Beaver's Bend

We just went to Oklahoma over Easter weekend to the Beaver's Bend area and stayed in a nice log cabin. The kids loved, loved just playing in the house.  They ran all around it.  Up and down the stairs, under the stairs, in their room...everywhere.  They thought it was the best and didn't want to go anywhere else.  There was a hot tub out on the deck which Joel and I soaked in under the stars each night.  Down the hill was a little stocked pond that we attempted to fish in.  We caught nothing, but it was neat just watching the kids try it for the first time.  It was relaxing and a nice change of scenery for us all.

 Inside the cabin.  Very nice.

 

The view off the deck.  Looking down on the pond.

 

Joel and I enjoying a quiet morning on the porch.

 Watching the sun come up and listening to the birds.

 

The awesome hot tub!

 

Our fishing attempt.

 

Joel and Jon found some fun play guns in the nearby town.  They had a lot of fun playing around with them in the cabin the rest of the weekend.  The girls got in on the fun too.

 

Jon especially loved playing under the stairs.

Growing Family

The newest addition to our family arrived on Feb 28th.  My nephew, Joshua Allan.  He's a total cutie as you can see.  He was a few weeks early but a good weight and very healthy.  Welcome to the world and to our family, sweet Joshua.  You're a blessed little man!

Jon's 6th Birthday

Jonathan also had a great birthday this year.  Which is good because the 2 days right before he was home sick with the stomach flu.  Ick!  Luckily he was all better to go back to school on his actual birthday - which is a big deal when you are in Kindergarten.  His class sang to him, he got to wear a special birthday hat all day and his name was read over the announcements.  Katherine and I also brought him a special lunch from Chick Fil A and he got to select an ice cream from the cafeteria for dessert. 

Grandma and Grandpa joined us for dinner because Grandma's birthday is the same week.  So They got to celebrate together this year.  Jonathan had requested a chocolate cake with lots of sprinkles and decorations.  I made him & Mom (aka Grandma) their own individual 3 layer chocolate cakes and cupcakes for the rest of us.  I really enjoy baking so it was a treat for me too. 

 

Jon got some really nice presents this year.  His favorite was the Lego Star Wars video game.  He could not wait to play it so he ended his birthday playing a level with his dad.  A very nice 6th birthday for one cool kid.

 

Em's 9th Birthday

Emily had a self-proclaimed "great birthday" this year.  Kat & I took her a special Chick-Fil-A lunch to school & then she got to buy ice cream from the cafeteria for dessert (she chose an all fruit Strawberry bar - love that!)  Then we had dinner together as a family followed by a yummy fruit tart I made for her.  She LOVES fruit & we decided this would be a great birthday desert this year. 

And...by the way...Jonathan brought his suit to me, **on his own**, and asked me to help him put it on so "he could look nice for her birthday dinner."  I said of course I would help, while trying not to let him see that he totally made me tear up.  Here's a photo of him in it holding the birthday card he made for her.

Now, lest you think they get along like this all the time, know that perfect harmony is soooooooo not the case.  They are typical siblings, through and through.  We have plenty of "stop copying me's!!!!!!" and "Moooooommmmmmmm, Emily did this, or Jon did that or, Kat won't give this back."  You get the point.  But, I am impressed on a fairly regular basis with how sensitive and caring Jonathan really is about his sisters.  He is going to rock husbandhood (because that's a word).  Having 2 sisters living with you 24-7 is some pretty great training in my book.

After dinner Em had requested that she get to pick out her present from Justice (a girl's clothing store she is particularly fond of).  Grandma & cousin Edna met us there to also contribute to the shopping spree.  She had a blast.  Mom (grandma) even texted each outfit to Emily's Aunt Kerry in California to which Kerry would text back her responses. It was fun.

Once home she modeled her new things to her daddy who did a great job praising her picks.  Then off to bed.  Great birthday it was! 

Beautiful Morning at the Zoo

The weather this week has been phenomenal.  I have been wanting to get back to the zoo for several weeks now, but due to sick kids, busy schedules, or uncooperative weather it has not been an option until now.  Grandma joined Kat and I today.  It was a quiet day there as most were at work or school - a very nice visit in just about perfect weather. 

The flamingos were especially social today & came right up to us.

 I like that you can see her reflection in this one.  She really took it all in this visit.

 Watching the kangaroo eat a morning snack.

 She was excited to ride the "seat" on the carousel.

 Catching the zoo train back to the entrance on our way out.

Fun First Weekend of February

We had a fun first weekend of February.  Friday was Joel's 37th birthday.  His good friend took him to one of his favorite places for lunch, Cavali's Pizza.  I made him one of his favorite meals for dinner & a pecan pie for dessert. 

Jonathan was line leader in his class all week which meant he could bring home the class fish for the weekend.  Rainbow has been well treated and even shared meals with us and watched some TV from the coffee table.

Emily had her second basketball game Saturday morning.  Then that evening was the annual daddy daughter dance at the local rec center.  She and Joel went with Em's friend, Hailey, and her dad.  They had dinner first at Red Robin & then went to the dance.  Emily made sure Daddy stayed out on the dance floor all night.  He even worked up a sweat.  This is a testament to his love for his little girl as Joel is not the public dancing type.    

And today is the Super Bowl.  We are having a lazy Sunday at home and will have a relaxed evening watching the game together, most likely in our pjs. 

Good weekend indeed!  

Jonathan's Castle

Jonathan got a new castle toy for Christmas (thanks Grandma & Grandpa!).  He loves it and plays with it all the time.  Jon has an incredible imagination and many a battle have already been fought at his castle.  Yesterday he spent hours playing with it.  He also likes to incorporate other toys he has into the play.  He started out with the knights hanging out it the castle watching their big TV (his Nook - thanks Nana!) which they could move around to any room in the castle. 

Later that afternoon the castle was inhabited by various peaceful zoo animals while outside the walls all the aggressive, carnivorous animals were making their attack.  Joel joined in on the epic animal battle & many an intense sound was heard coming from Jon's room.