Sum, Sum, Summa Time!

We stopped quick at Solomon Farms this week to snap a few pics of the kids while they were dressed up. I'm so excited to spend my summer with these three loves! Can't believe how grown up they are getting!

Fun days ahead…

Grand Prix Time!

Third time's the charm! This is Trent's 3rd and final race. This year he came out on top with a WIN! Pour Drew had to start down at 4th place for his first year (just like Trent)…in fact, Drew's times were better than Trent's first year. This year the times were SO VERY close! Good job boys.

When I went searching to find posts about the other 2 cars, I discovered I never blogged them…well, here, see what other fun you missed…

2013 = 3rd place - Speed! I didn't get a picture of the results, bummer! But, I tracked down the times:
First Place 10.3242, Second Place 10.5978, Third Place 10.6182

We thought the church shuttle bus was clever - maybe win a design award, never thought this block of wood would actually be in the running for speed. Pleasantly surprised us! 4th place, time: 10.6798

FAME Festival

Every year FAME (The Foundation for Art and Music in Education) puts on a festival downtown. Their website said there would be "60 schools displaying art and sculptures representing approximately 6000 pieces of art. There would also be "45 choir, band, dance, and drama performances by local schools and organizations representing over 3,000 student performers."

Trent sang back in 2nd grade and this year he not only sang, but played in the band.  They combined with 2 other schools from our district and it was amazing to hear how much they have improved since September. I'm very thankful my boys have the opportunity to participate in something like this!

All in Good Fun...

No explanation necessary...especially if you're a Kuhn! The caption was just perfect with her little hands on her hips showing a bit of attitude, dontcha think ;)

One out of 3 isn't so bad...Trent's joined the dark side...Drew's pretty neutral...so Anna has no choice but to stick with me on this one.

Boo...

But I still love you Mike & Trent...my silly brainwashed boys!

Runners!!

I just love that my boys have the opportunity, at a young age, to experience cross country. I must say, knowing how much they enjoy basketball and baseball and football, I never imagined they'd enjoy running so much. I didn't think cross country would even be on their radar, especially if'd they'd have to choose that instead of the other sports they've played since they were 5.  I enjoyed running for my school when I hit junior high. My only experience up until that point was probably the 50 yard dash at the annual field day. If you ask Mike, he'd admit, the running genes come from my side of the family. My dad and younger brother were also runners.

The boys have run 3 races so far this season. Last Friday, Trent set a goal, went for it, and got first place. His determination is amazing to me. He was white as a ghost after he crossed the finish line and walked over to me. His lips were quivering both from the emotion of his excitement and sheer exhaustion. He half whispered through his dry mouth "I did it, Mom!" He gave me a big HUG! (you know, in front of EVERYONE!)

Yes, I totally teared up! So amazed by his drive and determination and accomplishment. He has not yet won in his 3 years of running. He's been 2nd many times, so this was fun for him. I loved cheering him on and sharing in his success!

Drew has done well this season too. He's enjoyed running and being part of a team. I'm learning more about his personality as well. I love that he is just as excited, if not more, to see his friends do well than he is for himself. He's got a good heart.

Enjoy a few pics from the race...

Schools In

A new school year has begun!

New School,

fresh supplies,

lunches packed!

Praying you have a great year, boys!

And, yes, we miss you already! See you this afternoon...

Celebrating!

...another year of life...

We always do a big b-day party with Mike's family on our vacation together. We spanned June through September this party. So here are, of course, 3 of my sweet 6 gifts!

Sporting her new pink tutu! She wears it well.

Idependance Day 2013

We got to celebrate the 4th with my family in Ohio. We took the kiddos to King's Island and had fun going on the big rides! We hardly spent any time in the kiddy area. They are just growing up so fast. We stayed with my brother and had a nice afternoon in their pool.

SWISH

What our weekends consist of these days...

The plight of a younger sister...being lugged to ALL of her brother's sporting events! Upside: When Grandma comes for the weekend and snuggles said little sister during her brother's games! You can tell she hates the attention, huh!?!

5 months

We braved the cold weather for our last chance at some outdoor pictures. My friend Jen met us at a nearby park and took some family shots for us! Can't wait to hang them up in our new house! We had to be out of our old house on Halloween...so we moved into a small rental for a month until we can move into our new home.

