"You're never fully dressed without a smile!"

And that line comes from…..?

Annie! The girls finished their busy month strong with four performances this past weekend. And just when I was lonesome for their company, they all left for grandmas'! (Hence the availability to upload pictures and chase after the resident bunny eating my garden.)

Earlier this month, we got to spend a day with cousin Evie. (She's growing up into quite the cute little girl!) She liked her cousins and loved her uncle Derrick.

 Last week, we spent an evening in the strawberry field: deliciously fun. As Derrick says, "You only have to pay for the ones you don't eat." By the time you leave, your belly is sick with berries.

We try our best to give the girls a taste of the farm.

Busy, messy, hard work, fun

I'd say, "Where does the time go?" but that's too cliché. Let's just say as the sunshine captures the hundreds of handprints on the glass, birds serenade and flowers cascade in a multitude of color, "Summer is here! And it's busy and messy. It's lots of work. And it's fun."
Yesterday ushered in the beginning of fair projects: Madison on her edible fairy garden and Breanne on  building a lawn game with her dad: corn hole. This past week has begun 32+ hours of Annie practice for all the girls, the first of many hours in the pool, the first parade dance practice, the first trumpet lessons, a new violin, BookAWooky summer reading program, mommy time, date night, two campfires, Summer Evenings in the Garden with the Master Gardeners and dinners on the deck. Golly, what do we do for entertainment around here?
Here's recap of the past month's fun. And remember, any time you want to come join our craziness for a while, you're welcome! Every day is full, and every day has an opportunity for us to become more like Jesus.

Bill Sykes and the work house kid from May's production of Oliver.

Who knew I married a villain?

And why were we standing by the creepy, naked statue?

Madison enjoyed Camp Pepin, an outdoor learning experience for fifth graders in Farmington School District. This was the giant swing. Here she is doing the spider man. 

I survived chaperoning: first mountain dew in years!

Made a trip to Missouri to see Bryce and Kayla. They showed us the best of the Ozarks. Loved the plunge ride at Silver Dollar City.

Weekend away by St. Croix Falls, WI and canoed on the St. Croix: quiet, relaxing, refreshing. (Thanks grandma!)