Fun at the zoo

We went to the zoo a couple weeks ago with our good friends, the Huffman family. We had a great time seeing all the animals and my children had a fun time spending time with the Huffman children.

Aaron's most favorite animal - the elephant!!

Martin in the fun zoo helicoptor - Noah (one of the Huffman boys') is hanging on the ladder.

I rented a double stroller for Jonathan and Rosalie. However, I ended up using both the double stroller and Rosalie's regular stroller. So, Joshua Huffman and Jonathan rode together in the double stroller.

Rosalie and the goose

Rosalie wanted so badly to touch this goose . . . then she wanted to feed it. Neither worked out for her, but she had a great time!

Cleaning the porch

3 paint brushes + 1 bucket of soapy water + 3 excited and willing boys = a clean porch

I swept the porch the best that I could and then put my boys to work to clean it. They actually did a fine job! In the last couple of pictures they started working on the siding of the house.

Aaron, much to my surprise, was the hardest worker on this particular day. He kept telling the other two that they needed to stop messing around and get to work. I overheard him telling Martin, "children don't normally get to do a job like this, so you better get busy!"

Three observations from me: 1. I love how much they loved doing this "job".

2. I love how had they worked.

3. I love that it kept their hands busy.

My Grandad

Granddad and Great Uncle Earl in Washington D.C. to see the World War 2 Memorial

Great Uncle Earl, Granddad, and Dad

Granddad

Senator Bob Dole with Great Uncle Earl and Granddad
(Thanks to my cousin Stephen for the pictures)

I am sad to say that my Paternal Grandfather, Arvis Daniels died on Wednesday morning, May 19, 2010. My Granddad has been in and out of the hospital quite a bit over the past few months and has been suffering with some lung issues. He was a fighter, though, and really wanted to live to see his 90th birthday which is June 30th of this year.

I am not sure exactly how to process all of this right now. I am so sad. He was a great man. I remember him as always having a great attitude - always seeing the positive in any situation. I am mostly sad because it has been 3 years since the last time I saw him. My children didn't get the chance to know him. I know that I would be sad no matter what the situation. It's always hard to lose the people you love, but for some reason I think that it might be easier for me if I had had the opportunity to see him and talk to him just one more time.

We will be traveling soon to be with family and attend the services. I will be singing at the service. I sang at the funeral services of 2 of my other grandparents - so this is familiar territory for me. However, that was before I had children. You might be wondering what that has to do with it. Since I've had children . . . the tears tend to flow more freely and easily. I am not sure how "professional" I can be this time around. So, if you think about it, say a prayer that just during those brief moments that I am singing - I can focus enough to sing clearly, and that it will be a time of worship and praise for everyone.

My Dad said that my Granddad was ready to go "home". He said that Granddad told the doctor that he was ready to go "home". The doctor looked confused, and my Aunt Sharon told the doctor that he was ready to go to heaven and be with Jesus. I know for sure that he was indeed ready. He was a fighter until the end - so, if he actually said that he wanted to be with Jesus - then he was most certainly at peace and ready to go.

Also - if you think about it - please pray for my Aunt Sharon. She has suffered much loss in the past couple of years.

Hide and Seek with Rosalie and Jonathan

Martin's first trophy

Martin finished up his first season of soccer. He really enjoyed it and has said that he definitely wants to do it again next season. He especially was excited to receive this trophy! It even has his name engraved on it!

My first cone ...

We went to Goodberry's last week for Martin's closing soccer ceremony. Aaron insisted that he wanted a cone. So, I explained to him the importance of eating quickly for obvious reasons. He rather enjoyed the cone, but did not enjoy the mess that came along with it. I asked him the next day what he would get if we went again . . . and he said, "a cup!"