The Big 30 for Cindy

Well, it happened. Cindy turned 30 years old! Sam gave a cowgirl party with BBQ from Rudy's (oh so yummy), fake mustaches and tiny cowgirl hats, and some awesome friends. Cindy's favorite part was the "guess that chocolate bar" tasting game.

Cindy's good friend and partner in Wolf Cub Scout crime, Angie. What fun they have! 

This black powder rifle didn't shoot at the time so we used it for the second best thing, decoration! 

The official numbered birthday cake. Proof that Cindy's really three decades old. 

Our little Christian posing with the cowboy animals after helping decorate the night before the party. In his mind, big decorations = great party!

It's a Bobcat

We started February off with our monthly cub scout pack meeting. Erich was awarded his Bobcat badge and we couldn't be more proud! He continues to work hard at completing achievements to earn his Wolf rank in the fall.

We were able to get a few pictures of the evening but Erich wasn't thrilled with the attention. I'm just glad he didn't impale me when he put the bobcat pin on my collar. 

The expected but not desired public display of affection from mom. 

As part of the Bobcat ceremony fun, new Bobcats get to eat a donut off of a string. Erich doesn't like donuts (the leaders didn't know) and this face is the result.

We still had a fun evening and many congratulations to our Erich for all his effort.

 

New Year, Awesome Times Ahead

So, because it's already May (YIKES) I'll need to back track on some updates for our family. To start let's officially welcome the new year with some smiles (some with teeth and some without).

Sweet Emily is growing fast and walking. 

Christian can't stop talking and asking questions.  

Isaac can't keep his teeth in his mouth. I think he currently has four missing. 

Erich is tall and handsome. He continues to amaze me with all the things he learns about.

 

We have exciting plans for 2014 so come back for more funny updates, pictures, and stories of all our adventures ya'll.

Christmas Morning

Christmas 2013 was our first one in Texas. It was strange to have the weather warm enough to go for a family walk and play outside. But I liked the nice quiet day with just us. The kids got up at the usual time (7am) and came downstairs. I heard them whispering and wondered how long it would take to hear wrapping paper rustling but that sound never came. Sam and I found them sitting nicely on the couch just waiting for us. No stocking peeking, present shaking, or even coming to get us up. They just waited. Does anyone else think that's strange? I had such a great, lazy morning of watching kids happy faces during present opening and eating German pancakes with caramel sauce (thanks Brad Griffitts for the recipe). Thank you to all our wonderful family and friends that sent us cards and gifts.

 The significance of this amazing present from Sam needs a little background. I love to make and receive jewelry therefor my collection is quite large. I also love to organize (one wouldn't know that from the state of my kids rooms but non the less, I do). Somehow my love of jewelry and love of organizing never connected, resulting in little piles of earrings, bracelets, and necklaces strewn haphazardly on any unused surface. Now, thanks to my very wonderful husband, I have an entire armoire just for my jewelry! It is beautiful and just what I didn't know I needed. Thanks dear!

My sister Julie sent our family hand crochet minion hats for each of the kids. They are all different and Emily's even has a cute bow on it. Sam received a scarf just like Gru's, and my scarf is a beautiful gold one. (Isn't she so talented! I love you Julie.) Along with the fabulous crotchet things was the movie Despicable Me on DVD. The kids wore their hats to watch the movie later that afternoon and when we went to the park to play. 

Classic present for Erich but on a much bigger scale than usual. I don't remember how long it took him to put the whole thing together (most of the day) but he did it all by himself. What a big, smart kid.  

Had to get Sam's sweet smile in this post. I have such an awesome hubby! 

Laughed out loud at this picture of Emily. "Mom, you're interrupting my playing again for another picture? Oh, Ok." So, I must admit that the snow white and seven dwarfs little people were purchased by me for Emily, but really for me. Emily is my favorite princess, followed by Snow White.

Emily's 1st Birthday

I can hardly believe it has been a whole year since my sweetheart Emily was born into our family. What a joy she is to me. Words cannot express how much I love her (and adore having a girl). She had her daddy wrapped around her finger from moment one. I love to hear her belly laugh when daddy is tickling her. One can instantly tell that she holds a special place in the hearts of each of her big brothers. They can't wait to see her everyday to see who will make her smile first. She has become as loud as the three boys put together just so she can be heard and is already quite dramatic. Her reaction to not getting what she wants is to put her face on the floor, roll over to her back, stretch her arms and legs out, and moan while watching me to see if I notice. Yes, it's hard not to smile at her displays of emotion but I know one day it will be even worse. (Mom, how did you handle so many daughters?)

Birthday morning wishes from Isaac. What love! 

Let's get to the party already people! 

AAAANNNDDD.... the cake!!! Pink on the inside. Pink on the outside. Doesn't matter 'cause it all tastes delicious! 

Even more delicious since mom is letting me feed myself. Nom Nom Nom! 

Silly girl with her new headband and beads. She and I are going to have so much fun playing dress up. 

I can't get over how cute this little girls face is with her wrinkled up nose and sideways smile. Love you, Emily!

PLEASE WATCH ALL THE WAY TO THE END! You will thank me.

This is the traditional birthday morning breakfast song complete with "fluffy chicken" from the boys. Again, watch all the way to the end for a sweet surprise.

Batman (I mean Christian) Turns 4

My AWESOME Christian turned four years old this past December. He is the comic relief in our family (takes after his dad) and I can't get enough of his smile. One more year closer to starting school and I wish he would just stay little. Okay he's not really that little but you know what I mean. Christian is mom's big helper at home, loves to talk, is VERY loud in anything he does, and can't get enough to eat most days. What would I do without him?!

Happy Birthday Mr. PatootyPants 

 Watch out! A hurricane is coming.... so many candles to blow out. 

Graduated from a tricycle to two wheeler with training wheels. He is ready to go turbo speed. 

 Here we have the traditional "ghost bike". Running with just the handle bars while daddy puts the rest of the bike together. Actually daddy had to repack the whole bike back in the box and return it for a new one (exactly the same) because one of the wheels was broken. Thankfully the store had another one and Christian had his first ride later that same evening. What an adventure!

NINJA-GO! Finally the coveted green ninja key chain. Look at that face of elation! 

I am so happy to have you for my son! Never change that smile!

Texas State Capitol Family Field Trip

I didn't know Texas could get this cold. It's been rainy and below 60 degrees for about 5 days! Anyway...

We had plans to visit Zilker park on Saturday; Ride the train, have a picnic, find the playground. But the weather was against us. So, we heading into down town Austin to visit the Texas State Capitol Building and visitors center. It is a beautiful building and heated! We broke out our winter raincoats and walked from the visitors center (after learning tons of cool stuff) to the capitol building across the grounds. Everyone's nose was red and fingers were frozen but we enjoyed learning about this new state we are living in.

And as a bonus: Visiting a historic or government location passes of a requirement in Erich's cub scout book. He learned about why government was important, what happens in a state capitol building, and when it was built.

 

A beautiful building inside and out!

Cold but having fun!

There were pictures of past governors hanging everywhere, we saw the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals rooms, the floors and detail work on the columns were quite elaborate, and the ceiling was very pretty lit up with a giant Texas star on it.

 

We came home to eat grilled cheese and tomato soup before all falling asleep under our snuggly blankets for the afternoon. It was great to have a laid back day with just us making memories.