natalie...what do I say about this sweet girl?  Well, first, she has been waiting to celebrate her birthday since her last one and when the movie Frozen came out she started planning the party.  Natalie is my left handed, spunky, big blue eyed, entertaining comical, helpful, little girl.  She loves her family, being a big sister and a little sister.  She loves watching Scooby-Doo, riding her bike, baking with mom, helping Dad with odd jobs, putting together puzzles, and playing restaurant with her sisters.  She loves school and her teacher Mrs. Voigt.  She is super excited to start kindergarten next fall and go to the same school as Emily and Rachel.  She is a very picky eater, but always has room for dessert.  She could eat Nutella at every meal. :)  She's always singing, dancing, humming or skipping.  Most of the time she's smiling but every once and a while the horns come out.  She is quite stubborn and thinks she calls the shots around here.  She will have to learn the hard way, unfortunately, that she isn't the one in charge.  I just hope Brian and I can survive raising this one!  Oh, but we love this little bugger and can't imagine life with out her!  Happy Birthday Nat-Nat!

Friends from school - Courtney, Molli and Libby

At Dino's for birthday meal with Godmother Alisa

Rachel's First Communion

Oh the day is finally here!  Rachel has been looking forward to this for so long and we are so happy for her and proud of her.  It was a spectacular day filled with warm weather, family who came for the celebration, good food and conversation.  Rachel looked especially beautiful today, but I think she's beautful all the time!  

May Day, May Day...Hang On!!

May Day...May 1st...My Birthday...Last Year in the 30's

Here we go!  My last year as a 30-something.  Really?  I remember when I thought that was old!  To be honest, I'm a little sad/depressed but on the other hand I can look to see what God has blessed me with.  An awesomly, wonderful, loving, faithfilled husband, 5 amazing, beautiful, blue-eyed, smart, funny, unique, perfectly made little girls, supportive, loving parents and in-laws, an amazing sister and brother who gave me an awesome sister-in-law and brother-in-law and sweet, sweet little nieces and nephews, good health, a warm home, the best friends anyone could ever ask for and great neighbors.  Obviously, after this list (one which I could go on and on) there is no need for sadness, only joy and thanksgiving!