Cooper, You're 10~

Dear Cooper,

10!  Double digits!  Can you believe it? I can just picture you smiling from ear to ear as I type that.  You're so excited to be turning 10!
We celebrated your big birthday at the beach with our family this year.   This was our first big family vacation and it was fun to be able to be together to celebrate you.
You had a busy year playing on two all star teams (basketball and baseball).  You almost wore us out!  But the truth is, we love to watch you compete!  You make us so proud with your work ethic and most of all your sportsmanship.  We love that you keep your chin up and keep your teammates motivated.  I pray that you will always maintain those qualities.
I also pray that you continue to put God before all else and that you always know that we love you.  You're such a special kid with the biggest smile and even bigger heart.
I hope you have an amazing 10th year!

Love you Buddy!

Mom

Graduation Time

Dear Kinley,
Wow!  It's been a long time since I've taken the time to blog.  It kind of makes me sad but at the same time just reminds me of the different seasons of life.  Things around here have changed and evolved so much since I began recording so much about our life on these pages.
Tomorrow we mark yet another rite of passage.  Tomorrow, my sweet girl, you are graduating from preschool.  You, my very last baby, will stand on the stage and sing songs and recite verses and make me a proud mama.  You will ceremoniously mark the end of your days at Crossroads and my time as a mom to preschool kiddos.  I have to tell you, I'm not sure I'm ready.  I'm not sure that my heart is quite ready to turn from little nursery rhymes and numbers to reading, and writing, and all things big kid.  As excited as you are to start kindergarten, I'm not sure I'm ready for the transition from the safety and security of your Crossroads teachers into the big world of school.  I'm going to miss being able to pick you up early for some special time together.  I'm going to miss our lunches with Cooper and our lazy days together.  You're growing up, and while I love to watch you mature and change, I'm going to miss this time.
I know it must seem odd that I approach this time with so many mixed feelings.  After all, I've sent your sister and brother off to school and it's been just fine.  But you are my baby.  And your transition marks so many "lasts".  I hope that you will forgive me for the tears and all the times I said I wish you didn't have to grow up.  I don't really mean that.  I am anxious to find out what God has in store for you as you grow up.  I just will always be a bit wistful for the days when I would pick you up in the gym at the end of the day.  I always loved how you would run as fast as you could to me and give me a huge hug!
I can't wait to see you in your little cap and gown tomorrow night.  I will take it all in and probably shed a few tears knowing that in the blink of an eye you will be standing at your high school graduation.  That's how fast time goes.  I know that for sure.
I love you my sweet girl.
Love, Mom

Our Spontaneous Penn State Football Weekend

What happens when you throw caution to 20 mile per hour wind and make a last minute decision to go to Penn State?  Well, one of the best days, with some of the best friends, at one of THE best games ever!

When our plans for Knoebels were canceled due to the cold and wind we made a very last minute decision to head to Happy Valley to watch Penn State take on Ohio State.  To say it was windy and cold was an understatement.  At least twice while I was gathering our warm clothes I second guessed our spontaneous decision.  I'm so glad that Megan just kept encouraging me!  Mainly because she's Penn State crazy too!

This kid!  He didn't hesitate for one minute.  He was ready to go after playing in his own football game.  This was his very first white out and he was thrilled.

Shane secured our tickets and was maybe just a little surprised by our sudden change of heart and quick trip to State College.  He tries to entice us to come almost every home game.   We usually can't make it work but we know how much it means to him when we do!

As a bonus, we had the chance to meet up with friends for some tailgating.  I love this picture with the girls.  Our guys were all meeting some former PSU players and getting some pictures.  But we decided that the only picture we needed was one of us together.

This is one of my favorites from the actual game.  I love that they can enjoy this time and this game together just like I used to with my cousin.

I love this big guy, too!  I love that he and I share this love of football and Penn State and that we've continued to spend time together in a place where our Pap Landis started taking us when we were just kids.

The boys weren't even born when these guys were playing at Penn State (2002 and 2005) and don't know Jay Paterno.  But they sure loved meeting guys who played in the NFL and one look at Michael Robinson's big ol' Super Bowl ring!

The game was amazing - against all odds we won.  But I would have to say that making these memories with awesome friends is the biggest win of all.  So here's to being spontaneous; to taking off and having fun;  to staying up until 3am and being tired for the entire rest of the week.  Here's to Penn State football, great friends, and epic wins. 

Pumpkin Patch Take 2

It's become a bit of a family tradition to visit the pumpkin patch together each year. 

