New York

We recently returned home from our annual trip to DeRuyter Lake, NY.  The weather was good, the kids enjoyed many adventures, and we all came home relaxed!  Thanks mom and dad for having us there for almost three weeks!  

 Jeff enjoying some down time.

 Davis on a hike at Highland Forest

 Lilly and Mommy during intermission of a Mary Poppins play.  

The kids strolling though the paths at the Manlius Duck Ponds.  

Go Pro Games

Lilly and Davis competed in the kids' mountain bike race at the Go Pro Mountain Games in Vail this weekend.  This was Lilly's first race and she just attacked it!  After the first climb, she took off and I didn't see her again until the finish.  Davis was tenacious, strong, and skilled especially on the downhill single track.  So proud of both my kids!

 Pre-race sporting Street Swell jerseys

 On the starting line

 Davis on a bridge crossing

 Davis climbing a hill

 Lilly finishing up, but has time to flash a smile

 Lilly crosses the finish line at 8 minutes 17 seconds...wahoo!

 Davis finishing, and also has time to flash a smile

 Davis crosses the finish line at 8 minutes 57 seconds...wahoo!

 Mommy and Lilly in a post-race hug

 Davis gets a post-race hug from the future Mrs. Place

The kids get medals on the podium!

                  Post-race squeeze from mommy!

Family Visit

Olivia graduated this weekend from Battle Mountain High School!  With the graduation ceremony and party, came a visit from Grandma Kelly and Aunt Jenn.  What a great weekend!  Full of fun, food, and family:)  Just wish Grandma Linda was there too!!!

Mommy and her kiddos.

 Jeff, Jennifer, and Will

 Grandma Kelly and Kelly the 2nd

 Kelly and Jenn

 Sweet couple!

 Lilly loves her Aunt Jenn

 The Place children with their mom...sweet moment!

 Aunt Marcey, Lilly, and Kelly snuggle on the couch.

Hawk Honor for Lilly

Lilly did it again!  She got another Hawk Honor this year for Work.  The night before Hawk Honors we asked her what Hawk Honor she would get if she were to get one, and she said work because she has been working so hard and we agree.  Well, so did her teacher!  We are so proud of our hard working little girl.  Grandma Kelly and Aunt Jenn were alongside Daddy and Davis to watch her receive her award making it even more special!

After hearing her name called, she goes to get her award.

 

 On stage with her work award.

Hard to tell but there she is smiling away in the back because that is Mackenzie in the front with her own work award!  So proud of both these girls!

Happy Birthday Lilly

Happy 8th Birthday to my beautiful, smart, and amazing little girl!

 Doughnuts at school for her b-day!  YUM!

Flowers and balloons sent to school from Grandma Kelly!  XOXO

 She also had a Jaguar presentation at school on her b-day.  She did great!

 Dance party at our house with all her girlfriends and Davis:)

We made dance sticks and had a disco dance session.  Lilly is in the red striped tank dress.  SO FUN! 

Happy Mother's Day

For Mother's Day Lilly wrote a book of poems that she read and presented to me in front of her class...so adorable!  Then, as a surprise the mommies wrote poems for their children.  Here is the poem that I wrote for my sweet girl that left us both crying!

My Lilly Bug  

I will never forget the night you came to me,

It was love at first sight as I rocked you on my knee. 

I marveled at your blue eyes with that one brown spot,

Thinking it would change when you turned one, but it is part of you; therefore it did not.

At night you would talk to your bees, giggle, and coo

And in the blink of an eye - BOOM - you were two. 

Your musical interests became quite pronounced as you turned three,

You blared Michael Franti in the kitchen for dance parties.

When you were four I took you to a concert to see your favorite band, Train.

In the front row singing every word, the next thing I know you were on stage.

The summer you were five, we packed up the car and headed to the lake 

Where you learned to trot a horse and ski outside the wake.

Do you remember that time when you were six we went down that scary water slide?

You held my hand and said, “Mommy, it’s OK, don’t be scared” as I cried! 

This past year you were seven, full of strength and might

Playing hockey with the bigs girls, facing girls twice your height.

My daughter, here you are, just yesterday you turned eight,

Truly my best friend, we are destined, it is fate.

I love you so much my little girl, my Lilly Bug.

Come over here so I can give you a great big hug!

Jeff Sweeping???

What is he doing????