Merry Christmas! 2011

Merry Christmas! From our house to yours. We pray that your homes are filled with love and laughter and celebrating Jesus' birthday.

I know I have been lacking in the blogging department. I have lots of blogs "written" in my head that just have not made it to my blog. We have had lots of life changes around here with school starting and I have been reinventing my roll as a mom and finding out ways to be "proactive" rather than the last 5 1/2 years of being "reactive". I hope to blog more in 2012!

First Day of Kindergarten!

I can't believe this day has come. I think I had more butterflies than they did!

I can't believe they will be meeting a whole new batch of friends.

I am thankful for my little men, I love them so much!

They have grown up so much since they will little bitty preemies.

I think their Daddy is even more proud than I am!

I will miss their silly little antics during the day :)

My Easton cracks me up with his sound effects for when he walks, runs, skips, jumps. I wonder if he'll be able to do that in school too?

Quinton will be so happy in class as long as he has someone to talk to.

Dalton is excited for any gym and recess classes so he can run super fast.

Dalton is also looking forward to all the counting!

Picking out their own backpacks was a major excitement around the house.

The fact that I let two of them pick the same color was a milestone itself!

Excitement to wear their backpacks is at an all time high.

Especially the extra strap on their chests.

I'm sure the newness will wear off, but it's fun seeing them so excited!

Dalton has his own desk with his own name. He remembers that he sits next to a little boy named Noah.

Quinton happily found out his pre-school friend Mary will be next to him. Both are quite social, so I'm sure Mrs. Linda will find that out fast :)

Easton said he can't remember who sits next to him, but he'll ask their name tomorrow.

There wasn't any hesitation to meet and give five to their new teacher Mrs. Linda and student teacher Miss Casie!

I have officially entered a new phase in my life; Mom of school aged children.

I think I'm as excited and nervous as the boys!

There are some more pictures on Facebook if you want to take a look.

Friends

I know, I know... I have not blogged in forever! I have a lot of blog posts I started writing in my head, but they just have not made it to my blog yet :)

Since my fantastic friend Lori is a much better blogger than me, here is a little snippet of something we have been up to lately :)

What does Good Friday mean to you?

Does God really love us? I say look to the crucified Jesus. Look to the old rugged cross. By every thorn that punctured His brow. By every mark of the back lacerating scourge. By every hair of his beard plucked from his cheeks by cruel fingers. By every bruise which heavy fists made upon His head. God said, "I love you!" By all the spit that landed on his face. By every drop of sinless blood that fell to the ground. By every breath of pain which Jesus drew upon the cross. By every beat of His loving heart. God said, I love you.

-Billy Lobbs

On this Good Friday I remember His sacrifice and celebrate what is coming on Sunday!

Star Wars Birthday Party

IT HAPPENED! The boys have talked about having a Star Wars birthday party FOREVER! Easy enough for me to do one theme for the three of them. When they were younger I picked the theme since they really didn't care. Last year and this year I lucked out that they wanted the same theme! I am prepared that in the future I may not get so lucky...

As I already blogged, all the Star Wars party prep was completed. The weather forecast went from 78 degrees, to thunder storms, to sunny, to 50 degrees... you get the picture. We ended up mid 50's and cloudy. Which means we were able to use the boys birthday presents of Dan's hard work over spring break - their outside play area! Just add friends and hoodies!

I had to narrow down the pictures. A special thanks to my friend Beth who took over some of the photography - which means I actually made it into some of the pictures! I have not had the chance to edit or crop any of the photos... so please bear with them.

I tried to narrow it down, but then I also wanted you to get the fun spirit of the actual party. I'm guessing only the grandparents will make it through all 40 photos....

soooo ENJOY OUR STAR WARS 5th BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!

Not too cold for these kiddos!

Climbing machines!

Dan pushing the littlest ones

My parents were in town from MI and Papa had fun with the littlest ones on the trampoline

jumping/chasing time!

the chatting moms!

Beth, Kim, Edie (not sure where Mel is?)

Cake time!

I cheated. Sam's club cake! It was YUMMY whipped icing!

Yes, it's crustless peanut butter or pb&j sandwiches for the kids

Drink center

notice the decor Quinton added to the food section??

So Cute!

Kim & Edie

However the blue icing does THIS...

The pinata all set up and ready to go! Looks a little creepy doesn't it?

Easton broke it!

Dan playing with the kids on the trampoline

He made up a game we call "popcorn". The kids LOVE it!

Love Joshua mid air here!

So funny!

Present time!

Showing off their first gifts

Storm Troopers!

McDonald's gift cards!

Hey, I spotted a little storm trooper walking around...

Mary Mckenzie chewing on the wrong end of her lightsaber

Storm Trooper nerf guns!

Our own folding chairs!

As the boys went outside to fly their new kites, I found everything lined up. I think it was a cross between the boys making sure they had ownership of their stuff and my mom lining it all up...

Their chairs with their guns in the cup holders, and bags filled with everything else.

It was a FUN time! Thanks to all our friends that made it out to the party!!!