Nicole has had jaw issues for years - dare I say - decades?  She has been preparing for her second double jaw surgery for months.  Braces, and ortho appointments and blog reading and blender research, and shopping for the perfect, freshest smoothie ingredients.  Finally, the time has arrived, and I left to help and hold her hand. (And fall in love with Tim Riggins...)

For the next 10 days, I will be in Madison.  My duties will include swapping ice and heatpacks, administering medicine and as many liquids as possible.

I will feed the kitties and watch loads of TV.  I will take pictures to highlight the daily progress, but I will not post them to the interweb.  (ok - I won't post many on the interweb...)

I will only cry one time, and after we are both feeling confident in her recovery, I will leave knowing that my sister is a real life super hero.  She is brave and strong and when I see her next time in real life, she will be able to eat a banana. I love you, Lucy.

One of our favorite summer getaways is the Thomas camper.  It's located just down the road, and has the best annemities - including a pool, two water slides, arcade, mini golf, walking and biking paths, and even access to the river and fishing...  It's pretty awesome.  So, when the idea was suggested, we packed up the truck, like we were going to be gone for a month, and left Morningstar for the next 18 hours.

Once again, Two Rivers Campground didn't disappoint.

This week was full of beautiful evening for baseball - and our favorite Sabre has quite a fan club.  Not only did he have a week full of big wins, but he had an extended cheering section - first in Foley

then at home in Pinecone Park.  

A few big hits and a sweet double play for #8!

This guy.  Pretty much our favorite of all time in the history of forever.  

Happy Father's Day 2016, Daddio.

It's prime berry picking season, and we were up early and headed for the fields.  This situation was just another example of how our children share the same genes yet are so incredibly, wonderfully different.

Bennett was meticulous has he picked the strawberries.  One by one, getting every acceptable berry off each plant.  He set them gently in the box, not wanting to bruise the fruit.  He was quiet, and efficient, and fast - because (of course) he wanted to beat the girls and pick the most.

Harper picked a berry, ripe or not, and threw it in the box.  Then, she took a couple skips down the row, to find her next berry.  The chatted up the people in the next row (surprisingly) and was done picking after about 86 seconds.  She then decided to practice her "track star skills" and ran up and down the field. After a comment from the boys, Harper became aware of the picking competition, and grabbed a handful of berries, and shouted "We win!!! Girls win!!!" then continued her training for the olympics.

Home again, home again, you know the rest.

While the parents were away, the kids got to play! Thanks to Grammy and Grampy for taking care of B and H - especially for hauling the boy back and forth for his baseball games!

Oh, and paddle boarding, and four wheeling and fishing and snuggling...

Ten (and 3/4) years later, we headed back to our honeymoon destination - the Riu Palace, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

While this trip canceled out our annual roadtrip (insert tears), we still got the spend the week on the beach, with overflowing drinks and sunscreen.

In 2026, we are headed to a different beach, and renting a house. As for 2017, it's back to the pavement, please.

A family of five is what we have become.  Each day, the Morningstar crew gathers together to decide what to do for the day, and they play and play and play.  From one house to the other (following the house rules of speaking to an adult before leaving, using your manners, and picking up before moving on) they run.  We always stop to eat lunch, then have a bit of a rest and reading time, before heading back out to run some more.

 I love these kids.  I love making them lunch and listening to their conversations.  I love how much they love each other, and the memories they are making and the life long friends that are being created.  

(but, I also know it's only June.  I'm a really good SAHM in June.  Let's check back in August...)

Our sweet gemini gypsy decided to turn six today.  And Harper is just that - a true blue gemini. Harps is an quiet observer, yet will ask unending questions - always gathering information about her surroundings.  She is funny and quick witted - and if she actually attends the party, she is definitely the life of it.  She is practical and skilled at seeing both sides of an issue.  She is the peacemaker of arguments and is frequently heard trying to help her brother consider another side of a situation.  She is sensitive and emotional, yet can often times be the most practical one in the room.  She thrives on being independent; selecting the perfect outfit, cleaning her room, making lunches and working on crafts all alone, but she still begs to rock with mama and sucks her thumb snuggled up with her blanket and stuffed animals.

Our sweet girl is the epitome of Yin and Yang, and while we are not always sure which twin is waking up, we love them both always and forever and not matter what.

Today we had a few stops to make to prepare for the big #6 First Official Friend Birthday Party, which is being held tomorrow.  The below conversation is 100% accurate, and made me cry - just a  little.

B: harper, will you hold my hand when you are 6?
H: of course, benny.  will you hold my hand when you are 10?
B: i'll always hold your hand, harps.

And, he will.  That I know.

hmmmm.... first official day of summer vacation, and the morningstar musketeers went for it.

Go big or go home, right?  That's what daddy says...

hmmmm.... first official day of summer vacation, and the morningstar musketeers went for it.

Go big or go home, right?  That's what daddy says...