Roadtrip!!!

At the last minute, we decided to make a roadtrip to visit Aunt E in Colorado. The day after Aunt Wannie and Bri left, we packed up the car and made the long drive. Our first morning there was spent in urgent care with Michael. One of Aunt E's dogs thought Mikey's thumb was a sausage and tried to eat it! He was a tough little guy and after it was all bandaged up, it didn't stop him from doing anything. That day was also Matthew's birthday. We spent the day at the movies with Aunt E, Shannon and Eric, and then had a yummy birthday dinner and cake. Two days later was Easter Sunday. We had the great surprise of waking up to a small dusting of snow. The kids played out in it for a little while, but were bummed that there wasn't enough for sledding. Shannon and Eric hosted a family Easter dinner where the kids were introduced to Guitar Hero, which they loved --- especially Matthew. The trip was a short one and before we knew it, we were on our way home, but we had a great time while we were there!

Girls will be girls. No matter how old they get, they continue to love playing dressup.

Happy Birthday buddy!

Mikey's ouchie thumb


Coloring Easter eggs

We woke up Easter morning to a slight dusting of snow! There was just enough for the kids to play in for a little while.

Matthew discovered Guitar hero! He's hooked!

Annie had try it out too!

Mikey rockin out!

A competitive game of Scrabble between Aunt E, Shannon and Eric.

Happy 10th birthday Matthew!

Unlike his sister, there was never a question what Matthew wanted for his birthday --- no party, just an xbox 360! So with money saved by Mikey and Matthew, and his newly acquired birthday money, Matthew got his wish

Wannie and Bri visit!

So Wannie and Bri decide they are going to visit, and we decided it would be fun to surprise the kids. I went to get them from the airport and told the kids I was running some errands and grocery shopping while they got to stay home with daddy and have a movie/game night. When I got home with our guest, they hid behind the garage and jumped out at the kids when they came out to "help me carry in the groceries". The look of disbelief was priceless. The girls screamed while the boys would hug them and then step back with a look of disbelief and then run back for more hugs. We had a great visit just relaxing. We also got them an extra day as DFW was closed for a day due to storms, but we won't go into that whole story!

Reflections

The school district has a competition each year that encourages the kids to write, draw, paint or take a picture pertaining to a certain subject. This years topic was "I can make a difference...". Annie wrote a poem which got an award at her school, and Amanda did a picture collage of the missionary program she goes to at church which won a school award and went to district!

Mikey's school Easter egg hunt

Happy 11th Birthday Annie!

So this year we decided to let the kids pick if they wanted a birthday party or a big gift (mommy and daddy have party burnout). Anyways, Annie decided that she wanted a Nintendo DS, ok perfect. Well, two days before her birthday, she decided well, she really wants a party. Party it is, but she will have to wait a few weeks because we were in the middle of basketball season and our weekends were filled with games. So we had a family celebration, and took her shopping for a couple of new outfits and started planning a party. Well, as we were planning her party she decided well, nevermind, she really wants a DS. Now remember, she has already received presents from her parents, but seeing that mom really has major party burnout --- well lets just say she got the DS and we called it even. I think she had this planned out the whole time. Love you baby girl!

Amanda's clarinet solo

I wish I knew how to download our video so you could hear her play. She did a great job, especially for someone who has only played for a few months. This is a picture of Amanda and her friends, Alex and Rachel, very much relieved that their solo performances were done.