Coloring Contest Winner

Francesco won a $50 Savings Bond at our bank! He entered his drawing into the coloring contest and won for his age category in our county. His picture will be in their newsletter and in the newspaper. He was excited to win but it's hard to explain to a 6 yr old why they can't spend the money for another 2o years or so!

Lashily Park Fountains

Kathy and I took the kids to the new park and fountains in Punta Gorda. The kids had a blast! The thunder clouds shaded us a bit and it never did rain -not until 3pm atleast!

Baseball

It's time for baseball!! Our church has started a men's and co-ed baseball team! Their first practice was Thursday. Marcello, Jon, Tony, and Brooke are all going to play. Marcello had me get up to bat a few times...he found it quite comical... the baseball player, I am not! Everytime I hit the ball my foot would pop up and sometimes I would spin if I missed. He said I'd be the best player -for the other team. So I think I'll have to try out for Mimi's T-ball team -they're more my speed! Mimi's T-ball team, Nathan, Francesco, and Victoria!

Makayla

Hello...it's me, KK!

Father's Day - Lover's Key Beach

We spent Father's Day at Lover's Key Beach in Fort Myers. The kids had a great time swimming and exploring the nature trail with their Daddy! We then headed over to Jon's brother's house for a pool party and Bar-B-Q under the Tiki Hut. We all chipped in to send Poppy to New York to visit his parents.

Victoria rides Uncle Ray's dog "Shamus". The dog is huge-he's as big as a miniature horse! He has the most beautiful baby blue eyes - they turned out a little freakish in the picture though!

Mimi and Makayla

Makayla "talks" to Mimi! (She's 2 months old in these pics) I haven't been able to get my videos to upload lately. This is a realy cute video -sorry!

VBS

We have been so busy ... running here, there and everywhere! That I am FINALLY sitting down! The kids enjoyed Vacation Bible School at our church. The theme was Rome: Paul and the Under Ground Church. Mimi found this baby rooster ROMEing down Gill street by her house -so she decided it was God sent and decided to catch it and name it "Roman". We had a petting zoo at the VBS with a pig, sheep, mama and baby goat, doves, chickens, rooster, rabbit and even a horse -which gave the children pony rides. It was a fun week!!!

Kindergarden Graduation and 3rd Grade Awards

Makenzie recieved two awards one was for A and B honor roll and I honestly have no idea what the other award was. Dad and I were talking about how proud we were of her. Giving her two thumbs up and waving, while trying to take pictures! She did an awesome job this year. AND SHE PASSED THE FLORIDA FCAT, so it's on to 4th grade!!


She is such a sweetie! I am looking forward to spending more time with her this summer and as we endevour into homeschooling again!

This cute little girl, LOVES Francesco!! When ever I have lunch with him at school she is always begging him to pick her to join us at our private table, but he always chooses his "Bro" or buddy Carlos. After graduation I was taking pictures of him and his buddies and she stood close by waiting for her turn. He may wish he had given her more attention one day!

Francesco was chosen for the Soaring Eagle Award, which is given to only one student in each class for academics, he also recieved the P.E. award. One student is chosen by the coach in each class. He has said over and over that Tuesdays are his favorite day beacuse he goes to P.E. with Coach. Coach is an awesome guy and all the kids love him!

Last year when he was the baby of the family his graduation from pre-school was hard for me. This year he's no longer the baby. And he is sooo grown up and excited about being a first grader that I couldn't be sad. I was all smiles for him that day. However, later in the week when he told me he was no longer into Thomas the train and I realized it had been months since I tripped over trains and tracks I began to tear up. Having train tracks all over the living room would often be a bother and I would have to tell myself that one day he will no longer be into them and I will miss stepping on and over them. I couldn't believe that the day had come. How quickly they grow up. One day having mom eat lunch with you (even if she brings McDonald's) will no longer be cool. And he won't ask me to sleep in his bed with him. I dred those days, so for as long as he'll let me I'll meet him for lunch and snuggle him with Eskimo Kisses (same goes for his sisters)!

Anna Maria Island

We went on a mini-vacation with our good friends Leigh & Steve and their children to Anna Maria Island. We spent Memorial Day weekend at Steve's family condo on Holmes Beach. It was an awesome weekend of swimming in the ocean and relaxing poolside with Pina Coladas. The kids had a blast!!! We hope to head up there again for 4th of July weekend.

Lowry Zoo in Tampa

The four of us went up to the zoo in Tampa. We met up with our friends Sherry and Jay and their two kids, John and Kascia. Later in the day my sister, Jon and Victoria came up to meet us at the zoo, also. Makenzie loved petting the sting rays. She got to pet two baby ones which was the highlight of her whole day."Come here fishy, fishy, fishy!"

Francesco, John, Kascia, and Makenzie hide out in the cave!

Francesco fed the giraffes. Makenzie was happy to just stand back and watch!

Francesco's first "real" rollercaoster ride!! He loved it!

Opps! The goat tried eating Francesco's shirt!

This little baby orangutan made me miss my little monkey...it was time to head back home.

Marcello's 40th

For Marcello's 40th Birthday we went out to dinner to celebrate on Friday night and the kids paid for his meal with their allowance. Then he went Deep Sea Fishing with all the guys from work all day Sat. He caught a few keepers. Here's his 25" Grouper.
Boy, was she good eatin'!!