I grabbed a box from the rental garage before we left...we thought this picture was so appropriate for this time in her life...we've been living amidst boxes for a long time...looking forward to unpacking for good!

Fall Festival...a.k.a...

Halloween.

My little Monsters!

Yes, I totally raided their CANDY stash!

Course it's not real hard for the boys to share when they DON'T like CHOCOLATE anyway!! 

Yummo!

Cross Country

***WARNING*** Proud Mommy Moment***WARNING***

Tis the season...I was surprised last year to find that our schools offer a cross team. I can't say that Trent would ever have given this sport a shot in middle or high school with all the other sports he enjoys! With that in mind, I encouraged him to give it a try. Little did I know...he's got some wheels :)

Being that this was one of "my" sports back in the day, I've enjoyed going to the meets, scouting the courses, and cheering along the sidelines...and to our surprise Trent has been pretty successful!

His school ran in 3 meets this year.  He amazed me with his determination, even through the cramps. I enjoyed the races when I ran...but mind over matter was hard to conquer for me...Trent, however, set a goal and gave it everything he had - and sure enough it payed off for him. Here is some bling for his effort. His boys team came in first place in all 3 of the meets. His first meet about 600 kids ran 3rd-5th grade, so it's no small feat!

My Boys!

...Because I'm to cheap to pay $60 for school pictures...

I made the boys stand by our fence before they left for school...yes, on picture day.  BUT I don't think they turned out to bad :)

New School Year!!

I can hardly believe I have a 4th and 2nd grader!!  They are getting so grown up. I remember thinking how BIG and grown Trent was when he went into 2nd grade and now - with Drew - I just think he seems so young still.  It's a little weird for me to have a 4th grader...I remember sitting at my desk (as a 4th grade teacher), having deep conversations, answering some hard questions, learning, laughing, cheering on, but still reading to :) some pretty amazing kids.  I would dream about what MY life would be like when my own kids were that age.  NOW it's here and it's a bit surreal :)  Excited to see my boys continue to learn, grow, mature, and become good friends and leaders and athletes...but most importantly have a heart that desires God and His Word.

So, here's to another year...can't wait to see what's in store!

The Great

We had the chance to see my grandpa and step-grandma at the beginning of August.  They were visiting Ohio from Florida and so I took the kids on a short trek to meet up with them. He hadn't seen Annalise yet - and after all our losses and g-pa and g-ma's many prayers...it was an emotional introduction! This makes the 7th living great grandchild for them :)

A few peeks...

Here are just a couple pics of the adoring brothers and our sweet little bundle of Joy!

Little Footsies...Precious Wonder!

Can you believe she is Really HERE?!?

One Sweet Sista!

Love at First Sight!

Best Quote of the Week!

As I was saying goodnight to the boys and tucking Trent in, he said "Mom, I love it when you tuck me in." I smiled and then he said, "Guess who's gonna miss you when they go to college!"

Love that kid :)...and SO glad college is a ways off yet!

So thankful for the time I've been given to raise these 2 wonderful boys!

S-T-R-IIIIIIIIIII-K-E!

This little video is the last of the 3 stike outs Trent had IN A ROW this week.  Dad had to pay up and stop at the gas station on the way home to get 'T' some sunflower seeds!  I guess it was just enough of an incentive...Trent rose to the challenge and made it happen :) (or I guess some would say he was lucky)  Whatever the case, it was fun to see!

Hey...

batter,

batter,

batter. 

BASEBALL is in FULL SWING for Trent.  Drew starts later this week!

Mother's Day

We traveled up to Michigan to spend the weekend with Mike's mom.  A bittersweet day for me...wish I could hug and squeeze all 5 of my kiddos.  Thankful, still, for the blessing of being a mom.  Hopfully I can do as good of a job as both our moms did for us!  Love you, Mom!

Dear Lord, it's such a hectic day

With little time to stop and pray

For life's been anything but calm

Since You called on me to be a mom

Running errands, matching socks

Building dreams with building blocks

Cooking, cleaning, and finding shoes

And other stuff that children lose

Fitting lids on bottled bugs

Wiping tears and giving hugs

A stack of last weeks mail to read

So where's the quiet time I need?

Yet when I steal a minute, Lord

Just at the sink or ironing board

To ask the blessings of Your grace

I see then, in my small one's face

That you have blessed me

All the while

And I stop to kiss

That precious smile