I really do want to keep this blog up to date. And I refuse to let a whole year go by without ANY update! Not only do I like journaling and reflecting on what we do and have done as a family, but the boys do too! They LOVE looking through the "blog books" I've printed off each year. Unfortunately 2011 and 2012 will be "small" books....maybe because I joined the Facebook bandwagon, maybe because my "volunteer job" takes up my blogging time, maybe it's just that in a life with three boys, time is now sacred. So maybe I can combine the 2011-2013 books and still print out something...
So, before I forget any more cute stories that go with the pictures, here is a VERY quick update since my last blog post Oct. 22, 2011 (I'll go until March or so now, and do another post tomorrow!):
In October of 2011, we went to an AWESOME Lego art exhibit with kids art activities at Washburn University in Topeka. The pic below is not the one I thought I was uploading, but it still reminds me of the day!
Supported the Royals -- once a year is kind of our support level right now. We cheer REALLY loud though. :) We actually got free tickets this year b/c H had perfect attendance in Kindergarten.
Last Labor Day we went camping on the hottest weekend of the year with our friends the Bergs. The first night was one of those unbearably hot nights with no air movement. We also woke up in the middle of the night to about 100 mosquitoes in our tent, so Mike and I strapped on the headlights and went to killing. It really made us question why we like to camp. We swam the next morning, the kids rode bikes (Henry WIPED out--into a ravine, but came out relatively unscathed--just scared), and then the heat broke and it rained. MUCH more enjoyable after that!!
We celebrated A's 4th birthday! Spiderman all the way. We ask the kids questions every yr. about what they like, what they want to be when they grow up, favorite tv show, what they like to play, etc. I think every answer was "Spiderman" last yr. I love the pic of him blowing the candles...he looks like he's trying soooo hard!
Favorite annual pumpkin patch (this time with our friends the Youngs):
Celebrated Halloween with a Mario Bros. theme. Kyle was Yoshi, H=Mario, A=Luigi, Mike=Bowser, me=Princess Peach. :)
Henry had a Cars 2 birthday party. For H's 5th b-day, the kids had all watched Toy Story 3 so well and it was such an EASY party, so we thought we would go with another movie party (it's nice that the summer hit movies come out on DVD right before his b-day--so even if the kids had seen it in the theaters, it had probably been 3-4 months since they saw it). Since H was in Kindergarten, we had a mix of friends, from school, preschool, the neighborhood, and a family friend...(Jackson, Tyler, Alexander, Joey, Seth, and Brady)... (We do the if you turn 6 you get 6 friends at your party rule...which both Mike & I grew up with...)
Henry starred in his first elementary school performance. He chose the pilgrim costume, even though almost all of the other Kindergarteners chose to be Indians. We LOVE his elementary school and we love the families from his Kindergarten class. People kept telling us that we would feel more "connected" once the boys entered school, and it really did happen!
We celebrated Thanksgiving in Midland, TX at Mike's Uncle Karl & Aunt Tracy's house. We always have a blast...and with the growing families, Uncle Karl had to install a new transformer on his property to support the 4 RV/campers that we stayed in. This Thanksgiving, I was able to experience my first Midland dust storm (which actually broke our RV door), and turned the sky red for the day. Other firsts included a trip to a REAL Midland Country Western dance hall/bar (you can two step to EVERY song...) and baby E's baptism. There were like 40 people/relatives at Karl's place for almost every meal--we were so appreciative of our hosts as always!!
In December I performed in the Christmas show at our church playing bells (for the 2nd time). Dec. 2010 we dressed as soldiers and played...this time we were Santas (no one could tell who anyone was if you messed up)! :) I still have a HUGE appreciation for people who have ever been in a marching band!
We prepared for Christmas with a fun Lego Star Wars Advent calendar. :) This picture was taken soon after they received it (I think). You can also see the stockings in the background that I finished and hung this year!
Christmas was spent in St. Louis with my parents and sister Jan's family (who comes in from Pittsburgh, PA). The boys went ice skating for the first time. Henry really got the hang of it--and wasn't afraid of falling. Andrew needed a little support. Their cousins and aunt helped me out a LOT though to keep them both upright! :)
We also went to the City Museum in St. Louis (one of my very favorite places to go). I stayed with Andrew on this "solid" tower, while Mike, H, AND K (who wasn't even TWO!), climbed through the tunnel and over the airplanes...
We had a VERY mild winter...here are the boys (and a friend) "racing" down our culdesac. I love how K has a lawn mower. :)
In Feb., K celebrated his 2nd b-day with his friend John (& John's family). :) He had a "farm in space" party, which is why you may see a cow and pig on the spaceship cake.
On Valentine's day we hid clues throughout the house leading the boys to this bunk bed that I had put together SECRETLY during nap time for 2-3 weeks in our "guest bedroom." The boys were surprised and excited...although A doesn't like sleeping on the bottom bunk... Since Feb., we have moved K's toddler bed in this room too...b/c he wants to sleep with the big boys too. So we call it the bunk room.
I think we only got snow twice last winter, both very "little dustings"...still enough to make this leafy snowman.
Our Spiderman fans got to see Spiderman at Chick-Fil-A...
This too is not the pic I had selected for the St. Patty's Day parade we attended with Mike's mom, but this picture gives you a pretty good idea of my view of the parade from the back of our van. :) We had fun in the rain and received lots of candy.
In March we went camping in "treehouse" cabins, and REALLY had a nice time camping. We had wonderful weather and did some "mountain biking" (one had training wheels...:)), marshmallow roasting and hiking. We also did a little tour of Jesse James boyhood home (which really portrays him as a "rebel" that fought by stealing "money" not "killing."
Sporting KC is our favorite MLS soccer team. :) We have attended a couple of games this year. We LOVE the stadium, as it is well designed and they have some special touches...(I like that they bring a military spouse or family who has a deployed family member out during the National Anthem. They also recognize a cancer survivor each game who sits in a "golden" chair...) We have had the opportunity to attend two Sporting KC "chalk talks" before games--where a coach tells you what they have been practicing for this game and why...SOOOO interesting!
Well, I have Easter and a big summer to talk about tomorrow, so I'm going to get some sleep! :) Hasta manana!
