Phoenix Swim Club

This was our first year we decided to NOT become members of Sesame Place.  The girls wanted to join the swim club instead this year - so off we went to the Phoenix Swim Club.  We have enjoyed several days there on weekends and look forward to a fun summer of swimming fun ahead!

Party of 17

After a great couple of days w field day, graduation, and a GS move up ceremony, we went out to dinner with a few families - all totally up to 17 people at Red Robin (the place may NEVER be the same again).  It was quite an experience... to say the least!

Let the sewing madness begin!

Elyse gets numerous "ideas".  Her most recent one was that she wanted a sewing machine.  She was sure this is what she wanted for her birthday, so when Grandmom Reedell came to visit, we went out and picked a basic machine for Elyse.  They immediately went home and sewed their first project, a drawstring bag and began planning for their next project - a dress! 

LOSO Field Day 2012

After having soo much rain this spring, we were fearing that our field day would be rained out.  But we were lucky enough, that it was a beautiful day for the kids to enjoy an active day outside!!  Angela was on the red team, proudly wore her "homemade t-shirt" and gave it her all.  Her favorite activity was kickball and tug of war.  In the end, the blue team won, but everyone had a great time - so everyone was the REAL winner!

Congrats to the newest Brownie!

Angela LOVED her first year as a girl scout daisy and now is VERY much looking forward to being a brownie.  And to make it even more "fun", I will be one of her leaders in fall... cross your fingers!

 

Elyse's Graduation

Congrats to Elyse Morgan Reedell on her recent pre-k graduation from Scottsville Preschool.  She enjoyed a fun and educational year with Mrs. Dearing and Mrs. Morell.  She will miss the school and her many friends, but is VERY excited to head off to Lower South and kindergarten in fall of 2012!

Sesame Classic Time

It's that time of the year - time to lace us the shoes for a good cause.  The four of us entered in the 2012 Sesame Classic.  The girls ran the 1 mile run (with us right next to them) and then Scott and myself ran the 5k race.  Both of us did VERY well, and came pretty close to medaling in our age groups.  The girls then raced in the "Sesame Sprint" and got medals for their effort.  It was a beautiful day to be active and raise LOTS of money!!

sprinting to the finish line!

The Reedell Clan post race

Life is a rollercoaster

and Angela is enjoying the ride!

Talent Show Day

With only one week of pre-k left for Elyse, last friday was their "talent show".  Each child was to come up with an individual talent and perform it for the school.  Elyse decided to do yoga.  Or at least her version of it!  She demonstrated her tree pose, downward dog, and then meditation hold. 

Great job to all of the kiddos at Scottsville Preschool!

Fun with Friends

Two of a kind is what we can call them!  Lanae came over to our house for a playdate and they had a blast.  The girls made "outdoor crafts", collected "treasures" and tired themselves out but good.  Two thumbs up!!

Beautiful

I was at Angela's bus stop and spotted this beauty!!!

Our little Tuffy

You are not a real cyclist until you crash... and now Angela meets that criterea!  She got a new bike (a bit early) for her birthday.  It is a 20" bike, so it is a tiny bit big, but she is getting the hang of it.  We went for a ride last week, it started to rain, and she lost control and slid down the road - on her face.  She stood up crying with blood running out of her mouth, and a tooth in her hand.  Luckily it was one of her eye teeth, and it was loose before the crash.   She had some good war scars, but thoughout it all, she was a real trooper.  Because of how she lost her tooth, she even got a little extra from the tooth fairy that night!  And we are very happy to report, she is healing nicely and looks good as new, only a week or so later!

Happy Mother's Day

This is a bittersweet mother's day for the entire family. While my mom is still with us, she has just begun hospice and you can easily see the daily decline. She is in much more pain, we pray that the pain can be dulled and she can "enjoy" what time she has left. The entire family came together to celebrate mother's day 2012 with my mom. Mother's Day also marked 20 years ago that my pop-pop (Carl Schafer - my mom's dad) passed away of cancer. We know that the cancer will take my mom away from us here on earth, but she will always be with us in our hearts. I hope each and every one of your cherish every moment with your mothers, because you never know what tomorrow will bring!

An evening out...

Scott and I enjoyed a fun evening (without the kiddos !!) at Steph and Brian Mattoi's wedding.  The ceremony was beautiful and the reception was a blast!!  Best wishes to the "newlyweds"!

Carrie, Steph, and Megan

Elyse's birthday fun!

Although the girls' "big party" won't be till the end of June, we celebrated with a few friends on Elyse's actual birthday.  This year we started a "you can tell me what to make for your birthday dinner" tradition.  She chose ham steaks, mac n cheese, and corn for dinner.  She also wanted a giant vanilla cupcake with chocolate icing for her cake.... and she got it all!!   Sarah and Leah came over for dinner, they played, got sugared up, and then everyone crashed!  They had so much fun... happy birthday Miss Elyse!!!

roses from daddy

giant cupcake birthday cake...

Elyse's new fish... guaranteed to never die - I LIKE IT!!

Happy Birthday Elyse!

Today Elyse you are five,
What more can I say,
You're becoming more special
... Each and every day,
So blow out your candles
One by one
Enjoy your birthday
Have lots of fun.

Love,
Daddy, Mommy, and Angela

'
And 5 years later!

Our little bookworm

Elyse's school birthday snacks...

Since there are a few birthdays around the same time, I got to bring in treats for Elyse's class a day early.  She chose the "mini ice cream cones with cupcakes baked in them" for her choice.  She shared them with all of her friends in her school and is now totally ready for her birhtday tomorrow.

Triathlon Season 2012 is now underway!

Scott and I competed in the New Jersey Devilman Halflite Triathlon last weekend.   This would be our first and biggest race of the season and we both did GREAT.  Scott beat last year's time by 8 minutes and I beat my time by nearly 10 minutes.  The race was a long one... over 4 hours for both of us.  We were very happy with our results.  I even came in second place in my division.  Now to get ready for our next race..

the lake we swam in....

We're off to see the wizard

The girls got a great surprise.... we took them to the Kimmel Center to see The Wizard of Oz.  We sat on the second level with a great view and enjoyed the play.  We then went out to lunch making it a great family day in the city!