2010 year in review - JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER

 JULY 3rd we traveled to Sedalia for an Independence Day celebration. There was watermelon and water, games for the kids, a Barlowgirl concert, and awesome fireworks despite the light sprinkle from the sky.

 AUGUST- family vacation back to Knoxville visiting family. We were able to enjoy the city (and the lake!) more than in February- sightseeing, boating and swimming.

At the end of the month, we officially began homeschool kindergarten. I've been wavering back and forth to send or not to send Jayden to school- private or public- especially since the baby's arrival would mess with the end of the year's schedule. Eventually I realized that the best family time we get is always weekday mornings when Chris has his days off. We didn't want him to miss out on the family connection time, so that pretty much decided the issue and I've enjoyed the time being "teacher".

In SEPTEMBER, I turned 30 and Chris’ threw a surprise party for the occasion. I thought that attending the piano recital at church was a fun treat (definitely out of character for Chris though) but it doubled as a rouse to get the kids to the babysitter and me to church. I was caught off guard by the crowd in the fellowship hall and very much enjoyed the entire afternoon!

Also in September, we took the kids to Grants Farm in STL where we met up with long-time friends the Goodwins. We had a beautiful day. Zeke got to participate in the elephant show- a balloon blowing race, and both boys drove a staff golf cart at the end of the day...a special perk from I guess just being in the right place at the right time!

2010 year in review- APRIL MAY JUNE

Easter was at the beginning of APRIL this year. You can see that I still can't get everyone to look at the camera at the same time- Oh well! The rest of the month was spent recovering from the surprise due to arrive in November.

We visited the doctor in MAY and saw an ultrasound that showed a healthy sisk baby on the way.

Later, the kids and I took an overnight trip to Potosi without Chris. We visited the Ainley and Costephens (our friends from college) clans and what a zoo! There was mom-time, sunshine, animals, as well as more dirt than any boy could ever hope for. We had a great time.Back on the home front, I very much enjoyed watching the spring bulbs show off.

JUNE 12th was Violet’s second birthday. I'm not sure she knows that "2" is different than "5" or "4".  I'm pretty sure she thinks that she's as big as her older brothers. She talks in complete paragraphs and runs around the yard (and sometimes neighborhood) like she owns it.

year in review- JAN FEB MARCH

This year was full of excitement, but JANUARY started quietly. Chris had his 31^st birthday in the middle of the month.  Too bad January didn't end quietly! Chris took an elbow to the forehead and I got a call on his way to the ER. Ten stitches later I got to take him home.

FEBRUARY got kicked off with a family trip to Knoxville, TN for Stacey’s brother’s wedding where we all had a part to play. Chris and Stacey were attendants, Jayden rang a bell, Zeke was the ring bearer, and Violet…walked along with brothers in a pretty outfit.

Later that month, we had to say “see you later” to Chris’ Grandma Violet. Chris shared the eulogy at the service and did a stellar job of honoring Grandma both with what he said and his ability to get through the speech.

MARCH opened with Zeke’s 4^th bday. When we had a dog, she really mellowed after about the fourth year...not true for Zeke. He's still as puppy-ish as ever.

In the spring, I also began a garden experiment that yielded a few tomatoes, about 24 green beans, too many yellow squash and and more weeds than you could count.