I'm eight!!!!

Yesterday this man turned 8.
 He woke up with a smile on his face...

and went to bed with a smile on his face. 

And told everyone he met
 (even Vincent who checked us out at Target)

that he was eight.
That today was his birthday.

And it was a good good day.

New bike (that he got to pick out!)

Fun day at St. Paul's...

which included swimming and cupcakes!

 His best game ever.

Some great hits...

 Two amazing catches.

(yep - he caught this one!)
The entire opposing team knew it was his birthday!
AND Ms. K came to his GAME!!!

 A tail gate party....

 complete with pizza, soda, cupcakes, suckers, and 

numerous other non-healthy food items!
And his best friend spent the night!!

 His list cracked us up.

He is quite the funny guy with his developing sense of humor.

His amazing athletic abilities continue to amaze us...

and his ability to do practically whatever

he puts his mind to.

He is musical.

He is smart.

He is witty.

He is dramatic...

but sensitive.

My boy and I butt heads occasionally...

but I have to tell you...

he is my precious gift.

This little man...

is going to do great things.

And I am outrageously blessed to call him my son.

A birthday to remember!

May 27 was a VERY special day...because a VERY special little girl turned 3!

 She had a fabulous party!

 With her favorite family...

 and friends!

 There was a pinata

 Limbo of course!

Sack races!

Face painting...

pin the tail on the donkey (not sure we got that done?) 

Delicious food...

and SO MUCH FUN!

I think we can safely say...

that Raena Joy had a birthday to remember.

Love you my sweet spunky little granddaughter...

you have brought us overwhelming joy and 

out loud laughter 

since the moment you were born.

Recovery

Recovery time for Mr. Shannon has gone well. Pain was minimal. He has "tried" to follow the no lifting 20 pound rule. Went back to work part time week 2 - full time - week three.

It's hard to believe he is almost 4 weeks post op.  I worry he is doing too much too early...but there is not an easy way to keep this guy down honestly.

And. It has been insanely busy around here. And I don't mean just a little bit busy. I mean can't breathe busy.

Kim. Work. Travel. School districts all 3-4 hours away. :)
Ayden. Dental surgery. 3 hours to wake up from his 2 hour procedure(s).  Traveling team baseball 2-3 times a week. Finished 2nd grade!
Ava. Dance practice. Midget softball practices.  Trip to Urgent Care.  Finished 1st grade!
Alec. Allergy testing. Allergy drops. Tball practice. Finished Kindergarten!

And. Worst idea/purchase ever. (Before we knew Shannon had to have surgery). A real deal above ground pool. Talk about stress and crossfit all in one horrible package. I had a guy lined up to install for an insane amount of money and my boys. Family and some wonderful friends talked us into saving that insane amount of money and installing ourselves. Ah my aching back. And legs. And arms. And eyes swollen from crying when it collapsed. Not once but twice.

But it is back up today. And we think we might have it closer to right this time. If not we are going to run over it with the tractor and take our loss. And put up the 15x15 Intex.  :)

Saturday we drove to KC and helped Rae celebrate her 3rd birthday!  You'll have to check back tomorrow to see the fun that was!!!!

You will note that all photos taken during this time of delirium were from my phone. I thought I had broken my camera. But my magical husband figured it out. (As usual).  Thank goodness!

PROUD

 I knew I would have some catching up to do on here..

but I am a bit overwhelmed by how much time has passed.

And how much has transpired in the brief window of time.

 We have officially started the baseball season.

Ayden is on a traveling team this year...

  is truly talented...

and enjoying every moment.

Alec and Ava soon start league ball -

 and are very excited...

and nervous

 about running a lot.  LOL.

Both boys attended a baseball camp two weekends ago...

and had a marvelous time.

 Ayden began his season with a double header

in Taos - with a home run and numerous base hits...

and 2 wins!

 Ava, Grandpa Gary, Grandma Pat and I road tripped to KC 

to attend the culmination of an insane amount of 

determination, starvation, tenacity,

and sheer willpower...

as illustrated in the photos to follow.

 This girl decided to get her muscle on.

 And indeed she did.

 We had a super fun time...

shopping our way to Erin's competition.

(man I'm gonna miss that one big tooth!)

 Hanging out with very special people.

And witnessing our Erin 

carry herself like a Greek goddess.

(I'm thinking this will not be

 the only competition we will be attending!)

So proud of this woman.

It was also amazing to see her support system 

gather together 

and give her the loudest cheering section in the auditorium!

(Way to go Aaron!!!!)

 Another crazy exciting event that transpired in the past two weeks...

is the new home purchase...

for these two!

So wonderful to watch these two

 (and of course Korb and Hank)

continuing on their journey of life

together as a family.

So proud of you guys!

 And...

in the middle of all of this...

my very brave husband...

went through a major surgery...

like it was NOTHING.

I am SO proud of his positive attitude..

his fortitude and his 

willingness to follow directions :)

Hopeful each day brings him strength...

and that he can manage just "hanging out"

for the next few weeks.

Keeping him "down" could be the hard part!

We are all extremely relieved to have this in our past.

Extremely happy to know for SURE 

he is cancer free.

We are SO very grateful for the 

prayers and love 

from our family and friends.

So grateful.

And these three...

well I have to tell you 

they were wonderful.

They managed this past week like the troopers they are...

and made me SO proud to be their mama!

(hat day - my favorite)

And last but not least...

Happy Birthday to Aunt Barb!!!

We love you so much

and are so proud of your strength and courage..

and sense of humor even in the midst of your pain.

We know every day is SO hard.

We all miss our Jeffrey and Shirley so much.

But I can tell you...

they are super proud of us ALL right now.

And so I call this post 

PROUD.

Cause that is what I am. 

Proud and blessed.