Halloween 2013

It is hard to believe the boys are growing up.  Halloween is a fun time... I mean anytime you get lots of candy it is a fun time!  Since they are getting older the costumes are a little less elaborate and I think Halloween in a small little town isn't quite the production that Halloween in a big city is!  We had trunk or treats at church, the Fall Festival at the Christian School, and a community-wide trick-or-treating event downtown on Main Street!  Fun times!  This year Nate was LeBron James, Zachy was Chris Bosh and Ben was Tony Romo & a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle!  Fun Times!

Happy 6th birthday Ben Ben!

 

Man, the beginning of school is always CRAZY... and then throw in trying to pull together a birthday party with some kiddos who you've just met!  On your birthday, we had a little family celebration

But for your "big party," this year we decided to have your birthday down at the river; after all that is where you river rats spend most of your time!  Since we were going to swim and fish down at the river we decided to make this a "boys only" party this year with your closest buds!  Your brothers were there, of course, and Judd, Gabe, Bryson, Kaleb and Jeb!  It was a blast and I think the boys all enjoyed the river and celebrating your birthday "Teenage Mutant Ninja" style!  Happy Birthday Ben Ben, I seriously cannot believe you have blessed our lives for 6 whole years!  Looking forward to many more celebrations!

 

Some how, I did not get any pics of all of you cuties down at the river!  Probably because I was counting heads the whole time to make sure everyone was safe and accounted for!  It was a great party!  Happy 6 years my little man!  Love you!

First day of K, 2nd, & 5th!

 The boys all had a great first day of school!  They are getting so big and bring so much laughter and joy, and the occasional headache :-) ,  into our lives!  Love them so much!

Each of the boys on their FIRST day of kindergarten!!

This was my view from the door as I dropped Ben off for his first day... and then the tears, mine not his began!

Ben: First Day of Kindergarten!

Ben Ben:

I saved yours for last because it was definitely the hardest day... for me not for you!  Today was your FIRST day of kindergarten, of big boy school, of being at a place other than the Christian School!  You did great.  While we were at home you were pretty excited about going to your new class with Mrs. Evans, carrying your new backpack and your new lunchbox.  You asked me several times if I would walk you to your class and I reassured you that I would.  You, me and Zachy all walked in together and Zac took off to his room while you and I walked hand in hand to your room.  I had prepared myself for a major melt down and you begging me not to leave... starting in the car of course... but this never happened (not on day one maybe days 2 through 7)!  I stood at the door and watched you walk in and hang up your backpack and very quietly walk to your seat.  I waved and left quickly so that you would be OK... well really I left quickly because I started crying... the not so pretty kind of cry!  I know some of the teachers that I know and parents thought I was a little crazy because this is my 3rd time to leave one of my kiddos in kindergarten... but YOU are my baby... my last one at home... my last one to ever leave in kindergarten!  It was so hard!  But Benjamin Scott, I could not have been more proud of how brave you were!  You are going to do great in kindergarten.  I look forward to all of the new friends that you will make and all of the new people that you will meet.  I know that I am leaving you in good hands, because Mrs. Evans, took such good care of Zachy when he was in kindergarten.  Your daddy and I love you to the moon in back!  Go get'em and learn lots in kindergarten!

Love, MOM

P.S.  The first couple of weeks were pretty rough, and ended with you getting upset in the afternoons when it was time to go home.  Once you learned the routine and realized that Zac and mommy would pick you up every day and that Kyler or Zac would walk you to class every morning... you were OK!  For quite awhile, you would tell me you didn't want to go to school that day, took a little while for you to realize that kindergarten wasn't preschool... and that you couldn't have "mommy days" several times a week.  It was sad for both of us!  However, once you figured it all out!  You did just fine! Love you little man!

Zac: First Day of 2nd Grade

Zachy:

Well off to second grade you go!  You have grown up so much since this time last year!  You were ready to go this morning, without a moment of hesitation.  I know it helps because this is starting your third year at Centerpoint Primary and you have Mrs. Melynda... I mean, Mrs. Bryant, for your teacher!  I know that you are going to have a great year and learn so many new things!  You are my smart middle man, and I know that you are going to continue to amaze me with the things that you learn.  I pray that you will have a wonderful year and that everyone will see that sweet, giving, precious and tender heart that lies beneath a cute and spunky exterior!  I love you Zac Attack and I just know you are going to take second grade by storm! Always remember that Jesus loves you and he will help you to make the right choices no matter how big or small, just by speaking to your tender little heart!  Have a great year and "rock" second grade! Your mom and dad think you are pretty spectacular!

Love, MOM

Nate: First Day of 5th Grade

Nathan Thomas,
Can you really be 10 and starting 5th grade?  Time is passing to quickly!  There are days that I terribly miss when you were little and at home with me, but I try to remember to cherish the here and now and to rejoice in the gifts of today!  Today was a fairly easy first day of school for you, you were back at the intermediate school in Amity.  Last year you & your buddies were the babies of the building, but this year you are the big man on campus (only 4th & 5th grade here)!   You have been selected for flag duty this year, which means I will have to make sure that we are always early!  I look forward to your many accomplishments this year both academically & athletically.  I pray that you will continue to be surrounded by good friends and teachers who will make your days fun and filled with smiles.  I pray that life will stay as simple and carefree as possible for you this year.  Love you so much and I couldn't be prouder!  Always remember whose you are Nate, and to whom you ultimately belong.  Your mom and your dad love you big man!

Love, Mom

River Time... Big Fish, Lots of Turttles, and Endless Fun!

I cannot imagine living anywhere else because I cannot imagine raising three boys without having a river in our backyard!  When we are home in the summer, we go down every day.... many days ... twice a day!  Our entire weekends are spent floating, fishing, and swimming in the river or just hanging out by the river.  This year, the boy's favorite thing was to catch this river monsters called GAR!  They are creepy and they also caught some really big catfish!  After seeing all of these giants... I am not a big fan of swimming IN the river!  It was also the year of the turtle!   By the end of the summer, Nate and Zac could sneak up on these little creatures and catch them while they were sunning on a log or swimming underwater! Couldn't imagine spending my summers any other way than hanging out with my boys on the river!

Florida 2013: Fun in the Sun

Another fun-filled week on the sunny beaches of Florida!  There is no way to post all of the pictures that are taken or to fully put in to words all of the fun that is had while we are at the beach each year.  The boys look forward to this week all year long... and so do I!  It a wonderful week spent making memories, hanging out with family, and eating yummy food!  There is sandcastle building, wave surfing, snorkeling, shell gathering, crab catching, Frisbee tossing and sooooo much more!  I cherish this time with my sweet family making memories that will last a lifetime!

What a wonderful week we had!  I always love our time with Nana, Papa, Jen, Rich, Molly, Matt, Uncle Jim & Mar Mar!