Rolling Ridge Ranch Playgroup and Funny Bug Showcase

Last Friday, June 10th, our playgroup made the trek out to Amish country again to visit the Rolling Ridge Ranch. It was a little cloudy but still a beautiful day and we were all very excited. The kids had been talking for days about feeding the animals.

Pepper started the ride with Ava and Jen. Also pictured Luke and Julia.
Anna with two of her kids Dominic and Natalie.

So Pepper started the ride happy and on the other side of the wagon. As soon as we were inside the gate and the big animals started swarming the wagon, someone dropped a bucket of feed near Pepper and the animals rushed to get the food. Pepper FREAKED out! Seriously, I have never seen her so scared. She was shaking and crying and trying to get across the wagon to me. I finally got her and could not calm her down for like ten minutes. I'm not even exaggerating. This girl lost her mind. I finally got her to stop screaming by putting the diaper bag on my lap and letting her clutch it for dear life. That is how we remained for the rest of the ride. Needless to say I didn't take many pictures or feed many animals but it was still a great trip.

Ava and Jen feeding a camel.

Mommy zebra.

9 mos old baby zebra. I was most excited to see these two. It was fun to see all the baby animals walking with their mommies or nursing.

Morgan and some of the rest of our group.

This was our crowded back seat for the 2hr round trip. Dominic, Morgan and Jack. Looks like they were having a pretty good time despite the cramped conditions.

Pepper and Natalie were sitting pretty and both fell asleep on the way home despite the crazy boys in the back.

Last Monday the 6th, was Morgan's final Funny Bug showcase at the Little Gym. I don't think we'll be signing Morgan up for anymore classes there because in the fall he starts going to preschool every morning and I don't want to have to drive up there late in the day or twice a week. We have loved attending their classes and Morgan has grown so much with this gymnastic skills. We will now have to find something closer to home.

Doing their warm up skills.

Getting ready to cartwheel.

Morgan showing off his bar skills.

Here is a video of Morgan doing his floor routine with Teacher Bill. I know it doesn't look all that impressive but he is doing really well for a 4yr old and I am so proud of him.

Because this was Morgan's 5th consecutive semester, he received a trophy during the award ceremony. Only one other boy got a trophy and Morgan was on cloud nine as you can probably tell by his beaming smile.

Morgan's Funny Bug class and teachers.

Someone is pretty proud of his trophy.

Morgan and his good friend, Erin, showing off their awards. We will miss hanging out with all our Little Gym friends every week but Pepper is signed up for a summer class and Morgan will be attending some summer camps so we're not completely out of the loop.

Our Tiebreaker

It's a girl!!!Everyone keeps referring to this baby as the tiebreaker so I guess right now the girls team is winning. Yipee! Morgan was excited and kept saying, "I knew it was a girl." He has always referred to this baby as a girl or a new sister but sometimes if you asked what he wanted he would say a boy. Pepper was just happy that the lady rubbed the wand on her belly too and said there was a baby in there. Waiting anxiously for the ultrasound.
Such great helpers...ok, not really. I am so glad I have great friends that watch the kids when I usually go to the doctors, because it was a zoo in there with these two.

On June 2nd, Cody's 32nd birthday, we met him at Smuckers to have lunch together. We walked in with this big Star Wars gift bag, cookie character and birthday balloon. We were hard to miss.

Everyone kept walking by the table and telling Cody "Happy Birthday." I don't think Cody minded the attention and we had a great time hanging out with him.

After work, we gave him a few more goodies before the kids went to bed and Cody and I enjoyed a nice, quiet birthday dinner.

I took this picture the other day and it cracks me up every time I see it. This is a great example of what Pepper looks like whenever she wakes up in the morning or from a nap. The tutu really helps the look I think.

If I put Pepper's hair up it is always in ponytails. I keep seeing other little girls with braids so the other day I thought I'd give it a go. Good thing Pepper has my tough head and will let me do anything with her hair. I was pretty proud of my first braid attempt.

What a look?! I think this is supposed to be a smile but it kind of looks painful to me.

I have more to catch up on but that was all I could manage to deal with while the kids were driving me mad this morning.

Memorial Weekend and Other Randomness

Last weekend we drove down to Khan's house for the holiday. On the way we stopped at the outlet malls to have lunch, stretch our legs and get Morgan a pair of sandals. It was a nice break from the car and Morgan asking every five minutes if we were there yet.
We were all anxious and excited to see Khan and his family and to visit their fabulous club pool.

Yay, for summer fun!

This is how we spent Saturday afternoon. The water was freezing but the sun was out and we were happy.

Pepper enjoying Sunday breakfast. I'm not sure why she looks so chipper since she barely slept the whole first night. Cody and I were not so chipper.

This is how Morgan spent his whole weekend. He is completely obsessed with all things Star Wars now and always says he's a Jedi and turns everything into a light-sabre. He was so excited to have an actual one.

Very excited.

And excited to attack Clones.

William as a Clone.

Morgan testing it out.

Pepper's turn.

Pepper trying out the dark side.

Our Memorial Day afternoon at the pool.

William's blue popsicle tongue.

Morgan's red popsicle tongue.

Happy cousins.

Kegan, William, Khan, Cody and Morgan playing "Band Hero."

Morgan keeping the beat.

We all had another great time hanging out with everyone and getting away for a few days. We are so glad that we live so close to family!

Now to back up a bit. On May 25th, Morgan had his last day of preschool. It was a field day and luckily the weather was perfect for all the outdoor fun.

Playing musical chairs.

And limbo. Morgan was the only one who knew how to do this and I have no idea why he knew. But it was fun to watch.

Snacktime.

Morgan was most excited to ride these bikes. You can tell by his awesome expression:)

And this one too.

Morgan with his amazing teacher, Mrs. Yonders.

Morgan really takes the best pictures!

Three Peas in a Pod.

Morgan, Reichel and Owen. These were his best buddies in school.

We had some lovely purple Irises show up in front of our house so I asked the kids to take a picture with it. This is what I got.

And here's our first strawberry. It was quite delicious and we can't wait for more.

Months and months ago I started working on a quilt for Pepper. I had no pattern but the one in my head and had never really made one myself before. But I had fun making it up as I went along.

Morgan taking some pictures of the process.

I didn't have enough fabric pieces to finish the pattern I started, so I had to figure out something to do in the middle.

Morgan break.

Almost there.

All done.

Well, until I decide what to do in the middle part:)