{Mother's Day Gift}

Phil and the girls surprised me with a White flowering Crab apple Tree for Mother's Day!!!

The also bought me a hanging basket for the back yard...and new Mulch (yes...this made me excited!!!) for all our landscaping projects!! More pictures to come!! :) Some day it WILL look like this!!!! :)

Awana Awards

The girls were involved in Awana again this year. They enjoyed going with Nana and Bampa every Wednesday night....Thank you Mom & Dad!!!

Maddie was all business with her Cubbie vest on...actually I think she's mad b/c we made her wear the vest. She was anti-cubbie vest this year!!!

Cubbie bear was a little to close for comfort for our friend Audrey!

Maddie showing off her Cubbie ribbon!
Maddie (again...no smiles) and her Cubbie leader...Miss Monaaaaa
( you have to say it Oprah style!!!...it makes it so much more fun!!! :)

Next it was Emma's turn. She started Sparks this year!! She loved learning new and challenging verses. She says she enjoyed game time the most!!!

Cousin Luke...

Emma receiving her award

So proud...

Quick pics after the program

Finally...somewhat of a smile out of Mads!!

I think it was b/c we just told her we were heading to Culver's for dinner/ice cream!!!! :)

{$9.00}

Over the past year, I've been working really hard to help save our family money...especially when it comes to grocery shopping!!! I have been amazed at how much you can save with a little research...and a lot of black printer ink! :)

I don't usually share my finds...but when I came home one afternoon (after dropping off my purchases earlier in the day) Phil had arranged my items and taken a picture...so I thought I would share it!!

We have: 100 single boxes of Kraft Mac & Cheese (which will make for great food donations in the fall) and 20 boxes of Capri Suns. 10 pouches in each box...so 200 pouches!!! That will come in handy this summer and also in the girls lunches next fall!!

Grand Total of $9.00

The mac and cheese was on sale, and I had coupons.. but the big bonus was that each 5 pack of M&C had a coupon attached for a free box of Capri suns!!! So I basically only paid for the M&C, which ended up being $2.25 for 5- 5 packs of m&c and 5 boxes of Capri suns. I did this 4 different times during the day and ended up with a basement full of deals!!! :)

{Carrie Underwood}

Last Friday afternoon my best friend's husband and I found ourselves planning a last minute trip to GR to take in a Carrie Underwood concert. So..without permission from Phil or Liz (the practical/"thinkers" of our relationships) we ordered 4 tickets....YIKES!!! :)

We had a great time surprising Liz, but Phil guessed before we even left the house. Needless to say...I'm not sure our spouses will be allowing the two of us (the spontaneous/"just do it-ers" of the relationships) to plan the next evening out!! :)

Craig Morgan opened for Carrie

Carrie Underwood can flat out SING!!!

She's amazing, and puts on a great show!!! Enjoy the pictures!!!

This was one of my favorite parts of the show. She sang two songs while suspended above the crowd in this truck that moved around the arena!!

Great concert with great friends!!!

Thanks for being in cahoots with me P. Sayers!!! :)

{Happy Birthday my sweet Maddie-cakes}

I had so much fun looking back on these pictures. Enjoy the many sweet and funny faces of our Madison Elaine!!! I can't believe it's been 5 years already!!!!

Happy Birthday Madison!!

We are so thankful that God placed you in our care 5 years ago today!

We love you!!!