Life

I have had friends tell me before that they have had trouble with blogger not working. For the most part, blogger has always worked pretty well for me. A glitch here and there, but nothing that I couldn't figure out or wait out. Well, the past couple weeks I haven't been able to upload. I couldn't figure out what was going on. I would hit "post" and it wouldn't. I know you all have been waiting, but this past absence was not me being a slacker. It was in fact something technical that I couldn't figure out. Here is hoping it is fixed. This is a sunset that I saw a few days ago. I am not usually up this early. Early enough to see the sun come up over the horizon. This is the street that I live on as it comes into our neighborhood. Every now and then something happens that makes us appreciate what is always there, just a little more. This was one of those days.

Blanco State Park

We went to Blanco State Park today for one of Spring Break Fun Days. We had never been there and the older boys have "always" wanted to go. Thankfully our friends the Candlands went with us - or I may have gone bonkers. Now that the day is over, it was a great day, but I thought I was going to go crazy keeping track of the littlest one while the others played in the river.


Cutie pie Seph

Dunns and Candlands wading in the stream that leads into the river.

Noble helping Joseph feel part of the group and action too. I had taken a swim suit for Joseph, but the overalls turned out to be nice "handles" to hold on to him when we needed too. He had no fear or awareness that the river moved or that it could be deep.

A really cool tree that they were all excited about.

Joseph's life

I can't remember when this was... or what it was... I think it was a, no really I don't know. Chocolate in the carseat, whose great idea was that? Oh wait, that would be me.

He doesn't look super happy here, but he is a normal person, doesn't feel happy all the time. His shirt says "Off to Grandma's" and has a T-rex on a trike.

Joseph loves hats. Not has much as Noble loved hats at this age, but he does love them. Especially if Daddy has one on, then Joseph really wants his own hat.

Sleep Baby Sleep Baby Sleep...

In the highchair

Behind Momma on the couch

In the highchair again.

Seriously, I promise we let him sleep!

Hewy's First Date

This handsome boy put on church clothes and asked if he could have a certain someone over for a date. This date was clearly not a "playdate" in his mind.

This super cute girl said yes to the invitation, or rather her Mom did, and she put on a darling dress and came over.

Hewy was very specific about what had to happen, the desk, tablecloth, candles, even the center piece were all his idea. He was clear on the food he wanted to serve, that he wanted to pull out her chair and light the candles. And there had to be flowers! I don't know whether he was the cutest or if his two older brothers and her older brother, that happened to be over playing, were cutest as they totally got into helping Hewy set and prepare for this date!

A sampling of the food. Finger Sandwiches with Jam or Nutella, sliced apples and Twix Candy bars.

Asleep

Noble fell asleep on the couch. He has a virus or something and his asthma has been out of control. He is having a tough time right now so I let him sleep. I thought his glasses looked funny.

Cutie Kid

Joseph looking all charming in his PJ's and morning face and hair. Why can't I pull off the morning look and still come off as charming? :)

Even when he is serious he is stinking cute.

"What? I'm not stinky?" :)

"Oh you said, 'stinking cute' didn't you!"

Bridges and Engineering

It was out turn to host Co-op this week and we did Bridges and Engineering. First we learned about why we need bridges, what makes a good bridge, the three types of bridges and what makes some bridges fail. Then we looked at some of the most famous bridges in the world on the internet. Then we built bridges or structures using a variety of textiles including Q-tips and rubber cement (they crate a flexible joint). We let the boys test them out to see how strong they were.

This is a great group of kids. I love how they all participated and enjoyed being together.

Sleep Baby Sleep

Joseph fell asleep on his Dad's feet and legs. He was "riding" his Dad's feet like a horsey and laid his head down and went to sleep.

This was the day of the cookie party. He had not gone down for a nap all day and finally gave up on the floor between Grandpa's legs.

Annual Valentines Cookie Party

This annual event has come to mean so much to our family. We look forward to it and get all tingly anxious with excitement in anticipation leading up to it. Noble helped hang the decorations this year. He may be a 1/2 shorter than me but he has good 3-4 inches on me in reach. Standing on a step stool he can easily reach the ceiling, I on the hand am an inch or so short.



Our number continue to grow - and I think some people may avoid coming now that it is so large, but the big numbers seem to work out just fine. This year we had 20 adults, including Grandparents and the Missionaries, and 48 kiddos. It was awesome! Here is a sampling of some of our favorite people. (Just know I couldn't put 68 pictures on here! You are all our favorites!)

Everyone seemed to have a really good time. We are blessed to live in South Texas where although the weather can be "if-y" in February, most likely we will have sunshine. The warm day allowed the kids to play outside as they finished with the cookies. As I stood by the windows talking to a Mom-friend I realized maybe we just need to have a mega-play-date. I don't recall seeing 40+ kids play so freely and without dispute for two hours straights before. It helps that we have a "fun" backyard. It might not be pretty to look at, but kids think it is awesome.

Another new occurrence was that the older, shall we say "cooler" kids, participated in cookie decorating long enough to get some sugar in their bodies and then separated themselves from the group by "playing" in the front yard. They kicked and threw balls and sat out on the fence of the drainage ditch watching traffic go by and I assume talking. Can I really be old enough to have a kid, and a kid with friends, that hang out like... teenagers?

And this is what it's all about. Imperfect yet perfectly decorated cookies. This party has always been hosted with the purpose for kids, all about kids. And watching this sweet little girl pile on the sprinkles made my heart sing.

Snow and Ice in San Antonio

The boys enjoyed a snow day. Even being homeschooled when they heard that all public schools were canceled they insisted they get a snow day too. They enjoyed the novelty of the snow but it was a little too cold for their Texas blood! They spent most of the day inside.

Noble Belt Graduation

Noble breaks his board first kick to earn his Purple Belt.
Noble had a big week first week as a 12 year old.
Turned 12, was ordained with the Aaronic Priesthood, attended the temple, tested and earned his purple belt, had his first 5th Sunday meeting, fist standard's night. I think he was warn out!

Liam Belt Graduation

Orange to Purple Belt
Broke his board using a stepping in side kick.

Hewy Belt Graduation

from Orange to Purple

Hewy took his broken board to Noble and Liam's graduation because there was not time after his graduation to have his board signed. What great role models this little boy has in his life.