Helen's Hansen shirt

Thanks Aunt Barbara for my new nightshirt, I really love it. 

Big brothers and Daddy's arms are the best

Big brothers are the best.....Helen had trouble settling down last night, and it wasn't until Miles came in and cuddled with her that she finally went to sleep.  Apparently Daddy's arms are the best thing to sleep on and cuddle with.     She looked so peaceful, I hated to move her, but common sense won out when it was time for me to go to bed.  Still, what an angel.

We love you Aunt Julie

We love you Aunt Julie!!!

 Tom and Julie 1975, notice the similarities in this photo and the one above with Miles and Julie in 2010.  It's easy to see where Miles gets his cuddliness from.

Rest in peace Julie Glauser June 23, 1958-July4,2012.   Heaven received a very special angel today her name was Julie Glauser, daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

Never wake a sleeping nine year old

 Unless of course you want to end up with a black eye.
In a weird turn of events Wed night 6/6, Miles accidentally gave his Mom a nice shiner.  We went to his school's pizza dinner slide show and about half way through the show, Miles had fallen a sleep on his arms resting on the back of the chair.  Unbeknownst to me, when the slide show ended I told Miles to finish his drink up so we could go.  I must have startled him, because as I was finishing telling him about his drink, he suddenly bolted up right and wham, my eye and cheek caught the brunt force of his skull.  I must say I don't sport a shiner very well. 
Lesson learned never wake a nine year old who has fallen a sleep at a school function. 

Miniature Golf

Yesterday on Memorial Day we took the kids to Golf N Stuff in Venutra where Helen got to play her first game of miniature golf.   The boys got to have fun with bumper boats, indy cars, bumper cars,and lazer tag.   It was fun day out for all of us.  Tom beat all of us at golf, but it was fun to watch little 4 yr Helen putt her way through 18 holes.  

Future firefighter

Helen is much more interested in firefighting than her older brother.  She found my practice rope today.  After showing her a figure-8 and a bowline "rabbit goes fast, Daddy", she decided to make her own special knot.

So here it is, the latest rescue knot:

I call it the Helen Knot.

Eclipse

                                               For those of you on the east coast who didn't get to see the eclipse.

                                             Daddy showing Helen how a pin camera works

                                           This is what the eclipse looked like

It was very cool, it actually got a little dark for about 30 minutes.  

Helen's 4th Birthday

                                              Helen opens her card from Nana and Grandpa

                                               Helen and Mommy had fun decorating the front doot

                                                       What's a party without silly string?

                                             Wow!  Look at all those presents!

                                                         The pinata Helen, Mommy and Auntie Krista made

                                                         The Birthday Girl takes a swing at the pinata

                                               Now it's Julianna' turn

                                                    Parker's turn

                                                     Ethan takes a stab at it

                                                     Erik gives it a go. 

                                                    The Randall Family

                                                 Finally after Miles busted open the pinata, Jake gets a turn at it.

                                                Helen's homemade ice cream cake

                                                   Getting ready to steal a blueberry from her cake

                                               It's present time

                                                A baby doll from Grammie Janet

                                             Another baby doll from the Bohl Family

                                                  What a great big brother helping out little sister

                                              Helen's pretty dress up dress from Auntie Krista

                                                       Pink out fit from Nana and Grandpa

                                                             New jammies from Mommy and Daddy

                                                        Horsey shirt from Aunt Barbara

                                                 Princess gem fishing game from Nana and Grandpa

                                               Princess jigsaw puzzle from Nana and Grandpa

                                            Opening the gifts from brother

                                              Miles won a raffle at school and instead of picking out something for himself, he picked out something he knew his little sister would like.  A beach ball and play doh.  The kid even took his own money and bought his sister a card.

                                                           Helen in her shirt from Aunt Barbara

Saturday May 19, Helen celebrated her 4th Birthday.  She had loads of fun and now can't wait until her next birthday.