Summer's almost here

My action and water loving kids are already begging for us to go fishing or go to the lake or play outside every single day. Summer is clearly almost here. Even though the lake is so low and will likely be drained by year's end, Derek makes the most of trying to get home timely to allow for dinner and a little fishing or something outside. We are back on our summer tradition of eating a treat on the front porch after dinner. The boys are usually interested in a Popsicle or fudgesicle. So we kick the outdoor ceiling fans on and sit on the front porch and watch the neighbors walk or run by. Aidan is always the first to yell out across the way at strangers to say "hello"! It is too sweet. Some more photos - again I have so many as I get "homework assignments" for my class.

Taking a photography class...and loving it

Many of you may know that I LOVE taking pictures. I got my first camera when I was 10. I begged my parents for one. And to look back now at the cost of all the film and processing for my habit...dear lord! And Derek can tell you about my loads pictures and photo albums from the past - as can my good friends who have helped me/us move in the past and have had to pack those bad boys up. So, after many years and several "fancy" cameras later, I figured it was time to learn what all these buttons and dials on my camera meant. Based on a tip from my neighbor Mandy, who recently launched her photography business, I finally bit the bullet and signed up for a class. I have been enjoying every minute of it. Turns out several ladies I know who are also "photo lovers" have taken the class. Not sure why I didn't take some of these classes in college...but I didn't. So I am seizing the opportunity now. I am sure the kids are even MORE sick of me taking their pictures...but here are a few of my early favorites.

A wonderful Mother's Day

It seems so long ago now, but what a nice and quiet Mother's Day I enjoyed this year. The day before - on Saturday - Hatcher had his gymnastics celebration so we took the opportunity and invited the local grandparents to the "show" and back to our house for a "mother's day brunch." Derek and I made chicken salad and tuna salad sandwiches with pasta and such for side dishes. We had fruit and cupcakes for dessert. The weather was perfect and we all enjoyed lunch outside. I planted a ton of plants that weekend. I have the bug...I love digging in the dirt. On Sunday Derek and boys took me to breakfast at J. Christopher's. It was just a great weekend with beautiful weather.




On a more personal note, I can't tell you how much I love being a mother. Hatcher and Aidan are so inspirational...they inspire me to be a better person; they inspire me to find more patience; they inspire me to laugh more; but most of all they remind me what is most precious in life. Derek is an amazing father and husband and without him - his love and support, this family unit wouldn't be what it is today. Thank you Derek for a great weekend. Thank you Aidan and Hatcher for all your hugs and kisses...I can always use more!

Catching up on April and May events...so behind

Gymnastics Spring Show - May 8
A whole year passed in a flash. We signed up for gymnastics in the fall of last year and we ended it last week - the classes follow the school year...we opted to break for the summer. Hatcher loves gymnastics and takes the class with his friends Ava Mei and Haley. Aidan will join in next year and loves going to watch - and cheer! - Hatcher on. We go and sit in the stands and watch the kids learn to hang and swing on the monkey bars, do somersaults on a balance beam (on the ground), do cartwheels and jump down a long trampoline and into a foam pit. That is Hatcher's favorite part. Here are some pictures from the spring - "year-end" event. We invited Marma and P'Bo, Uncle Ben, Grandma and Grandpa Tom to the show. Hatcher was so excited to have his family there to watch him perform...and play!







Hatcher's bigger-boy bike
Derek and I have been trying to get Aidan more comfortable riding the bicycle in preparation for our beach trip this fall, and in doing so realized that Hatcher needed a slightly bigger bike. So a big transitional moment in the house - two boys on bicycles. Hatcher even wanted to try riding his new bike without training wheels. He is ever so close and will likely nail it while we are at the beach on flat ground. Some of the photos...





