so we're apparently horrible at taking pictures lately... what's over there are the only pictures we have from our 2 week trip to ohio and california.  oh well, i know dave has some pics on his phone that i'll have him add to this.

 

we had a good trip.  ohio was a bit chaotic between doing family stuff and trying to see friends we haven't seen in 2 years, and shane wanting to get out on the tractor with fred as much as possible... a week was definitely too short.  if you want to see what really went on, look on joe and mary's site since mary is a responsible mother and actually takes pictures of her kids and family gatherings and momentous occasions like ordinations and birthdays... not to mention trips to the zoo!  our trip to EG was a little more relaxing, with less obligations while there.  we went to anthony and chalane's wedding and the next day went to san francisco (without any kids!!!) to see a giants game.  while in the bay area, we had dinner with grandpa dick and then swung over to pick up nana and brought her back with us for a few days' visit.  the kids, meanwhile, had fun with the godparents (well, micah's at least), amy and nolan.  it was a nice time, but for the most part, it was nice to get back home, even if the weather here stinks!  it's not even 60 around here. 

 

since then, things are winding up around here for the summer.  shane's hsn classes are done now, baseball finished last weekend, his last ymca class was yesterday, and the end of year picnic for cub scouts is next monday.  what are we going to do with him all summer??? he's got another week of regular school and he's really come a long way since last year.  his reading is great, does good in math and spelling, amazes me with his drawings and seems to have a bit of a poetic side lately.  he's looking forward to soccer in the fall and possibly starting some music lessons.  he still says he wants to be a farmer, more than ever now, since a return to farm country and more time out in the fields with fred planting the soybeans and doing 'chores'.  i wish he were that excited about his chores around here!

 

layla is still crazy layla.  she's cute, hilarious, fearless, and insanely frustrating.  she's looking forward to her birthday and is already telling people that she's 3.  we're still trying to figure out what we're doing for birthdays.  she still watches cars and finding nemo on an all too regular basis, although the cars dvd is currently lost, so we get a little break from that.  she's always pretending.. ususally that she's some sort of animal (lately it's been a lion, but very often it's a dog or a cat) and spends a good share of her time drawing.  she still is looking forward to preschool and tells me at least once a week that she wants to go.

 

micah is on the move!  he's doing the commando crawl.  he's not up on his hands and knees, but he sure can get where he wants to go and he can get there fast!  he's still adorable and incredibly well behaved and mellow.  but he's a typical male when it comes to food.  when he decides he's hungry, you better start shoveling something in soon or he'll let you hear about it!  i can't believe he's almost 8 months old!  his 3rd tooth came in the other day and i'm sure #4 isn't far behind.

 

i think for the most part, we are sticking around here for the summer.  our big trip is done for the year and we don't have anywhere else we have to be until labor day weekend when we'll be going to portland for my aunt and uncle's 50th anniversary party.  don't tell shane, but i think we'll be staying in a hotel - with a swimming pool!  that is the ultimate in excitement for him!  hopefully the water won't be toxic like at the best western in napoleon.