Quick Update and Stats

UPDATES
Week one of "I Go Back to Work" is in the books.  And I have to admit that it was a pretty smooth transition.  I think I am going to enjoy my job.  It is pretty flexible which is going to let me ease into working mom from stay at home mom.

The boys also had a good half week at Clemson El.  They already seem to know the routine and seem to enjoy the school.  Bennett and Mantis also got off to a good start.  Monday and Tuesday of last week, Mantis had all 4 boys and took them to the Botanical Gardens, a rock museum, and the power plant.  Ashton texted me both days saying how much fun they were having.  It made me happy.  Let me just say how much I adore my parents.  They have made what could be a VERY hard move into a relatively easy one.

Chad, the boys, and I went to see The Lego Batman movie yesterday... so cute.  Bennett was sobbing at the end because he thought something bad was going to happen to Batman.  I never would have expected that from me... it was really sweet.  We then ran up to Chad's parents to celebrate Grandma's 60th birthday!

STATS
A week and a half ago, I was able to get Hunter and Bennett in for their annual check-ups.  Both had to have shots and of course, they handled them well.

Hunter
Weight- 100.8 lbs (he gained 20 lbs this year!!! crazy!)  86%
Height- 5' 2" (he is measured in feet now!!! crazy!) 97%

Bennett
Weight- 32.2 lbs (18%)  he is exactly 1 lb less than Ashton had 4
Height- 39.75" ( 38%) and exactly the same height as Smash at 4

 I know this was a small post/ update, but guys, life is buys right now.  Next post will highlight the boys winter basketball seasons.  So stay tuned and keep those prayers coming!!!

Christmas in Reverse

So, though we still have a few days until it is back to the school grind, here are some of the highpoints of this Christmas season... in reverse order.

First, GO CLEMSON!  Woo Hoo!  Lots of excitement in this house of the Tigers win tonight.  We have even converted Chad to a pretty hard core Clemson fan.  Ashton and Hunter are both trying to stay up tonight to ring the New Year in... plus Alabama is playing (Ashton's favorite team, so he is in hog heaven!)

Here are just some random pictures of our New Years Eve/ Clemson watching tonight.

This right here is my little world.

Precious boys.Bennett loves his big brother

There is only one.

This just makes me laugh.  Caught Ashton is mid jump making a face....

No words

See?!?!  My husband is actually really rooting for Clemson... He is vested!  Love it!

My Molly girl

This is my country boy.  No shirt with his Timberlands

And, Riggs is visiting for a few days. Anyone, besides Chad, who sits in this chair will have  DBD (damn brown dog) on their lap in seconds.  Love these three boys.  

Second,  we did our normally Christmas traveling spending 25th -27th with my family and the 23rd- 25th with Chads.  We had a great time and the boys got some great gifts that have kept them quite occupied on these messy, rainy days.

At Aunt Sandee's

These four did a little hand bell performance to Jingle Bells

And Hunter played Jingle Bells on the guitar.  

Opening some presents

Joey girl.

 At Papa Hubs and Grandmas

Tractor fun

Charlee, Sami, and Joey all got American Girl dolls from H and P.

Sami opening one of her gifts

Hunter was surprised over Guitar Hero.  

Again, there is only one.

Patsy and Hub have a tradition to see who can do the best gift for the least amount.  Patsy took one of Hub's old guns that was rusted and just a mess and had Tommy fix it up.  

Hub got Patsy a bikini top that reminded him of the first time he saw her and he wrote a sweet letter.

And shout out to my amazing, talented, awesome sister in law for highlighting my hair.  It had been 10 months... plus it was fun to spend some time with her without our precious children.  She had many doubters in her hair highlighting ability but she cam through.  

 Mantis and Queenie's house
I neglected to take many pictures. I get so distracted when I am "at home" that the camera is an afterthought.

 Two of these three never take naps... they were WIPED out!!!

 Mantis and Queenie along with Papa Hub and Grandma paid for the boys Carowinds passes this coming year!  Thank you!  Mom and Dad also got the older three boys bikes which they were in desperate need of.  The day after Christmas, the boys got to go and pick out their own bike.

Hunt is a natural

Ashton getting the feel of the new bike.  Shepherd was around on his bike but I missed getting a picture of him

Bennett stomach surfing on his tractor from PapaHub and Grandma.

