Month of LOVE Day 14

 I love making a big deal out of little, ordinary days. I love how my kids expect it, but also really enjoy it and are thankful for these over the top celebrations.

Before I left for GA, the boys told me that they were going to miss celebrating Valentine's Day together as a family. After our plane landed in Houston, we headed to dinner with our friend Morgan. On our way home, we stopped at Wal Mart so that I could stock up on a few supplies.

And Monday morning, just a day late, we celebrated Valentine's Day together.

Christmas Cards Pictures

I love Christmas Card pictures.  I love planning what the kids will wear, picking a theme, having fun, sending them out.... I just love it.  I also love receiving Christmas Cards.  This year, however, I will not be sending out Christmas cards.  But when a moment of inspiration hit, I just had to take Christmas card pictures for the non existent cards I'm not sending out.

 

I can't even... how CUTE are these four?!

And then, I just had to take a walk down memory lane and remember some of the other adorable Christmas care pictures we've sent out since becoming a family of six.

 (2010, this picture was taken by a friend)

 (2010, I took this one)

 (2011, I took this one)

 (2012, I took this one and had editing help from a friend)

 (2013, this one was professionally taken)

I wonder how long it will take me to run out of ideas for these. :-) 

A very Aggie Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgivng we didn't go to Kansas.  We didn't go to Oklahoma City.  We didn't even go to Wichita Falls.  Since we'll be traveling a lot in December, we chose to stay home and celebrate a very Aggie Thanksgiving.

Our celebration started with a trip to Student Bonfire.  Since the the collapse of Bonfire in '99, any Bonfire has been sponsored by students, off campus.  Curtis was able to attend Bonfire while it was still on campus, but the kids and I had never whitnessed this Aggie tradition.  The day before Thanksgiving, we loaded up the van, joined by one of our favorite Aggies, Callie, and headed out to witness Bonfire.

 

  At 8pm, we were all ready!  Then, and announcer came on the loudspeaker and told us that they would be starting late, allowing time for people who'd been stuck in traffic.  At this point, the kids were SO ready to get this show on the road.  But, like the troopers they are, they hung in there till the speaker started at about 8:30.  We then all participated in a few Yells.  Then, at about 9pm, the red pots lit Bonfire.  It was incredible!  Well worth the wait.

 

 Though we anticipated getting stuck in traffic on our way home, we did NOT expect to be in stand still traffic for an hour and a half!  Turns out we were in the "Sit in your car and watch Bonfire line" not the "Head home with sleep kids" line.

 Early Thanksgiving morning, we headed out to volunteer at a local Turkey Trot.  We had a blast! With all the races Curtis and I have done, they've turned into little racing experts.

 After watching the parade and eating breakfast, we loaded up and headed to the destination of our Thanksgiving meal.

 Yes!  We went to Kyle Field and tailgated for Thanksgiving!  We join the RUF tailgate.  Our RUF minister and his family were there and we greatly enjoyed our time with them.

 Our Thanksgiving FEAST!!!  You name it, Ben grilled it to perfection.

Though we had a great time tailgating, it was rather eventful.  Timothy ate too much, then played football.  He got sick.  Benjamin joined some college students in a game of Ultimate.  He got a bloody nose.  Micah dropped a huge rock on his toe.  He'll be losing that toenail in the future.  And I got smacked in jaw by Timothy's head.  Curtis and Elizabeth made it through unscathed.

 Even though it wasn't a traditional Thanksgiving, I was reminded how much I truly do have to be thankful for.  I have an amazing husband, who lovingly goes along with all my crazy plans.  I have four healthy, beautiful children, who are growing in grace and are always up for an adventure.  I have an amazing church family with whom I can celebrate holidays and not feel lonely, missing my real family.  I have parents and sisters who love me, call me, and share in the fun I'm having, even if it is hundreds of miles away.  I'm a part of a great community.  But more than all that, I am loved with an everlasting, saving love.  

Happy birthday, Timothy!

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Happy Birthday, Sweet girl!

Nine Years Old!!!

Every year, Elizabeth, when you turn a year older, your Daddy and I are simply amazed.  Amazed that we've all made it another year.  Amazed at how much you change in a year.  Amazed at your beauty. Amazed at your sweet, strong spirit.  Amazed that we've been blessed with you as our daughter!

Happy birthday, sweet girl!  We love you very much!  We couldn't be any prouder of the young lady that you're becoming.  We know that God has big things in store for your life, and we're thankful and humbled to be your parents.

Happy birthday, Benjamin!

Happy birthday, Micah!

 

Happy birthday, Mighty Micah!  We are so thankful to have you in our family, and to call you our son.  Every day, you make us so proud, bring us such joy, and show others your caring heart.  It is a delight to be your mommy.  May God richly bless and keep you as you continue to grown into a man who loves the Lord.

2012: Party Time

I love parties!  I especially love planning and throwing parties for four of my favorite people, my kiddos.  2012 was a good year for parties!

In February, Timothy turned 2.  His party was a Bobo (sock monkey) party, celebrating his love for his favorite stuffed animal.  I enjoy thinking outside of the box, challenging myself with new themes, and a Bobo party was a perfect challenge.  I chose bright colors, accented with a few sock monkeys, and picked monkey themed food (monkey bread, banana muffin, and donut holes that I wanted to call monkey balls, but Curtis wouldn't let me).  The kiddos made their own sock puppets, blew bubbles, and just had fun with each other.

In March, Micah turned six, and requested a science party.  My mom and I had so much fun getting ideas for favors, experiments and decorations.  Hooray for Pintrest!!  Micah really got into the role of scientist, making an adorable "scientist face" for pictures.  Micah and I built a volcano, which we blew up at the party.  We had lab coats and goggles for all the party goers, and had a blast making slime, oobleck and lava bottles.  For the finale of the party, we made Diet Coke geysers!  Our little Aggie Scientist had a great day!

In May, Agent 005, Benjamin, turned 5.  For this Secret Spy party, I got to stretch my party planning abilities to come up with activities for all the spies attending his party.  We started out the party by fingerprinting all the agents, then having them go to the disguise station.  Once all spies were accounted for, we began spy training, which consisted of working through a laser field, marshmallow shooting, and bomb containment.  After snacks, the spies received their mission, and put all their training to work.  The party ended when the spies found the stash of cash ($100 bill pinata).  My parents were especially helpful in creating the mission for the little spies.

And finally, in June, I got to put all my girly party planning to use when Elizabeth turned 8.  She requested an Alice in Wonderland tea party.  My favorite part of her party was her!!  Some friends had a precious Alice costume, which they let us borrow.  Using Alice's dress for inspiration, the main colors for the party were a bright blue with red accents.  The theme was fun, sweet and whimsical!  The lovely ladies decorated top hats for the tea party, enjoyed sweet and fruit with their tea, then headed outside for a game of croquette.

Party planning is a hobby for me.  I enjoy taking something my kids love, and giving them a memorable day.  My desire is that they can see in a tangible way how much I love them!