Finally, A Completed Trip

I finally finished posting about our Germany trip last summer.  When one of my posts disappeared very late one night, I was pretty frustrated and gave it up to catch up on other happenings in our family.  I was s-l-o-w-l-y working on it amongst the posts of our daily adventures and finished right before school got out.  Seems fitting since it's been almost exactly a year since we enjoyed that great whirlwind.  Here is the link to my renewed lost post and the rest of our trip.  Can't wait to go back!

Cub Scout Bike Rodeo

Jake got to participate in his first bike rodeo for Cub Scouts.  He was pretty excited to learn about bicycle rules and safety.  They rode their bikes around the church parking lot doing hand signals, riding through an obstacle course, and following the directions of the leaders.  As a member of the Wolf den, they were in charge of the skit and he was pretty excited about playing the main part of the guy that got stung by mosquitoes (I don't really understand their skits all the time ;)).  He also loved earning some new pins and belt loops from his participation in Day Camp--archery, BB shooting, language and culture, geology, map and compass, and marbles.  Way to go, Jake!

 Acting out the skit with the members of his den

 Receiving his awards

Court of Honor--Life

Clark has been on the fast track in Boy Scouts with earning merit badges and rank advancements.  Tonight he earned his Life and is ready to go for his Eagle.  I am so thankful for some wonderful scout leaders and a husband that has pushed our boys to advance in scouts.  They have dedicated their time and efforts to helping my son grow in the scouting program.  He has learned so much and loves the camp-outs and activities associated with Boy Scouts.  We are so proud of your motivation to earn these advancements, Clark.  Keep up the good work! 

Our Life Scout

Father's Day

We flew home on Father's Day and in true form, Steph and Katelyn had the house decorated and ready for our arrival.  We came home about an hour after they got home from church and had lunch.  The kids had all their treasures laid out for Joe and it was a race to see who would open their gifts first--Joe's Father's Day surprises or the souvenirs we brought back from the Lego store and American Girl in Chicago.  Joe won ;)

Enjoying a DAD rootbeer

We missed this part but Clark made his "special" delicious pancakes for Uncle Jim's breakfast.  Here is Madi and Ty celebrating their dad.

 The kids decorated these t-shirts so their dads can have a massage anytime they put it on.

 

They made a really cute tie garland and fun paper shirts full of favorite treats for the dads, Jim and Joe.

 

 My favorite is the "pet rock" from Jake with the flag that says, "Dad, you rock!"  

Joe's favorite gift was the new grill on sale that we bought a few days later.  Glad we waited!

Jake spent the afternoon putting together his Lego Avenger ship and was so excited about it.

Happy Father's Day to the great men in my life that honor fatherhood and dedicate themselves to being good examples in their families.  I am especially grateful for Joe and that he is the father to our children.  We are his first priority and he shows that every day.  Love you, honey.  Happy Father's Day! 

Fun with Aunt Steph and Uncle Jim

While we were in Chicago, Stephanie and Jim came down to watch our kids for the weekend.  They are the best!  They are always so willing to watch our kids and are so creative and fun which my kids love.  Steph finds or thinks up great ideas and is really good about acting on them.  The kids have a blast playing together and I think that Jim and Steph love to hang out in our pool, watch our TV and movies, eat our food, enjoy Katelyn's crepes, and sleep in our bed.  So they don't complain too much when we ask if they are willing to watch our hooligans.  We are so lucky to have them just up the road an hour and a half.  Thanks, you two!  We owe you!

They made flubber . . .

And they went bowling . . .

 

 

And stayed for the neon bowling . . .

Our best babysitters

And they swam and swam and swam and swam . . .

Jake's Zen pose

 Clark loves to have pictures taken of him in "action mode"

1 . . . 2 . . . 3!

These two are quite the pair!
  And so are these two . . .

And Clark wanted some Michael Phelps shots.  Here he goes! 

Definitely looks like an Olympian in training!

My cute nephew, Tyler

Clark is running along the wall.  Take that, Phelps!

And that wasn't enough.  So they bought an underwater camera for more!

Sure looks like a great weekend!  So happy my children had fun and were in good hands.  Thanks again!