Girl Scout Camping

Back in April when it rained literally the ENTIRE WEEKEND I took these girls camping.  We had a blast.  The rain did not stop us from having an amazing, memorable camping trip.  

This was my 3rd year leading Addison's Girl Scout troop and our 2nd year of camping.  It is definitely a tradition we will continue to have as long as I am the leader.  

Addison and I loaded up the car, picked up Jenna, and headed out to camp.  Look at those smiles.  They were so excited for the weekend.  

Shortly after we arrived we took a short hike.  I wanted to make sure everyone knew where the tornado shelter was located just in case we needed it.  It is outside, in a huge cement tunnel halfway underground.  Probably safer than any location in our homes.  Thankfully, we didn't need it. 

After we got everything unpacked and organized, the girls settled into some games.  The girls split up on their own and began playing games, laughing and talking, and hanging out.  

Before we know it, it was time to prepare dinner.  The girls were broken up into groups and each group cooked a meal, each group cleaned up the meal and did dishes and each group got the table ready for a meal.  The girls get to vote on what we eat at camp, activities we do, and all the fun we have! It really is about letting the girls do the planning, make the decisions, and do all the "work."  

Dessert that night was home made ice cream.  It turned out really good!  Each girl had their own bag of ice, heavy cream, salt, and vanilla.  They had to shake the bags until the ice cream formed.  They did some dancing and some singing while the ice cream formed.  Yummy! 

The next morning we had a blast playing the Pie in the Face game. 

We also went out for short hike.  It was only drizzling at this point and the girls were a little stir crazy in the cabin.  Even though it rained all weekend, we had a great time making some incredible memories! 

2nd Grade Field Trip to Powell Gardens

It was a gorgeous sunny day on the field trip.  We have never been to Powell Gardens, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to chaperone.  Plus, Addison loved having me there so that was an added bonus.  

The art teacher was at the field trip and had the kids split into groups.  They were supposed to look at a flower and draw what they saw.  They were supposed to study the flower for a few minutes before they started drawing. 

Then we had free time to wander and explore the garden.  There were so many fruit trees.  Peaches, apples, berries, kiwi, and so much more.  There were several vegetable gardens as well.  Plus, gorgeous flowers beginning to bloom.  

There was a pirate ship to explore. 

And this huge silo to explore and stairs that went all the way to the top.  That was fun to climb up! 

They learned a lot about pollination.  They studied it this Spring in science class.  

They also got to plant their own seeds for a garden.  Addison got to plant a parsley seed.  It has already begun to sprout! 

The view from the top of the silo was beautiful.  Addison and Jenna saw each other a few times on the field trip, but not much as they were not in the same groups!

Addison asked me to take a picture of her posing on the fallen tree.  Love this girl and her willingness to pose for pictures for me! 

Addison and her buddy Sydney.  These two are twins!  They were born on the exact same day just a few hours apart.  Plus, Syd lives right down the street...they will be the best of friends for a while! 

Amazing field trip with these awesome 2nd graders.  Can't wait to go back and explore Powell Gardens again. 

Addison's 1st Communion

What a wonderful day!  This deserves a post of it's own!  Addison worked very hard this year to prepare for her 1st Communion.  Mark did a lot of the teaching at home with Addison and her BFF Jenna.  They also had to take additional classes to prepare for the big day.  Addison did awesome and we are so proud of her! 

She wore Lauren's dress for her 1st Communion and looked beautiful.  She picked out the bobby pins to style her hair as well.  

Lauren looked gorgeous as well in her dress! 

Of course, I had to take all kinds of pictures!  I love this one!  

Mark, Addison and Uncle Pat, her God Father.  We were so happy Uncle Pat, 2 cousins, and Grandma Harding were able to make it down to celebrate Addison's big day.  

Isn't she just beautiful?  

Miss Diana was Addison's teacher for Religion Class every Wednesday evening.  She also taught Lauren and we just adore her! 

