Auntie Lynn and Bubba visit

Sadly, I didn't take enough photos while we had Laura and Lynn (Laura's sister) in town, but these are the ones that I have. 

there are gorgeous flowers in bloom all over! 

With Laura and Lynn we went to Manito and took our favorite "ivy window" photo.

Claire - Ellie

these two are quite the duo

We loved having Lynn and Laura with us! 

Duncan Gardens in Manito Park - pre planting -- it is amazing when it is in full bloom!

Ellie found these wedges and was IN LOVE. she got them and has been wearing them ever since. Note - she still prefers to wear them on the WRONG feet. Bless that girl. 

Claire being goofy - all I wanted was to take a picture of the 2 of them with their new shoes.

We stopped by Neil and Lisa's lake place to check it out. The girls were thrilled to get in the sand and water instantly. Check out the beauty of Lake Pend Oreille.

we were up at Schweitzer for the weekend - this picture never captures the gorgeousness of the mountain view of the Lake.

out for a walk.

Monday afternoon we had to say goodbye to Lynn as she headed back 2 days early. The girls were sad to see her go. Love how much they loved just spending time with Lynn. 

Charlie using his "scoop" gift card from his soccer coach Chad. He was so proud!

Had to include a picture of these gorgeous succulents in our yard. Love how they flower!

A little Comstock stop - so gorgeous!

Thanks for the wonderful time! We loved introducing Lynn to Spokane and spending quality time with Bubba. Miss you already! 

Last soccer game for the Red Fireballs

Charlie's team wrapped up their Spring season mid-May. It was a great year for the Red Fireballs, however, due to the soccer programs here changing rules we will have to be split up for the fall. They are now going off of birth year versus what school year they are in. You used to be able to play up to different ages, but now that is changing. Charlie falls in 2009 so he will stay with Mitch and Colin and Justin. Drew and Ty are 2008 birthdays (dec) so they will go to a different team. 

Charlie and Mitch

It was a CRAZY windy day the last day - we do love these parents and grandparents that we see each week. 

Simon sipping coffee as usual. and Katie chatting with him. 

Ty running! 

Ty and Colin.

Justin

Colin and Justin the corner. This year the boys really started to play as a team. They would pass and really play together. So fun to watch the growth. 

 Coach Chad talking with our number 2 - Charlie. Drew is #1 too. 

throw in for Charlie.

Mitch and Dw.

Charlie going for it! 

 Big kick!

Charlie and his team.

the tunnel is the best part!

 Charlie's face shows his love for soccer! He is already asking when it starts again! It might be a long summer if he keeps asking - ha! 

Mother's Day 2016

Having kids in school makes Mother's day more special. I loved going to the events the teachers put on and seeing the gifts the kids made. 

We played games outside together first. Loved the running mom/son games.

Charlie's class had a whole presentation.

Me and C - he really got it this year and wanted to celebrate me. So sweet! 

Each child had decorated a cake for their mom.

my cake. mmmmm

 

Claire's heart she made at Ms MAry's. Love these. 

Ellie's art - they loved giving me their "surprises"

Thought this was sweet as said by claire about why her mother is important - because she understands me when I'm sad.

Mother's Day - Bill was on call, but still packed an entire lunch and we took a hike and skipped church when he saw I was a bit more emotional than I normally am. It was a perfect storm of hormones, stress for no reason, expectations, younameit. But he redeemed the day! I am so thankful for him!

It was pretty hot on the hike and the kids weren't used to it. Love this photo. Can you believe these woods are in our backyard?!?!? Love spokane! 

While Bill was rounding earlier in the morning (probably one of the causes for my slight breakdown - even though it is no fault of his that he has call duties) - the kids started drawing me notes. It was so sweet. 

Claire drew this: 

then this -- she told me she drew me an umbrella, but upon seeing it I laughed so hard I cried. Then showed Bill when he came home and he died. then I posted it to facebook to make 100+ friends laugh  -- so thankful for my kindercare. 

Ellie with her drawing for me.

we had to get claire with her photos. 

then because I have a first grader who was observing my emotions - he wrote a story about how once upon a time there was a mom on mothers day and she cried. I had to tell them a few times that I cried once because I was emotional and for no real reason and for the other because i thought something was funny. it was good for them to watch me have emotions and for them to respond. 

charlie labeled it "non fecin" (non-fiction)

here are photos of the stuff I received.

you can imagine with that many notes some of them might end up disappearing at some point so I wanted to save them in photo form. 

proof Claire has artistic talents

Love my family and so thankful for them! Glad they can put up with my emotional swings too.