So my sister helped me in early June create this blog and I realized today that I haven't put any posts out here in a while. As I realize it's July 1st -- I thought maybe an update of the Hamers' activities for the month would be a good idea.
The first weekend we sent up in Cedar Falls with Grandma and Grandpa Boe, my sister, Sam, my brother-in-law, Zach and my niece, Kaylie. We ended up doing Luke's 1st birthday pictures -- which I have yet to order!! Sam and I also tackled doing a banner for our Relay for Life team. It was fun. We did "Lending a hand to fight cancer." Then we did handprints of everyone. I realized I'm a nervous wreck with my kids getting messy. All I could think about is my children getting finger paint all over Grandma's house!!
Later that week, Katelyn and I went with our Girl Scout Troop to Build-a-Bear Workshop to do the 100th anniversary Girl Scout bear. It was a blast. The girls had a great time. At one point, we tried recording the Girl Scout Promise on a recorder for some of the girls to put in their bears. It took probably 15 takes!!! Luckily it wasn't because the didn't know -- it was because we had to talk faster. I'm glad we had the chance to do the party and am looking forward to starting up with Girl Scouts again this fall.
That weekend (June 9-10), I was a total Kernel's fan. Dennis and I went Saturday night to the game with my PEO chapter. It was a lot of fun to have some us time. Unfortunately, we didn't sit with the group because Dennis wasn't very comfortable in the seats. Then Sunday afternoon, we spent the day with Granny Franny, Judy, Ed, Uncle Dave and Aunt Nancy at the Kernel's. The girls had a good time seeing Mr. Shucks and having root beer floats. Luke didn't seem to enjoy it as much but it was pretty hot. The irony was I went again on Monday to the Kernel's for work -- I'm not a baseball fan.
The coming weekend (June 15th) brought on our first Relay for Life for Di's Cancer Crusaders. I will say I was a bit disappointed with the experience. We actually were one of the few teams that seemed to actually walk the entire night. It was bittersweet night because we had a lot of fun with family but there were emotions as we thought of my sister-in-law, Diane and her battle and also thought of our good friend, Judy, and Grandpa Ron -- that the kids and I never had the opportunity to meet. Dennis has only talked about his dad a handful of times since we met and so I wasn't sure how he was going to do. He did say that he was emotional when we saw the luminarias that the girls had decorated for Grandpa Ron and thought about how his dad would never meet his grandkids. Overall, we are very excited to have raised $3,070 in our first Relay. And with even though we all had sore muscles and feet and lack of sleep it doesn't compare to what others go through with cancer. It was worth it.
We finished off the weekend with dinner out for Father's Day and our first trip to Orange Leaf frozen yogurt. The whole family is hooked. It is awesome. If you haven't been to one, you have to try it. It's self-serve frozen yogurt and about 20 different toppings.
June 21st brought on the start of our annual town celebration, Pork Days. It's fun but tiresome. Thursday night, Dennis, the girls and Granny Franny and Grandpa Kenny spent time with the Ring Toss and the Midway. Elizabeth didn't want to ride any rides but loved this fishing game. Katelyn on the other hand loved the rides. She also went down this huge slide all by herself. While this was going on, I was judge for the talent show again. I had to run up to Cedar Falls that night to get Luke from my sister's. He had an all day play date with Kaylie becuase he was running a fever the day before. They had a lot of fun together and we'll have to do it again. Elizabeth also participanted in the Little Miss contest. She didn't win but she got a giant coloring book so she was happy!
Friday came working the beer tent with some fellow Lion's Club members. Terra and I were doing really well serving up beers until the guys decided they had to get behind and slow us down! Overall, we had fun. Saturday we started right away at 10 am with the Kiddie Tractor Pull. Katelyn didn't participate because she now was running the fever. Elizabeth did but didn't place. We spent some time in the Midway in the afternoon and then the kids went back to Grandpa and Grandma Boe's for the night. After resting for a bit Dennis and I were back to the beer tent. We did spend some time walking around just the two of us and I think decided we need to make that time for us from now on. We get busy doing so much we don't enjoy Pork Days.
The last weekend came and it looked like a busy weekend just getting the house ready before quarter-end. Well, the laundry is caught up, the groceries bought but the house didn't get as clean as I would hope. We did take time for some family fun which was great. Sunday, we went to Coralville to the Iowa's Children Museum. The kids (including Luke) had a blast. There was so much for them to do. We then went to Build-a-Bear Workshop for Elizabeth to get a new bear. Of course, they are spoiled and E got two outfits and Katelyn got another outfit for her bears. We finished up the afternoon with cookies and a trip around the carosel. Katelyn and I went twice, Elizabeth wouldn't do it and Luke and Dennis did it once. Luke didn't really seem like he loved it so we might want to wait a bit before we do it again.
Overall, June was a busy, fun month. July will be a bit different as I get busy with work. But we do have one thing to celebrate - Katelyn is turning six on July 9th. It's hard to believe six years ago our lives changed so much. We are so blessed. Wow that was a long blog. I guess I should do this more frequently!!! For now, have a good night.
Now an update on the kids. Katelyn is a 1st grader this year and has adjusted well to the start of school year. She seems to really enjoy learning and is doing well about going to bed early again. So far no 1st grade homework. I know why am I worried about that! Well, I am primarily in charge of the educational aspects of our children's lives. Therefore, if there's homework to be done -- Mom needs to make sure it's done and with our busy schedule that can sometimes be a challenge. Katelyn has also started soccer this year and so far seems to really enjoy it. Here first game is later this week and it will be interesting to see how that goes!! We have decided to forego gymnastics for a while so that she's only in one physical activity at a time. She also has started girl scouts again and will be in religious ed class soon so she'll be busy enough for a 6 year old.
Elizabeth is a preschooler! Yes, this week we started 3 year old preschool and she was so excited. She gets to ride the bus to school for class on Tuesday and Thursday. She had a little misunderstanding on the first day and Dennis had to come on the bus and carry her off crying but otherwise she seems to be adjusting. She does want to go daily which is hard to explain on the days she doesn't have school but I'm sure she will get into the routine. She also just started gymnastics -- or nastics as she calls it. Her first night was entertaining but she does need to work on waiting her turn and listening to her teachers! Let's just say she is full of energy!! 
