Last Day of School and TWELVE, Part II-Panda Fever

 We went to the Vallerys for our official summer kick off party!

 And for lunch, our hostess with the mostess fired up the grill for her first time EVER!  Turns out she's a natural.  She did an amazing job, all the kids were asking for seconds!

 Here's to many more pool filled summer days!

 Then after the pool it was time to have a bit of birthday fun with a few of Jake's friends, Peter and Jordan.  We saw the movie, Kung Fu Panda II...

 Followed by dinner at Panda Express:)

 Topped off with arrival of Grandma and Grandpa and some dancing at Music in May!

 And presents from Grandma and Grandpa. 

THE PERFECT DAY!!!!!

TWELVE

 Opened presents....

 Then went to Dennys for breakfast with Dad and Bree.

 Hit the pool....

 And figured he was finally old enough to do this...

Jake, I can't believe that TWELVE years ago I was pacing the floor of my first grade classroom IMPATIENTLY waiting for the phone to ring to tell me any news at all about you and your upcoming June arrival.  In fact I got so impatient that at morning recess I could not wait a second longer, so I called Jackie's caseworker who put me on a VERY LONG hold then told me YOU WERE ABOUT TO BE BORN!!!!  And sure enough at 12:47 you were born and our empty world was suddenly filled with more happiness and love than you can even know. I wish you could remember all the love that surrounded you that day and in the days that would follow. You wouldn't even be able to begin to wrap your brain around all that love. It was overwhelming!

And now, 12 years later, you are our lawn mowing, kite flying, fish catching, soccer playing, fun loving, shot braving, piano playing, speed reading, ketchup devouring, peace making, chess playing, smart, funny, creative, super talented kid and we can't wait to see what you do with twelve. I have a feeling it's gonna be AWESOME!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAKESTER!

WE LOVE YOU!!!! 

A Friday Night Must....

 (this from the kids who's always telling me to "turn it up" in the car:)

Music in May...you just can't beat it!

Tip #1 on Surviving the Summer Heat...

Everything's better at night!

Worker Bees

 Bree yanked this weed out all by herself. 

 You wouldn't know by the smile on her face, but she thought she might of thrown out her back in the process.

Jake likes to mow the lawn like he's driving a race car. 

And he does not like his picture taken while he works.

 Callin in back up for the tight spots.

 And after all that work, there's just one thing left to do....jump so high you can touch the sky.

Bree's loving her no-touch flips these days.

Luke would call them cool jumps.

Love all 4 of my worker bees.

(I just take the pics:)

The perks of having Luke's friends over...

cheap labor.