I love to be able to compare how they have grown each year.  But I cannot believe how big they look in this picture. 
I did a great job of capturing our time in the pumpkin patch but I failed to get pictures of the completed jack-o-lanterns this year.   Maybe I'll remember next year.  However, after carving 5 pumpkins I was kind of tired and there was a lot of cleaning up to do.  So, yes, I'll try harder next time!

Fall Fun on a Friday

I feel like it's crunch time.  Kinley's last year at home with me has me really committed to taking time to make some special memories with her.  

So Friday we headed out to the Barn Owl to make a pumpkin to add to our fall decorations.

We painted and talked and enjoyed visiting with Annie's miniature horse and pig between coats of paint.

Kinley enjoyed choosing all the colors for her pumpkin, as well as the face and the special flowers to finish it off. 

I'd say that it turned out quite well.

After we left the art barn we headed out to do some shopping.  I was quite pleased to find a sleeping little girl shortly after entering Target.   It's been forever since I wandered the aisles of Target with one of my baby's asleep in the stroller. 

So a day that started out making a special memory with my growing girl ended in reminiscing over other special memories reminding me how important it is to take time out and enjoy these times.

Kinley's Pumpkin Patch Adventures

Dear Kinley,
Being the baby of the family comes with a few drawbacks.  But it also comes with many advantages, including the fact that your parents don't want to miss out on anything - like your last year of pre-school.  That's why Daddy and I bundled up on the first frost filled morning and joined you and your class at the pumpkin patch.

The sun came out quickly and warmed up the air and watching you and your friends run through the pumpkin patch sure warmed up our hearts. 

Riley is your best friend this year.  Besides the fact that you could be mistaken for sisters, you have so many of the same mannerisms and attitudes that it's almost scary.  It makes me sad that you won't have one another next year but I am know that we are all blessed by your close friendship this year.

Speaking of blessed-- where do we even begin describe the blessing that Ms. Ashley has been in our lives.  You entered her classroom last year as an extremely shy and reserved.  She has loved you and encouraged you and prayed you into a confident little girl.  She has become our friend and a loving example of what selflessness means as we come alongside her and her husband in their foster care journey this year.  

Yes, Kinley, spending one more year in preschool has proven to be a most wonderful decision. 

We hope you enjoyed your field trip as much as Daddy and I enjoyed spending the morning with you.  We love you !

Mommy

No time wasted

"I never knew how much I loved your Daddy until I saw how much he loved you."

When I realized that Earl's vacation coincided with the first week of school I was a bit disappointed.  In my head it was kind of a waste.  He had a week at home and they were headed back to school.  I had a final to study for.  I wished for a week that we could all spend together, making some memories.  As it turns out, there was plenty of time for making memories and it was wonderful having him home during this busy week.  So much so that I may ask him to take this same week off next year, too!

We arrived home Sunday evening fresh off of our Baltimore Orioles baseball experience.  One would think that would have been enough baseball for awhile.  Apparently not when you're male and between the ages of 9 and 39.  Earl and Cooper (and Derek) packed up and headed to Williamsport for the Little League World Series on Monday morning.  But not before Earl treated McKenna to her latest craze - Starbucks, and a little one on one time together.

After being sufficiently caffeinated, Earl picked the boys up and they were on their way.  They had a beautiful day for their first LLWS experience.

And because no LLWS experience would be complete without a trip down the hill on a cardboard box.....

In case you were wondering, this is what you look like after a few dozens trips down the hill on said box.  The boys had a blast and returned home just in time for Kinley's 5th birthday party where they played even more baseball, basketball and football.

Earl and I managed to get everyone off to the first day of school on Wednesday, except for Kinley.  The stomach bug got her late Tuesday night and caused her to miss preschool on Wednesday.  She hung out with Earl and I and they ended up hatching a plan to visit Knoebels that Friday - just the two of them.

I'll be honest, I was a little sad that I couldn't go to Knoebel's, too.  However, with a final exam looming I thought it best to stay home.  When they sent me this picture I knew that I was never meant to be along.  They definitely needed and deserved some daddy/daughter time!

I made Earl promise to take lots of pictures and he didn't disappoint!

They even ran into our friends, the Lehman's! 

Five hours later I got a call that they were headed home.  I can't imagine how tired they both were or how much fun they had together.  I do know that cotton candy was involved and that they are still talking about their fun time together.  And for me, that's even better than having been there myself.  I hope Earl and the kids will always have their special times together.