James is 9!

James is such a great helper in our house.  He is great at helping his younger siblings with whatever they need and loves the responsibility of helping William when he's babysitting.  James loves adventures and lately wants to ride out in the desert near the park all the time.  We are so happy he's in our family. Happy birthday, James!  

What is your favorite...
color? pink
food?  french toast bread pudding
toy?  legos
show? Fuller House
animal?  wolf
book? The Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
song? all of them
What do you like to do?  play football
Who is your best friend?  Colton
What do you want to be when you grow up? an inventor
Do you have a girlfriend?  NO

I am - awesome

I am afraid of - nothing

I like - pie

I like to eat - pizza

I don't like - french toast with pecans

I know - math

I want to be - a piano player

I like to watch - Chima

My hero is- myself

I cry when - I get hurt

Mom gets mad when - I yell at her

Mom is happy when - I be nice to her

I can't wait for - me turning 10!

Something Mom says to me - be quiet

Something Dad says to me - be a good boy

My favorite place to go is - Panda Express

My Mom and Dad make me laugh by -tickling me

I know my mom loves me because - she kisses me

I know my dad loves me because - he kisses me too

Basketball

Alex had a fun time playing basketball during the winter season.

(l-r: Isaiah, Caden, Jordan, Jake, Jayvon, Eli, Alex)

He was one of the youngest, smaller players on the Goosebumps team (and the league) but he was also so excited to learn and be out there.  He really tried hard and was one of the smiliest players I've ever seen.

Since James came home with huge trophies last year Alex was a little disappointed with the medal that he received.  But he had a fun time at the awards ceremony anyway.

The best part about our team was that we got to see the Fitzgibbons often!  Adam and Alex are second generation friends.

I'm excited to see what activity Alex will choose to conquer next.

Winter Pictures 2016

I like to have a little photo shoot with the kids every year.  I use these as their "school pictures" since I don't buy any.  Some years I get a bunch of great shots... and other years, not so much.  This year we didn't get as many but there were a few keepers.

(This one was decent... too bad Henry was closing his eyes!)

Again, another good one... but Alex was cold so he didn't want to smile.

Lydia:

Henry:

Alex:

James:

William:

And  few more group shots:

holiday road trip

This year we decided to take the family back to Oklahoma.  We haven't been back since we stopped on our way across the country a few years ago.  We got a decent start and left around 8:30 on Christmas morning.  The boys were great although Lydia was a little fussy.

We stopped for a little picnic lunch but it was snowing!  So we ended up eating our "picnic" in the gas station.  Just after we passed Gallup, NM we were stopped on the freeway--just inching along--waiting for them to clear a terrible accident.  There were at least 2 semis and 2 cars that were completely totalled.  It look over an hour to go a few miles.

We decided to stop in Grants, NM for dinner at Denny's.  An older gentleman sitting at the table next to us started up a conversation with us.  He was really friendly and said he had 3 boys and a girl at the end and that our family reminded him of his.  All through the evening he chatted with us.   When we went to pay we discovered that he paid our bill!

It was really the nicest thing anyone has ever done for us. When we finally got into Albuquerque Rich took boys across the parking lot to Applebee's for dessert and they stopped at the gym on the way up while I tried to put Lydia to bed.

The second day was pretty uneventful.  We had a small moment where we were sliding on the road but after that we were able to stay ahead of the storm.  

We got to Grandma's house around dinner time and we were so grateful to be there!  We were looking forward to attending our old ward with Bob and Daniela but the storm that was following us blew in and church was cancelled.  We were sad that we missed the chance to see our old friends!

There wasn't a ton of snow (mostly icy roads) but the boys still had fun playing outside in it!

And there was lots of time for cuddling.

Lydia loved Uncle Tim and Dot!

The power went out at Bob and Daniela's so they spent the night at  Grandma's too.    The next day Rich and I drove all the cousins to their house and they had a giant sleepover.    I really have missed that drive.  It's so peaceful!  (And look at the ice on my mirror!)

Rich and I took the opportunity to escape for a little date to Steve's Ribs.  It did not disappoint! Best. Ribs. Ever.

The next day we headed over to the science museum.  They have added so much since we were last there.

We had lunch at the museum... such crazy cousins.

We spent a lot of time hanging out at Grandma's house, playing games, and coloring.

Henry had a great time playing with Rich's old shapka and Great-Grandpa's old cane.

For New Year's Eve the boys and I planned a little party for the cousins.  It was almost as much fun to have them search Pinterest and shop for supplies as it was to celebrate!

We played several minute-to-win-it games.

We also played this fun present game.  

At "midnight" we watched King Julian's New Year's Countdown dance party.  The kids were hilarious and Henry was on the floor doing "the worm"... I really should have gotten a video of it!

And then the balloon drop!  So much fun!

As the final part of our party we ran outside in the cold to play with some fireworks. It was so much fun to spend New Year's with the cousins!

And then.... It was time to head back to Nevada.  So New Year's Day we packed up the van and headed back home.  We even stopped at the Petrified Forest to show Rich where we had stopped when we moved out West.

We had such a great trip.  I'm so glad our kids are such amazing travelers!