Little Miss Clinton County 2011

Lauren's pageant was this past Saturday.  She had an awesome time and really did great on stage.  She wasn't shy at all and spoke really well in the microphone.  I was really proud of her.  Our hairdresser Sara did a great job on her hair and she even got her makeup done as well.  She looked amazing and so grown up! 

Clinton County Fair Parade

As part of the Little Miss pageant festivities Lauren got to ride in the county parade this past Monday.  She had lots of fun doing so. 

Every year she makes a poster to show her love for Dairy King our local ice cream joint.  The ask all their fans to "show their love" at the parade and they earn a free ice cream cone.  Since she was in the parade her friends held up the Dairy King sign she made and were able to get the free coupons as well!

4H Fair

Lauren joined 4H this year as a clover buddy, which is essentially a jr. 4H member until she turns 8.  The only difference is she can't show livestock yet and cannot show any projects at the state or national level yet.  She took only one project this year, a health project.  Her assignment was to learn all about first aid and what to do in various situations.  Then she was to build a first aid kit and instruction cards to present to the judge. 

Show day came and she was very nervous.  I had practiced with her several times and she definitely knew her stuff.  She went by herself in front of the judge and when she came to find me after she was finished she was beaming with a blue ribbon, an A rating with her first 4H project. 

At the conclusion of the show, they name all the projects selected to show at the state fair and then give out the best of show ribbons.  To our great surprise, Lauren was selected best of show in the health category!  She now has a giant purple ribbon to accompany her blue ribbon. 

I think the 4H bug has definitely bitten her now.  She's already talking about all the different projects she wants to take next year.  It's going to be a fun experience! 

We're very proud of you Lauren!

Cousin Time!

Addie, Brenna, and Braden came to stay for four days in July.  My mom came to stay too and we had a great time.  We did lots of swimming, crafts, rode the gator,ate ice cream visited the library, had water fights, filled water balloons, picked vegetables in the garden, put on shows, and of course had some fighting too!  But hey what do you expect with five kids age 6 and younger!  I hope they had as much fun as I did and enjoyed spending time at Aunt Kimberly's house!

Cash

A family friend of ours Brooke Bowman showed Cash at the Washington County 4H Fair in early July.  He competed in the baby beef class which is for beginning beef exhibitors.  Brooke did a great job with Cash.  Unfortunately her dad would let her keep him (they already have sheep, goats, ducks, and a dog so I understand) so he is back at our house now.  Hopefully we'll find him a home soon of another 4Her who wants to show him next summer as a grown steer.  Lauren still isn't old enough yet.

The Arch

My Aunt Anne and Uncle Peter from North Carolina were here to visit in June.  The timed it to be here for Macie's 1st birthday to spend time with all the great nieces and nephews.  Then they came and spent some time at my house.  During their stay we visited the Arch.  Lauren has been dying to do this for some time now so it worked out great!  The kids loved it!  It happened to be Marine Week also so after the visit up in the Arch we got to see lots of cool helicopters and guns on the Arch grounds. 

Macie's 1st Birthday

Macie's 1st Birthday party was at Oak Run, the private lake that Andy and Julie belong to near Galesburg IL.  The kids had a great time playing in the sand at the beach and of course boating on Uncle Andy's boat.  Lauren, Addie, and Brenna all got to tube which they really enjoyed.  Macie got lots of great presents and enjoyed eating her cake even though the wind took it out right before hand demolishing it before she even got to try her first bite!  She is such a precious little girl. 

Dance Recital

Lauren's dance recital was in June.  She and her friend Emily got all dolled up before hand and had a great time performing on stage. We've taken a bit of a break now from dance though and are doing just gymnastics this summer. 

Shake it up!

Lauren attended two VBS sessions this summer.  The first was with her friend Kaylee at the UCC church in Okawville.  Lauren loved this VBS because it had a cooking theme.  She even got to make an apron and chef hat which she adored.  At the closing program Lauren had a speaking part.  I was so proud of her for volunteering to get up in front of the crowd.  It appears she has no fear of that at this point.....  I hope it stays that way! 

Catching up

Well I've been on a blogging hiatus. Summer has been extremely busy for us! I was also without my computer for some time after a mishap with some orange juice. I'm going to try to get everything updated this week, so stay tuned!