Zoo Day with Friends

We met our friends Laura, Maddox and Kennon at the zoo for a little fun!

Nolan

Kennon, Nyle, Maddox and Nolan

Maddox, Nyle and Nolan

Nolan and Kennon going for a wild ride

Spring Soccer 2014

Nash and Nolan chose to play outdoor soccer this year.  It was all fun and games until Nolan found out he wasn't on Nash's team.  He struggled to even participate until the last couple of games which really surprised us.  Jason volunteered to coach both teams so it was a busy few weeks.  Go Ireland and Scotland!

Nolan Jace

Coach Jason

Nash Charles

MVPs

Coach Jason and his little helper

A little fun after the game

Nyle

Nash

Nolan

Daddy's Birthday Weekend

We planned to take Nash and Nolan to Winter Jam in Des Moines this year.  We got a couple of rooms at a water park hotel and Nana and Papa met us there.  We arrived at the concert Friday night just in time to learn they had sold out.  We were pretty disappointed.  Jason was really excited to see Lecrae but we will have to make it happen another time.   Good thing we had the water park to fall back on! And Grama Jo joined us for a night too.  It was still a really fun weekend.  Happy birthday Jason!

Nolan

Nash

Nyle and me

Nyle

Nash, Daddy, and Nolan

Lynn and Al met up with us for some lunch  :0)

Happy Birthday!

A Breath of Fresh Air

I realize I was a big whiner in my last post about winter.  But in my defense, it was brutal.  So we are taking advantage of the somewhat warmer temps and pretending spring is on the way.

Nolan

Nash

Nyle

Longest. Winter. Ever.

This winter has seriously about sent many people over the edge, including myself.  There were records set for snowfall in February, I think, but it was the outrageously cold temperatures for way too many days that I hope never return.  The kids missed several school days due to temperatures that would freeze your skin in seconds.  I don't remember having snow days when it was too cold to get out of the house.  It was so cold that when they did have school, they couldn't play outside.  Poor teachers need a bonus this year.  I'm not a big fan of winter anyway, but this was the mother of all winters.  If it lasted two weeks, I would be a happy girl!  Two days ago it was the first day of spring.  There are still patches of snow here and there.  It reached 60 degrees briefly yesterday and it felt glorious.  But tomorrow the high is supposed to be 34 degrees.  People, that's two degrees above freezing.  When spring does finally come, I will be tempted to pitch a tent and not come back inside until next fall.  I did make it out of the house to play with the kids at least once.  Maybe twice.  Jason took them sledding a few times when the temperature crept above zero.  I am so thankful my born-and-raised-in-California hubby likes the snow more than I do.  Phew!  Here are some pics to remind us that we actually did have a little fun this winter.

Nyle

Nolan

Nash and Nolan

Jason

Nyle

Jason trying to bury our children in the snow

Nyle and Nash

Happy 6th Birthday Nash!

Nash celebrated his birthday in true LEGO style this year.  He took his brother and a couple of friends to the LEGO movie the week before his birthday.  It got rave reviews from each of them.  We had a family party the day before his birthday and he chose a Lego Chima theme.  I made a gluten free Chima cookie which turned out to be absolutely delicious if I do say so myself.  He chose tacos for dinner and had a couple of neighbor buddies join us for dessert.

Yes!  The Gorilla Striker!

Nana reading to the littles

Claire and Nyle riding in Style

He finally got his bow!

YUM!

Nash and his buddies waiting for some cookie

Happy birthday Dear Nash, Happy birthday to you!

Nash,
This has been such a fun year for you.  You started kindergarten and you are doing so well.  Daddy and I are so proud of you.  You love legos, movies, the Wii, reading, PE, playing transformers, and Heartshot Ministry.  You are excited about spring soccer and summer tee ball coming up.  You are very social and love spending time with your family and friends.  You have a habit of chewing on the sleeves or neck of your shirts.  (see cookie photo above) We have been trying to break you of this habit but so far, you win.  I know it's just a phase.  But for now, you have very few shirts without stretched out, holy sleeves.  :0)
You are such a bright, sweet boy.  You love learning now things.  Your favorite book right now is "Dinosaur Record Breakers:  Biggest, Fastest, Deadliest."
Daddy taught you a new prayer and you are saying it before meals now:
"Hey God,
Open my eyes, open my ears, open my heart, so I can do your will.  Amen."
It's really hard to believe it's been six years since you surprised us with your early entry into this world.  Daddy and I watched Juno in the theater on February 22.  Not long after going to bed, my water broke and the next afternoon you were born.  You changed our lives forever and we are so happy that God gave us you.  Happy 6th birthday Nash Charles!

Happy New Year!

Fun and games at the Cottons' house this year.  Theme:  Cowboys and Indians

Whitney and I before she heads off to a fancy gathering

Me and my cowboy

The whole gang

3..2..1..Happy New Year!

Goodbye 2013...Looking forward to good things to come in 2014!!!