Family Vacation (Part 1 in AL)

We stayed overnight in Birmingham, AL on our way to the beach.  All 3 kids had a lot of fun at the McWane Science Center!

Laying on a bed of nails

Pulleys

 Giant Bubbles

 She loved the "shish"

 This mirror was putting Gary's face on Owen's face.

 Giant Light Brite

 Swirling in the sand

 Cutest little supermarket worker

Andrew is 8!

Happy 8th Birthday to Andrew!  We had a fun week celebrating his birthday!  He took brownies to school on the 6th, and we had a small party at home on April 9th. 

Owen got him a boogie board for the beach and for all the water fun they'll have this summer!

So thankful that these boys are truly best friends!

 We got Andrew a Nintendo DS, and he was so excited.  He said, "This is the best present y'all have ever given me!"  Haha!  

 We had cupcakes at home with just the 5 of us on his actual birthday!

 Here are some of his buddies and cousins at his party...

Andrew requested brownies instead of a cake this year.

 Frisbee golf and games in the front yard.

 We love this guy so much and are so proud of him!

EG is 15 months!

Daddy's little girl!

 She's quick to point out any duck that she sees..."guck, guck"

She's wearing a precious and special dress that I wore when I was a little girl!  So thankful that my mom kept this after all these years!

She is finally starting to get some hair.  We were playing that night with her little bows.  She usually pulls any bows out in about 5 seconds.  

Ella Grace is growing fast and learning new things all the time. She's starting to show her little opinion and has hilarious facial expressions when she wants her way. Just recently, she has learned the word "no." I know this brings a fun and challenging stage. Most of the time, she is the most easy-going little toddler! She absolutely loves her brothers and wants to be right in the middle of whatever they are doing. She loves to snuggle, read books, rock her babies, pull things out of cabinets, and push her baby stroller all over the house. She loves bath time and will run to our bathroom when we say bubble bath. She wants to be outside as much as possible and loves to swing and be on the trampoline with the family. Mickey Mouse is probably her favorite cartoon (if she sits still long enough to watch something). She blows kisses and waves and smiles all the time. She talks all the time and says baby, ball, guck for duck, bird, uh oh, pup pup, nana for banana, meow, moo, roar for a lion, mama, dada, bye bye, night night, etc. She points at all the birds she sees in the sky.  She gave up her bottle right after her 1st birthday, but she is still very attached to her paci. She has 15 teeth, weighs 31lbs, and wears 2t/3t clothes, size 4 diapers, and size 5.5 shoes. We love this sweet little princess so much!

Owen is Registered for K!

Owen is all set and registered for kindergarten at Medina Elementary School.  Some days, he is super excited, and then sometimes, he says he just wants to stay home with me.  He's going to do great, and we're very proud of him!  I will definitely be fighting back some tears in August!

Owen went for his 5 year old check-up this week, and he is 57lbs and 3ft 10.5 inches.  Dr. Amy said he's healthy and the size of a 2nd grader.  He's going to be a tall guy like his daddy!

Easter 2016!

We had a fun weekend celebrating Easter!  We had our annual Easter Eggstravaganza at Calvary Baptist Church on Saturday, and the weather was perfect.  The boys got a lot of eggs and Ella Grace loved it too!

We are ready for worship and celebration at Calvary Baptist with our church family!  He is Risen!

Questionnaire for the Boys

I found this questionnaire on Facebook and thought it would be fun to see what the boys would say.  Andrew is 7, and Owen is 5.

1. What is something Mom always says to you? A-Andrewper O-Eat all your dinner.

2. What makes Mom happy? A-when we make brownies together O-when I tell the truth

3. What makes Mom sad? A-when I don't listen to you O-when I sin

4. How does Mom make you laugh? A-when she acts ridiculous O-Tickling me

5. How old is Mom? A-33 O-40

6. What is Mom's favorite thing to do? A-Make brownies with me O- play with me

7. What does Mom do when you're not here? A-take care of Ella GraceO-Help other people

8. What is Mom really good at? A-Cooking O-Chutes and Ladders

9. What is Mom not very good at? A & O-Sports

10. What is Mom's job? A-work at PreK O-Helping at church

11. What makes you proud of Mom? A-Cleaning up the house O-Getting some teams right on her bracket

12. What is Mom's favorite food? A-Pizza O-Cheese Quesadillas

13. What do you and mom do together? A-We play war O-play games
14. How do you know Mom loves you? A-because I'm your son O-she prays

Happy New Year!

We had fun ringing in the New Year with Mimi while Gary and Pop were duck hunting!

EG's Milestones

Ella Grace is getting so big, independent, and full of personality!  She is the sweetest, most easy-going, and loving little girl!  We love her to pieces!

She took 2 steps on Christmas Day!  She is cruising all over the house and pushing toys everywhere.  She loves to stand and will probably be walking everywhere soon!

 She decided (around her 1st birthday) that she wanted to feed herself and was over baby food.  She is now eating almost exactly what we do at each meal.  

She has officially given up her bottle.  I think this was way harder for mommy than for her!  I loved the extra cuddle time I've had with her.  Now, she's super busy all the time and doesn't want to sit still for much of anything.  Haha!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Between all the Christmas parties, kids' performances, school events, and sports practices, our family has really enjoyed spending some time with just the 5 of us!  In early November, the boys pack their Operation Christmas Child boxes, and we start listening to Christmas music and start our shopping.  The day after Thanksgiving is when we usually get our tree and decorate the house.  In December, we read Christmas books with the kids and try to watch as many fun, family Christmas movies as we can!  This is also the time of the year that we stop at Starbucks as much as possible for some holiday coffee.  We just love everything about Christmas!  

Steak 'n Shake for Dinner!

 Watching A Charlie Brown Christmas!

 Owen did awesome at his preschool program!  He sang his little heart out!

 We made our annual Gingerbread House!

 Family Christmas Night at Calvary!  The boys had fun making ornaments and cookies, and we sang songs and played some Christmas games.

 Andrew had a special Christmas lunch at MES!

 Headed out for some Christmas shopping!  

Time to make some Christmas cookies...

 

 

 Owen thought he was the "Sprinkle Master"

 We watched The Grinch and enjoyed some Grinch Punch (Lime Sherbet and Sprite)

In our crazy schedule and in all the fun, I pray that we would not lose focus of the true meaning of Christmas as we prepare for Jesus' Birthday!

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born,

    to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

    and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Matthew 1:20-21

"Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."