Juggling in June

I can't even imagine how June has already flown by! So crazy that one month of summer has already come and gone! But we filled it with many happy memories! Here are just a few more for you to enjoy!!!

Tori has become my cooking sidekick- she is such a great helper in the kitchen! And she eats much better when she helps make it- a huge perk!!!

For the longest time, Tori has wanted to learn how to climb trees. But it's hard finding a good, low to the ground, just learning how to climb a tree climbing tree. She was so excited when we found the perfect tree at Karst Park- just another reason why we love this park so much! And Tori was in heaven that she could climb up all by herself!

Check out our little stud muffin after his hair cut- I think he just grew up on us again!

We are still practicing possible hair styles for the upcoming wedding- Tori loves her fancy Sunday hair!

Our two cuties all ready for church!

I really shouldn't have taken this during sharing time, but Tori looked so cute up there helping in her fishing hat!!!

I absolutely love our morning ritual of waving goodbye to Daddy on our front step!!!

Two very proud kiddos built this structure! And I was even more proud of them because they did it together!!!

Every princess needs her scepter whilst lounging!

Poor Garrett- he was so tired after church he crashed during our Sunday family movie!

Tori was so excited that she can climb so high on the jungle gym!

Garrett got himself into a spot he couldn't get out of!

A few weeks ago, Jared and I took a huge leap of faith and started our own business! I am now a Distributor with It Works Global! I am so nervous and yet really excited for this opportunity to help with our finances, while trying some great products!!!

It Works has a slogan of It Starts with One! Our family joining the business was our first one! And now to see how many other ones we can bless along the way!!!

Tori really is a great Mommy to all her dolls- check out how cozy she is!

  Garrett is getting more brave on the jungle gym!!!

Tori declared a Popsicle Day- so we had popsicles!!!

Definitely a unique way of wearing pjs- but she loved it!!!

I can't even express how much joy these two bring into our family- so blessed!!!

If you are ever in the market for a fabulous hostess, may I suggest Tori? She throws a splendid tea party!!!

Tori and Garrett have found a unique and interesting way of going down the slide!

June has been awesome and now on to July for even more fun!!!

Jared's Birthday!!!

Today we celebrated Jared's 32nd birthday! Since we are leaving for Texas tomorrow, today was full of tons of errands, last minute projects for the wedding, and getting packed. I felt so bad that it all had to happen today, but Jared was such a trooper and even took the van in for an oil change. So we tried to make the day around all of those things extra special!!!

Tori and Garrett were so excited to give Daddy his card! (You may notice it looks a little mangled- let's just say it was mangled with love!)

And the patchwork wrapping job was a huge hit!

Garrett made sure he was right there to help with the unwrapping!

Hurrah for new hiking boots! (EYO Scouts- you had better be ready!)

By far my favorite picture of the day!!!

Can you tell Garrett helped frost Daddy's cupcakes?!!

Making his birthday wish!

Tori and Garrett are great at helping blow out candles!!!

Happy birthday Jared- I hope you had a fantastic day even with us being so busy! We love you so much and hope this year is even better than last!!!

Bug Fest

Today Jared, Tori, and Garrett attended Bug Fest at the Hilltop Gardens- seriously, these guys have the best programs!!! Tori and Garrett loved it! They got to see tarantulas- no one got very close, and lots of other bugs! Then they got to build a bird's nest and feed baby birds. There were tons of activities, too! It was a great event!!!

These two could color all day long!

They gathered next building materials out of these trees!

Then they made some fantastic nests!

Next up- taking care of some baby birds!

They did a great job!

Seriously, just so cute!

Tori and Garrett loved all the activities!

They had a blast!!!

I really think that the Hilltop Garden has been our luckiest and most favorite find in Bloomington thus far!!!

June Gardening

We have been learning many fun things in our summer gardening program this month! Our first week we learned how to test our soil and make sure it has enough moisture.

Tori did a great job checking to see if we had enough moisture in our garden!

Then we got to put mulch down!

Garrett loved helping with the leaves!

But, by far, the favorite activity was watering!

And more watering!

And more watering- these two took great care of our garden!

We also got to plant potatoes in a cage-so curious about how they will grow!

Our second week, we discovered that bugs were attacking our eggplants. So, we learned how to make a little tent over it to protect it- pretty neat!

We also learned about transplanting!

Tori was especially excited to water all the newly transplanted eggplants!

Tori and Garrett love the strawberry patch!!!

Tonight we learned how to make smoothies with things from our garden! It was especially fun that they let all the kids create their own recipes and try different combinations!

Tori made one out of all different kinds of berries- yummy!

Garrett obviously loved his!

We are having so much fun learning about so many aspects of gardening! Can't wait to see what else they have in store for us!