Eli is 7!!

Eli...

is smart and energetic, enthusiastic about just about everything, sometimes overly so. He loves to play rowdy but will also get in dress-up with Hannah or play Barbies.  Favorite shows are still Blues Clues and My Little Pony, along with How Things are Made, Minute to Win It, or Wipe Out.  Favorites movies are Rio and Charlotte's Web. The books he always picks at the library are Scooby Doo chapter books.  He's a great reader and does excellent at school. His favorite subject is math and he likes charts and order like Mommy but is also very artistic and will spend a long time working on a drawing or picture. He loves fishing, soccer, riding bikes, and board games. He spends most of his playtime building with Legos.

And here's how he answered these questions:

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How old are you? 7

What makes you happy? Going to Chuck E Cheese

What is your favorite animal? Cheetah

What is your favorite thing to eat? Cherry pie (which is TOTALLY random because we never have cherry pie!!)

What is your favorite thing to do? Go to waterparks that have a really cool water slide

What is your favorite TV show? How Things are Made

What are you really good at? Running

What is your favorite movie? Rio

What is your favorite color? Red

Who is your best friend? Lleyton

What do you and Mom do together? Go shopping

What do you and Dad do together? Go to ice cream shops with Grandpa

What is your favorite sport? Soccer

Where is your favorite place to go? Going on bumper boats

What is your favorite book? A racecar book

What do you want to be when you grow up? A jet driver to go around the world and find out things that happened a long time ago

What is your favorite Bible story? When Jesus walks on the water and goes to see his disciples in the boat in a storm

What is your favorite kind of boat? (he wanted me to ask him this) a motorboat that is light blue

What is favorite game? Pictureka

Happy 7th year, Eli!! We love you!!!

Vacation 2013: Branson, MO

Our vacation this year was to Branson, Missouri.  Only 5.5 hr drive but tons to do! It was actually pretty overwhelming when we got there.  We picked a little of everything so we had good variety-- we stayed in a little cabin, did Go-Karts, a riverboat cruise, an acrobat show,  hiking, fish hatchery, cave exploring, and a couple museums--the Maze of Mirrors and Ripley's Believe it or Not. The favorite activity for all five of us was the Chinese Acrobat show, just incredible and entertaining! Will definitely look for more shows in the future! =)

Day 1. Cabin check-in and Go-Karts!

Day 2. We originally planned on doing the train ride but heard it was boring so opted instead for the morning riverboat cruise. It was PERFECT weather and very enjoyable!!

In the afternoon we went to the Chinese Acrobat show. It was incredible and the favorite vacation event for all five of us! No photos though, of course.

Day 3. A more low key, low expense day of active adventure.  Hiking (almost 3 miles!!), fish hatchery, and cave exploring. The kids did great with everything! It was hot, we were tired by the end. But FUN!

He wanted to stop and admire EVERYTHING!!!

 Feeding fishies...

Caving...

 

Day 4. Museums--Maze of Mirrors and Ripley's Believe It or Not.

 Overall, this was a really good trip!  Everything went smoothly and exactly as planned!  =)

June update

The kids hosted their first sleepover. And we even taught the girls how to ride bikes without training wheels!

 We participated in Lutheran VBS week. It was sort of spontaneous decision but the kids all had a great time!

We celebrated my grandparents 60th anniversary...

...and Father's Day at the annual chicken BBQ in town.

Our vacation this year was to Branson, Missouri.  Only 5.5 hr drive but tons to do! We picked a little of everything-- we stayed in a little cabin, did Go-Karts, a riverboat cruise, an acrobat show,  hiking, fish hatchery, cave exploring, and a couple museums--the Maze of Mirrors and Ripley's Believe it or Not. The favorite activity for all five of us was the Chinese Acrobat show, just incredible and entertaining! Will definitely look for more shows in the future! =)  I'll put the picture highlights in a separate post.  

Back home the kids and I adventured around Indian Cave State Park. Earlier in the summer we went there to hike but this time we wanted to explore the historical features and just play and read. Had a really pretty spot for an unplanned photo op too.  =)

is it just me, or does Carter look really grown up in this pic?