Third, the boys had their church Christmas program on the 13th.  The play was titled "Christmas in Reverse" and was super cute.  I helped a bit with the "directing" of it since our children's director was, in my opinion, unfairly fired from her position.  I will not get on that soap box.  ANYWAY, the play was great.  My older three were the shepherds and had "rapping" solos in the song when the 2 and 3 year olds (Bennett's age) came down the aisle as sheep.  Unfortunately, my camera was dead so Chad's mom snapped some with her camera phone so though the quality is not good at least I have something.

The whole group (minus the 2/3s AKA the sheep)

The boys during their solo.  Look at Shepherd's hair thing.  I was on the floor and looked up at him and frantically signalling to Hunter to take off Shep's hair thing.  He finally understood me and yanked it off in the middle of song and threw it to me.. It was funny.

This was right after he de-capped him.  Dont have a clue how Shep managed to mess it up that badly.  Thankfully it was just his hair and not his lines.

Look at my precious little sheep.

Fourth, Hunter had two engagements with his chorus group from school.  The marched in the parade and had a Christmas program at school.  Again, the photos are camera phone quality.

In the parade... Hunter is right in the middle of the pack

love this... Hunter is obviously a bit tired.  

Such a great time of year celebrating our Jesus and the greatest Redemption story.

Happy New Year!  And GO Tigers!!!

Bonclarken

 When first moved here two years ago, we visited a lot of churches... like a lot.  It took us a long time to feel like God wanted us at Clover ARP.  Honestly, I still struggle with some things at the church, but we feel like the issues that we have (as of now) are minor issues... not Kingdom issues.  But, that is perhaps a post for another day.

 I have been in many different denominations in my lifetime, but never ARP.  Apparantly, within the  ARP church, Bonclarken is the thing to do.  Our church, once a year, takes a weekend camping (or hoteling if you dont camp) to Bonclarken.  It is a time of fellowship and fun.  I will be honest and say that I was absolutely wiped out after our first Bonclarken experience.

Here is a run down of what we did at Bonclarken.

Eat.  This was by far the best meal we ate, probably because we did it on our own with a couple other families.

Yum Yum, eat 'em up

Zipline.  Hunter and I did this together so I didnt get any pictures of us going down.  But, Jay and Ashton went together and Ashton loved it.  He then went down Couirtney as well.

Jay and Ashton getting ready to go up

High up there.

Love this.  Ashton threw his arms out once he saw Jay throw his out.

My turn to go up.  Hunter was still getting his harness on.

Rock Climb.  Ashton was quite the rock climber.  He did all 3 levels and was complimented by the instructor guy... so of course now, he thinks he is the best rock climber of all time.  Hunter did not attempt it, more on that later.  And Shepherd attempted it as well.

He really was good.  

Wrestle.  For the most part, we hung out with Jay, Courtney and their girls and Matt and Danielle (who are getting married this fall!!!)  Matt, Jay, and Danielle played with our boys so much.

Bless Matt.  You can tell that he is the youngest of 4 kids and has bunch of nieces and nephews.  Shepherd was quite comfortable with Matt and "fawted" on him. 

Danielle and Matt playing a game with a bunch of the kiddos.

Matt and Jay getting Ash and Shep to kiss each others feet.

Kickball.  No picture of this mostly adult kick ball game, but it was funny and competitive.  Jay graciously picked me first and then I dropped the first ball kicked to me (never claimed to be good with my hands).

Stay up late.

Glow sticks and movie night

One of the few pics of Chad.  During most of the activities, he took Bennett back to the room to take a nap.... he might have taken one too. ;)

Have church.  Sunday morning we had a church service outside and sang a couple songs.

Bike/ Pool.  No pics of the pool,

Bennett lovin the pink 4 wheeler

Hilarious picture of our pastor pulling some of the littles around

Some fun pics of what happens when you 

1) havent ridden a bike in awhile. 

2)  ride an old bike with iffy brakes.  

3) ride a bike that isnt yoiurs.

4)  dont wear a helmet. 

Thankfully, Hunter has healed really fast.  His scab has already basically come all the way off and has been replaced with shiny, pink, baby skin.

Ouch.  He totally wiped out... from his knee, to elbow, to back , a little spot on his belly, and head.  

This is blurry and doesnt do it justice.  But, a couple hours after this was taken, he had a great a goose egg and a deep blue bruise (which you can kind of see forming in this picture).

A CVS trip worth $45 and a $4 Starbucks coffee for me and he is good to go.  

So, what do I think about Bonclarken?  It was fun but exhausting.  We got to know some people better and formed some stronger connections with some friends we already had.  Hopefully, we will get to go next year.  I know the boys, especially Hunter since he missed out on some fun, will want to go back.

And thanks to Uncle Nolan for watching Molls and Mosie.