Background

Sunday, January 19, 2014

SANTA!

This was definitely Tay's year when it came to sitting on Santa's lap. After spending a few weeks looking at last year's Santa pic, which showed her bawling like no other, she was bound and determined to smile pretty and be a big girl. She definitely didn't disappoint....


The door of fame....year after year of Santa pics. Every year I have intentions on finding a much cuter way to display them, but end up sticking with good old scotch tape. Eventually, they will make their way into a photo book for each one of the kiddos. But, for now, we love looking at them every time we use that door. Not to mention the cute old holiday artwork and crafts....


Silly girl...looking for the Big Man in Red!!!


Ready to give Santa the picture she colored for him....


My Little Man all growing up on me....the "Seriously, Mom?!?!" look. Such a handsome fellow!!!




She even said good-bye!! What a big girl! Santa 2013 is in the books & couldn't have gone better!!!

Christmas Tree Time!!!

The kiddos are still in that super fun stage, loving the Elves on the Shelf and making it look all things Christmas around here. We had a blast putting up the tree this year. Everyone played their part and it made for one amazing tree....




All ready to work their magic!!!






Daddy's favorite ornament!!! Ha!



Best teamwork EVER!


Ty's better than me at spreading them out and making them balance!!!


(I'm IN LOVE with Tay's low ornament hanging this year. She was sooooo proud and, despite the fact that there wasn't much room for presents under the tree, you know that I didn't dare move one of her beautifully placed decorations. So stinkin' cute!!!)


Amazing job, Munchkins!!! You did fabulous...and I couldn't imagine a better tree!!!




1st Time Hoopin' it Up...

for Miss Ty!!!

She's been waiting and waiting and WAITING for this moment to come. She's hitting the court, learning the rules, playing defense, and shooting hoops. She's even practicing her pivot....which I don't think I've ever mastered! Ha!

The only thing we really need to work on is not running with the ball...dribble, dribble, dribble! But, that's not too tricky and I'm sure she'll have it down in no time....










She had her first game this past Saturday and had a blast. She scored two baskets and was awarded the Silver Offense Star. We're still learning about not pressing, staying with our man, taking the ball out, but there's LOTS of time to figure all that stuff out! 



Just smile and have fun and enjoy the heck out of learning the basics!!! We're so proud of you Miss Ty! 

Love ya BUNCHES!

Wrestle Mania....

seems to be Trey's winter months motto!

A little while ago he started his first season of wrestling. He eagerly attended his first practice and hasn't looked back since. I think it goes without saying that this hobby is going to stick around a little longer than some of the others. (like Tae-Kwan-Do, which involves a yellow belt we've paid for and never seen!!! Ha!)


Gotta love this pose!!!

We started off pretty simple. Hitting the wrestling room a bunch of other kids, some who had been wrestling for years and others for minutes. Listening and learning, blurry photos and all...




After a couple weeks of this, Jason signed Trey up for his first meet...which was dedicated to sole purpose of getting his feet wet and seeing what the sport is really about. Full of nerves and a little knowledge of some basic moves, Trey hit the mats. The result...three matches, three losses. Fourth place in his bracket & a jammed finger (which did bring a few tears to his eyes. The jammed part, not the losing part.) Overall, Trey rocked at defense, avoiding getting pinned. But, he didn't really get any opportunity to score any points from his back offensively, so he congratulated each of his opponents after watching them get their arms raised in victory. He had achieved what he set out to do & we were really proud of the effort and sportsmanship he showed....








Trey & his Daddy talked through some moves, strategies, and learning points and hit the mats for a couple more weeks. Trey quickly found himself in another meet. Another four-man round robin bracket. The morning of the meet, Trey was as excited as ever. After a quick weigh-in, he listened to some pump-up music...eagerly awaiting another shot at the mat. This meet ended with Trey on top (YES! He won his bracket), going 3-0 and getting his first PIN in his last match of the meet. He improved tremendously on offense and followed through on what he learned in practice. His smile was huge and, bottom line, he felt good about what he did and the hard work and focus he put in. 




Everyone waiting for the awards ceremony!! So patient!



There are a few more upcoming meets and Trey's still pumped. This next one should be challenging as the competition is also improving. He's set on doing his best, having fun, learning more about the rules, and enjoying the experience, which is really what it's all about!

Here's to building discipline, drive, motivation, and character!!! Way to go, Trey Man!!!



This Blog has to be feeling....

NEGLECTED!!!

Oh my!!! To think that it's been over a month since I've done any type of post what-so-ever makes my heart sad.

Yes, we've been busy, but that's never an excuse!!!

I'm thinking blogging is a lot like doing the laundry...if you don't do a little bit here and there it gets piled up and overwhelming. Then it's not fun, because you're swimming in a time suck. It usually results in having to dedicate a whole day to catching up & ain't nobody got time for that!

With the year off to a fresh start, I thought it would be a perfect time to get my blogging habits back in working order!!! I'm set on doing a little bit more often so I don't end up months & months behind. This whole blogging thing has always been about creating (& maintaining) a space to jot down memories for the kiddos to have to look back on after I'm long gone...and, that's how I intend on keeping it!!

So, without wasting any more time....here goes!!! (And, I'm going to do my best to keep in order...starting back from where I left off.....

We're BACK!!!!






Sunday, December 1, 2013

Giving Thanks...

Is something that I try to do way more often than not. 

But, with that being said, it's definitely easy to get caught up in all the, "Ooooh! I wish I had thats!" and the, "Her life seems so much better & perfects!" that   seem to be the focus of our society today. Everyone's guilty of it in some way, shape, or form. 

I know I'm always working at being the best me I can be, and am way better at it some days compared to others. I genuinely realize I do have a tremendous amount to be thankful for!!! 

I, without a doubt, have an amazing family, a beyond supportive husband, three wonderful children, a satisfying career, and some great friends. I plan on counting my blessings more than ever as 2014 gets closer and closer to making its debut. 


Happy Thanksgiving 2013!!! Hope you took the opportunity to reflect on all you have been blessed with....

Our little trip to St. Louis proved to be the perfect visit and everyone had a ball....

























Perfect.