busy, fun filled days of summer

Ava and Cousin Sophie
Ava trying to entertain cousin Sanders!

Ava fishing at the lake. She did a great job casting the poll by herself.

Max being silly.

more of the picnic

Max dancing it up while Mr. Christ, the principal danced with them. It was pretty funny, they did a dance with their butts in the air, their tongues out and knees together. You can imagine how fun it was for the kids to act so silly!

May activities

We had a fun time at the Ryan Park Kindergarten picnic on Thursday. The weather was cool and windy but at least the sun was shining. This is the class of 2020....

500 festival Half Marathon

The race this past weekend was one of the most amazing days of my life (next to getting married and having my children)!! Feeling good the entire 13.1 miles was from working my butt off these past 4 months training. It feels so good to know it all paid off. My goal was under 2 hours and my official time was 1 hour 57 min. Thanks to all of you who supported me along the way and a big THANK YOU to Brandon and the kids for allowing me the time to train. Running keeps me SANE!!!!!

Long time, no post!

Some new pictures from the past month. The kids are really enjoying Spring (now that is has finally arrived!) Ava is riding her dirt bike and Max has moved up to a 110cc "green" dirtbike. It goes way too fast for me, but he seems do to pretty well riding it. He always wears his protective gear which hopefully will save him from injuries, should he wreck.

Easter Fun

Kids showing off their goods. (can't really see their eggs though)



Ava showing off her candy



I spy an egg!!!

Who would of imagined that the kids would be looking for easter eggs under the snow? Even with the less than desirable conditions the kids had a blast. Both ate waaaayyyyy too much candy and ended up with belly aches. Mom and Dad enjoyed the sweets too.

Family Swim Day

The kiddos and I had a lot of fun swimming at the Ymca this past weekend. We took Cousins, Chelsea, Whitney, and Donta too! Max has become a very confident swimmer over the winter practicing his skills in the pool. He can hang out in the deep with me without the belt or life jacket. Ava is quite the little fish too. They get it honestly because I know Brandon and I both were in the water a lot as children. My Grandma tells stories of me swimming up at their cottage on Long lake (coldwater chain) and not wanting to come in and eat lunch or dinner. I think I even slept in my bathing suit much of the time! Good times, good memories.....oh to be a kid again :) Enjoy the pics, my digital camera survived the pool, thankfully!





Ava getting ready for the pool. She was such a big girl, I put the belt on her and she was following me all over the pool.




Max, Cousin Whitney & Ava

Happy 6th Birthday Max!

Wow, I cannot believe it has been six years since our little boy came into our lives. On this day, six years ago, the weather was very similar. We hit the snow covered roads around 7:30am after my water broke to make the short trek to the hospital, which on a normal day would take about 5 minutes. Since I was having contractions and a bit uncomfortable the drive seemed to take forever (maybe an extra 5 or 10 minutes) which feels like eternity when in labor. Maxwell Steven entered the world at 2:29pm, we were the proud parents of a 7lb 7oz little boy. By the time we were released from the hospital 2 days later, the snow had already started to melt and the sun was shining so bright we needed our sun glasses for the drive home.

Today, 2-26-08 school was cancelled so the kids and I loaded up and headed for the YMCA. After my normal morning workout we all went swimming for an hour or so. The kids enjoyed their swim and I got to swim laps with Ava on my back. She thought this was really fun and I enjoyed getting more exercise time in! Max tried his new Heely's out in the gym, we learned he has some practicing to do. Now we are home and he is playing his new Super Mario Brothers game on his Nintendo DS. Later we will celebrate with cake and candles. Poor Ava has been asking all day when her birthday is.....Thank goodness Grammy brought her some new lip gloss and finger nail polish.

basketball

Action shot of Max taking the ball down the court



Max has been enjoying the Upwards basketball program. He started about a month ago and has improved with each practice and game! We really enjoy our Saturday morning game entertainment. The picture of the huddle is a pre-game prayer that they do each week at practice and prior to the games.

potty training in progress!!!

This is a common scene at the Hamilton House lately. Ava is doing very well and we are wearing underwear 100% during waking hours! GO AVA!!






Both Max and Ava recently got new beds with trundles. They love cuddling in at night on their new cozy mattresses. The crib to bed transition for Ava went pretty smoothly....we've had a few awakenings at night but I'm not sure if it is the bed or her usual routine :P