Sophia's Rollerskating Party....

Sophia wanted to invite a bunch of friends to her party this year and I didn't really want to have it at the house. So, we decided the roller skating rink was a perfect place!!! 15 girls on a Tuesday afternoon. 2 hours of skating, food and fun!!! Everyone had a great time, no injuries and lots of fun!!!

 

I went a little overboard on the favors (making use of all my machines!!). Monogrammed running shorts in personalized cups for each girl. :)

Catching Up....

Life is moving pretty fast right now. Two in basketball, two in soccer and one starting softball. We're spending a lot of time on the fields and in practices!!! All 3 are loving their sports. Joshua really really loves soccer. He was so excited to score one (maybe two) goals in the first game last Saturday.

 

The Olympics were so much fun to watch. Every night we sat down as a family and watched them. Which sparked Joshua to snowboard like Shaun White. He was so funny doing his "tricks."

 I love quiet mornings on school days!!! I love getting up at 6:00 and having quiet until 6:30 when everyone else has to get up. Little party crasher got up early with me today...but he was so sweet reading with his blankies.

Happy 8th Birthday!!!

8 yrs ago we welcomed this beauty into our family! I will never forget the dr saying "It's a girl!!!" Such a surprise and such a happy moment.

 

Sophia--You have brought so much joy to our family. It is amazing to watch you grow up! You are so thoughtful, loving and helpful. I can't wait to see what this year has in store for you.

 

And there are more party celebrations to come!!!

Class Pictures...

Once again our kids have some wonderful teachers. Northwood is such a good little school!!

 

Jake has Mrs. Taylor. She was a friend first (went on our beach trip a couple years ago) and she is SO good with Jake.

 Joshua has Mrs. Schlough. Sadly...he was sick on picture day. :( But I will try to get a group picture at some point before the year is over. Sophia had Mrs. Schlough too and she is a wonderful Kinder teacher!!! So loving and patient!!!

And Sophia has Mrs. Miller. This is her first year moving up to 2nd gr. She has been in Kinder for several years.

Celebrating with Cousins....

What's better than Chuck E Cheese with cousins??? A super fun way to spend a Friday night. I'm so glad that Mary and Brad had Grant's 7th birthday here in SA so we could come help celebrate. The kids had a blast.

Rockin the air guitar with Chuck E.

Could these 4 be any cuter??? Joshua didn't want to get too close to Chuck E. :(

 

 

I love (1000 times over) how the kids enjoy being with each other and playing. I love watching how the alliances grow and change. Sophia and Grant have always been a two-some. Lately there has been a little more arguing between them. Now Joshua and Lucy play together a lot. They were holding hands tonight. Melt my heart.

 

And all of this makes Mary and Brad's impending move that much harder. I'm so happy that Brad has found a church he is truly called to be at...and I know that great adventure awaits in Virginia. But, words can't express how much I will miss them. They are such a part of our lives and especially time at the ranch. It will be an adjustment for all of us. And even though we don't seem them super often, we do see them once every 6-8 weeks though. If we need to...we can be together in 4 hrs or less. Moving to Virginia will make the visits few and far between. Thank goodness for Skype and Facetime.

 

When I got my vinyl machine, I had big plans for making some signs. But, this is the first one I have actually taken the time to make. I found the perfect wood (reclaimed from the piano teacher's fence!!)and used a couple different painting/vinyl layering steps to make this sign for Mary and Brad. I love it. And I hope they do too. I hope it hangs in the new house to remind them that family in Texas loves and missed them dearly.