Family night

Saturday evening, we went over to Shawn's parents for dinner to celebrate his parents' 38th anniversary!  Shawn's older sister's family and younger brother were there as well.

Chip had his camera connected to the TV and the kids had a blast watching themselves on the big screen!  It was a little movie in the making!

Coby and Jase...cousins and best friends!

Opening Day

Saturday we had our opening day festivities.

Aunt Susan, cousin Amy and her daughter Avery, and Amy's sister, Stephanie.

Dylan and Ally, they just love each other!!  So glad Ally has a running buddy to grow up with!

Not only did the boys have fun tossing candy, but we had fun picking it up.  Dylan and Ally thought this was AWESOME!!

Jase and some of his buddies from church.

Well, it wasn't a "W", but the boys got the first one out of the way and had fun.

Afternoon Activities

Can I tell you that we have been enjoying the weather these past few days?!?  We have been getting out more, which has been great for all of us.

Saturday afternoon we drove out to a local hiking/biking trail.  It is a wooded a little and it was a nice change of scenery.  And if I'm being completely honest I did not want to go, but after it was all said and done, I'm glad I did.  I actually jogged a little and it felt so good. {I haven't done that since before I got pregnant with Finn.}  I set my alarm to get up early before church on Sunday and go for a jog...but that didn't work out as planned. There's always tomorrow! ;-)

Look how red/orange this baby's hair is getting!! It is definitely strawberry blonde to me.  So cute!! :-)

We were upstairs this afternoon and Jase had just finished school and Ally was piddling in my stuff...as usual.  She found the paint stuff, oh no!! Finn was asleep, so I had a free hand to set it all up for her. She enjoyed it and I'm glad! And she had her pick out of about 25 paintbrushes, but I noticed she picked out all the purple ones!  Love her!

We've got a crawler

Within the past week or so Finn has started scooting around on the floor.  He has just about mastered it, if you ask me.  Here is some footage of him this afternoon.

And of course, as soon as I turn off the video, he sits back up after being on his tummy.  Seems like he is doing things a little faster than the other two did.  Just love my little Finny!

Before dance this morning I took the kiddos to Shipley's for some HOT donuts. {Duck Dynasty anyone?} They were super yummy!

More than just a date

For a couple of weeks, today has been looming over my head and I know my mom's head for sure. 28 years ago today, my Papa past away. I was 4 1/2 when he died, so I don't remember a whole lot, but I do know that he loved me a lot! Even though the kids have never seen him, I've told them about him. Yesterday we were talking and I said "Papa, Nanny's daddy" and Jase said "I know Papa Mickey". Melted my heart.

I always tried to remember to call my Nana on his birthday and this day to tell her hello and that I loved her and to tell her I cared. Since she is in heaven with him now, no call will be made, but a few tears are being shed for him and her.

And one more date, tomorrow is my Uncle Billy's birthday; he'll be 57. Since the fall of 2011 he has been fighting cancer. He had a tumor form on his face and it did quite a bit of damage to say the least. He has been such a fighter.

Well, this week he was transferred to a hospice hospital since he could no longer take care of himself or administer his own medicine. He doesn't really have an appetite and is in a lot of pain. Our family has been praying for him everyday, that The Lord would take away his pain. And I know He will take it away soon. We are also praying for his brothers and sisters, as I know they have been there right along with him through this journey. They've seen him diminish right before their eyes. I believe The Lord will reward their faithfulness they've shown to their brother. Praying for his teenage daughter too, as I cannot imagine losing a parent.

A lot of emotion this weekend. Praising God for his salvation and eternal life in heaven for the believer. To know that I'll see Nana and Papa again is so refreshing. And that a mom and dad will see their son very soon is not bitter sweet for them at all, but will be completely joyful.

All of these dates make me realize just how short life is and to make the most out of what I am given here on earth.

Lord, help me to keep my eyes on you all the days of my life. May my actions, thoughts and words be pleasing to you.

Time for a trim

After a couple of months without a haircut, Jase finally got one today. And if I'm being completely honest, this was NOT his idea at all; he actually cried when we mentioned haircut today. He said he wanted his hair like Obi Wan Kenobi's in Episode II. A little obsessed, you think? Hey, but a boy's gotta dream!