Tom's Birthday Celebration
For Grandpa Tom's birthday, which was in April, we hosted him, Grandma and Tom's daughter for dinner. We cooked out and all enjoyed dinner and dessert on the deck. The kids had so much fun helping me decorate the cake. I even found these cute shirts that said "Ruff Day" in honor of his birthday. Too cute. It was a nice dinner outside.

Cinco de Mayo...and more

What a busy month May has been already. I am so behind in posting - it is almost hard to recall what all we have been up to. Thank god for all the many photos I take. They are such a vivid reminder of days gone by. We spent Cinco de Mayo with the "goddard gang" and Amy and Greg's house. Everyone had a great time and the kids all had a blast of course. Amy even purchased a pinata for the kids to all take turns beating in the hopes that they would find candy. They took turns - each made good contact and in the end the candy made its way to the ground. We always have such a good time with the group and Hatcher and Aidan love hanging out with Haley, Tomy, Ava Mei and Owen. Here are some of my favorite pictures.

Aidan's first Dentist visit

Aidan was so excited. Hatcher and I talked up our big trip to the dentist for weeks. Hatcher has loved going - which is so great! I take them to my dentist where the boys can watch movies and get toys...and the girls who work there are so patient with each of them. Hatcher and Aidan had great "reports" - they both have all 20 teeth in good condition. Heck - it was me with a cavity this time. The dentist had been watching this "sticky" spot for years and it was time. Somehow I got talked into having it filled while we were there with this new "blasting - no shot" technique. It was actually painless and quick - but of course while i was stuck in the chair - Aidan had to go #2 and Hatcher was glued to the television watching Toy Story. Meanwhile my teeth were somehow glued together. We think when I turned my head (when I was supposed to be still) to hear Aidan requesting to go potty - the filling spilled over the edge. While the filling was drying the super nice receptionist helped Aidan go to the potty. Shortly there after - the dentist noticed the error and all was repaired. Lesson learned - never take two boys under the age of 5 to the dentist without a second adult present! Here are pictures of Aidan's first teeth cleaning.

Kemmerlin boys' newest hobby - Fishing!

Who knew that we would be a family hitting the Bass Pro Shops for fishing equipment - or that Derek would love going fishing at the lake with the boys nearly every weekend. Of course we fell into the groove of really loving and using our beautiful lake (the very reason we moved here) just as there is major damage to the dam from all the torrential rains last fall. Subsequently, this fall our lake will be most likely completely drained for a period of time so the dam can be properly repaired. Until then - we are going to continue to enjoy it as much as we can - for every minute we can while it is only ~10' low. Even the beach is currently in need of more sand since the water has been forced out beyond our normal swimming area. But back to the increased fishing. Easter Sunday afternoon P'Bo, Jared and Christina came out to fish. Everyone loves it...especially Hatcher. He has yet to catch a fish - but he sure knows how to cast a reel. Aidan just throws his line and then wanders around the edge. Last time we were out there both boys ended up with their socks and shoes off running around along the edge getting covered in mud. They loved it! I am sure we will spend a good bit of time out there this summer - trying to catch more fish. Now if I could only get Derek to change the boys shoes before they head down to the mud. :)

Easter 2010

We had a great Easter. The boys were super excited and knew that we would get to partake in TWO egg hunts today. Of course the Easter bunny came to our house, but he also made his annual visit to Berkeley Lake. What was different this year was that Hatcher knew the Bunny at the lake wasn't the real Easter Bunny. He told Aidan that it was just some guy dressed up to be like the Easter bunny for pictures - and that was why he didn't speak. Aidan didn't care - he was super excited to see him. The boys got up at the crack of dawn - who am I kidding - it was still dark outside - don't think it was even dawn yet! Then we searched for eggs in the house. After breakfast - we talked the boys into going outside to play where they were surprised to find even more eggs - 75 in total. Crazy mommy and daddy - what were we thinking? It was fun. Then after nap we headed to Berkeley Lake for the annual Easter Egg Hunt. They were excited and were looking forward to seeing the bunny again this year.