Jenna, Sage, and Addison.  These 3 go to school together as well and we all live in the same neighborhood.  

It's always fun to have a friend to go through this big day with.  

Lauren was asked to be a greeter for the service.  Since she was a little nervous, Mark helped her out.  They both did a great job.  Way to go Lauren! 

This was just half of the class!  There was a 2nd service a different weekend, and a Spanish service as well.  We love our church and they do an amazing job preparing the kids for their big day. 

Grandma Harding made the trip down.  We loved having her for the weekend. 

Gramps and Nana also came to celebrate the big day.  

After the service we came back to the house to celebrate Addison.  She wanted to keep her cake simple and wanted it to be a cookie cake.  It turned out great! 

We enjoyed cake and opened presents after the ceremony.  It was fun to hang out with family before they headed back to Omaha.  

The girls had so much fun with their cousins this weekend.  I love this picture I found on my phone for so many reasons.  Their smiles, crazy Mark, and all the memories created this weekend.  

Way to go Addison.  We are so proud of you! 

Some of April 2017

This month (like every month) has been crazy busy.  There have some some special and some fun events that deserve posts of their own....but here are some of the pictures from our ordinary days.  The details you don't want to every forget.  

Addison made a poster for her count down to the Girl Scout Day at the K for selling over 300 boxes of Girl Scout cookies.  She wanted some pictures of her and I on the poster.  So we snapped a few fun ones, had them printed up, and put them on her poster.  She crosses off a day every night.  She will get to march on the field at the game, will get a $20 voucher for spending, and 2 tickets to the game!  It will be fun! 

Ginger and Rosie always have fun playing outside together.  They do play rough at times, but they always have fun! 

They run and run, then they usually lay around and take a break!  

Lauren is rocking soccer this Spring season.  She has improved so much this year being on an Academy Team.  We are so proud of her!  

Her and Paityn continue to be the best of friends on and off the soccer field. We love Paityn's family as well.  

Mark an I celebrated 14 years with a traditional dinner at The Melting Pot.  It has been our tradition for almost 10 years now.  

The girls begged and begged for a baby brother after they spent the morning babysitting Grayson.  The girls were a huge help making sure Grayson did not see his Mom while we were all working outside in the yard, in the garage, on the back deck, etc....

This is one of my all time favorite pictures of Mark and the girls.  It came up on my Time Hop this month. 

I took my little girls to Wayside Waifs to finish up our Pets badge.  It is an amazing organization and we had a great tour.  Addison and I are planning on volunteering soon. 

This little dog stole their hearts.  Addison begged for a small puppy.  Mark keeps saying No. 

I  have successfully weaned myself off coffee yet again.  Instead I enjoy hot tea from Arbonne.  Such a great feeling to be off coffee.  I was addicted a little too much. 

We spent a gorgeous Saturday afternoon at the Kite Festival.  We have not been able to go the past few years due to soccer.  I am so glad we made it this year! 

Do you see the size of that kite behind the girls? 

We enjoyed cotton candy, pop corn, funnel cakes, and a walking taco salad.  We packed snacks, the soccer ball, and a kite and just hung out all afternoon and relaxed. 

Lauren tried to convince everyone she was injured at her soccer game.  Instead she just threw red Gatorade on her head...and stained her soccer uniform, socks, sports bra, and her scalp was red for several days...I was not impressed.  

Easter was fun.  I love seeing the girls all dressed up.  Even if it's only for a few hours anyway! 

Selfies like this on my camera make me smile.  Such a beautiful young lady! 

Still hunting for eggs and loving that they had some $$ in their eggs this year. 

I am so proud of Addison and her friend Sydney.  They tried out for the talent show at school!  They didn't make it, but they practiced so hard and had so much fun while they were doing it.  These two are best buddies, share the exact same birthday, and live only a few houses away from each other.  Sydney is a great little friend to have. 

My walking and running buddy Ginger.  She does so much better on the leash than Zoe did.  We take Ginger for lots of walks and we both love it.