Obi Wan Kenobi

I think it turned out great, although I have to admit that it makes him look way TOO big!!  He loses that baby look when his hair is shorter, I think. {He'll be 6 next month...doesn't seem possible.}

Since the weather was so nice today, we were able to spend quite a bit of it outside, which was great for a change.  Jase did his geography lesson on the playset, we played catch, Daddy and the kiddos planted some new seeds in our garden (since we're staying!).  It was a good day!

Jase was swinging yesterday and told me he was going to jump off and asked if I could take his picture.  I pulled out my phone and was able to time it just right.  Thought this was a great picture of him in action!  Love this little guy!

7 Months

I cannot believe my baby is now closer to a year than a newborn!  I took him to the doctor on Friday for a check-up and he weighed 17 lb 13 oz and was 28 inches long.  The doctor said he is still "long and lean"; above average on his height and just a touch below average on his weight.  He is sitting up great on his own and is now scooting all around on the floor.  Finn has two teeth on the bottom and has started to babble!  He is such a sweet baby and rarely cries.

While taking Finn's pictures, we were able to gather the troops and get a pictures of all 3 siblings. LOVE THEM!

Grandma & Grandpa

Thursday evening we had our family over for dinner to celebrate Shawn's birthday with them; it was a nice time. I was able to get some good shots of the kids with Grandma and Grandpa. :)

Rodeo

This past Tuesday we took the big kids to the rodeo. I don't think I have been there since having kids. Shawn and I both were really excited to make memories with them there.

We first hit up the carnival...holy cow, can you say expensive?!? I do not remember it costing an arm and a leg to ride rides! We spent $20 for Shawn and Jase to ride a roller coaster and me and the kids to ride one together and that's it...that's how far our money went!! Nuts!

After the rides we got some foodie!!! I think every item we purchased was $10. {Can you tell I was in price shock between the rides and the food?} The funnel cake was always one of my favorites, so I had to get one before we left. It was tasty, but remembered it being bigger!! Lol!

We then headed into the stadium to find our seats and get situated for the rodeo. Our seats were great and I was getting so excited for all the rodeo events. They started off with the national anthem and then fireworks. Uh oh!!! Both kids lost it and began to cry; they were scared of the noise. My poor kiddos. Jase calmed down, but Ally did not and Shawn ended up taking her in the concourse area during the first rodeo event.

Jase and I sat there and watched the bronco rides, barrel races, header and heelers and then the bull riders. He told me he wanted to leave before the music started because they would have fireworks again. (He went to rodeo last year with my sister and her husband and he told me he remembered it from then.) So, we headed upstairs before the calf scramble.

I didn't think we would have stayed for the entire concert, but I thought we would have at least listened to a few songs. Oh well. We grabbed a snack and then hit the road. :)  #lifewithkids

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today Shawn celebrated his 25th birthday (again)! Jase made all of us name tags for this special occasion. If you are unaware, we are all a member of the Star Wars family (we live in a fantasy land over here)! Shawn is Anakin, I am Padme, Jase is Luke and Allyson is Princess Leia. Oh and Finn is R2D2, but he didn't get a name tag because he would chew it up! And if you notice, Jase's name tag has 5/6 on it because he is about to be 6 next month! I love it!

Yesterday I took the kids to Walmart and let them pick out their own card (and stickers to decorate with) for Daddy! It should be no surprise that Jase bought a Star Wars card that plays the theme song and Allyson's card is Cinderella that's sings Bippity-Boppity-Boo! It was priceless when Shawn opened up her card; he could not stop laughing when the song was playing and she could not stop dancing!

We love you Daddy and are so thankful for you! May the force be with you on your birthday!

Sunday Fun Day

This afternoon we went to a friend's birthday party at Jump N Wild and the kids had a blast! It was too cute to watch Ally run with her little girlfriends!!

Today was the FIRST day where Jase has really tied his shoes by himself! YAY!! We have been working on it for quite some time and he told us this evening that he did it 4 times today!!

On the way home tonight I turned around and noticed Ally's hand was hanging off her car seat  I looked a little closer and Jase was holding her hand, it was so sweet!! I had to capture this moment because they are not always this affectionate. Not the greatest picture due to the flash, but still sweet.