Back in the 'Nati again!

We spent the weekend in Cincinnati and had a WONDERFUL time seeing everyone! It was emotion-ful, but in a very good kind of way. So much of us are there. One time Dave Faust said that there are two church that cause him to weap when he thinks of them and one was UCC. At the time I didn't resonate with what he was really saying, now I do. I LOVE the ministry there. We stayed with Scott and Ann Ellis, who are still tirelessly serving Christ in everything they do. Saturday morning we stopped in at Rohs Street before rehearsal lunch, and got to catch up with several people. Then at rehearsal lunch we to reconnect with students, who were such much a part of our lives! Brad and Sarah Bowman and their children, Ivan and Henry, shared dinner with us on Saturday night. Then Sunday morning we met with Rob and Kristen Sloan at Panera and let the kids play on some green space outside. It was a special time to be back at UCC for Sunday morning service. It many ways it seems like we haven't left, until we look at the kids and see how much they've changed!!! Troy and Amanda had us over for a very quick lunch before we had to run to get to the wedding! I wasn't sure how it would be to go back, but after being back I can't wait to return for a longer visit! We'll be back for the Missionary convention being hosted this fall where we can hopefully connect with people we didn't get to see during this whirlwind trip!

I have more pictures but blogger's pictures thing isn't working! They'll be up soon!

Wedding

Our whole family was part of the wedding. John and I both participated in the ceremony. John did the bulk of the ceremony; vows, sermon, etc . . . I addressed the friends and family and prayed. Luke was an usher and LOVED showing everyone where to sit, as long as they could keep up with the fastest usher ever! Logan and Mikayla were in the wedding. Logan was the ring "tiger", which goes back to a year ago when John and Elizabeth got married and Luke was the ring bearer. Logan was feeling quite left out because he didn't get to wear fancy clothes so when asked what we has doing in the wedding he said he was the ring "tiger", obviously misunderstanding Luke's role as the ring "bear". Tommy and Stephanie got quite a kick out of that story so Logan was given his shining moment at the ring "tiger". Mikayla was the flower girl. All this being said, I was slightly concerned how this would all play out. Keep in mind, John and I are at the front with the groom and groomsmen and Logan and Mikayla have to walk down the isle. Even thought Mikalya is only 19 months old, she wasn't who I was most concerned about. Logan's idea of a good time is not being told what to do and then having everyone staring at him! To start them off we had Mikayla strapped into her stroller and Kristin Sloan fed her fruit snacks (provided by Sara Bowman) until the last possible moment. Then she let her go, I knew she wouldn't hesitate once she was let loose! Logan on the other hand, made it somewhere between 1/2 way and 3/4 of the was down the aisle before he stopped threw down the batman figure he was carrying with him, put his arms straight down at his side, gave his classic "Logan look" and just stood there with his head down! Mikayla stops, goes over, picks up his toy, brushes off his feet, grabs his arm and pulls, saying "Mon, mon" (Mikayla's way of saying "Come on!") Luckily the first bridesmaid was on her way down, so when she met up with them she grab each of their hands and escorted them the rest of the way down the aisle. They stood next to us for the rest of the procession, then they went to sit with Scott and Ann Ellis. Scott later told me that when Logan went over to him, he said, "I was just embarassed." Here are a few pictures of the kids!

Emma and Logan









Mikayla carrying her pink pony from Tommy and Stephanie!









The groom is in the white shirt and talking with friends.









John and Mikayla, she is such a daddy's girl lately. We took video of her crying this morning when he left.









John's favorite picture from the wedding. Mikayla kicking Luke in the fact on the swings, OUCH!

Reception

Since the wedding was help outdoors at a park there was a playground right next to where the reception was being held! Every wedding should be held outside with a playground! The kids had a blast playing together! Isn't it great to see how kids can just pick up and play together like best friends even when they haven't seen one another in a long time?!

Brandon and Greta on the playground!









The kids were collecting food for dragons (a.k.a. crab apples)











Emma, Emerson, Indira and Warner playing on the playground.









Kids running down the hill to collect dragon food!











Luke, Logan, Matteus and Indira getting 1 last picture before we left.

First day of Kindergarten 2

Daddy and Luke in line outside of school

New School Shoes

They wouldn't let us walk the kids into the classroom! So here I am taking a picture through the outside doors of them walking downstairs to their room.

Luke's teacher hurt her knee, so he is actually starting off the year with a substitute. Lucky for me the rookie forgot to pull the blinds on the classroom window (the seasoned veteran in the other kindergarten had hers pulled down shut)! This is a picture taken through his window outside the school building. Yes, I am the stalking mother who was peaking in through the tiny window.

First day of Kindergarten

Luke and mommy

Here's the fam before school. Mikayla, just woke up, nice hair, huh?

Do I have to smile mom?

Here he is walking onto the playground at school!

Luke started Kindergarten today! After sending him off, and lots of crying (on my part, not his, he did GREAT!!) Here's some pictures of the BIG DAY!

back to school

Luke and Logan got "Back to school" hair cuts. I can't believe how GROWN UP they look to me now!









Luke starts school Thursday! This is going to be an emotional day for me! He'll do great!













Logan starts preschool 3 mornings a week. What am I going to do with only 1 child?!?!?

This is Luke and Mikayla on the front steps of our cabin. It was just 5 miles from Santa Claus and was a wonderful campground!








Mikayla and Daddy at the Lake at the campground. She loved playing in the sand!








Logan and Mikayla are on a ride together! When did all my kids get so "grown up!?!?!" Luke is waiting in line through the archways in the background. He was with John in line for a roller coaster called the Raven. Luke's now 48" and can go on the adult rides. John said Luke didn't breathe the whole ride!





At the end of the day Mikayla was worn out!

Highlights

We just got back from a vacation to Santa Claus, Indiana. We camped at Lincoln State Park and went to Holiday World. We LOVED Holiday World!!! Go sometime!
Pictures and more details to come shortly.

Luke starts kindergarten in 6 days!!! I can't believe it! We bought school supplies before we left on vacation. I feel like a "real" mom.

Logan will start preschool September 5th!

Mikayla and I will have to find new things to do to keep us busy!

We will be in Cincinnati next weekend for Tommy and Stephanie's wedding.