Memorial Day weekend

One of our neighbors always throws a big Memorial Day weekend event in which they get 3 different bands to span the weekend, bounce houses, face painters, and food trucks. It's always a fun way to kick off summer (despite it being relatively chilly/gray this year). 

Bonnie loved getting her face painted. She went back to get her arm done too. 

Dressed up for church.

Learning to sew.

On Memorial Day, we went to Glendale National Cemetery where we have gone previous years.

It was pretty gloomy and cold, but that didn't stop Riser from celebrating the veterans' lives.

We got to see the grave of a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and read about his harrowing story, Michael Fleming Folland.

Previous years:

Later we went to a barbecue with some friends nearby. They have a good amount of property out near us so the kids got to run free and see their cows and chickens.

We ended the evening with an impromptu whiffle ball game that got pretty competitive. 

We are so blessed to live in this country and for everyone who has fought for our freedom so that we can enjoy weekends like this. 

Mother's Day

Mother's day weekend we took a little hike/nature walk and then went to get ice cream on Saturday.

Sunday morning Katie and I got to take mom out to breakfast, which was so nice! It was lovely to get some time just the three of us - so thankful for our mom and being able to see her so often now!

Later that day we went to Water Country for the first time this season. A lot of slides were still closed but we had a great time and it wasn't too crowded.

We ordered takeout from Outback for dinner - a great day for me!

There has been nothing more fulfilling than being a mom, I am so thankful for these incredible kids! And so thankful for my mom who is now close by! Happy mother's day to all the moms out there!

May extras

May felt like the busiest month for us. I am posting the extras finally, but still have to catch up on posts for mother's day weekend, Memorial Day weekend, and Bonnie's dance recital (also all in May). May was full of end of school year activities, all the scheduled sports and activities coming to a close (small group, dance, soccer, bible study, mom's group, preschool) - all with their own end of year special events. 

We are thankful to be in a more slow-paced flexible season with summer upon us. In between all the craziness, Riser and I enjoyed some of our last mornings for a while just the two of us. He found a turtle at Grandma's house one day. 

We've done a couple trips to Busch Gardens. 

We've crafted.

I ran a 5k at Busch Gardens one morning.

We got to ride Apollo's Chariot in the pouring rain afterward to cool off.

We've had playdates with friends.

Riser rode Battering Ram for the first time and loved it.

We saw an owl on one of our walks one morning. 

We've gone to our neighborhood beach a handful of times. 

Bonnie was thrilled to get a blanket for one of her stuffed animals from Aunt Holly and Grammy.

A couple pictures I forgot to add to the post when Grammy and Aunt Holly visited - love this one!

Bonnie had a 'Popsicles and parents' day at school. Eden, Bonnie, and Ava - the three amigas all year long. 

And Riser. 

Bonnie has been hanging her book light in her tent to read. 

Our small group did a walk in CW and the kids got to hold baby Sally.

Riser and I walked to a playground one morning while we were waiting for new tires to be put on my car.

Meanwhile, Bonnie was at a kitty birthday party.

Where she was pleasantly surprised to see her preschool besties were there as well.

Riser was thrilled there was a window to watch all the tire action.

Happy summer!