Swimming with friends!

We were able to enjoy Saturday afternoon swimming with friends.

It is hard to keep Claire out of the pool and we are so thankful to have many

friends nearby to share our pool with. As you can see, Claire is always smiling when she is

in the water! I think we have a future swim team member on our hands!

The Gertgen famiy visit

Our good friends Tim, Jenny, Megan, and Austin came to visit us just over a week ago. We had so much fun and made many good memories. We went to the beach, to Splash town waterpark, and out to eat. We spent many hours swimming and hanging out at home playing games. We are so very grateful to have such wonderful friends we can call part of our family!

Claire's 6th birthday party!

We had such a great party this year. So many of Claire's friends were able to come to help us celebrate her turning 6. Me Maw and Paw Paw were even able to stop by for a little bit- they haven't missed any of Claire's parties since she was born! The kids did LOTS of swimming, we had a water balloon fight, jumped on the trampoline, and of course ate and had cookie cake. Thankfully the weather held out and we only had 20 minutes of light rain. I don't think any of the kids even noticed it was raining while they were swimming! Thanking God today for placing so many special friends in our lives. We are very, very blessed!

One year since we had to say goodbye to our Snugglebunny

Today is bittersweet for me. It is Claire's big moment of graduating from Kindergarten and moving on to 1st grade so I was super excited and proud. It is also the one year anniversary of my Dad passing away. This poem sums up much of what I am feeling today and much of what I feel every single day. What I wouldn't give to have one more day to talk to him and give him one more hug.

 I was unable to be up in Minnesota with my mom and siblings today, so through Skype we all did a balloon release at the same time. We wrote our own special messages on our balloon and then after saying a prayer, we all released them up to Heaven together. Although we are far apart in miles, we were all able to be together. I know Dad would have been proud of this moment.

 I put together just a few of my favorite pictures that help to capture the amazing man my Dad was. He was the hardest working man I have ever met, the most caring person who would give the shirt off his back to help anyone, the most funny and lighthearted grandfather a child could ask for, and the most patient and loving Dad a girl could want. My Dad was and will forever be my Hero in this lifetime. I cannot wait to see him again in Heaven! I love you Daddy!

Our baby has finished kindergarten...!

                              and when she finished Kindergarten.

Claire and Mrs. McGuire

 when she started Kindergarten....

Claire having some fun with her friends at her end of the year party.

Sneaking in a little snuggle time with Daddy!

Claire and her good friend Addisyn

Claire and her friends being silly wearing the big glasses they received.

Karsen and Claire...

Claire and Emily...

and Claire and Cameron. These two look like they could be trouble together...

Finally, had to sneak in one picture with Mommy!

I am so very proud of all that Claire has accomplished this year. She is ending Kindergarten at a reading level I (they need to be at a C to graduate). She also is advanced in her writing and her spelling. I know we push her sometimes but it has all paid off. I could not be more honored to know that God has entrusted this amazing girl to me and Jeff. What a privilege to have her in our lives and what a blessing she has been to us!