Schooooool's Out

**Sing with me if you know it - "School's out for Summer..." 

We are very excited to end another school year, and start Summertime fun.  Oh, yeah!  It's always great to have Matt home every day for 2 months.  We LOVE the long days, the picnics, the trips to the park, the bike rides, and the ability to travel over longer periods of time. Alison has already made a list of things she wants to do this summer - not sure if we will make it to everything on her list ("I would like to go to Alaska") but we will do our best.

On Memorial Day, Matt woke up early and took Alison on her first Father-Daughter Fishing Trip.  All the way to... Bethany Lakes here in Allen.  Matt went to Cabela's to buy her a Princess fishing pole.  Yes, you read that right.  Cabela's opened up a new store in Allen and it is every man's paradise.  I'm sure Matt could have found a fishing pole at Walmart or Academy, but this seemed like a good time for Matt to check out the new Cabela's.  Anyway, so they got up early, set up their chairs, got their hooks in the water, and Alison lasted for about 5 minutes before she was done.  Matt convinced her to let him fish for another 20 minutes before they packed up.  All-in-all, it was a good first outing, and they went to McDonald's afterward for Hotcakes and hash browns.


Matt has already set up our little pool for the kids in the backyard.  It would be great to have a neighborhood pool, but this one is perfect for Alison and Jacob.  They can stand up, splash around, and cool off.  We also love going for bike rides together.  Matt pulls Alison in the trailer behind his bike, and Jacob rides behind Natalie on her bike.  The kids love riding and we found out that it is a good opportunity for Matt and I to have an uninterrupted conversation.  It has become the highlight of my day.  We haven't bought Jacob a helmet, so he is sporting a stylish, pink Dora the Explorer helmet that we had for Alison.  Oh well... tough guys can wear pink!!

This week is VBS at our church.  Since Natalie helps with the puppets, Alison and Jacob get to go (even though they are not the minimum age of 5 yrs).  It is so fun to watch Alison from behind the puppet theater.  She lights up when it is time to sing and is very attentive during the Bible Story.  It's neat to be a "fly on the wall" and see your kids the way others see them. 

I hope everyone else is enjoying their summer, too.  Here are a few random pictures I found on my camera.

 My two favorite guys

 Alison with one of her buddies, Seth

Looking for Waldo

Jacob being... Jacob!!  He loves to dress up