Levi-7 days old

Grandma and Grandpa Jagels

Visiting my grandparents, Grandma and Grandpa Jagels, was one of my highlights of the 4th of July weekend. And to my surprise and delight Payton and Langley posed for pictures!!! Love, love these pictures---my sweet grandparents and my sweet children!!!!!!

Planting A Garden

This spring Steve and I decided we should plant a garden. We were going to be home this summer and we thought it would be fun for the girls to get to plant things, watch them grow and then get to eat some yummy veggies. So far we have had okra, cantelope, and string beans. Our tomatoes and red peppers didn't make it. The girls, especially, Payton has loved getting to check on the garden this summer--watering and picking---and just the excuse to go outside!!!

Levi Thella Shank

Levi Thella arrived Tuesday, May 11 at 2:27am. He weighed 8pounds, 8 ounces and was 20 inches long. I was having contractions all afternoon but deceided to go to bed around 10:30pm because they didn't seem to be getting stronger or closer together. By 11 pm i was sure we needed to go to the hospital--after Langley's quick delivery--I was not taking any chances!!! So we arrived at the hospital about 11:30 or so after our sweet friend, Emily, arrived to stay with Payton and Langley. After a long hour and a half of trying to draw blood and get an IV I got an epidural and then Levi was quickly born. Steve and I were so thankful for a healthy baby boy who was just pecfect in our eyes!! Levi was welcomed home by his big sister's Payton and Langley with balloons and a sign!

Easter

Camping

We went camping with 2 other sweet families, Josh, Rachel, Kaylee and Caleb and Chris, Kristie, Brave, Davey and Alton the weekend before Easter. It was our first camping experience for our family. We had 7 kids under the age of 6 and 2 pregnant mommies. We had some rain our first morning but other than that everything went pretty smoothly. The kids played at the playground, around the campsite and down by the water. Payton loved getting to play with friends and Langley loved being outdoors and snacking 24/7!!!

Happy 5th Birthday Payton!

Here is Payton on her new bike. She was very excited! And thankfully, Mommy and Daddy were able to surprise her---we have learned from the past that she is always listening, watching and looking when is comes to presents!!

Grandma Donita, PaPa and Aunt Tracey were able to come down and help celebrate and join in on the "trikathlon." A trikathlon is where you decorate your bike with crate paper, streamers and balloons and go on a bike ride. This was Payton's idea and turned out to be a lot of fun!! PaPa couldn't remember the last time he rode a bike and Aunt Tracey has faced some challenges in the past with bikes:) but all had fun and thankfully, no accidents!!!!!

Langley in her decorated wagon.

Caketime!

Payton's Tinker Bell birthday cake. Thanks to Aunt Tracey for all her help in decorating!!!