Oh... to be a kid again!

We had our friend, Addison Peck, over the other day and the kids decided to have a little dance/gymnastics "class". I had to tape them! Addison got a little shy when she saw me recording but warmed up after awhile. Oh, to be young again and have so much energy!! It's always fun to walk in and see all the kids playing nicely together. Even Ashton was showing off her moves!

Lunch at Gum-Gum's

It's so easy to get caught up in the every day mundane parts of my life. Mornings are so crazy getting every one ready and making sure they catch the bus. On Mondays and Tuesdays after the bus comes, I have to rush to get Addie ready for school. Once I drop her off Ashton and I run crazy to get grocery shopping and errands run before she needs a nap and then its time to pick up Addie. On Wednesdays we babysit sweet little baby Kate so by the time Thursday comes around I'm pooped! However, my conscience has been getting to me and I have always felt bad for not spending more time visiting my grandma. So recently the girls and I have been taking my mom over to have lunch with my sweet grandma. She has always been such an important part of my life and I hope that I am as involved with my grandchildren as she has been with hers. She will be turning 85 this March and I feel so blessed to have had so much time with her and that my children are able to know and love her like I do. My oldest nephew came up with the name "Gum-Gum" and it has stuck with all the great-grandchildren.

Addie and Ashton get so excited when we pull up to the driveway and they start yelling "Gum-Gum" because they love being there. The only bad part is that Avery and Austin aren't with us. Every time I let the girls know in the morning that we will be going to Gum-Gum's, Avery and Austin beg to go! But once summer rolls around we will all be able to go! Spending time with family is much more important than the dirty house we come home to on Thursdays. I bet you can guess what I do ALL DAY Friday!! :-)

Weekend with Sloan

We have been waiting for this day for so long! Sloan is one of Randy's good friends that use to work for ConocoPhillips with Randy and hung out at our house all the time. In fact, because he traveled so much with the company he sold his house and moved in with us for a month or so. At that time he took another job in Dallas and that is where he lives now. That was 3 1/2 years ago and this was Sloans first visit back. Randy and I have been down to visit Sloan, but this was our kids first time to see him again.-and they were super excited...

even though you can't tell it from this picture! They basically just didn't want to stop playing to take the picture! Avery was my only good sport! Austin (barely seen on the couch) and Sloan were best buds! Talladega Nights had just came out so Sloan would call Austin "Ricky Bobby" and Austin would call Sloan "Ricky Bobby". Randy and I, however, would call Sloan "Dupree" since he was living with us! You, Me and Dupree was another movie that came out during that time and the three of us went to see it in the theater. Too funny! Sloan left right before Addie was born, so this was his first time to see Addie or Ashton. I can't believe I had two kids in the short amount of time! Addie, my little pistol was hiding her face for this picture but....

She decided to peek through for this picture! Sloan brought his beautiful and sweet girlfriend, Liesl, back to Bartlesville with him. We fell in love with her right away! Anyone who can put up with my crazy bunch is a pretty special person!

This particular day, Sloan and Liesl were heading to the George Strait/Reba McIntire concert. They said it was amazing! Not only was it George and Reba which is amazing as is... but LeAnn Womack opened for them and Michelle Pederson (host of the Singing Bee) made an appearance with Reba. Man, I wish I could have seen that one! Thanks for the great weekend, Sloan and Liesl! Can't wait to see you all again!

Bowling with the Colaws

We were so excited to be able to hang out with the Colaws again! Rick was in town for the weekend and wanted to do a little something for Connors birthday. Kylee and the kids are here for a semester before heading out with Rick to Washington D.C. So any time we can spend with them is great!

I LOVE Austin's face here!! He was throwing the ball down the lane and dropped it on his back swing... he was so embarrassed! This was when I wished I was carrying a video camera!!! Very funny!

Addie and Ashton mainly watched the others bowl. After a while Addie got her courage up and wanted to take a turn. Avery let her take her turn a couple of times and now she wants to go bowling all the time!

And here is Avery with Ashton. Ashton was mesmerized by the ball return... she thought that was too cool! Avery was very impressive bowling... she even got a strike! Austin got a couple of spares which was exciting also... they had a blast! It was fun for them to meet up with the Colaw kids again, it's been a long time.

I had Randy grab a picture of Kylee and I. Kylee and I have known eachother since 1st grade and I have always loved her. She is such a sweetheart!! It was so nice hanging out again and hopefully we will get some more time together before they take off for D.C.

Balloon Party!

Now that Uncle Jordan and Auntie Jen live in Independence, KS we get to see them much more often! This last time, Jen brought balloons with her. She is as good as any clown I have seen! She can do anything... and the kids LOVED it!!

Here is Avery with her balloon hat and horse. Jen also made her a flower, ladybug bracelet, sword and belt, and a flying mouse. At least that's all I can remember right now!

Austin is holding his alien man hat that Jen made him. She also made him a Vikings hat, sword and belt and flying mouse. The kids loved their flying mice! That was a big hit. We had friends over that same weekend for the SuperBowl so all the kids got a chance to play with the balloons.

This is supposed to be a hat! Ashton also had a poodle puppy which she loved. Jen made her a ladybug bracelet but she didn't like having it on her arm. Thankyou, Auntie Jen! You made the kids weekend!!!

Snow Days!

We have missed more snow days this year than I remember ever missing before! It made it so hard to get into any routine. We are still having snow, but luckily not enough now to miss school. Randy shoveled the driveway three times this day! And each time it looked like he had never done it. His back was hurting for days.

Here is Austin outside waiting to go sledding. Randy and Kevin Murphy took the kids over to the golf course to go sledding. Avery had spent the night with Addison Peck that night so I didn't get any pictures of her. I gave them my camera to take pictures but they left it in the car.

Addison couldn't wait to get down in the snow! Luckily I have 4 pants and 5 shirts on her! Randy said she wouldn't go sledding once they got there. She just watched everyone... but hopefully she stayed warm!

I love this picture of Ashton. I kept her inside but she wanted to put Avery's hat on. She just sat on the couch and stared out at the kids. Randy did come get her and let her touch the snow. She didn't like it! She must be like her mom!

Amy's surprise baby shower

Right after the assembly Ashton, Addie and I headed over to Amanda Vaclaw's house for a surprise baby shower for Amy Christiansen. Amy had no idea since it was Amanda's birthday (we told her we were getting together for Amanda's birthday). Here are all our kids enjoying their lunch! I feel so lucky to have such great friends who also have kids the same ages as mine!

And here are my girlfriends that I love so much! Amanda made an amazing potato soup... she's such a great cook! Here's Amanda, Amy, Lori, Emilie and Lauren. Amy has since had baby Owen and he is adorable! Not that he has a choice!!

Ranch Heights Assembly

We were invited by Avery's teacher to attend the 2nd 9 weeks assembly at their school. This assembly was with the 2nd graders singing so normally Randy and I wouldn't have come... so I'm glad she called! Avery received the Citizenship Award which is given to one girl and one boy from each class.

Austin also got an award! He got one for Perfect Attendance... which was a great accomplishment considering all the flu viruses that were going around!