WE LIVE IN THE MOST AMAZING PLACE

A few lucky nights we get to hear the owls that live in our back yard trees.  This night Dain was still up with the boys and they got a chance to hear their calls as well.

This year marker Dade's First Pinewood Derby.  That's his car there.  He won the Duck Dynasty Award.

The anticipation of waiting for the times/scores was almost too much. 

5th Place.  Not bad for his (and our) for time.  He did great and thanks Daddy for helping.

GLASS BLOWING DATE

In the fall of 2013, Dain and I went to Quebec.  We had an amazing time.  One of the highlights was watching glass blowers at work.  When I found a deal for a glass blowing opportunity in Dallas I couldn't wait to take Dain on this date. 

We each got to pick out what we wanted to make.  We both picked vases, but with different shapes.

Then we chose our colors and off we went to the fires.

Then, while the glass is still hot we got the blow out the middle.  Amazing.

(Dain took pictures of me on his phone, but I don't have them to put on the blog)

Takes more air then you might think. 

During this part he is creating a flat bottom for the base.

The only different thing for me was that I got to use these flat mallet things to squeeze the sides flat.  It sparked when I did it. AWESOME.

DADE BASKETBALL 2014

Another Basketball Season has come to a close.

The boys has a great coach and these boys love playing together.

You know you've played a good game when you come away this sweaty.

He's such a good boy.

Coach is just as silly as they are.

That's cupcake all over their faces.

See ya next year.

AISLYN

Aislyn on her 2nd Birthday.  I wish I had a picture of her 1st birthday but my old computer wont even start up anymore.  So, we will have to start with this beauty from her 2nd Birthday.

This year for her 3rd Birthday we had a pajama party in the morning.

Her 4th Birthday was spent celebrating with "Red and Purple" at Oma's.

5th Birthday in the new house with Tangled.

And now for her 6th Birthday...

Frozen.

You have grown into such a lovely young lady. Kindergarten, Soccer (pictures coming soon), Piano, etc. You work so hard to make good choices.  I love the person you are and thank Heavenly Father for your laugh, smile and hugs.

Happy Birthday Angel.

FEBRUARY 2014

This month was full of many activities.

Grayer is currently trying to drop his nap.  Most days he does fine, but eventually it catches up to him.

This little girl celebrated her 101st day of Kindergarten.

Our dear friends came to visit over Valentine's Day weekend.

These girls didn't even know they had the same shirt, until Lia showed up at the door.

We eat heart shaped pasta and then decorated sugar cookies. 

One of these things is not like the other....

Clove looks like such a big girl...that's because she is sitting in a doll stroller.

DADE'S BAPTISM

I have tears in my eyes as I write this entry.

Dade turned 8 in October of 2013.  Due to several scheduling difficulties (Cousins baptism, Katy's Wedding, Katy's Open House, etc.) Dade had to wait until February 8th of 2014 to be baptized. 

It was a beautiful Texas Winter Day.

My parents came along with Susan's Family.

These kids don't know how lucky they are.

We were so happy to celebrate this wonderful day with Dade.

We spent months getting Dade ready by having Family Home Evening lessons tailored around the importance of baptism.  We took every opportunity we could to educate and encourage him.  One day shortly before Dade's 8th birthday I was sitting with him outside on the back porch discussing baptism and the covenants we make.  I told him that the most important thing the day of his baptism will be to remember the promises he is making.  I told him it doesn't matter who is there to witness it or who baptizes him.  Just that he is making a promise to be a follower of Christ and he would need to be an example to others.  He asked me who baptized me and I answered "Papa".  Dade then asked if Papa could baptize him as well.  I was totally taken off guard.  I had just told him it didn't matter who did what or who was there and then he asked this.  I asked why and with the sweetest face you have ever seen he told me that Papa and he were special to each other.  They share the same birthday, they even both turned 8's together (he meant that he was turning 8 and Papa was turning 80).  He thought Papa might not get antoher chance to baptize anyone before he dies (tears people, tears).

So, this is a special one for me.  Here is Dade with my Dad.

In an effort to include as many loved ones as possible we asked Opa to confirm.  Grandpa L and Dain were witnesses and then of course all of them in the circle for the confirmation, along with Uncle Brandon.

These are special men.

Brought together by this little boy.

We are here to celebrate you Dade.

One more picture to add...Grandpa L gave Dade a backpack full of treasures.  This hat which he puts on more often them he would probably want me to tell you. The backpack is the one he is using for school.

We love you Dade.  

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY BABY LOVE

I was having the hardest time coming up with a theme for Clove's 1st Birthday when I found a picture of these adorable clouds.  They reminded me of the foggy morning she came into this world.

So, her party centered around clouds and white.

We had cousins over to play games and this one was so fun to watch.

Each little one got a pair of chopsticks and a small white bag. Then they had one minute to see how many marshmallows they could get into their bags.

Grayer finally decided to take the easy way.

Next, we grabbed those pretty straws and a cotton ball.  The first one to blow their cotton ball to the front door and back won.

I think Asher won this one.

But everyone had fun trying.

On to cake.

She loved it.

Don't you think?

Presents next.

Happy Birthday Day Baby Love.

You're a Big Girl Now.