Half birthday Round Up

I finished up my April- July run of half-birthday dates.  Can I just say again how much I love this one on one time?

In April, Ashton chose to take his data to Cheesecake Factory.  He loves cheesecake and had to experience the huge selection.  He ordered the chicken pot pie (it is soooo good by the way.)  Afterwards we went downtown and walked around and talked.  He is going to have this dating thing whipped.  He is so conversational and talked to me like an adult the entire car ride and through dinner.  He was charming and funny.

Our yummy cheesacakes

Ashton and I are excited!!!

Shepherd's data was in May.   I suggested this hamburger place in the mall that has a fun bar-type vibe.  There is outdoor seating and of course, these monster milkshakes.  I knew Shep would be a fan.  After dinner, we wandered through the mall, bought him an Iron Man shirt that he promptly changed into.  I gave him a surprise "quick trip" to Chuck E Cheese where he played for about 30 minutes.   He finished at Barnes and Noble where he got a Minecraft book he had been requesting.  Shep is big/ old enough for the front seat this year which always makes it feel more personal.  He made me laugh multiple times but was also comfortable with some silence. 

With his huge $8 milkshake

Sheppy and me

At Chuck E Cheeses

Just a funny picture between #3 and #2.  

Hunter, oh Hunter.  He had me scratching my head!  The pictures tell the story.  Hunter wanted to go see a move- so we went to see Incredibles 2 (he wanted to see Ant Man, but Ashton had made me promise not to see it if Asthon would not see Infinity War without Hunter.)  Hunter ate a ridiculous amount of popcorn which filled him up and gave him zero energy.  With his youth camp coming up (he is actually there this week), we went looking for stuff he would need for camp.  He doesnt like shopping but humored me.  With all the many choices for dinner, he chose Chick-fil-A (because he wasnt that hungry.)  We had gone to Barnes and Noble before dinner and got a book that he preceeded to read during our entire dinner.  At the end, I informed him that if that had a been a real date, there would probably not be a second.  hahaha.  To top it all off, he tried to take a nap on the way home!  Lots of work to do on this one.  Despite that, he is such a good kid and will really make a great husband some day.

Getting ready for the movie

At least he loves to read... ;/

So tired he sleeps during our date--- he told me he was just enjoying a silent car- which I can relate to

Bennett's half birthday date was today.  We finally left the house at 10 am to go to Chuck E Cheeses because he was hassling me to death.  He wanted pizza so we at at the Rat as well.  We then went to the bookstore where he got a Ninja turtle book and we shared a big milkshake.  He told me multiple times that he loves me so much.  (On a side note, he also tells me often that he wishes that he was still inside my belly--- that is weird, right?) 

Riding at Chuck E Cheeses

 
  ****I will post a picture of Bennett and me together onces it loads through google. 

****  I will also post a pic of my fifth son, Moses though his half birthday is not until next month

*** Also, I realized that we have quite a love of desserts and books. 

A post for the month of April

April was quite possibly the fastest month of my life that was literally packed! 

Work was crazy busy.  After school activities were in overdrive.  Family get togethers happened.

So, this post will highlight Easter and GrandmaDean's birthday.

Later posts will highlight sports and school summary....

Easter

Very quick and not professional family picture... We had Riggs for the week.

The outtakes are always comical

My whole family.  

Esme and Bennett playing with bubbles

More bubble action

Hunter even got in on the action and Shepherd was using an ax.

Dying eggs with Queenie

Easter Egg hunt

Winner for possibly the best shot!  GrandmaDean and Bennett :)

A little kickball action

This picture is great... Uncle Zach was out by the way... second after this he fell on Caelum

Miss Eva busted it

Queenie's brainchild that turned oh so cute.  The quote is from one of Laura Story's songs, "Jesus, I surrender all.  Every victory and loss.  Take it all, Take it all, 'Till all I have is open hands.   Each member of the family, dogs included, stamped the door.

