Day 186/365 ~ 2012

4th of July was different for us this year.  Because it landed on a Wednesday, we didn't make our usual trip to Richland.  We celebrated here instead.  And while we missed our traditional day spent with family BBQing and swimming, we still had a great day!

We started with a picnic at the Park with Mike & Michelle








Followed by the "Brave" Matinee (photo to come)

Where during the previews they showed an advertisement for a Batman wii game.  Dan wanted me to record this  moment for his memory...at the end of the ad for the game they said "Ages 10 & up."  After which Andrew's voice could be heard saying, "Oh GREAT."  Like his hopes had been raised only to be crushed by those four little words.  As he is only six.

Dinner Al Fresco







Followed by Fun & Fireworks with friends!









The firemen stopped by with candy for the kids.



There was sparkler dancing.



LOTS of noise! And chasing of parachutes that came out of fireworks. Andrew turned his ankle near the end of the evening in his excitement and hobbled around for a few days afterward.



Liberal firework laws (compared to what we're used to) made for an exciting night for the kids....



They were SO excited about the fireworks.  Lots of noise, things being shot high in the air....
On the way home from fireworks Kaitlin said, "I am so so happy!" The kids LOVED the fireworks and had a great time with friends. 

Happy 4th of July!!!

Day 77/365 ~ 2012

Happy St. Patrick's Day!



Our St. Paddy's Day...

A Shamrock trail, green toilet water, an unsuccessful leprechaun trap, Leprechaun mischief (they read our Easter books!), gold coins, Lucky Charms, green milk, Leprechaun masks, "Find the Leprechaun" ~ game made up by the boys, corned beef & cabbage, Green Velvet cupcakes.



A very happy day!

Day 45/365 ~ 2012

Valentine's Day!
A rough start to the day....Matthew & I had an issue (consequently he wasn't in the pictures before school), then after dropping him off at school and getting almost to the highway Andrew told me he wasn't wearing shoes!!  We had to go all the way back home.  Consequently,  Kaitlin was VERY late for school...I was frazzled.

 But we managed to turn it around and had a great day!

Favorite memories....



Delicious Beef Stroganoff, cherry chocolate chip cake, Valentine's Chex mix for movie treats.
Andrew trying so hard to be a cooperative subject for my camera because he always wants his mama to be happy.
Matthew drawing hearts on Andrew's valetines because he loves him.
Handmade valentines from the kids ~ simply the best.
Matthew's excitement over receiving a ream of copy paper. :)
Happy, excited boys talking over one another as they got in the van sharing about their Valentine's Day parties.
Exchanging family valentines during dinner.
Kaitlin's response to each Valentine, "Awwww, that's so, so sweet!"
Kaitlin's excitement over writing her name on her valentines.
"I wrote my name, Daddy!!!"
Falling asleep on the sofa to Mr. Poppers Penguins and enjoying a delicious snuggle with the Bug.


The Kids' Valentine's for this year.  Matthew chose "Cars" ~ too big for a cutesy valentine made by Mom.  Andrew chose the mustache/lips on the lollies...silly, just like my boy. 

It was a wonderful day!!

Day 44/365 ~2012

A little day before Valentine's Day fun.

Day 303/365

Pumpkin carving!
The kids drew their faces and Dan carved what they drew.
Except Katie who preferred to dictate to me.
"Circle Eyes, Circle nose, Happy mouth."

Day 115/365

Before church on Easter morning. 

Too cold and rainy for a photo outside.

4 of my greatest blessings.

(I think it's funny that Katie and Andrew look like they have my crooked smile in this photo. :)  

They really don't though.  Lucky them!)

(PS.  My "Picture of the Day" will actually be some Easter photos this week as I want more than just one photo of Easter represented in our family scrapbook).

Day 114/365

Jammies, Easter Baskets and 3 excited kids before church on Easter morning.