Slumber Party

These two are the best of friends.  On the weekends they like to have "slumber parties" in the bunk bed.

They were so excited on the first night they did this.  They talked about it for days leading up to it.  Such fun memories!

SMaRT Night

Our school hosted SMaRT (Science, Math, Reading and Technology) Night for students and their families. Activities in each subject were set up in the gym and throughout the building. Each activity was designed to meet students at their individual skill level and then challenge them to try an even higher level of thinking. Activity tables included: Dancing Spaghetti (carbonation), Invincible Balloons (putting stick through balloon without popping), Rockin’ Robots (exploring shapes), Super Hoops (working with fractions, decimals, percentages and prediction), educational Apps for the iPad, Book Exchange, a skit performed by staff members, Super Hero Reader, the County Library and many more fun learning enhancement activities. Students and families could choose from any of the activities on hand. 

Valentine Outtakes

When we went to take Valentine pictures, the kids wanted to do some posing of their own.

Blake and Cade

Blake and Cade are both February birthdays, so we went out as a family to celebrate them.

 We ate pizza and they opened presents.  We had a great time together celebrating the 10 and 8 year olds!

 After dinner we went to watch our big cousin Caleb play his basketball game at the middle school.

Random Phone Pics

Here are some random pictures from my phone taken last week (in no particular order)

Blake's appearance on our morning announcements at school in recognition of his birthday.

 Crazy Hair Day at school to raise money for the American Heart Association

 Robert had the honor of escorting the family of the late Chris Kyle who was a United States Navy SEAL and the most lethal sniper in American military history.  They escorted the family from their home to the stadium where the memorial was held and then back to their home.

 Blake's class got to set rockets off at school.  He and Kaitlyn were partners and designed their rocket together.

Valentine Celebrations

We do Valentine's Day simple around here.  We do the traditional Valentine cards for classmates, we do a very simple gift for the kids, and a family dinner to celebrate.  Although we celebrate it in a simple way, the kids love it!

Barrett had his Valentine card exchange the day before Valentine's day since he wasn't in class on the actual day of the holiday.  Daddy got to swing by to visit the little guy.

 Blake's class had the full out Valentine party.  Complete with card exchange and lots of sugar!

 It was a fun day to show our love to those around us!

Love

I love these two!  I can't wait to see how their relationship grows over the years!

Phone Dump

Two at 4

For the month of February, we have two 4 year olds.  It is always fun to when people ask how old our kids are during this month.  We get to reply 8, 4, and 4.  And yes, we have been asked if they are twins:)

Dressed in their red and pink February best!

 I have to admit, it is easier to have two 4 year olds, than it was during the month when we had two 2 year olds!

A look back at our two 2 year olds.  My how they have grown!  And what makes my heart swell is to know how much their friendship has grown too!

These two 4 year olds are the best of friends!

Happy Valentine's Day

Baking for Missions

Blake's Boys Mission Organization class at church is having a bake sale to raise money for missions.  So, that meant Mama needed to spend some time in the kitchen preparing goods to contribute to the sale.  Luckily a certain little girl drug her stool to the kitchen and asked if she could help.

How could I say no to this cute little cook?

I think this is her true motivation for wanting to help...

 She likes to lick the bowl when we are done mixing.  Can't say that I blame her!

I love seeing her little hands on my grandma's old mixing bowls.

 After an afternoon in the kitchen, 

 We had pans of delicious goods!

Lemon Cool Whip Cookies

 Chocolate Cool Whip Cookies

 Chocolate Chip Bars and Ooey-Gooey Cake

The BMO motto is taken from 2 Corinthians 5:20: "We are ambassadors for Christ".

End of the Season

Basketball season is officially over now.  Blake played his last game of the season last weekend.

 The boys made big improvements in their game this year.  Blake's biggest area of improvement was his defense.

They got medals to mark the end of the season.  He and his best friend Jaxson posing with them.

So long basketball... hello baseball!

Celebrating Blake

We went out the night before Blake's birthday for our small family celebration.  He chose a little diner/ice cream parlor for his special birthday dinner.  The five of us had a fun evening celebrating this boy over hot dogs and ice cream!

The morning of his birthday he woke up to find his 8 birthday balloons on his bed.

We sang to him over breakfast as he blew out the candle in his pumpkin spice waffles.

He opened his present from us and was thrilled with it!

After church and baseball practice, Blake and his friend Jaxson, along with the daddies went out for video games and pizza to celebrate Blake's big day.

 The perfect 8th birthday!

8 Year Pics

Blake has grown so much the past year.  He has grown about 3 inches and gained 6 pounds.

 We can't keep up with him!  He eats us out of the house and it seems like everyday he is growing out of a pair of pants.

 His permanent two front teeth have grown in, which has made him look older, along with his hair growing out (his request).

I can still see my baby when I look into those big, brown eyes though.

Blake Ian - 8 years old