Mom and dad, with the grands, by the door

Me, Mom, GrandmaDean, and Great Aunt Frances

Carowinds
He got season passes to Carowinds this year.  He did not do it last year since we were in the middle of moving but the boys convinced me that we would use them enough to justify the cost.  So, trip #1 happened over Easter break.

The Carowinds crew

So glad we went- the Marvelous Mutts were performing over Spring break... frisbee dog

Look at this dog jumping after his toy!  love it!

GrandmaDean's birthday

Everyone, but Steph, was able to come to GrandmaDean's bday celebration!  this year, we walked to the fish camp.  Had a loud, boisterous dinner with 13 adults and 9 kids! 

The group shot... Shelby was being such a stinker.  She would move then once I started the timer and go in place, she would park it right in front of the camera. 
Also, notice, there is a girl beside Nolan!!!!  :)  And, I like her since that is super important.

Just chillin'

Oh Eva.

So, we love our kickball!

GrandmaDean blowing out her sparkling candles.

GrandmaDean with her 9 greats

Basketball Season

Basketball season was another success.

Hunter decided he didnt want to play.  I didnt give Bennett the option because U6 basketball is perhaps the most painful thing to watch- EVER.

Ashton played U10 and Shepherd U8 for our church league.

Ashton was, well, amazing.  The kid can play.  For example, one game, his team won 44- 36.  He scored all 44 points.  He does have moments of holding on to the ball too long, however, he does also pass a good bit. 

Ashton getting some instruction from his coach. 

Ashton (in white) going after the ball.  

And he steals it

And, an easy lay-up

Not my actual kid, but love him... Connor drives to the lane

Shepherd and another player on his team were the top scorers, if one scored then normally the other one assisted and vice versa.  He towered over all these kids but he did a great job.

Shepherd reaches up for the ball

He saves it from going out

Soccer overlapped with the back end of basketball for A and S.  I love their soccer teams.  I help coach both teams and it is really a good bunch of kids.  Hunter is playing soccer this spring.  He has said over and over again how happy he is to be playing soccer again.  He hadnt played since fall 2016.  Bennett is also playing on his first organized sports team this spring.  He is on a little rec team.  His first game is this week.

So, we did not have even a week off but it is fun!

An Update/ Boys Stats.

Man, I have so many good ideas for posts to write but absolutely zero time to write them.  Believe it or not, I have drafts of posts sitting on my blog record but just havent finished them.

So, this post is to show that I am, in fact, still alive and to record the boy's recent stats.  Annual doctor's appt did not happen as punctually as normal.... again, speaks to our schedule.  But, they happened and boys are growing and healthy and pretty amazing!

Boys and dogs... doesnt get much better than this ... except for prettier cabinets and less mess in the background.  haha

I included doctor's stats and shoe sizes since I like to document trivial things. :)

Hunter- 12 years
Weight- 106 lb - 78%
Height- 5'4" - 97%
Shoe size- 10 mens

Ashton- 10 years
Weight- 61 lb - 17%
Height - 4'7" - 51%
Shoe size- 6

Shepherd- 8 years
Weight- 76 lb - 93%
Height - 4'7 1/2" - 98%
Shoe size- 6.5

Bennett- 5 years
Weight- 38 lb - 30%
Height- 3'6 1/2" - 42%
Shoes size- 13

Thankfully, Ashton and Shepherd were much better behaved than last year's doctor's appt... However, Bennett did embaress me by asking me why the doctor "does not have any hair up there (Bennett patted his head indicating top of head.)  If the doc heard him, he didnt say anything but I quickly shook my head and tried to start a different conversation with Bennett.

I have a post started to celebrate Moses' birthday that I hope to finish up soon, a post on my one year work anniversary that I am almost finished with, a post about basketball season, and one with some house updates.  And though I will not devote a whole post to it, we finally bit the bullet and bought a car. :)  So, life is good and full... very very full!

Hopefully my half posts saved in drafts will become full posts in the next couple weeks.

Our Christmas Break

Christmas break was simply amazing and productive and energizing.  I think I was feeling a bit run down with working and getting the boys where they need to be and keeping the house running and even "vacation."  This seasonal break came at the perfect time. We hung out with friends, saw tons of family, had no practices and hung out together- It was delightful.

