Father's Day

We enjoyed Father's Day at the lake.  The boys golfed and then met us up at the lake house for a day of fun.  There was fishing, grilling, boating, and swimming.  It was the perfect day to celebrate the amazing Buzzard Boys!

Celebrating one of our favorite Dad's!

                                               Father's Day at the lake is not complete without fishing!

Kenzie getting an up close look at the fish she caught.

The fish were a bitin!

Owen's First fish!

...and our favorite modes of transportation at the lake.....

I adore this shot!  50 adorable little piggies!

Boating & golf carting!

 ...and if it's too cool to swim, we can surely find other ways to entertain ourselves....

And after a day of family fun, everyone pitched in to help out with dinner for the dad's.  The kids got a lesson in shucking corn.  They were pro's!

Ava was a fan! 

 Happy Dad's Day to all the wonderful Daddy's in our lives!  We are so blessed!

Officially a First Grader

It's hard to even allow my fingers to type the words 1st Grade.  How is it possible that I have a 1st grader?  Wasn't I just holding her into my arms for the first time?  Where has the time gone?

Mackenzie's school had graduation in the Park, at a little outdoor amphitheater. We had some questionable weather on the way, so they put a rush on performances and get the graduation rolling.  It was priceless and a moment I will always remember.  Her next graduation will be her High School one.  Hard to believe.  Let me hold on a little longer!

setting up camp for the pomp and circumstance (they really did play it)

Flowers for Sissy

Performing

Our graduate!

She was so proud and so was her brother of his big sis!

Posing with our 1st Grader!

  Mackenzie had a great year in Kindergarten and has made amazing progress. We are so proud of you and hope you always love learning new things, and love reading like you do today!  You are curious, inquisitive and have lots of great questions. You love doing homework; in fact your teacher sent home a reading incentive packet to earn a "party on the patio" in the Fall.  If students read every day of the Summer and do 12 written extensions they get pizza outside, an award and prizes.  So far, we have read EVERY day and filled in 1/2 of the extensions.  :)  She is serious business about reaching this goal and is flying through beginning chapter books.  Slow down little girl!  There's not much you still need me for!

And what better way to celebrate K graduation than with Grandma and Grandpa Buzzard later that weekend with Dinner and Icecream! 

Way to go sweet girl!  We couldn't be prouder of you!

Checking off the bucket list, 6 year old style

Yes, my sweet  6 year old, princess loving, gymnastics twirling girl has a thing for PIGS!  She has commented many times over the past year that she really, really wants to see a real life pig.  We have visited several farms, but of course...no pigs.  So Grandma Buzzard came through and arranged for all the grandkids to visit a farm.  The kids had a blast and Mackenzie loved seeing (but not smelling:) the pigs up close! 

Grandma and her Grandkids...I adore this picture

Checking out the cows

                                Petting the goats inside the barn, they make such a lovely noise

....and finally, the PIGS!

Happy girl, but terrified brother!  :)

Fun on the farm, exploring!

and after a fun time on the farm, there's no better way to end it than with a little baseball with Uncle  Buzz, and hanging with the cousins!

Thanks Grandma for helping Mackenzie check something off her bucket list. I know she will never forget it!

Memorial Tournament; Golf and Lemonade Stand

Jeremy scored some extra tickets to The Memorial Golf Tournament, so Nana babysat so my sweet hubby and I could watch some golf.  I will admit, I am not much of a golf fan when it's on t.v., but there is something exciting about watching famous golfers do their thing feet from you....and I kinda love the chicken salad sandwiches they serve at the course.  (I guarantee if my husband ever reads this last sentence he will be shaking his head on that one). 

Growing up as a kid who lived across from the course, I learned that you could hit it rich by setting up a simple lemonade stand.  I did this with my sisters, and many neighborhood friends throughout my childhood. I have shared this with Mackenzie and of course she wanted to test out her lemonade selling skills.  So, while Jeremy and I enjoyed a few hours away, Mackenzie, Caleb and Nana worked the lemonade stand.  She loved it, and ended up making $44.69.  Not bad for a half days work! 

After a good day of sales, Grandpa, Daddy, Mommy and Kenzie went out to see the action, while Caleb napped back at home with Nana.  This was Mackenzie's first time and I would say it was her lucky day. She managed to get a golf ball from a golfer (Piercy) AND was on TV (featured with Mommy) as a spectator.  Not too shabby for her first day on the course.

Look top left, and you will see our tv debut.  Below is a picture zoomed in. Mackenzie and Mommy are in green, Grandpa is standing directly behind us, and Daddy is standing to the right (in top photo).

The next day, Grandma and Grandpa came up for the Tournament and we decided to let the kids tag along and experience the fun.  We weren't really sure how it would go trying to keep a 3 year old silent while round after round of golfers came through, but he did amazing!  And we learned Mackenzie is a big fan of golf.  She would've stayed all day if she could!  I forsee many fun memories ahead with her at the course!

May 18th, Philip Barth Day!

Last night, the Mayor of Dublin proclaimed May 18th as Philip Barth Day in Dublin, Ohio! So proud of my Dad and all his hard work over the years.  He is the hardest working man I know, not to mention the smartest mathematician on this planet, and has has brought so much change into the world through international business.  He is a co-founder of the Japan-American Society, their 1st President, a member of their Board, and currently finishing his 5 yr term as Honorary Consul General of Japan.  How cool to have a day designated to honor YOU and all your hard work.  I always thought you deserved one, but never had the ability to make it happen.  Way to go Dad!  We are beyond proud of you!

"You must be the change you want to see in the World."  Gandhi

Spring Hiatus

To say we have been busy is the understatement of the year.  Spring is here and I need to play a little catch-up on the ole blog.  Here's a quick glimpse of our crazy lives lately.

I finished up 6 graduate hours over the past few months.  No big deal....just read several 300-400 page professional books, wrote close to 17 papers, did some fill-in assignments...

(yep, you see that right, 10 papers, 3-5 pages each, for ONE class. Jealous much?)

Kenzie is back to taking gymnastics classes during the week.  She loves it and is making good progress.  She has mastered the cartwheel, round off, and back bend...and is really close to a back walk-over. 

Caleb is all boy these days. He is constantly  running, jumping, climbing, tossing a football, and riding his trike. However he has found a fondness for puzzles.  He can take a 50 piece puzzle that he's never seen  before and put it together in under 20 minutes.  He is a persistent little thing, and the boy has an amazing amount of perseverance for a 3 year old.  Hopefully this quality sticks with him throughout life b/c it's one of the most important ones to have!

Jeremy took a much needed "guys" trip with his Dad and friend's.  They enjoyed some golfing and good old fashioned guy time. Oh, and I forgot to mention that on his flight down he sat next to Archie Griffin. 

As a family, we have been enjoying the Spring weather and hitting the parks, and spending more time outside.  Counting down the days 'til Summer break!