Happy 7th Birthday Hailey!

I probably will say this every birthday, but "I can't believe Hailey is 7!" WOW!

Birthdays are a big deal to all kids, but to Hailey it is something that she has been planning since July of last year. She loves setting a theme and thinking of matching outfits, decor, and games to go with the party. Obviously her 7th birthday has claimed the theme of the "red, white, and blue". She helped me out with the cake and I had to bite my tongue several times in order not to criticize her frosting of the cake. She also was hoping for firework, but it had to come to an end.
Taylor, Olivia, and Hailey

The sleep over crew. I said that she could have two girls over for a sleep over and it grew to five.....I'm exhausted.

Backyard sprinklers, water balloon fights, and a treasure hunt.

Golf Clubs from Daddy!

Saying Good-Bye to Grandma Christians

Mike's Grandma Christians passed away July 17th, 2010. We traveled to Kanawha, Ia to celebrate her life with the extended family. She was a very loving woman of God contantly present with her serving spirit for family and friends.

Mike's sister Julie and niece Brittany

Mike's sister Teresa, her husband Merle, and their girls Mariah, Mallory, and Macey

Grandma Miedema and all 7 grandchildren

When I asked Hailey why she looked so concerned on this photo she said "Maybe I was thinking: what is a funeral really like anyway?"The girls were super excited to go for a spin in Julie's new convertible

The trip turned out to be a big treat for the kids. Our hotel had a pool and Auntie Teresa showed up with bithday gifts for our kids. The girls are in love with their cousins.

Cousins!

This past week was one of the greatest ever. On Monday afternoon, my sister arrived with all six of my nieces/nephews for four days of fun in the Twin Cities. (Yes, that is 9 kids in one house!) We did it all: a back yard obstacle course, Como Zoo, Mall of America, Bloomington Pool, dance routines, bedtime stories, movies, and everyone cheered Hailey on at her softball games.

I hoping that this will become a tradition and one that they will remember forever.

Play Ball!

Hailey has nearly completed her first summer of girls softball through the Bloomington Athletic Association. The level of the game as improved substantially as the season progressed. Hailey get a hit nearly every at bat and has really started to grasp the essentials of softball.

Happy Birthday Grandma Miedema!

Just the girls headed to the Twins game last Thursday for Grandma Miedema's birthday. We left Carter at the neighbors' and Mike at work. We had lots of fun! The highlight for the girls was the "SUPER JUMBO COTTON CANDY" that featured three different colors. They did a good job paying attention to the game and were very embarrassed for the girl that was proposed to on the "kiss cam". Grandma was very impressed with the girls and had a very

Happy Birthday!