The 4th with the Ards

We had such a great 4th of July this year. Dave and I took the kids to a parade in Danville on Sunday morning. The kids loved it. Michael got so excited every time he saw a horse or truck and Gracyn was thrilled that they were throwing out candy and necklaces! After naps, we headed out to the boat to watch the fireworks. Dave has the boat docked at a marina in Martinez and lucky for us their fireworks show is held right there every year. So, we kept the kids up late and watched the show from the back of the boat. It was like having your own personal fireworks show. Then we stayed the night on the boat for our first family sleep over. Such a great holiday this year!

It has been a while..............

Finally, I am getting around to making a blog post. May really flew by! We went back to Illinois and to Iowa for a week over Memorial Day weekend. We had such a great trip. We spent the first half in Polo, IL with my parents and the second half in Marion, IA with Dave's side of the family for cousin's wedding. The kids had so much fun. We were able to visit with Grandparent's, Great Grandma, Aunts, Uncles, and lots of cousins their age. We went to a pig farm, saw big tractors, went swimming, went on Grandpa's golf cart, did some gardening, played on a slip and slide, and Gracyn was a flower girl. Needless to say, we were all exhausted when we got back home. Here are some pictures from our visit. Fun times!!!!

Meet the newest member of the Ard family...........

OUR BOAT!!!!!

Little Artist

Gracyn has begun drawing things that actually resemble something. Here is one of her firsts works of art! Yes that is me. Do I really have that much hair????

I'm ready for school Mom!!!

The pictures say it all!!!!

Good NIght Little Ones

Gracyn and Michael are SO sweet when you put them to bed. Well, most of the night they are. These where the bedtime highlights tonight.

Gracyn - "Mom do you know how much I love you? All the way to the sun, the moon, Earth, Pluto and back." What a love! and a smart one too!

Michael - He is beginning to become attached to a few different lovies in his crib (his blue blankie, his stuffed horse, and his sock monkey). He is beginning to talk a lot too. So, when you lay him down he asks for his favorite things to snuggle with, one at a time. "ankie," "ney ney," and "key key." He snuggles them all in tight around his face and gives them a big squeeze. Tonight he made "ney ney" give "key key" a kiss. Makes me melt!!!!!

Little Big Foot