Let's jump into June!!!

During the last week of school, Alexis received a few awards in her class as she finished up her first year of school!  She received the Citizenship Award, given to one boy and one girl who exemplified an all around good citizen, along with perfect attendance!  She was so excited and we are thrilled that she has done so well and loves school!  Here is a picture of one of her best buds Carter, who also received this award! We couldn't be more proud of our little girl!  She has been blessed with many talents and abilities and smiles that are contagious!

Ethan also received an award for perfect attendance but I didn't get a picture of him....ooopps!

The 2nd to last day of school was Field Day....and I volunteered again for whatever they needed help with.  Funny thing, I was put in for the slip and slide again, 2 years in a row now! I think I'm going to try and do this every year...it's really fun and getting wet in the hot weather is a bonus (although this year I wore a sweatshirt b/c it was cold- the poor kids were shivering as we heaved them down the slide, they screamed going down and then back up to do it again!) I enjoyed seeing all the classes and all of the kids- they are such a great group!  I hope to be able to do this again next year!

Ethan and Alexis wanted to do 4-H Camp, and for such a small amount (I still can't believe all the things they did), Chris and I decided to put them in this summer.  Camp was at a local park, so nice in not having to drive far!  It was so fun to watch them learn and make some new things.  Ethan received a certificate at the end of the camp as a 'tiger' because he was quick to jump into all the activities they did....including Zumba on their 'healthy' day! ;)

 Alexis was given the 'artist' award for her creativity in drawing and sculpting! 

We have been so grateful to our friends and family who give us/let us borrow clothes for the kids!  It is just wonderful!  Hunter has had such nice things given to him...he's such a little stud muffin!
Alexis was given 2 HUGE bags of clothing from my cousin's little girl!  BOY ARE WE BLESSED!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!  Alexis loves this dress and so do I....I wish I had this in my size! What a beauty! ;)

 Alexis, Ethan, Breanna, Hunter...... before breakfast this past weekend!


Alexis enjoys riding with my dad on his motorcycle around town....JJ's ice cream is their favorite spot together, I think!  Now that Dad moved back home, we will miss him giving us all rides here and there.....this bike rides so smoothly! LOVE IT!

Random May pics....

Hunter wearing 'pretend' glasses while reading! Cute boy!

 These dogs....are in heaven everyday! What a life! And boy do they both love Chris....when he's home, they follow him every where! ;) Ginger on his shoulder and Lucky at his feet....Resting after play time!

Hunter, end of May.

May 25th.....Hunter's 3rd Birthday!

Hunter turned 3!!!!! I can't believe it! Just seems like we brought him home from the hospital!!! Hunter is in love with trains...Thomas the train, in particular! He asks me almost every morning if we can visit the train down our road....it comes by around 8:30- sometimes we wait for it to pass after I drop the kids off at school after 8!  Hunter is a great kid! He listens for the most part and is laughing and smiling most of the day! He says the funniest things!!!! He does keep me busy, but he's such a blessing to our family! We love you Hunter!!! Happy Birthday to you buddy!!! ;)

 At Hunter's request, we had brownies with ice cream...and hot fudge....with bananas! Delicious!

 Daddy and I got him a Thomas the Train game....he loved it! Aunt Vicki also got him a Thomas shirt (which he has a very hard time taking off....EVER, except for bath time ;) )

Hunter played all day and sang...Happy Birthday to Hunter....Happy Birthday to me! It really was the cutest thing!

May 20th....Wolf to Bear

Ethan had his ceremony from Wolf to Bear on the 20th! He was really excited to advance!  He has completed all the requirements and also 37 electives this past year to earn 3 arrow patches (10 electives per patch).  We are proud of you Ethan!  Keep making good choices and having fun! ;)

Scouting is "awesome and fun!"- Ethan Jeppson 

May 10th....Alexis Piano Recital

Our little Alexis LOVES playing the piano. We found a teacher and she has been taking lessons weekly for several months.  Every year, in May, this teacher puts on a recital for all of her students who have worked hard to play their piece memorized in front of friends and family at her church in Broadway.  This was a wonderful experience for Alexis.  She was definately excited and yet a little scared to perform her 'song' in front of people she didn't know!  My dad was able to be there and afterwards, she told me he made her feel 'more like at home' while playing! It was so wonderful to watch Alexis play and have fun....even with her serious face while playing.  She was all smiles after she sat down with her family! I'm so proud of you Alexis....keep up the Awesome work!

Our Washington DC trip....

We decided to take the kids out of school at 10 and head up to Washington DC for some fun at all the museums with Chris' family still here for one more day! Boy was this fun! We drove to Vienna, VA and rode the Metro into DC~ much less hastle and fun for everyone! We met up with Chris' family about 3ish.... after we visited the White House, Washington Momument, WW11 Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and Jefferson Memorial (from a distance).  The kids and Chris and I really enjoyed this day! It is always so interesting to visit historical sites and of course, our nations capital!!!

 Chris and the kids on the Metro.....Hunter didn't stop talking about the Metro and how it went underground....he was in heaven! ;)

 This was a close as we came to the White House....and we passed about 7 or 8 Secret Service vehicles along the way!  Sheesh!

 The Washington Monument....we could see where the crack was from the last Earthquake we had in March.

 The family watching the fountain at the new World War 2 Memorial! I had not seen this before, it's a newer monument!

 Home sweet home.....in Maryland! Thank you to all who gave their lives for our freedom!  This was a humbling place to visit!

 Both Ethan and Alexis have been studying Abraham Lincoln in school and we just read Abe at Last before this visit! (The latest Magic Tree House featuring some stories from Abe Lincoln's biography).  The kids really enjoyed this!

 After meeting up with Chris' family, we visited the Air and Space Museum.....and saw the Telescope Chandra....and learned more about what my name means....light, the moon, illuminating! Well, that explains myself, now doesn't it!??! LOL!

 Ethan and the capital...."Mom, how do I get to work there when I get older?" he asks.....Well, son.....

 Then we visited the main Smithsonian Building.......and I remember this elephant from 3rd grade when I went here for the first of many times!!!! Still hasn't changed! ;)

What a very fun day! We left and got back to our car after 9pm....pulling in the driveway a little after 11pm.  What a blast we all had....and memories not forgotten!

Jeppson family fun

While everyone was here, we decided to do a few fun things! To name just a few, we saw Luray Caverns, Skyline Drive, baptism and party on Saturday at local park, Lexington and Southern Virginia University, Washington D.C..... Here are a few pics...more to come!