Cordel started 6th grade this year and Emily is in her last year at elementary school as a 4th grader!

As you can see Cordel has to get up pretty early, so his pictures are a little darker since there is no sun yet.

We took a trip to Newport and watched a Reds game. Petting the sharks and watching the guys in the tank was pretty cool.

Updates-Sorry its been so long since our last update. Anyway, we have all been very busy. Emily just finished up her first season of softball. Cordel just returned from boy scout camp. Now everyone is taking a breather and just enjoying the summer. Here are some recent pictures of our lives.

Emily had her birthday party this weekend. It's hard to believe that she is 9 years old.

We took the kids to Indian Lake State Park for trick or treat. It was a beautiful day. We could not have asked for better weather. Cordel's costume turned out awesome. He wanted to be a dead pirate, but didn't want to wear a mask. Doug did his make-up. Emily had wanted to be a skunk this year, but were not able to find a costume and she saw the Cleopatra one at the store. I think it was a better choice. She looked really good.

We always take pumpkins and carve them after we get done trick or treating. Emily took the picture of Cordel & his pumpkin. I thought it was really good!

These are the first day of school pictures. I'm running a little behind on getting them posted. The kids have been in school for a couple months and both are doing really good. Cordel seems to like middle school and has joined the art club. Emily is doing good in 3rd grade. Halloween is just around the corner, along with Emily's birthday and she is looking forward to both.

Emily and I went to Chicago this weekend w/ mom & dad. They wanted to take her to the American Girl Store. Emily had a blast. She LOVED the American Girl Store and got some new outfits for her doll. We walked out to Navy Pier and rode the ferris wheel. We rode a train to get there. Emily was pretty excited when she found out we were going by train. It was pretty cool. The weather was great. We couldn't have asked for a better day.

Boy Scout Camp-Cordel had camp last week. He had so much fun. He earned his archery badge and his swimming badge. He had to get in the water with jeans and a long sleeve shirt on. Then take them off and make a floating device, which he did. I gave him my camera at Family night. He took a ton of pictures. Here is one he took of himself. I thought he did pretty good!

Emily got a little hot at the campgrounds. So she thought she needed a wash cloth to cool off.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY-We went camping for the week. It was so nice. We had so much fun. (thanks mom and dad) We went fishing, swimming and watched fireworks. The kids rode their bikes. I got to catch up on some reading. Poor Doug had to blow up this HUGE raft all by himself. I thought for sure he was going to pass out. This thing was so big. We all had a lot of fun playing on it in the lake though.

Emily and Cordel are both shooting now.

Crossing Over-Tonight was Cordel's crossover from Cub Scout to Boy Scout. It was a very nice ceremony. All the mothers were included in the ceremony. Doug painted dots on each of our faces to represent different steps that Cordel will be taking or has already taken to become a Boy Scout. (I think painting my face was Doug's and Cordel's favorite part)

GROWING UP TOO FAST-Cordel had his 4th grade recognition last week. It's like a mini graduation. Cordel said that when he grows up he will be working with animals as a vet. He will be going to middle school next. The kids all meet with the kids from Lakeview Elementary since they will all be going together in the 5th grade. Cordel said he was a little nervous about going to middle school. I told him everything would be fine. (If he only knew HOW nervous I was for him)

Bree tried to make nice with my brothers goat "Bob" the other day, but Bob was not having any part of it. It was pretty funny watching the 2 of them though.

Emily started Opening Season yesterday with a BANG! Well actually, it was a home run. She was the first to bat and walked right up there and smacked the ball out into the grass. She was very happy! She also tagged a boy out at first base.

Doug and Cordel spent the day on the archery field. Cordel is really enjoying shooting his bow. A friend of ours gave him a bigger bow to start using. He was pretty excited about it.

Cordel was tested Wednesday night for his yellow belt. HE PASSED! He was awarded his yellow belt and will begin training with a staff, which a long wood pole. He is really enjoying his karate classes.

Growing up too quickly-

Emily got 10 inches cut off her hair today. She has been growing her hair for over a year in order to donate it to Locks for Love. She loves her new cut. Doug and I think she looks so grown up but it is very pretty. She is going to be catching this year for ball and has to wear the gear, so the hair cut is a good thing for her.