Jake turns 3!

I really can't believe it!  He's three!  WOW! I've had my ups and downs and emotions...like the day I bawled because we emptied out his dresser and changing table. But overall I'm in awe of everything God has taught me through the birth of Jacob Alexander Reardon.  I'm grateful and oh so thankful for this boy! You are loved son!
*Very sad I didn't take pictures with the grandparents that came to celebrate with us.

Starting something new...

is always hard.  But this I decided was well worth it! I'm excited to be a stylist with cabi! I love the clothing and I love helping women!  Our girls have been so helpful and excited with me - which has encouraged me so much!  And Brian, he has been so supportive and helpful! Simply the best!

Mother Daughter getaway

Olivia and I had a lovely time getting away together for one night to focus on Passport to Purity.  I hope to make it a more regular occurrence to do mother daughter outings.  We went to Rock Hall, MD a very quiet little town along the water. The Bed and Breakfast we stayed in had a salt water pool and gorgeous grounds. We relaxed and talked a lot!  We went out for a nice dinner along the water as well.  Then we came home and shopped (Olivia's request). Sweet girl time!

 

Strausburg, PA

Riding the TRAIN!!! Finally Jacob got to ride on a train - I think he really enjoyed it.

Bethany Beach 2016

Wonderful time at the beach again this year! We really are beach bums!  Special blessing was getting to see the Dollmans too.

Zach got some new glasses while we were at the beach! 

Love, love, love them!

Cousins

Such a sweet time each summer - cousin time!  Thanks for making this happen Oma and Opa!

Lake Meade 2016

Another wonderful time at Lake Meade.  So thankful to see two sets of grandparents and just enjoy the time together.  Seeing the pictures is bringing back memories of that GORGEOUS sky before the fire works - WOW! God is so amazing!

A getaway = love

I can't say enough about how important it is to get away when you have five kids.  It refreshes us in an amazing way!  Thanks mom and dad for giving us this gift - it's huge! Of course, we are at our happy place - a quiet beach! Lewes, De.

Random cuteness

Playing hide and seek:) Where's Jake?

I'm glad I folded the laundry...

Smiles for the WIN

I think Brian is an amazing coach - he really has a "way" with the boys.  They respect him but yet he can joke with them too. He's still faster than every one of them! He knows what he's talking about and can tell you right away what's wrong with a team on the soccer pitch. These boys LOVE him!  So at the last season tournament when all the boys would be going different directions these boys gave it their all - they came in 2nd place but just look at their faces...they've just had the time of their life!  And I contribute that in no small part to their awesome coach.  BTW - yes, Brian is all wet.  And yes, you usually only dump a cooler of water over the coaches head when you win.  But these boys felt like the biggest winners of all - and well, yes, they dumped water all over Brian:). Everything about this picture makes my heart happy and I smile so big every time I see it!

Blue Angles fun, fun, fun

Jake absolutely hated the blue angles. He cried the entire time.  So by the time we were ready to leave and saw this adorable little shed/house he was in no mood for a picture.  I think everyone was relieved we were leaving as well.

Olivia's Dance recital for a Cause

I love that Olivia is in a dance company that supports good causes and does not compete just to compete.  It's a beautiful gift to have and to share with people in need.  This year the company raised over $4,000 for Project Hope!

These three girls have been Olivia's best friends at dance - very sweet friendships.

Testing Cecchetti 2

In May 2016 Olivia tested for her Cecchetti 2 ballet test.  This is a national test and judges from all over the country come to examine the girls.  There were a lot of tears this day but none from our girl - she did an awesome job! And she passed!

Waiting to go into the room to be judged - the evaluation takes about 45 minutes.



This was the group Olivia tested with - all very sweet.  And their awesome teacher Ms. Jen.  We all went out for ice cream afterward.

Fair Trade Friday Event

I am really moved by the ministry of Fair Trade Friday and the work they are doing to help women. So I decided it would be really neat to host an event that would help raise awareness about the organization and help support these women by selling some of the things they have made by hand.  
It turned out to be a very yucky rainy day but it was lovely to have a steady stream of women stopping by all day! The show was a big success and most everything sold.  Yay!