Didnt post any pictures of my slightly decorated house but here is my 12 year old tree!!!

With the New Year on us and school starting back up, I at least feel refreshed.

The first week of the break was, as usual, packed with family get togethers.  I honestly did not take many pictures just enough to document.  

Pre Christmas get togethers with Chad's family.

Christmas Eve Eve meet up at Sandee' house

Grandma opening her gift from us.  I found, thanks to mom, these beautiful wind chimes that have the most calming sound.  Each set is handtuned to a different key- these are to E.

Selfie with 3 of the 4.

Papa Hub's newest addition- I call her Jamie- it seems everyone has there own name for her though.

At our house Christmas morning...

Present time- Moses loved his stocking!

Diggin in .

Post Christmas activities at my parent's house.

This was a bit rushed as 3 of Zach's 4 kids had fevers, coughs... they quickly opened presents and then headed home.  Thankfully, they were able to come back to down on the 29th so the kids could all hang out

Queenie looking overwhelmed!  :)

For Christmas, I focused on getting the upstairs den looking good and being a fun space for the boys.  We got a new loveseat and left the rocker up there.  As a gift, we gave the boys a big TV that we will mount in the closet.  I painted the closet the dark iron ore color to make is feel a bit more seamless.  My mom and dad got the boys a Nintendo Switch- to say they love it would be a gross understatement.  Hub and Patsy got them a bunch of the accessories and games.  Finally after 6 months, they are using the upstairs den as I had imagined! 

Closet before

Closet after paint... boys playing on new TV with the Switch.

We also revamped the workout room.  Had to move some things around but love this space now... you know it is good when Shepherd decides it is worth working out!  A mounted smart TV makes running much more appealing.

We have also been quite busy reading some really good boys- that, though, is for another post.  It has been awhile since I have done a book post, so hopefully soon....

They also got walkie talkies, books, clothes, money, and a few toys.  Thankfully, they are moving out of the toy stage.  The only toys I bought this year were 3 mid-size lego boxes!  

The second half of break was so productive.  Mom, Nolan, and I went car shopping.  No, I havent bought anything yet but maybe getting close.  I hate car shopping!  Mom and I also went furniture shopping where we nabbed a couple good deals from a furniture place that is closing.  The inside of my house is really started to feel complete.  Of course I still have many wants (new kitchen and bathroom countertops, kitchen island, but I am really content with the progress we are making.

This was in the furniture store.  Mom bought the couch and I bought the loveseat! 

The oversize chair in the back corner was one of my finds!  We all love and fight over it.  It has made this room so usable!  I actually spilled coffee on it after having it for maybe 18 hours.  Thankfully I went with this color and not the cream so it did not stain!

Moses has deemed it as his dog bed!

My dad came over and gave me 2 full days of helping me do things around the house.  We hung 3 ceiling fans, mounted TVs, medicine cabinet/ mirror, hung shelves and heavier stuff that I wasnt confident to hang.  I bought a new mattress for Hunter's room and moved his old one to Ashtons since Ash decided we didnt want to sleep on the twin top bunk.  So, we moved thing around but everyone is happy with the changes. I was able to put our old queen headboard to use again- in Hunt's room and Shepherd took Hunt's old headboard.  I will post more pics of the boys rooms soon.  I am still hunting for bedding for Ashton's room and Hunter's room.  

Chad and his dad picked up said furniture and cut down 9 trees in the yard.  So, they were also busy.  We hunkered down in the house the last couple days due to the frigid temperature! brrrr.

It is now back to the grindstone.  The boys are just doing sooo good in school.  Like they are seriously all going to be smarter than me.  This is always the hardest stretch--- it feels like the 3rd lap in a mile.  We just need to pace ourselves.  

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and Happy  New Year and sorry that i didnt get Christmas cards out this year.  It is the first time that I missed that deadline.  I still think I may do a New Year's card... maybe!