It was Elise's 9th birthday on Friday, April 3rd. She didin't know that she was going to have a party. We pretended that we weren't going to celebrate it.
Elise blowing out her candles.
Everyone having their pizza dinner.
Elise opening up all of her presents.
Elise with her cake and the bear she got from Carrie.
All of the girls with the treats that they found while on their hunt.
Elise and Seth Ullsberger racing and seeing who will get the third place trophy for speed.
Isaac Rittenhouse and another little boy racing. Isaac got third place in sparkys.
Some of the boats at the race.
The leader's boats, Mr. Stocks and Nathans.
Mr. Stock and dad doing the bracket sheets.
This year for Awana we had a regatta. Each child who would like to participate, makes a boat and then races it against other boats. To get your boat to move, you blow it.
Lydia is now home from China! The next day after she got back, she left on a plane to go to Florida. I don't think she's going to want to go on a plane for a couple of years:)
Sam, Lydia, and Tonya at the airport.
Lydia getting off the plane and is now in the Unites States.
We have a new guest named Cherise. She is Evan's younger sister. Cherise has two rats, Jack and Piper. On Tuesday Piper died, but on Thursday when I got home from school there was a new rat (much smaller,though). Cherise came up with the name Sparky. It is a lot of fun playing and spending time with Cherise.
Cherise :)
Cherise with Jack and Piper. Jack has white on him and Piper is all grey. They like to sit on Cherise's shoulder.
Cherise feeding Jack and Piper (I think jelly beans).
Piper, the one that just died. We'll have to get a picture of her new rat. I don't reallylike to hold rats, since once I held Jack and he pooped on me:(
There is a co-op that comes to our house on Friday afternoons. The kids that come are about six and under. Many times, Lina gets to come and visit. The little kids really enjoy her. During the hour and half the kids are here, they make crafts, play (sometimes outsid if it is warm enough), and they also have story time.
This little boy is Kaedon Powers. His mother just had a little baby boy, which they named Kelsey. Each child's name in the Power's family starts with the letter K. Elli Simon playing with Lina.
Abby Ihde, Elli, and Lina playing with the toys in the family room. The little boys usually play in the living room making streets to put their cars on.
Every year the married Blaubach children go somewhere special instead of getting a Christmas present. This year, they all took the train down to Chicago. Also, they went to the museum of Science and Industry.
Dad and mom in front of the bean.
Mom and dad sitting in the rainforest.
Everyone that came along. Thankfully, no one got lost. Mom and dad made sure to keep a close watch on each person.
Angie, Dylan, mom, and dad on the way to Chicago.
Carrie, Evan, Kristen, and Derek on the train on their way to Chicago, too.