We have several reasons to rejoice on both sides of our family. Brian's sister had her first baby, a girl on May 15. She was quite a whopper at 9lbs 14.5 oz, way to go Beth! Their family is doing well. Due to their own website there are no pictures posted here but feel free to check out their site at www.sprauls.com . (there are just a few pictures there as they are definitely proud new parents!!) On the other end of the spectrum, my brother and his wife had their second baby on May 30. Not only are they opposite being a boy, but he weighed in at a whopping 6lbs, 14oz. Mother and baby are well. (yes Keena we are equally proud of you!) Samuel is thrilled to finally have another boy in the family.

Congrats to our beloved family. We are very excited about all that is happening! We love you.

Thomas Michael.

Some pictures of the kids playing on a HOT day in May~~!

Isabelle LOVES to wear dresses!!!

This weekend we discovered a fantastic new power tool. Ok, so it is not new to those well versed in tool-ry, but for us it is new. It is the POWER WASHER. You think that it is just a machine that pushes water out of hose at a fast rate. The truth it is-----it is INCREDIBLE. Not only does the water come out really strong it cleans off everything. Our deck was a mess. It was so discolored from mildew, sun, etc. But as you can see from the pictures the power washer has made a huge impact. I never knew cleaning the deck could give you such a rush. I was a bit skeptical until Brian started using it and then I just wanted one! Ladies, if you have not experienced using a power tool let me encourage you that you are missing out! After cleaning the deck I was getting cleaned up for dinner (no I did not use the power washer on myself, that would just be crazy.). I turned my hairdryer on and was sorely disappointed. I thought about rewiring it but decided I would save that for another day! (See, our life is not all about kids!!)

The Power Washer!!!

Here is a before and after of our deck, the dark part is the before the wash the light part is after the wash.

Brian enjoyed using the power washer. Something about "men" and "more power". I tried to get him to explain but I was met with some grunts and gestures. (not obscence ones!)

You are never to young to start learning how to use a power tool! ( we tried to get Abby and Isabelle out here but Abby said it was to loud and Isabelle was watching Cinderella.)

I was finally able to wrestle the toy away from Brian and able to "feel the power" for myself. I will have to say it was quite fun! (yes, I did call washing the deck fun!)

It was such a beautiful day today that we decided to go outside and do some artwork. The kids always love to do things to surprise Brian before he comes home from work. The worked hard on this and by the end we had chalk on our faces, clothes, hands, feet, etc. Usually we drew the pictures and Isabelle followed us around coloring them (whether it needed it or not). When Brian got home he drove right over top of it and didn't even notice it!! Fortunately I was able to direct his attention to it before the kids saw him. Thanks to all for your prayers during the surgery, everything went well and I am feeling great!

The kids are very proud of their message. (well, so am I but there was no one else to take the picture.) Yes, I am a kid at heart.

It may not look like it but this actually doing a project TOGETHER.

Can we trade colors? Better yet, can I have all the chalk? No, can I draw on your picture? Never mind I will do my own picture. ~~ yes, the mind of two year old is quite complicated!!

Sometimes they actually play really well together!! If you can get them to both work on the same project it goes well.

Abby will always stop for a picture. She is loving her new outfit. Thanks Grammy!! It is tough to have such shy children.

Samuel is learning to play tennis. Does look like a natural or what!! (like father like son, or should I say like Uncle like Nephew! Depends on if you ask Scott or Brian.)