easter 2018

This year the kids had "spring break" right around Easter, really just Good Friday and Easter Monday, but it didn't line up with OVU's break so we planned to stay in WV. We wanted to go to NJ, but Copper hates the car still, and Kathy and Weston were so great to come to us. The kids also had missed so much school from the teacher work stoppage I really thought they might take away those days, but they didn't.

The weekend before, though, we particiapted in the egg hunt at OVU, and then went to the Mid-Ohio Valley Easter parade in downtown Parkersburg.

We went to Grand Central's egg hunt Saturday morning, then had Elle's party Saturday night. Then we decided to get donuts, church at Grand Central on Sunday morning, then our house the rest of the day. We at Mississippi pot roast because Kathy and weston got in town later than we anticipated and missed eating that before. We also had Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes, green beans, and rolls. And we had pie, but not from scratch this year. A birthday, and easter all in the same weekend was really too much.











The Easter bunny visited everyone, and the kids loved hiding eggs. We also played Elle's new board game, "Beat the Parents," a kids versus adults game about who knows Disney trivia better. Think the kids won, but can't remember.

We even took a walk because the weather was nice, but everyone was pretty tired by bedtime. It was a good day! One thing we can say is that WV is serious about holidays. They go all out for everything!

elle turns 9!

How can it be that Elle, our first baby, is 9?! A friend posted something not that long ago that her daughter who had turned nine commented that she was half way to 18. That is not lost on Chris and me. We both feel like we haven't had near enough time with Elle to have her be ready to go in the same amount of time. We feel like there's so much more to show her, and do with her.

For her birthday this year Chris took her to school with Todd and Reese and they all ate in the cafeteria with the Easter bunny. Then I took her lunch after my class. The big ones get to pick a few friends to go eat in the library with their family. I like that I get some time to see how she interacts with her friends. For being such an introvert she is a great friend! I wish I could be more like her.

Then for dinner she chose to Texas Roadhouse. She loves that you can throw the peanuts on the floor. And of course Texas runs deep in her! I got her to wear her made in Waco shirt.

She also wanted to have a softball party. We originally planned to have it at her school field, but it was still wet and cold here in WV. So we moved it to the church fellowship hall. She had a good turnout between school and church friends. Aunt Kathy and Weston got to come for Easter so it was nice to have some family too.

We had decent enough weather that we could take the kids out the playground for a bit and play a game of whiffle ball. We also made some softball cornhole ramps and had a baseball pinata. We ate concession type foods, and thanks to Aunt Kathy had two great looking softball cakes. Elle seemed to have a great time, which was what we were hoping for.

Elle loves reading, writing, dogs, Tsum Tsums, softball, and her stuffed animals and American Girl doll. She has become really responsible for the most part. She can't keep her room clean, and she's pretty sassy at times, but we really do love her!  She plays and loves on each of her siblings in her own special way. Of course she's used to being the boss. She has really excelled in school, even making it to the spelling bee! She has really gotten into her American Heritage Girls troop this year. I think knowing what to expect this time around has helped. She also loves doing origami, and anything crafty. She even joined the art club at school. She has grown so much in her Bible knowledge. Softball has been fun for her too, although she still gets nervous during games. She's clever, thoughtful, kind, fights for justice, and cautious. And of course she's beautiful inside and out!

Easter dress shopping 2018

It’s that time again! Chris’ annual trip with the girls to find Easter dresses. They quickly decided on these because they have a necklace. I’m excited they’re still in the phase where they’ll wear matching dresses although they don’t have to. Elle loves her dress so I don’t know what’s going on with her face in this picture:

copper Drew, 9 months

You are looking more like a big boy! Your favorite places are standing at the bay window, talking to yourself in the mirror, the bathroom, and outside. You started creeping along things while you stand and you’re crawling all over the place. You’ve gotten a few bumps and bruises because of this. You still have no teeth, but decided you don’t want anything off a spoon. You love to feed yourself and have tried more foods so we’re working with it. We love to hear you laugh and your babbling! You also had your first zoo trip!

st Patrick’s day 2018

I’ve never really understood this holiday, but I try to just embrace the time to think of all the ways I’m so lucky. These four are some of the top reasons! We spent most of the day playing at home because Chris was gone, but took a short trip to the Pburg library. They love both libraries and I’m so glad. For lunch we had a fruit rainbow. I found the cookies, and the kids thought they were Scrooge McDuck cookies. Chris was on a field trip, so I put some corn beef, cabbage, potatoes, and carrots in the crockpot and cooked that all day for dinner. It was delicious!

more summer fun 2016

 

playing at Grammy and Grandad's house

 

Distributing "Christmas in July" bags some of the kids made for the food pantry.

 

Cow Appreciation day at Chickfila.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ladybug release at the Myriad Gardens

 

 

Toddler Tea Party at Mayfair

spiritual birthday tradition

We decided to start a new tradition. Chris and I were baptized the same week of the same year. Chris was March 12th, and mine was March 15, 1995. We decided to celebrate our spiritual birthday week each year, and eventually do the same for the kids. We aren’t trying to pressure the cubs into anything. This provided us an opportunity to talk about the experience with them and show them it’s just as important as our earthly birthdays. This year we just managed a fast dinner. The kids were kind of a mess, but at least maybe we started something.