A date with my oldest son...

Even though it was a field trip with his class, I really enjoyed my time with Andrew! We went to see "A Little House Christmas" at the Main Street Theatre in Houston. Our family loves to watch "Little House on the Prairie" on DVD, so it made watching the play even better! The girl who played Nellie looked just like my good friend, Vickie, from high school. Every detail from her cute skinny stature, long curly black hair, thin face, and huge sweet smile! I just wanted run on stage and give her a big hug!

I treasure the moments I have with my kids at school, because some day they might not want me around as much! :)

Colton's 3rd birthday party was a blast...

We had a Carnival Party for Colton's birthday! Lots of friends came to help us celebrate! We had a duck pond, ring toss, pin the nose on the clown, sucker tree, coin toss, Tic-tac-toe, bowling, face painting (thanks Candi, awesome job!) and a pinata! What a blast the big kids had "running" the game booths. The little ones had a ball going from one game to another and back again and again and again. They decorated bags with carnival stickers to hold all their loot. I think the adults had the most fun getting their picture taken as a trapeze girl and a strong man! The pinata was a hit with the big boys, Andrew and Alex, breaking it open and lots of candy for all. The kids put on clown hats and noses for a picture too! So funny! Lunch was hot dogs, nachos, popcorn from a real popcorn machine, (thanks Swiggards... missed you so much!) animal crackers, cake, and ice cream! Everyone got to take home a some cotton candy too! Colton was such a big boy being newly potty trained and walking around playing games, talking like a grown up with all his friends, and acting like he owned the joint! :) He blew out the candle before the song was finished and shouted out, "I made a wish!" So cute! I think everyone had a great time! Happy birthday, Colton! We love you!

Colton's Carnival Party!

How can it be... Colton is 3!!!

On Colton's birthday he and I went to see Disney On Ice with his good friend, Grace, and her Mommy, Daddy, and baby sister, Hope! Mrs. Shawna treated them to cool character cookies and we had fun seeing Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, The Incredibles, etc... Colton liked telling me all of the characters names. Too bad the show was really dark and lots of scary parts. Colton kept crying for his blanket and pacie. It is so hard to grow up... After the show we ate lunch at Pappasitos where he liked cleaning up baby Hope's mess on the floor with a huge red napkin. Maybe a Janitor in the future? :) Then all the waiters and waitresses came to sing to him since Mrs. Shawna brought a birthday cake. They put a HUGE sombrero on his head and he just stared at them the whole song and made no expression. It was hysterical! After the birthday song he said, "Now can I take this off?"

What a fun way to celebrate Colton's special day! "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Andrew's 9th Baptismal Birthday!

Where does the time go? I can't believe it has been 9 years since we had him baptized at our wonderful Alive in Christ Lutheran Church in Columbia, MO! This year we read from Ephesians 6:11 "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." He got a cool leather bracelet that says STAND with that reference, Redemption trading cards, and a vest to hold all of his Cub Scout patches on.

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

Karate Champs!

Andrew and Braden are enjoying taking Karate this year! They had their 1st championship where they got to use all the skills they have been learning. What an experience for all of us! They did so great and were so focused and tried their best! Each of them had a tie with their opponent at the 2nd point and Braden got a point to get 1st place and Andrew just missed his point earning him 2nd place. It was a great learning experience and we are very proud of both our Karate Champs!

The Three Musketeers!

All for one... and one for all! Andrew, Braden, and Colton were The Three Musketeers this year! Nana did a fantastic job making their costumes! They looked so great! Of course they loved the swords! :)

We had a great time at the Swiggard's Annual Halloween Party! A huge hit was the hayride around the neighborhood where we would stop to trick-or-treat and then get back on for more fun! As always there was yummy food and fun fellowship. Mr. Scott did a Haunted House in his garage. Most of the kids liked it and by the time the evening was over they were inside scaring the neighborhood kids. Tom and I had fun singing along to the Veggie Tales movie, "Where's God When I'm Scared?" I think Gramby enjoyed watching all the kids playing and running alongside the hayride while all the kids chanted, "Go Gramby Go!"

"When I am afraid, I will trust in you." Psalm 56:3