Letters of love

A note Tanner wrote about his sister last year. She is the "lowdis" baby in the whole world. But, read on.....I love my sister evin no shes rile lowd. I still love her.
Notes from Alex to mom and dad. He is beginning to take after his older brother and writing his own letters to us. The second ones says, "I like the cabin. The cabin is really fun. We go to the fun cabin".
Tanner tends to not worry about spelling, but just writes from the heart. His writing has really improved year.


Matt thinks this is a terrible photo, but I had to laugh as I caught her on the toilet with two beaters in hand, and mouth covered in cookie dough. Why put them down for a bathroom break???

Valentines Day was celebrated with our co-op group. Fun games, lots of candy and cards and speaking of what real love is.
Elise shows off the craft.

And Alex.... handsome man.
Mama and the chicks gathered....

Tanner is scouring his letter that Santa wrote back (to he, Alex and Elise). They couldn't believe that he knew the things he knew. Like that they had baked cookies with Nana, and that he thought he'd be at the house around 2am. Tanner read and re-read this letter to make sure he was prepared for the big night. Elise loved her big girl 'puter from her grandmimi and granpa in Texas.

Tanner got what he wanted. A super spy video watch. This was number two on his list. Number one was a 22 Cricket gun. He didn't get his number one request this year.
Alex was thrilled with the batman cave which was number one on his list. Santa knew!!
Up at 6:30am due to her brothers excitement! Elise got into the fun right away....especially after realizing that her stocking had candy. She was more interested in that than any gift this year....ah oh.

Number 15 on our Christmas list

We continued with our Christmas list tradition of trying to think of ways to make the month meaningful with an outpouring of Jesus love each day in some way. This day we are waiting for our friends at the Meridian Care Center to arrive to visit the residents. All dressed up with jingly shoes. Those were a big hit with the residents!Our friends arrive! The Weaver and Sanders family. Two families that we co-op for homeschooling with and support each other in every way. The kids had made homemade cards for the residents and were ready with Christmas carrolls.

Here is Elise "performing" at our church Christmas program. She had no words for any of the songs, but had plenty of funny faces during the performance.
Elise with her best buddies, Will and Elle. Elle is actually really happy, but loves to put on her mad face! These three are front row most Sundays hamming it up.

Our Texas Getaway Adventures

Top 10 reasons why we LOVE our Texas Vacations!
1. Sun and sleep! Elise fell fast asleep in the stroller at Sea World

2. Alex learns to drive the boat. He really was excited!

3. Tanner learns to drive the boat. Lake LBJ is fantastic in May during the weekdays!

4. A beer and a boat. Matt will kill me for putting this one out there, but hey, it is what it is.

5. Cave adventures in the hill country. Our guide was a bit long winded and Alex motioned for me and quietly asked, "is this guy making any sense?"

6. Sea World with Sami and Julia 7. Staying in a cool hotel in San Antonio so we can enjoy a full day at Sea World!8. Boating in Granpa's boat on lake LBJ. Obviously, this one makes it several times on the list since we try to get out swimming and skiing every day! 9. Spending time on the back porch with Mimi's dog, Buddy.10.Happy hour with Grandmimi and Granpa every night! Mimi and Papa Frank join us each night, but getting a picture of those two is nearly impossible.

Alex's 6th birthday celebration

Turning 6 in Texas at his Granmimi and Granpa's house has it's advantages! Pancakes in the morning and presents right afterwards!

Star Wars was the hit of the day

Daddy and Grandmimi aleady sharing photos and Alex bliss in the aftermath of gifts.

Elise seemed to enjoy the show too!

Some adventures in the long winter

We are all set up to school in our office. Most days it's very fun. Some days it's a lot of work on all of our parts. For the most part, we have really enjoyed this year together and when I look back, it's had some extraordinary moments. I wouldn't trade it for anything. One benefit has been the extra-curricular activities that the boys and their friends in our co-op have enjoyed. This gymnastics class is phenomenal with a Bulgarian coach, Ivan. The boys are much more enthusiastic when their friends, Hannah and Ava join them. This is Tanner trying out the rings. Alex and Ava.Ivan helping Alex finish his back roll.Alex and Tanner have also taken a PE class at the local rec center which has included an aray of sports such as rock climbing, flag football, hockey and running a mile. We've met a great family through this program too! Our newest addition, "mousie" a pet rat. This started out as a favor to a friend who wanted to get rid of the rat due to purchasing a new pet dog. She brought mousie (as Leesy has named her) over and Tanner fell in love. He's been so great about taking care of her and we've all kind of gotten to like her. Kind of.......

Long claws keep us covered as we hold her.