Lads to Leaders 2011

We had a great weekend at the annual Lads to Leaders convention in Orlando!  I have been going for the past twenty years (boy I am getting old!).  I have missed two years out of the past twenty, one when I was in college because I couldn't get out of clinic and the year Erin was born.  I wasn't crazy enough to brave it with a three week old!  Ha!  

I have been teaching the Leaderettes from our congregation for the past ten years and it is great to watch the girls grow and succeed.  This year I moved down to the younger girls class and I loved it!  We also had a special treat this year because Grant and Erin both participated in the pre-K-2nd grade age group!

Camryn traveled pretty well and, as is her nature, adapted to the busy weekend.  Just a few short years and she will get her chance too and I will be running around trying to see all of my kids participate!  

Grant did Bible reading on Friday afternoon.  Because he can't really read yet he recited a memory verse.  I wasn't sure how he was going to do.  This was the first time he has ever gotten up and spoken in front of people.  When we arrived at the room there were probably thirty or more boys!  Stephen took him in and got Grant set up to read.  I was able to get in the back of the room, but ended up leaving because Camryn got a little fussy.  I missed seeing him, but one of our friends, John, recorded the whole thing on video.  I want to post the video on the blog when I get a chance.  When it was Grant's turn he walked up to the front of the room and admitted he didn't know what he was going to say.  He then asked for a little help!  Stephen started him off and he went ahead and finished his memory verse!  He was so proud of himself!

Saturday both Grant and Erin led singing.  Mimi and I went with Erin and Stephen and Papa went with Grant.  Erin led her favorite song, "Blue Skies and Rainbows."  She did such a good job and I was very proud of her.  I told Stephen that I think it was the prettiest version of "Blue Skies and Rainbows" that I have ever heard.  (I might be a bit biased ; ) When the little girls were finished we rushed down to Grant's room.  Stephen was keeping me updated by texting me a play by play of what was going on in Grant's room.  We made it in time to see Grant lead, "Jesus Loves Me."  He did great as well.  

I was able to record both of the kids on our phones.  As soon as I figure out how to upload the video I will post it on my blog!

At the big awards ceremony Saturday night the little ones that participated got to go on stage.  Our friend Kate, Erin and Grant went up to the stage holding hands.  I thought it was so cute!

We told Grant to give a thumbs up sign when he got on stage.  (For those of you that know Mr. Zorn you know that this is what he always does.)  Grant instructed Erin to do the same!

Yep, that's my boy with his shirt tail out.  

Easter morning:  checking out the goodies the Easter bunny left.

Grant got an iTunes gift card from the Easter bunny.  He couldn't have been more excited!  He is always asking to download games on my phone.

Erin was the last to wake up.  She does not take after her mommy.  I am a morning person.

I think this trip to convention was the best one we have had since we started taking the kids!  We are looking forward to next year!

My Girls

My girls.  It is so precious to see them together.  Erin loves her baby so much.

(She's helping baby to smile)

I hope they will always be close.

I think they are off to a great start!

Rapunzel: Take Two

Three posts in one day!  I can't believe it either!  I just had to share these funny pictures taken tonight.  I think her natural, bald look is more slimming.  What do you think?

Picnic Day

I had the pleasure of attending a picnic at Grant's school this past Friday.  The kids had been learning about bugs for the week.  They had read the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, and a few of his other books about bugs, so a picnic was a great way to end the week!  The director of the preschool had suggested I let Erin come to school with Grant every Friday until the end of the year so she was there too!  She loves going to school with Grant and Ms. Megan will probably be her teacher next year.

These photos were taken with my phone again.  I didn't bring my big camera.

Easter Egg Hunt 2011

Yesterday morning we had our annual Easter egg hunt at the church building.  The weather was beautiful!  

The kids had a great time hunting for eggs.  (and eating the contents of the eggs)

Love this girl!

My attempt at a group shot was pitiful, but I like this more candid one anyway.  

Grant has decided that he will wear sandals this year.  Yippee!

Our little family

Camryn's First Time Swimming

Camryn got to join her brother and sister this weekend for a swim in Mimi and Papa's pool.

She seemed to like it!  I need to get her a new float.

Swimming is always followed by ice cream!

Our Visit to Old McDonald's House

Friday morning we were invited over to Mrs. McDonald's house to see her chickens.  The kids affectionately call her "Old McDonald".  She doesn't seem to mind.  She is the sweetest woman and is always ready to give you a hug and a word of encouragement.  She is always busy helping those who might need a ride to the doctor or just some company.  She recently acquired some baby chicks and wanted the kids to come over and see them.

Erin was very willing to feed the chickens.  Grant, however, preferred to just watch.

We didn't let Erin feed the rooster.  He likes to bite your fingers.

Baby came along for the ride and entertained herself quite well.

We had a nice visit!

Random iPhone Photos

As I mentioned yesterday, I often take snapshots of our day and send them to Stephen.  I thought I'd share a few pictures from my phone.  

This one is the first picture ever taken with my phone.  Stephen made it my background on the phone.  Erin was being a little grouchy that morning.

I took this picture on our way to church when Camryn was two weeks old!  

This photo was taken that same week.  Stephen was in Baltimore.  I sent him several pictures that same week that I erased from my phone, this one however, was to show him that Erin had cut her hair.   (It was a long week!  Whew!)

Camryn at six weeks.  She had caught a virus from the big kids.  She ended up in the ER due to a high fever coupled with her young age.  Luckily, we didn't have to stay!

Erin in her big girl car seat!

Out shopping with Mommy and Gi

Erin took this one.  See how the fairies are placed strategically on Camryn's belly.  I had about ten of these pictures on my phone.

Helping granddaddy in the yard.

Finally, a picture of Grant!  (He dodges the camera now and erases any photos of himself that he sees.  I hope he grows out of this stage quickly!)  We were at his pre school's spaghetti dinner.

I texted this one to Stephen to show him that Camryn took a pacifier.  She's only done this a handful of times since.

Camryn in the swing at Aunt Pat's house.

Grant had erased this one, but I had already texted it to Stephen so I was able to save it!

The kids with their cousin Jenna .  Jenna was visiting at Granny's house with Aunt Margaret and Uncle Jimmy the day the planted the garden.

Water Fun

I thought I would share some pix of our afternoon.  I took all of these pictures with my iPhone so they aren't the best quality, but they sum up what we did today.  I often snap pictures of our day and text them to Stephen while he is at work.

The water is freezing, but they don't seem to mind!

Baby sister doesn't get to play yet.

Erin really is that tan already.  She tans like her daddy.  I'm jealous.

Camryn and mommy hanging out.

(Those are Erin's cool shades I'm rockin')

Oh to be three!