Dutch Wonderland!

We headed to Dutch Wonderland for a fun day with friends. Most of the day was spent in the waterpark because it was HOT.

We took a break from the water and hit the rides. I swear, Isabel will still be riding these rides when she's 15! Nick and Addie loved the roller coaster so we rode that over and over. The park wasn't crowded so it was right on the ride every time.

Parachutes!

Nick driving Grandmom on the cars. Watch out world - we're in trouble when he gets to be 16.

Tilt-a-Turtle

Trains.

The Whip A great day!!

We love DW so much we're heading back in a few weeks with more friends.

4th of July Food

Here' s a few red, white & blue snacks the kids made for our picnic with friends.

Nick made American Flags: graham crackers spread with white icing, blue icing, white chocolate chips and red licorice strips. It was super hot and the chips and icing were melting so this was messy but yummy!

Isabel made red, white & blue cupcakes with matching icing. Just tint your white cake mix with red and blue. Same goes for your white icing. So pretty and tasty!

And last on the menu - red, white & blue strawberries. Dip the strawberries in white chocolate, then roll in blue sprinkles. Yumo!

"Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."

Robert Brault

Dudley

Thursday, June 24 I'm on my way home from work. Coming down 97 at the railroad crossing I stop to let a car turn and movement caught my eye. I turned and looked and there was this little white ball. I turned the car and drove over for a closer look and discovered a small white dog - collar and leash on and the leash was stuck on a tree branch. No tags but there was a torn bag containing a blanket and dog toys along with a note saying 'take me home.' Now, that just broke my heart. He appeared very sweet and mild. He was definitely hesistant and wary of me - backed up as I went towards him. But after a minute he cautiously crept forward and smelled my hand. I think if he hadn't been tethered he'd have run. Anyway after a few minutes of checking me out I guess he decided I was ok. I walked around a little to see if any people were nearby - nothing. So I picked him up and took him home. I posted on numerous sites and called the Carroll County and Howard County shelters but no one's called to report a missing dog.

Isabel named him Dudley and Nick approved. He's a super sweet guy and the kids - especially Nick - adore him. He loves to play, run, chase you and the ball and just have fun. He also loves to cuddle, sit with you on the sofa and be petted. He also found a comfortable place to sleep - in my bed!

He has a best friend in Bella, our neighbor's dog. We try to walk them together to the park where they can run, jump and tackle each other. It's quite fun watching them play.

Dudley appears to be in good health. He wasn't dirty when I found outside of some leaves and grass from where he had been sitting. He's still hesistant of visitors, especially men. Hates loud noises and is petrified of the light from a flash light. We walked him one evening and took the light so we could see to clean up after him and Nick shined the light on Dudley and he took off running, tail down. After we caught him (he hasn't learned the 'COME' command) and leashed him Nick shown the light again on him and again he tried to run off. Curious because the light can't hurt him but perhaps where he came from a light coming in his direction wasn't pleasant. We'll never know.

He's now a permanent addition to our family and we love him. Now Isabel's pushing for a cat. Hmmm, we'll see. Maybe we'll talk to Santa.

Budding Artists

Nick and Isabel just finished an Art Around the World class. Each week they created masterpieces based on art in various countries.

Mexico
Egypt

Mexico

New Zealand

India

Spoons

It started with this...Isabel & Nick tried but to no avail so then they experimented with other body parts...

Nick's Graduation

Nick recently had his Preschool Graduation. He dressed up for the ocassion - notice the shirt with buttons (buttons means dressed up to Nick). As they walked up the aisle Mrs. Hawkins read their answers to a few questions:
Favorite part of preschool: playing in the gym - no surprise there
Favorite thing to do at home: play with cars - no surprise there
What do you want to be when you grow up - a policeman - big surprise there. When I asked Nick about that he said it was the only thing he could think of at the moment.

His teachers were fabulous - Mrs. Hawkins, who also taught Isabel - and Mrs. Alexander.This is Nick and his friend Katie. Katie's answer to her favorite part of preschool - playing with Nick. Isn't that sweet?

Isabel and Beth were there to say congrats to their brothers - Drew graduated as well.Just 3 years ago Isabel was making the same walk...