summer walk

Last night the kids and I went on a summer walk.  The weather was beautiful with a warm summer breeze.

We had to stop and practice our ninja moves (several times)

 This is such a beautiful time of year here.  

Then we ended up walking all the way to the hospital (it's not really that far) and made a surprise visit to Shawn.  He got us treats and visited with us for a little while.

Then we walked home in the dark and caught fireflies.

Let's Talk

Every night before bed I ask the kids a series of questions.  Stuff like, "how was your day"  "what did you like about today"  "how are you feeling"  and the main question, "how did Heavenly Father help you today".  A while ago I read an article by President Eyring, and he talked about writing in his journal every night the different ways he saw Heavenly Father bless him each day.  This helped him to recognize his blessings better, and I wanted to try it with my kids.  So, we started doing these questions as a family each night.  We talk about the ways we can recognize our blessings from Heavenly Father, the way he helps us, and how it makes us feel.  It's become a really fun time and if I forget the kids immediately make sure to remind me to ask them "the questions".

Tonight after we did our questions I overheard Shawn tucking Liv in bed.  He got up and tried to walk away, but she said, "wait dad, let's talk about our feelings."  I hung back by the door in hopes to hear the conversation.  Shawn asked Liv a few questions and she happily answered.  Shawn said good night and walked away, only to be called back.  "Dad, now tell me about your feelings."  I couldn't help but laugh and smile at the same time.  It was so sweet.  Shawn did his best to talk about his "feelings", and I walked away with a big smile.  There is something so sweet about a masculine father having a talk about feelings with his 4 year old daughter.

Open Gym

The kids have been been climbing and jumping on anything they can find lately.  It's been raining so much that it's been hard to get outside.  So I decided to take the kids somewhere they can actually climb and jump and don't get yelled at by me.  There is a local gym that has "Open Gym" time on Saturday nights.  I took the kids and they had a blast.  Ethan's favorite part was climbing the rope (he got all the way to the top), Cole loved the trampoline, and Liv loved the "cheese pit" (big foam pit).

Strawberries

Celebrating Shawn

This morning started off with lots of hugs and kisses from the kids to Shawn.  He was smothered in fact, while he was still sleeping.  I'm not sure that is what he hoped for on Father's Day, but that's what he got :) The kids and I surprised him with a new golf club, razor, and iTunes gift card.  The kids also picked out a cute card for him at the store.

We had a special Stake Conference today, which was a nice change from the normal Sunday routine.  After church we had a special Father's Day lunch with grilled Salmon cooked on a cedar plank, grilled squash, broccoli salad, and delicious chocolate cake with raspberries (Jenn W, I finally made your chocolate cake recipe.  It was perfect!)

 

After lunch we took a nice Sunday drive up to what is knows as Holy Hill.  It is huge Catherdral that was built in 1903.  It's located on a big hill in the middle of a forest.  It's beautiful!

 There is a tower that you can climb.  It is beautiful, but you have to climb very steep stairs.  If you know Shawn well, you know he HATES heights.  He climbed all the way to the top, but we didn't stay very long.

It was a nice afternoon.  We continue to be amazed at the beauty Wisconsin has to offer. 

Happy Fathers Day!!!

Father's Day

Happy Fathers Day to the many wonderful fathers in my life.  I'm blessed with some amazing men who have taught me, loved me, and encouraged me to become the person I am today.  I love you all!!

I also love the father of my kids.  He is an amazing person, but especially an amazing father.  Everything he does is for his family.  I'm truly grateful for all he does for us.

Here is our special Fathers Day Tribute to Shawn.

Untitled from Jenn Reese on Vimeo.

Summer Bowling

Since schools been out the past few weeks have been buzy.  Between Shawn and I, our work schedules have been crazy.  This is what last week looked like...

Monday
Shawn work 7-2
Jenn work 2-12

Tuesday
Shawn work 7-the next day until noon

Wednesday
Shawn get home from work at 12:00
Jenn work 2-12

Thursday 
Shawn work 7-2
Jenn work 2-12

Friday
Shawn work 7-2
Jenn work 2-12

I was supposed to work this morning also, but after only seeing my husband in passing I decided to request the morning off.

Shawn woke up sick this morning, but he was a good sport and decided to come bowling with us.  The kids have free passes all summer long.

Our kids are pretty wild and crazy bowlers.  Cole threw the ball behind him a few times, Liv threw the ball and hit the guy next to us, and Ethan threw the ball and got it stuck in the gutters.

And just for the record, I won....both games :)