Hosting a 5K race!!

My sister-in-law and I are trying our hand at planning a 5K. It is a lot more work than we realized at first, but it is for an awesome cause. We are raising money and awareness for leukemia, as someone close to us has been affected recently. If you are interested in participating in the race or would like a t-shirt to show your support for the cause, please let me know! You can register for the race at active.com--and then search under gracie's gang.

Family Photo Shoot

So... I admit it, I am a horrible blogger. I could list a million excuses, but I am really just a slacker! We have been busy to the usual thing a mom with four kids does: soccer, piano, violin, end of school field trips, swimming lessons, potty training, moving out of crib to a big bed, etc. Inspite of the craziness, I love being a mom and I love family picture time. It is stressful, but I have a supportive husband who willing sits through an hour and a half of grilling for smiles so I can look back at my sweet family and see how much they have grown and changed. This time in particular has struck a chord with me, we are moving into the next stage of life as parents. My oldest is quickly heading to the pre-teen years as he proved this last week, overcoming his fear and doing a great job as catcher in baseball for the first time. Emma is becoming quite a lady and is so much help to me at home. Madelyn will start Kindergarten this fall and couldn't be more ready. She is a sponge for learning right now. And, last, but certainly not least is our dear baby. She has taken it upon herself this month to show me that although I want her to continue to be my baby, she is ready to move on. She forced our hand twice, by taking off her diapers and climbing out of the crib.
Although, I am sad at the thought of my babies growing up so fast, I am also immensely pleased with the wonderful children they are becoming and very grateful for the joy they bring me. So, here is the Katschke Family May 2011, maybe it doesn't seem like it to others, but to this mom, they have GROWN UP so much since our last Family Photo Shoot!!