More August Fun....

Kora Lily (2 1/2) is growing up very fast.  She loves to play with her rain coat and umbrella.  She is currently getting potty trained.  She loves to play with papers and put puzzles together.  She also loves to play hide n' seek with her baby dolls.  Everyday she thinks that the school bus is coming to get her and she is going to school.  I wonder if she will hold this excitement in 3 years when she really has to go?

 She used to have a fear of riding the tractor.... and now daddy can't get on with out giving her a ride. 

 We have had lots of storms this spring n' fall... but it has brought lots of awesome sunset pictures!!!!

 We had play day at Medina Splash pad... but I didn't get many pictures.  Kora was not much into the water... but enjoyed playing with her friends n' bubbles. 



Akron Zoo - 08.16.11

Summer was almost over... and we didn't do much with the kids all together...

So we decided to make a trip to Akron Zoo.

Ryder & Kora climbing the rock wall.

 We had been to the Zoo at least 5 times and have never walked thru the garden before.  It was beautiful!

Kora Lily & Mommy 

 The kids on the way out of the zoo... they were exhausted!

It was great weather and fun time!  Can't believe summer is over already!!!!

Wooster Park - 08.09.11

Willow was home from Florida... so we packed lunches and headed to Wooster Park. 

Ryder, Reese & Kora loved the park...

 They found lots of places to hide!

 The older kids... not so much into the park.. but still had fun together....

 Group Photo...

 The Ingold Grandkids  (-Scarlett)

 Callie, Mason & Maxon came to the park as well...

 Willow LOVED holding baby Grady...  I love her lil' proud look in this picture.

August Fun ....

We were excited to have the Katanic's over for the morning to play. 

Trace & Kora finger painting...

 I am not sure who had more fun on this one... Me or the kids... turning our family room into a big fort...

 We found our selves the proud parents to a stray cat for two weeks - we figure this cat's real family must have been on vacation.  Kora loved it and was so sad it never came back....

Mommy on the other hand was glad... this cat found it's real home!!!!

Play day at Maddie's 07.27.11

We were so excited to go over to Maddie house to play with her new swing set and run in the sprinkler.  Maddie helped Kora warm up to the sprinkler...

I love this picture of Kora and Bree...  

Not every day...... 07.25.11

Not everyday does your doorbell ring and you go to the front door to find CHICKENS!  

 Kora was THRILLED to say the least... and was glad the Baltic's stopped by to show us there fair chickens!

Babies.....

Troyer's had a lil' baby shower for the Katanics.

Kora Lily was excited to get a tattoo at the party.

 We had lots of yummy BLUE food....

 Baby Westyn was born on 8.1.11

We LOVE his name and he is such a cute lil man!!!

Congrats to the Katanics!  

We are also very excited to welcome another SMITH baby to our family.

Savannah Grace was born on 8.3.11

We can't wait to meet her and give her lots of hugs!

We know her siblings, Grandma and AUNT are loving on her everyday !!!!!

Speaking of BABIES! 

We never did announce on our blog - that the Gardner's are planning on having a baby on JAN-15-12!!!!  We are very excited and nervous!  Everything is going good and the ultra sounds are coming back clear!  Praise God~!!!!!  

6 Months

Yesterday it was Six Months since lil' Flint came and gone into our lives.  We still are still learning how these lil' footprints have left such big marks in our hearts!  Sometimes we struggle with learning to wrap all this around our minds.  But we look to all the Blessing that God has provided through all of this and lean on the hope of seeing him again some day in heaven. 

Hot Dog Party....

Sam and I decided to get back into the routine of having the kids over every summer for a fun party.  So I copied the theme from a friend and we got creative with a HOT DOG PARTY theme.... since it was HOT DOG MONTH.

Kora was so excited she sat in her chair most 

of the afternoon waiting for the kids to come.

 Kaden, Tagen, Adam, Eli & Cooper

 Ryder, Trace, Kora & Reese

 Tori, Emily, Lizzie, Molly, Megan & Maddie all came over for the night.

 Hot Dog's with lots of toppings, cherries, filled logs......

 Brownies, Chips n' Dip, Jell-o, Dog Bones & Juice Boxes was the kids menu.

 We played Hot Dog Trivia, Memory, Treasure Hunt, Hot Dog 

Music Game, Hot Dog name game.... just to name a few!

 Sam played Monopoly with the big kids while I put the lil' kids to sleep.

 Saturday morning we sang HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Kaden..

He turned 9 today!!!

 All the kids!!!

I have to say "I love planning parties" may be an understatement.  I am not sure if I get this wonderful trait from my mother or father or sister's .... but we sure love to have a good time..... :o)

Sleeping Beauty and her helpers....

What is wrong with this picture???

 Yup... sleeping beauty is in Daddy's bed.....

 and sleeping beauty even had her helpers follow along...