Our First Grader

Laney started her first grade year at Emerson.  She has Mrs. Kriete and is SO excited about it!

Mommy took her to school for the first day, but she rode the bus home.  

She had a fantastic first day of school!  We celebrated by going on a bike ride to Kovernor's Corner!

Have a great year, Miss Laney!

Holiday World 2014

Our annual Holiday World trip was a success!  We did our usual plan and went to Lake Rudolph for the first day, then headed to the park the second day.  The kids enjoy the campground just as much as Holiday World!  As usual, we had a wonderful time!  The weather was great and the company was even better!  The normal crew was with us (mom and Pat and the Bruce Family), so it was bound to be a fun time!

The kids have definitely grown since last year....Laney and Max both went up a bracelet color on rides.  What that means is they could ride all rides except just a few selected big rides.  They could also do all water rides.  Now that the kids are getting bigger and have more of an interest in riding, we find ourselves staying at the park later each year.

Max and Laney both enjoyed the Revolution (above picture).  I think Laney rode it 4 times and Max 2.

The kiddie roller coaster is always a hit with the kids.  This year was the first year an adult didn't have to ride it with them!  They're getting too big.

As you can tell from this picture, Max LOVED this ride!  

Another fun trip in the books.  Can't wait for next year!

St. George Island, Florida

We just returned from a week in paradise!  St. George Island, Florida was amazing!  It was relaxing and beautiful.  We enjoyed spending time together....all 32 of us!  We went down with several other Reinhart family members.  It's an every other year vacation that the family does, and it always ends up being a fantastic time!  

We had a few days of clouds and some mornings with rain, but it cleared up mid afternoon on those days.  

We visited a couple beach shops that were within walking distance, got ice cream one afternoon, and even were able to walk to our restaurants.  We loved how small it was and how friendly everyone was that we met.  

We saw several creatures while we were there.  Dolphins were spotted daily, a couple sea turtles, a stingray, lots of crabs, a black racer snake, starfish, and......

A SHARK!  Yes, that is a shark!  This shark was about 10-15 ft off shore swimming up and down the shoreline.  A fisherman was trying to catch him, but didn't have any luck.  He was guessing he was about 6-7 feet and possibly a bull shark.  We saw him twice (or it was 2 different sharks).  At one time, Benji and the kids were in the water.  I had to yell to him to rush the kids out of the water.  Needless to say, I was a little nervous!!

Spending time with family and relaxing...that's what it was all about!

A couple of the cousins rented paddle boards one day.  We all took turns giving it a shot...I really enjoyed it! 

Good Bye St. George Island....see you next year!

Our All Star

Laney's first year of softball peewee league is officially over.  She really enjoyed playing, especially since her daddy was the coach and her best friend, Bailey, was on her team!  It also helped that Orange Leaf was the sponsor! 

Scores and wins/losses aren't kept track at this age.  She's a winner in our eyes, though!

She will continue to work on building her confidence and endurance for playing next year! 

Movin' on UP

One year of preschool down, one to go for Mr Max!  He LOVED preschool and has asked several times when he gets to go back!  

We were both very proud of the little guy for being so brave and standing up there for his program 

(unlike his big sis did when she was in preschool!)

He met some great friends and even met his "girlfriend that he's going to marry one day" at preschool. 

Laney loved going back to the school and watching his program.  She said "Way to go Max on your program!  You did great!" (insert hug)

Good Bye Mrs. Joray!  See you in the Fall!!

Our Little Graduate!

Miss Laney has officially graduated from Kindergarten!  We are so very proud of her accomplishments this year!  

This little girl has come a LONG way!  She cried.  She was shy.  She was scared.  She missed Mommy.  It's too long.  We heard it ALL! 

But she made it!  We are so thankful for her teacher, Mrs. Brown and the entire staff at Emerson Elementary, but most importantly, her friends she made while in Kindergarten! 

Congrats Laney Bug on a successful year!!  You're a first grader now!!  Woohoo!!

Class of 2026...watch out for this smart cookie!! 

Remembering My Dad

This post will be short and sweet.  I won't give much detail, but just state the horrible facts.  My dad went to be with our Lord just three days ago.  Sunday, April 27, 2014 was definitely the worst day of my life.  No one expects to ever get a phone call with such horrible news.  

My dad passed away unexpectedly due to a heart attack.  These last three days feel like they've taken forever.  It has not only been the worst week of my life, but the longest week too.  

I know it will get easier with time.  At least that is what I'm told.  I believe that.  No, I will NEVER forget him.  I will never forget how wonderful of a Pa he was to Laney and Max.  They already miss him so much.  They don't understand.  How can they?  I don't even understand.  

I'm heartbroken.  I'm tired.  I'm sad.  

But I will continue on because that is what he would want me to do.  

I love you so much, Dad.  You could always bring a smile to my face, whether it was a funny comment or just you walking in the door.  I love you and I already miss you so much.  Until we meet again....