Spring Soccer

 We signed Joseph up for spring soccer this year and he just finished a season of fall soccer.  We signed him up to give him an outlet for his undending energy supply and opportunities to hang out with other boys.  He's really enjoyed himself.  His favorite position is goalie and he tied with another little boy for fastest runner on the team.

In a couple of weeks he'll start basketball and Brent signed up to coach.  Joseph is ecstatic!

Rachel's Birthday

We celebrated Rachel's 3rd birthday with a family party.  Grandma, Papa and Great Gran were able to join us.

Rachel asked for a booster seat for her birthday.  She was tired of riding in a car seat and wanted a booster seat like the older children.

She loved the butterfly birthday cake Grandma and Papa picked out.

Nana and Grandpa sent this little dress for Rachel's birthday.  She obviously thinks she's rockin' it because her pose says, "Adore me !"

Happy 1st Birthday Natalie!

Natalie celebrated her 1st birthday on November 2, 2015.  She loved having us sing to her, she kept laughing and the kids were singing "Happy Birthday" over and over again. She obviously enjoyed the cupcake.  I don't remember what we had for birthday dinner but it probably didn't matter since Natalie eats most everything.  She doesn't care for pico de gallo, only regular salsa.  Everything else is tasty in her book.

Natalie continues to be a happy baby.  She loves to swing, jump on the trampoline, watch "Sofia the First" with Rachel, color and play outside in the dirt.  She and Rachel are spending more and more time together and becoming good friends.  The kids get so tickled with all the new words and phrases she uses.  She says most everyone's name, is a little spoiled (it's the kids' fault, not mine), is particular and opinionated, and is a great dancer!  She's been a fun addition to our family, just like everyone else.

Happy Birthday Natalie!

Father Daughter Camp Out 2015

Each year in October Brent and the girls attend the annual father/daughter camp out with PopPop (Brent's Dad) at Camp Hulaco in North Alabama.

Sarah Kathryn got to attend this year since she's potty trained.  All the girls had a great time.  They stopped at Chik-fil-A for dinner rather than cooking tin foil dinners this year and they got rained out so they spent the night at Grammy and PopPop's and drove back to camp

 early Saturday morning in time for a big breakfast of pancakes, sausage, bacon, grits and eggs. They spent the day hiking, kayaking, tackling the ropes course, riding the zip line, repelling, and jumping off the Leap of Faith.

The girls love hiking to this waterfall each year.

That is the Leap of Faith in the background, a 30 foot pedestal to jump off, and that is Sarah Kathryn repelling off the tower.

True story: Sarah Kathryn wanted to attempt jumping off the Leap of Faith. The ropes course workers harnessed her and strapped on her helmet.  As soon as they checked her gear Sarah Kathryn ran and jumped right off the end of the platform.  She wasn't scared for a moment.  Brent said the whole camp was buzzing about the fearless three year old who jumped off the Leap of Faith at a run. I would have loved to have been there...but if I had been there I might not have let her go.

Sarah Kathryn and PopPop on the ropes course.

Brent's New Office

 Brent's opening his law office on March 14.  His parents gave him this office furniture as a graduation present.  Dad and Melissa have been kind enough to let us store it at their office.  Friends from church and the missionaries helped us move it to Brent's new office in Wetumpka.  The kids wanted to see Brent's new office and help with the move, so I brought them over and we let them pitch in.  Brent's mom came a few weeks later and helped Brent clean the office. We are all so excited for Brent to take this new opportunity.

Even Rachel and Natalie helped out.  Funny girls!

Fun Things

When the children and I were riding down Main Street in Millbrook to go visit Bro. and Sis. Allen, we were so surprised to see peacocks crossing the street. 

On our way home we managed to find them again and take more pictures.

I couldn't believe Natalie could balance on the teeter totter.  She was having so much fun with Joseph.  As usual, Rachel is not wearing pants.  Most of the time she's only wearing panties.

 Joseph and Emily's first day reading "Green Eggs and Ham".  This is the same copy I read growing up.  We are very proud of their hard work in school and desire for learning.

Haley drew this.  The picture doesn't do it justice.  She's been watching art tutorials on YouTube and her art has gone to the next level.

Brent doesn't like this picture for obvious reasons.  Haley is definitely looking more like a teenager and not at all like his little girl.  (This makeup is for fun.  She doesn't wear it outside the house.)

Brent took the children shopping for bicycles.  Now that the weather is nice, it's time for us to start taking our daily bike rides again.  Of course, everyone needs a new a bicycle and helmet at the same time.  We are accepting donations.

 The kids watched "Barbie Spy Squad".  Haley got creative with some yarn and ticky tack and created their own laser booby trap.  It looked like so much fun, I wanted to try it.

Sarah Kathryn the Brave

On January 20 Sarah Kathryn had her tonsils taken out at Jackson Hospital.  Dr. Owens was her ENT. 

Sarah Kathryn was a real trooper and was even excited to get to the hospital and let the nurses take her vitals.  It was all a big adventure.  She was inconsolable as the anesthesia wore off.  She kept jumping off the hospital bed and trying to leave the room.  I asked her where she was going and she said, "I'm leaving".  It took a while for her to get used to being tethered to the iv pole.  Once the pain medicine kicked in she calmed down a lot.  She just wanted to sit in my lap while she slept, so we sat in a dark recovery room and I sang her favorite songs until she fell asleep.  By the time they moved us to a real hospital room, Sarah Kathryn was practically bouncing off the walls.  She was so tired, but the pain medicine made her hyper and jittery.  She would get up, grab her iv pole and bounce around the room trying out the chairs and tidying up messes.

It's not very often that I get to spend a lot of time with just one of the children. Being with Sarah Kathryn for two days was a great opportunity to get to know her better.  I never realized how particular she is and how loving.  The hospital provided lots of treats, puzzles and coloring supplies.  Grandma and Papa brought her gummy bears and a new toy.  Sarah Kathryn would get out of bed to make sure everything was clean and arranged the way she liked it.  It reminded me of Bubo. I mentioned it to my dad and he said from Sarah Kathryn's point of view she got all the ice cream and juice she can eat, more space to herself than she's ever had in her life, she doesn't have to share her mom, has her own flat screen tv and people keep bringing her surprises...she must have really enjoyed it.  When Dr. Owens asked her the next day if she was ready to go home she said "no".  At night, Sarah Kathryn couldn't settle down to sleep so I scratched her back and sang to her.  She insisted I sleep in the hospital bed with her. Techs and nurses kept waking her up for medicine and vitals.  I'd have to put her back to sleep.  At one point I thought Sarah Kathryn was sleeping but I was tossing and turning.  Sarah Kathryn rolled over and scratched my back.  I'm so glad I got to spend that time with her and learn new things about her.  It's nice to be able to spoil the kids from time to time...not having to worry about chores and responsibilities.  For a couple of days I was available for all the comforting, caring and play time she wanted and needed. It may not have been an ideal situation or location but I'll always treasure that time with Sarah Kathryn and the opportunity to recognize the need for more one-on-one time with all the children on a regular basis.  My kids are amazing!