Weston's first game

This little guy has grown leaps and bounds since last year, and what a little baller he is!  He LOVES to go to practice and is pumped for game day ALL day.  Defense just might be his specialty, but he doesn't hesitate to shoot either.  We are so proud of you and how hard you work Weston!

 Oh yeah, he LOVES his socks!

Game Day!

Let me start this post by saying... I can hardly believe how big Wayne looks in these pictures!  He has grown up so much these past few months - both in maturity and HEIGHT!  He is such a sweet boy - a word I use to describe him right now is DILIGENT.  

Diligent - having or showing care and conscientiousness in one's work or duties.

That describes Wayne completely!  I thought he was young to have contacts and was so glad that our eye doctor let him get them.  When he asked Wayne why he wanted them, Wayne told him, "Well, I am very responsible and do all my chores.  And I don't like to wear my glasses for sports but I can't see without them on so I don't have any other ideas of how to fix that besides getting contacts.  Do you?"  Poor doctor took him seriously and after asking me how I thought he would do with them and hearing me tell him "Well, the kid gets up himself, gets dressed, puts his lunch together and packs his backpack, and then does the dishes and makes his bed... ALL before I even come downstairs in the morning" said Wayne could give them a try!  

His approach to basketball is the same... he does his homework for school each night, and then does his ball handling drills.  Not because he has to, but because he wants to.  He tries so hard out there to listen to his dad/coach and to be a good teammate to his friends.  He is working hard at getting his footwork right and practicing his lay-up and his form.  

Tyler is having fun coaching - he just wants each kid to listen and learn and do the very best that they can.  So excited for another year of basketball! (even though it means we are at the gym up to 6 nights a week!)  

The Great Tree Hunt

Despite 4 of the 6 of us getting hit with a virus the day after Thanksgiving, by Sunday we weren't going to let no stinkin' fever keep us from getting our tree.  We ventured out for no more than an hour to head to the tree farm, get some fresh air, and find our tree!  The boys have loved coming to the Noon Road Tree Farm the last few years, and Addison loved it this year too.  We picked a Nordeman tree again which is good for allergies and doesn't lose a lot of needles.  And we picked a BIG one!  Wayne helped cut it down again this year too.  When we got home everyone was TIRED and settled in for a quiet afternoon while I went and made a wreath at Mom's, and then when I got back Tyler and Wayne (the only non-feverish ones) left for a family gathering at his mom's.  When they got back we all put lights on the tree and decorated it, and then it was time to put them all to bed EARLY.  Tyler and I enjoyed a quiet night with the sparkling lights of the tree and a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie!  

Happy Thanksgiving! 2013

We had such a nice time for Thanksgiving this year.  It was one holiday we didn't have the flu (yet - everyone got sick the next day and NO it was not food poisoning.)  The food was sooo good and Dad's smoked turkey on the rotisserie is hands down the best meat I've ever eaten.  Words can't describe.  

 The kids played and played and crafted and crafted and did lots of activities.  We kept them busy so they weren't wild!  So thankful for family, close relationships, cousins, friends and "living the dream."  It's nice just to take a day out of our busy life and just relax and enjoy each other.  And since I wasn't doing Black Friday shopping I had plenty of time to relax and visit.  Thanks for having us Mom!

 Trev was sad the party wasn't going to be a sleepover.  :-(

Splish Splash - she's taking a bath!

I don't know what I was thinking.  That she was still a baby, that she didn't know how to sit by herself, or ... that I just didn't notice that our newborn was becoming a toddler!?!  But I finally did clue in to the fact that she probably didn't need to sit in her bath seat now that she 16 months old.  The girl was LOVING that she had all this new found freedom to move around in the bath tub.  She's a fish just like her brothers!

Sister, Sister

Addison has grown up the past 6 weeks or so.  She's crazy busy, walking, and crazy, and busy!  :-)  The boys can't get enough of her.  She says mom, dad, doctor doctor, uh-oh, thank you, and grandma.  Such a talker.  She loves to eat, and her favorite toys are balls and cars and horses.  Can't wait to celebrate Christmas with the little sweetie!

Let's go to Vegas!

The first week of November Tyler and I headed to Las Vegas for a few days.  I had a conference at Caesar's Palace for work, and he came along to bring me Starbucks at every break!  :-)  Hahaha.  Saturday we got in about 3 and were able to walk around, shop, and have a nice dinner.  Sunday I was in class in the morning and then we really did some shopping on "the strip."  It was nice to get a few things the kids needed, and walk hand in hand with Tyler.  And have a real conversation without interruption!  It took us a few days to get used to talking to each other, and by the time we did it was time for him to fly out.  :-(  Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.  I enjoyed being able to focus on the practice group that I lead at work, and learn about all the new technology and possibilities.  But I missed our kiddos terribly.  I really do love being their mom and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world, not even for a day!  I am so grateful to the group of family who watched them all over the 5 days that I was gone - Tanya and Jason had all 4 for 2 nights and 2 days, and then the four split up between my parents, Tara, Breanne, and my dear friend Traci for the remaining 3 nights and 3 days.  The kids had a blast and no one was ready to give them up, so they must have been good too.  So thankful for the time away, the much needed sleep and bonding with Tyler.  He's still a pretty fun guy to hang around with!