Lots of accomplishments in May!

Well, sweet Claire finished up Preschool with a little program for parents and family and it was so sweet! Here's Claire with her little certificate!

Claire at her end of the year school carnival...she loved all the games and competition....

Claire and Lily after having their face painted.

Claire holding the largest bowling ball I've ever seen....









On to Jesse....Jesse received 3 special end of the awards......perfect attendance, honor roll, and citizenship....that one we are especially proud of. Way to go Jesse!

Jesse's principal giving him his awards.

Lots going on, so I promise to post again soon!

Done with Preschool

Well, I have lots to post, and will do so very soon....but for now a little glimpse of Claire entering her Preschool End of the Year Program. How time has flown! Claire did great and had a blast with all her friends and teachers! Lots more coming soon!

Crazy Party Day!!!

Well, Claires Big #5 Birthday Party was today at our local bowling alley for cosmic bowling.....and let me tell you...it was crazy but a ton of fun!

Due to how dark the bowling alley was, we had a hard time taking many pics. We do have some video, which I hope to post here soon!! Claire and all her friends and family did have a great time.....lots of cupcakes and cake to be had by all! Thanks to all our great family and friends for being part of our lives!!!
Claire eating the first piece of cake!!
Jesse, Peyton, and Li Mei enjoying pizza time!

Mommy & Claire before the party got rockin!

Thanks to all for coming and Happy #5 Sweet Claire!!!

My Oh My..... Look Who's Five!

Well, it happened....our little tiny Claire is 5. Where the time has gone I have no idea, but I certainly savor days like these. Sweet Claire turned five today, surrounded by family for a dinner out, and then cupcakes and presents here afterwards.

She will celebrate with her friends and family this weekend at Bartlett Lanes and have a blast. Claire had a great day filled with crepes, gymnastics, dinner out, and strawberry cupcakes......the perfect day!

We are so blessed to have Claire in our family.......she lights up all those around her....even if it's flooding!

Claire with cousins Gracie and Keri, and of course, big brother Jesse.

Goofing around at dinner...

The entire Family having dinner.....yum!

Happy Birthday Claire!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! The Hollingsworth Family made our annual pilgrimage to Jackson for the 2 Family Reunions we attend every year. The kids had a blast and we had wonderful weather, food, and company! The kids loved huntung for eggs, and Jesse found the "money egg" at the Hare Family Reunion. Great times were had by all!

Jesse on the search during the "big kid" Easter egg hunt!

Happy Easter and promises to post again soon! Someone around here turns 5 next week!!

Love, Gretchen

Jesse throwing the 1st pitch at the U of M game at his 10th Birthday Party!

Hard to believe....our Jesse turned 10!

Well, Jesse has turned ten...where has the time gone? Well, Jesse has had a great Birthday surrounded by family and friends! Jesse blowing out his candles as cousin Gracie peeks in!

Opening gifts from Nana & Paw Paw as everyone looks on.

Jesse's Birthday Party cupcakes Claire and I made for him.

Jesse has become quite the photographer, and on his Birthday, he spotted this skink outside. He he loves snapping pictures when our skinks are out. This was taken on a sunny afternoon.....

Well, Jesse had his #10 at the Fed Ex Park where the U of M Tigers play baseball. All the kids at the party got to run on the field with the team at their positions and stand with them for the National Anthem. Jesse got to throw out the 1st pitch! Great times!

The entire Birthday Party Group got the outfield deck and we not only had a great view, but had the entire thing to ourselves!

Lots of games were played during the party, with the favorite being water balloon baseball. The kids got soaked, and had a blast doing it!

Cousin Peytin in action getting ready to bust up a water balloon!!

Jesse enjoying each and every card his friends and family gave him. We are truly blessed with such wonderful friends and family around us!

Full Speed Ahead in April!

Well, April has started off with a bang here in Bartlett. Lance's team is just getting started up with baseball, and came in 2nd place in their 1st tournament of the season. They did great, despite only a few practices due to all the rain we've had lately! Go Tigers!

Lance talking with the team after losing the Championship Game.

Jesse and Caleb ready for action....

This is what a tired, dirty, and hungry little girl looks like after a weekend of ball games!

Jesse ready to bat!

Jesse had a very difficuly week last week, as he said goodbye to 2 of his best friends. Our friends and neighbors of 9 years moved to Washington, DC last week. Jesse was sad to see them go, but who knows, maybe we'l plan a visit to DC??? Never been there.....would be such an educational and fun trip!

Well, lots going on in April.....will post again very soon! Gretchen

Science Fairs and Field Trips!

Jesse's CLUE class is beginning a lesson on the study of canines and all their many uses. Hence the field trip to the MPD K-9 Training facility. Lance accompanyed him on this trip and glad he did. They had a blast watching the amazingly trained dog respond to commands and attack the "intruder." Much learning was done and much fun was had!

Jesse completed his science fair project and was proud of his final result! He actually received a 3rd place ribbon and was thrilled about that. Way to go Jesse!

Well, lots going on with both the kids, so promise to post again real soon!

Gretchen

Fun in February!

Well, the month has started out on a roll! Lance had business in South Florida this week.....Hollywood, Fla to be exact....and I tagged along with him for this trip! Glad I did, because that happens to be wher Margaret, one of my best and oldest friends lives! We are so lucky we had her and her husband around to show us around.....

A blast was had! Well,I just had to include this picture of the car in the mall.....down here we have the usual Hondas, Fords, etc... on display in our malls. Not this one....only Ferrarris will do! Too funny! Anyway, I told Lance that would be an acceptable Valentine'sGift, but he just grunted...so I guess that's a no. Oh Well!

This was my view for most of the day while Lance was cooped up in meetings....poor Lance.

Margaret and her husband took us to this huge complex called Hard Rock Casino....it's on an Indian Reservation, so it's got a ton of shopping, restaurants, bars, and a casino. I lost very quickly! This picture is hard to decipher, but the complex has this monstorous TV thing that wraps around the complex and plas music videos and concerts. Very neat!

Having fun....with no kids around!!

Also, I've benn doing a little sewing for Ms. Claire. She loves this funky fabric!

Well, we are also in the midst of Chinese New Year. Claire dressed up for Chinese New Year to show her class. She felt very proud and also brought treats for her class to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit. Great times were had!

Here are the almond cookies Claire and I made to pass out to her friends. She even had enough to pass out to a few neighbors and family members.

Sorry, had to show one last pic of the view from our room at the Westin in Hollywood. Oh well.....back to reality!!!

Lots going on soon! Promises to post again soon!

Love, Gretchen