John's First Pinewood Derby

John has been having such a great time in Cub Scouts.  Should his first experience at Pinewood Derby be any different?  He loved the anticipation and the racing.  The kids loved sitting on the sidelines, eating popcorn and watching the cars go down the track.  It was great fun for everyone!

  

  

Jack recently got a slap bracelet from a birthday party and decided they made a good pair of spectacles.  It definitely did a great job of keeping him focused on the cars as they swept down the track.

John got a prize for "bursting" through the finish line.  Starburst make everyone happy after a day of racing!

Baby Number Six

We've been slowly telling people about the most recent addition to our family.  Well, technically, he's not here yet, but we've had pictures since week twelve.  Anyway, we're toying with Jason Daniel to finish off the boy "J" names but we won't put that into stone until he arrives.  That date should be the end of July or first part of August.

The kids are truly excited (especially the girls).  Joe still doesn't fully understand--typical of a two year-old.  Jack thinks he's having a baby too (helps him get sips of Mommy's soda).  Actually,  I think all of the kids have tried that last one with every pregnancy.  It's just there are a lot more kids to try to "share" the soda now.

But we're looking forward to another baby boy and hopefully we'll keep posting more until his arrival.  Can't guarantee how many updates we'll have right after the birth, but I'll try to keep you posted.

Easter 2013

Easter this year was a lazy one for us.    We didn't have church until 1300 so we didn't have to do the egg hunt as soon as the kids got up...or right after the three hour block of meetings.  So, if in the video Mommy doesn't look her best...well, I eventually got dressed up.

The kids loved looking for eggs.  We split it up so that Joe got to search for the eggs first.  Then Jack went; then Bekah; and finally the older two.  It really worked well that way.  The older kids went to the backyard after scouring out under the tree, leaving Joe the garden area all to himself.  With some help, he found some that the other kids had missed.

But we had a great day!  Hope you had one full of memories too!

Spring Break in Texas!

We had our first Spring Break in Texas and it was exciting, memorable, and much anticipated.  Grandma Sue came to see us for an entire week.  There was much to see and do...but first, the kids had to show Grandma all they'd built in their Minecraft worlds on xBox.  She was very impressed.

Anyway, to get out and enjoy the spring weather, we went strawberry picking at the Sweet Berry Farm in Marble Falls, TX.  It's a pick-it-yourself farm.  Well, that previous day it had rained buckets and the ground still was sloggy.  And it was chilly.  But that didn't stop the kids from finding enjoyment.

 

We got a few strawberries while some of the other kids wandered over to check out the local livestock.  Joe was just giddy when the horses nibbled bits of grass from his hands.

And the bouncy ...tarp?  I'm not sure what to call it...was a great hit.  Joe didn't stay on long because the kids kept bouncing him too much.  But he was more than ecstatic to find a corner of the tramp to jump on all by himself.

We had a great time with Grandma Sue and can't wait to do it again next year!

Ballerina Boys?

That's actually Joe.  Usually this is Jack's skirt of choice.

Not to be outdone by their sisters, but our boys are more than alright with dressing up in poufy skirts...well, until they get to an activity where more boys are present.  But still the pictures are worth it.  Besides, if they're okay dancing with their sisters, I'm okay with it too.  Every now and then, ballet quickly moves into wrestle mania...and it's not always the boys that start it.

Holy Cow! You're 2!

Wait!  Did I read that right? Joe turned two years old!?  Where has the time gone?  This little guy is doing his best to grow up and be just like his older siblings.  He loves to throw balls (not underhand for this boy), play golf (well, he uses a bat to hit a baseball on the ground), and LEGOS are a big hit with Joe.  Anything he can do to be big is just what he wants.

So, it felt appropriate that instead of having just plain "cake" for his birthday, we had Jordan River/Mississippi Mud for his cake.  The kids loved the idea of eating "mud" for a birthday treat.  But the biggest hit were the five balloons that Mom blew up for each child.  Everyone was super excited to get their own balloon.


 Joe loved his bubble bath, boots, and his superhero cape.  He calls it his Superman cape because he doesn't know any difference, but his siblings are quick to correct him.  It's a Batman cape!  Whatever.  He's happy.

 

I suppose I should explain Joe's "gift wrap."  See, in Austin, stores aren't allowed to provide one-time useuable bags anymore.  So, this is the most expensive gift wrap I could find...a bag from a store that still provides plastic bags.  We roll our eyes everytime we go shopping now.  Thought you'd enjoy a piece of Austin.

And there's our two super heroes!  Love 'em both!

He's A Bobcat

John was super excited to get into Cub Scouts.  He worked hard and got his Bobcat award at the Blue & Gold Banquet.  I just couldn't get the pin on his pocket while he was upside-down.  Ah well.  He did his good turn anyway and is so proud of his patch on his uniform.

We are so happy to have John as a part of our family!  He made the train that decorated our table at the banquet.  He did a great job with the skit too!  Hope you enjoy the pictures!