Day 365/365 ~ 2012

We only had a dusting of snow but Andrew was determined to make a snowman!

This little guy took nearly all the snow from our back yard.

Way to go Andrew!

Day 364/365 ~ 2012

Brotherly love.
I couldn't resist snapping a photo of these 2 as they warmed up by the file.
I'm so thankful for their friendship & for lazy days.

Day 354/365 ~ 2012

Andrew's basketball team finished their season this last weekend.

Coached by our friend Kyle, Andrew had a very positive and fun introduction to the sport.

While the boys played, the parents had fun visiting & cheering the kids on.

Day 352/365 ~ 2012

We have a fantastic Occupational Therapist.

She made our usual Wed. afternoon appointment unusual & fun with Andrew's transformation into Rudolph!

Day 343/365 ~ 2012

My Super Kids ready for Super Gracie's Fifth Birthday party!
(Those capes I gave the kids for Christmas last year came in handy!)



Such a cute little crew.
A fun time was had by all!  (Matthew said it was his favorite "girl party" ever.) :)
Happy Birthday, sweet Gracie girl!!

Day 342/365 ~ 2012

Spirit Day at school!
Fox Rocks!

Day 339/365 ~ 2012

"Come here, Mama. I want to show you something."
Andrew said as he arrived home from school.
He retrieved his planner and sat next to me on the sofa.
Proudly, he opened it and said, "Can you read it?"

I can!!

Making progress!

Day 338/365 ~ 2012

That Jingle!
Up to his old mischief again.

This time, encouraging good oral hygiene....

Day 336/365 ~ 2012

Reindeer feeding started our trip to see Santa!



Santa was visiting one of my favorite stores in Richland. Full of beautiful holiday displays like this one.  We took a quick picture and then....

it was time for the big moment!
The kids shared their letters...



{Since Mom and Dad won't let me get an itouch}, "Santa, I'd like a Ninjago Lego Set..."



"I'd like Epic Mickey II for the Wii, or a new Bike."



"I'd like a 'Garden Doll', please."



I love the magic of Christmas with children!

Day 332/365 ~ 2012

Wonderful care packages were put together by our very special friends, Jeannie & Carl.
A tool kit/workshop for Matthew.



REAL fatigues for our resident "Army Guy."



Lots of fun baking treats and a weaving activity for the Bug.

Such excitement over very thoughtful gifts perfectly chosen for each of the kids' interests & personalities.

Day 329/365 ~ 2012

Again, not taken on this particular day, but a big part of our life right now.
Weekly OT for our little man with our fantastic therapist.

Day 317/365 ~ 2012

Ribbons for sale!
Andrew and Kaitlin set up shop one morning before school.
Selling gift wrap ribbons.
The box to the left is a highly optimistic money box.
I was swindled into buying the fluffy green bow for $1.
Andrew sat and manned his station for quite a while...after my purchase I wasn't sure who else he thought would come by, but he was so cute patiently sitting in that chair.

Day 314/365 ~ 2012

"If I were president...I would give people money and jobs."
~ Andrew Age 7

Day 308/365 ~ 2012

10am soccer game
Noon End of season soccer party
4:30 Basketball practice, followed by a game
6:00 Michelle & Isaiah's Birthday celebration

Life is busy (but fun) these days!

 Andrew is playing Basketball with some of his church friends.  What fun for him (and us!)  They couldn't be cuter and it's fun to see their individual personalities on the court.  Andrew rolled his ankle so was having a bit of a challenging time playing, but he still had fun and was happy that Aunt michelle & Uncle mike and cousins were there to watch!  (Andrew is SO accident prone right now!  I honestly think he has been to the nurse at least ten times since the beginning of the year.  Even his teacher commented on it!)



Dan had fun with his nephews.  Noah has my Dad's coloring.  Such a darling little guy.



Couldn't pass up this great expression.
Michelle liked her gift. :)



I've been SO excited to give it to her.
Truth be told, I'd like to have kept it for myself! :)



Isaiah is a decade old. Unbelievable.
He is such a sweet, sweet boy.
I clearly remember the excitement on the day of his birth and seeing him for the first time.
Mom and I went to get a birthday cake for him and stood in the bakery trying to figure out how to spell "Isaiah" (it was so funny) and we spelled it wrong! :)



We enjoyed a delicious ham dinner and topped it off with a spice cake.
Happy Birthday Isaiah & Michelle!
I love you both!

Day 304/365 ~ 2012

The wait is almost over!
Halloween is almost here!
Tomorrow is the big day!!

Day 303/365 ~ 2012

Ready to carve pumpkins!



The kids couldn't wait to get started drawing their creations, which Dan carves exactly as they draw (adds to the charm). Except Andrew who didn't feel like fighting with his pen. Dan drew his pumpkin as he directed, and he was thrilled with the result.





My artsy craftsy boy loves things like this. He drew all over the back of his pumpkin too, for good measure.



The inside of the pumpkin is always fascinating!



Little fingers like to explore the squishy seeds!



The finished product!



All lit up on Halloween night!
Dan loved my "Z" pumpkin and thinks that should be a new tradition. I agree!
One of the adults on Halloween night said we had the best, most "clever" pumpkins.
I thought that was funny!  I don't know about that, but we had fun!

Day 301/365 ~ 2012

Dan and I got the biggest kick out of these photos.
Taken in the "Photo Booth" at the school carnival.
Just classic shots of our kids.



1. Kaitlin strikes a pose
2.  Jumps off the chair.  Oops!  Too short to be seen.
3.  Parent manning the booth came to lift her back up.
4.  Showing off her pretty costume she chose for the booth.



Our very serious Matthew didn't know his photo was being taken.
Was waiting for it to start.  :)



And then there's fiesta Batman.
Dan and I cracked up at the pink sombrero he chose with the batman mask.
Notice his is all crumpled?
Classic Andrew.
1-3 Party Batman
4.  Trying to take a photo of his bottom.
Yep.  Sure was.  He's 7, after all.

PS.  The school carnival was last month.  but I was putting these photos away and wanted to include them in our project life book.

Day 293/365 ~ 2012

Cartoon character/Super Hero day at school today!
I think there are few cuter things than a little boy in a super hero shirt.



Matthew's Mario hat kills me.
But he loves it.   :)

Day 291/365 ~ 2012

Andrew was a great host for "Take a grown up to Lunch Day" and Katie was SO excited to get to play at recess with the big kids!  (She wasn't intimidated a bit!)
Andrew's face is red because he was having me time him while he ran around the track. :)



Andrew has adored Katie since the day he laid eyes on her.
Sweet siblings. (Most of the time). :)

Day 290/365 ~ 2012

A very important appointment for Andrew today led to a life changing decision for him.
While it sounds melodramatic, it's true.
His path was just made a little bit straighter.



Meanwhile, Shannon kept Katie for me.
I love this photo of the girls.
This is so them.  Different in their tastes, but they do so love one another.
This picture just makes me smile.