May, Indiana & Nashville

Started the month off strong with a little fishin'

 Laundry always looks better when it looks like this!!!

 We were lucky to be able to take time off and drive 7 hrs to Indiana and see Rich's Japanese grandma Mary. He's only seen her one other time. It was a neat experience to meet her and get to know that side of the family. Rich's uncle Terry came as well and it was great to visit with him. I'm not completely sure Gma Mary knew exactly who we were, as she has some dementia, but she was so sweet with the kids and I hope the older 2 remember a bit of that experience. She absolutely loved Darci and kept asking how old and how many we had and then she would laugh and say 'OOOOHHH!' when I said four! It was a sweet experience. Her daughter paula also gave me a pearl ring of mary's that she came over from Japan with that is really neat. It was a really great wknd.

 We made her a Holt Family blanket, which I think she loved :)

 cousins on some level... :)

 Later in the month we were able to see Rich's brother in Nashville once again. It was a great weekend. We stayed up way to late and even beat the boys this time at pinochle! We did some shopping and swimming, and even got to do a private tour of a plantation home that was used as a makeshift hospital for over 600 injured civil war soldiers. The battle took place near the house and in some places within you could still see old blood. It was a crazy feeling to be there, especially on memorial day! We loved our wknd with them!

 This is getting framed in her room :)

 on the battle grounds

 On our way back home we still had a few days off and spent a family vacation in St. Louis. We stayed at the drury in a suite and it was fabulous! We swam every possible minute and spent one day at the city museum, which was a massive playland, and then spend one day at the zoo. We think its important to have just our own family vacation at least once a year, alone, and hopefully our kids will always remember whats important.

 It was very high... not for the faint of heart...   T even did it though! way up there!

 now you can get a glimpse of just how high some of those metal tunnels are!

 by then end of day 2 these kids had had it! This is what I call determination to ride in the stroller!!!

 Now we are going to sit back and enjoy june before we head to UT :)

 This little lovie turned 8 mo and is just a gem :)

 Rich turned 34 mo... I mean YEARS :) and is also a gem :)

 Kai got his yellow belt and finished 2nd grade, brought home his writings, which were hilarious for the most part, but also serious. I think this is the 3rd story about the wreck this year... still on his mind...

 Meili absolutely loved the peer model preschool this year, and CANNOT wait for KGTN!!! She is so excited. She loved her teacher and made a best friend that I'm sure she will be very sad to leave behind in Missouri someday. We have had many play dates so far! It was such a blessing and I'm continually seeing the hand of the lord in our lives through the small and simple things :)

 And last but certainly not least!!! This little dude finished a year of joy school at home with me and a few other mommas and will be doing 2 days a week next year! Yey BIG T!!!

April & Gma Gayles/Easter

Loved spending easter with Gram. Mom & Dad and bre came as well. Fabulous to spend some time with Lauren after her time in spain and great to see cousins and uncles again :) Gram and Darci had some quality lovin time and uncle Jer took the kids on hunting excursions, which they looooved! Any time we have with Gram is special quality time and I hope my kids have the memories of visiting Gram just like I do.

Meili couldn't wait to get to grams and play skip-bo with her. She loves the game and really gets it! I think Gram enjoys it a little too :)

We even had time to run the kids over to a little easter hunt in town, which was basically a free for all... but it didn't matter, the end result was still the same... candy. Kai shared with T because he only got one, but it was a blue one! Find the positive in all right?! He even said, 'hey mom there's a little boy over there that doesn't have very many, can I share with him?' He's growing up...

These little cuties always have fun together and Lauren even got some smoochy time in on these cheeks :) They are very yummy! She and Kai even played a little checkers on the new board that Gpa made!

The kids loved watching the trains from the edge of the lawn. Gpa even found time to take big T down to the train crossing to get up close and personal with them. Highlight of his year i'm sure!

These two were built from the same mold I think... they spent hours talking about hunting, fishing, and everything under the sun. They are best buddies for sure.

 The kids were excited that the bunny found us at Gma Gayles and we were all up bright and early!

 and Meili was in chocolate heaven...

 Before our trip we took a trip to the zoo, went to our annual tons of trucks event, had a trip to the fire station (T was in heaven...), decorated easter cookies and eggs, and Darci turned 7 mo! She now is pulling herself up onto things.

These guys are best buddies and we are so blessed to have each of them.

oh and last but certainly not least Meili climbed to the top of her rope at gymnastics again for the second time, but this time I got a pic! That same night Kai took his yellow belt test in karate and passed! We may have a couple of overachievers on our hands...