This was a picture from Cole's first day of school...
and his last day of 1st Grade.
During the awards ceremony, Mrs. Taylor gives him recognition for his hard work and putting up with having his Mommy for a teacher all year.
We celebrated passing 1st grade with an ice cream cake...yummy!
We did attend a very important 60th birthday celebration for our very dear friend, Doug. It was an outdoor party made for children! We played, ate, did some crazy things, and just plain had fun. Here are Doug's grandkids with our three additions. Cole would be the oldest at 7. Not all the kids were in this picture either....way to much energy in all those kiddos! Thanks for having us...we love you guys!
They had an inflatable...Heidi was in love! I wish I would have taken a picture at the end of the night of how dirty, messy, and absolutely exhausted she was. It was picture perfect!
Andy loved it too! He never had shown much love for this kind of thing before, but soon changed his mind about it once he was let loose!
Cole enjoyed the watery fun! He would run from one side of the lawn to the other with no fear. I am sure he gained a few new bruises from flopping himself down!
Imagine an "M" on the rock and it would make this picture much better. This spring we bought the Mickey & Minnie and the kids each made their own stepping stone. To say the very least, there is still no "M" on the rock. It is on that "To Do List" that never gets completed.
In May, the school took a fieldtrip to Antwerp. Our principal has a friend who goes on very extravagant hunts. I find his house really creepy because there are stuffed animals everywhere... Cole was a little nervous too, but I did manage a couple of pictures.
Cole thought the zebra was pretty neat. I couldn't get him to stand by the fully stuffed lion!
Heidi has been working at staying dry at night. After completing the task for 2 nights in a row she was awarded with this Cinderella. On a side note, Cinderella had been sitting on top of the toilet in the bathroom for quite some time. I often would find her turned around facing the wall. When I questioned the kids, they were clueless so I questioned my husband. He confided in me that he was the person turning her around because she was "disturbing him". Thus, we now have a Polly Pocket in her place! She hasn't been turned around yet...ha...ha! As you can see, Andy was very proud of her!
My princess with her new princess!
Cole started baseball in mid May when it was still chilly. Here is a picture at opening day ceremonies. Cole moved up to the Wildcat league this year while Cousin Josh moved up to the Minor league. They both have the distinct privilege of their Dads coaching them. Next year the twins will be in t-ball....ahh!!!!!
Cole did a great job this season. It is amazing how much more fun it is to watch him now that he is out of t-ball. Too bad for Mommy, she will be back watching t-ball next year and missing Cole's games!
When in this league, we have the pleasure of playing Edon several times during the year. There are two important reasons to play Edon in Mommy's opinion. First, it is so fun to beat Edon which we did more than once! I must say, we technically do not keep score, but as a parent you just know when you are outscoring Edon. Second, when you do have to travel to Edon, you at least get Edon Dairy Treat ice cream after the game!
Cole would like to thank all those who came to watch his games. Throughout the season, we had many supportive people fear the weather to cheer him on. Thank You!
During Spring Break, we spent a couple of nights at a lodge in Hocking Hills with Daddy's family. Then we moved our vacation into Columbus with the kids. The kids had a great time in Columbus, and we kept them very busy. We took them to this arcade which they played different games for tickets. They loved it! They all ended up getting a prize before we left.....well worth $20!
They all shot at the hoop....even Andy!
Heidi was all about it! She would jump up and down when she would make a shot....so girlie!
We had a nice pool to play in too. The first night we all got in, but the second night, Andy refused so Mommy and Andy watched. We had the pool to ourselves both nights so we could splash and play as loudly as we wanted!
Cole liked that he could touch. He still wanted to wear the inner tube though. I see swimming lessons in that boy's future. He has got to learn to get his face wet!
They were pretty exhausted at night...
We also took the kid's to a fabulous ice cream place. It had a playroom that they enjoyed and delicious ice cream made right in front of your eyes! There was nothing left in the bowls!
After eating all that ice cream, Andy snuggled up for the long ride home! 
Cole checks out the big tortoise...you lookin' at me?
Columbus has several manatees to watch. They were soooo cool!
They were eating heads of romaine lettuce which the kids just cracked up about!
They had more animal statues than any zoo we have ever visited... we stop at every single one to take pictures!
Heidi tries to blend in amongst the penguins!
Can we be friends?
I think that might be Tarzan as a child!
Who needs horses when you can ride some worthogs?
The elephant display was really nice too. This "little guy" was so cute!
I got em'!
Here are all the kids...Andy, Samantha, Jack, Heidi, Cole, Jesse, & Gabby. Maria is up there too, but she got a bit upset when her Daddy tried to put her head in the picture!
Check out this girl!
It was an exhausting vacation for Mommy and Daddy but surely not for these three!
Uncle Nick with his fan club... 
To start our Spring Break, we met up with Daddy's family to stay at a lodge in Hocking Hills for two nights. We slept in the basement of the lodge and there was this pool table that Cole immediately clung too. He feels he has a future in pool playing....Uncle Randy, he needs some pointers!
Cole and Daddy went on a hike with everyone else. Mommy stayed back at the cabin with Heidi and Andy who both had coughs and colds. It was a chilly vacation....brrr. Doesn't anyone know that it is Spring according to the calendar?
Cole was very impressed by the landscape around him. Surely not what northwest Ohio is like!
Aunt Holly and Cole stop a moment to take a picture!
