ICE!

Every year the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine puts on a huge exhibit made out of ice.  It is so incredible to see.  This year they also had indoor snow sledding.  We headed out there with some friends and had a really good time.  The theme was "Shrek the Halls" and the entire exhibit was made of Shrek characters.  It is absolutely freezing in there (obviously) so we layered tons of clothes on, but it was still miserably cold.  We had gone a few years back and I remember now why I had said then that I wouldn't go back.  It's a cool thing to see if you can handle the cold though!!

Zach the Elf

We had a new friend come to visit this Christmas season.  Zach the elf appeared at our house and we really enjoyed having him around.  He made us laugh with his different hiding places and we were very sad to see him go home with Santa.   Hopefully he'll come visit again next year!!

Miles for Meredith

The boys got involved in their running club at school to prepare for an annual event here in Mansfield.  There is a run put on in memory of Meredith Hatch, a local runner who was killed by a hit and run driver a few years ago.  Meredith Hatch Foundation website

We had the option to do a 1k or a 5k.  Since it was our first go at this we only did the 1k and they did great!  I think we will definitely go for the 5k next year.  I loved running with them even though Blake left Cody and I in the dust.  They had a great time seeing all their friends.

Happy 8th Birthday!!!

My babies turned 8 this year and we planned an awesome Game Truck party to celebrate.  The boys were super excited about it (and so were we). Unfortunately, the truck was involved in an accident the night prior to the party and they were unable to come.  (Whole 'nother story....don't get me started on that one).

We didn't discover we had no party until the start of party time when all the kids were arriving.  Thankfully I had some moms that were very helpful (since THIS mom was in panic mode).  They helped to corral the kids and get them doing activities, and one family kindly lent us their bounce house.  Thank goodness the weather was nice.  All in all, the kids had a great time, and the only tears shed about the missing game truck were mine.  Happy 8th birthday!!!

8 years ago today....

Somehow 8 years have passed since these precious boys entered our lives.  The time has flown by and I can hardly believe it.  They are so beautiful and I grow more in love with them every day.  They make me so proud.   They are funny, sweet, smart boys and I adore them!!  Happy birthday angels!!!

I made them a donut "cake" for breakfast. (Thanks pinterest!!)

My angry bird cakes!!!  They were very time consuming, but so fun to do!  And the kids love them.

First day of SECOND grade!!...somehow...sniff sniff.

Somehow, my little babies have gotten to be second graders.  It's amazing to me and it makes me so sad (and happy) to see them growing up.  I won't ever forget what Blake told me that first day of school.  I was pretending to cry, telling them I didn't want them to grow up and that I wanted them to live with me forever.  Blake said that they couldn't, they had to grow up and move away because that's the way life works.  I love those boys so much!!!

And for comparison...

First day of kindergarten
First day of 1st grade.

They grow SO fast!!

Summer 2011

Just a collection of pics from over the summer.  I'm so behind on my blog, and to be honest I've been pretty bad about taking pictures this year!!!

Blake did a soccer camp through Upward.  He was thinking he wanted to play soccer again and I wanted him to be sure before we committed to a season, so we did a week long camp.  He had fun, but decided soccer isn't for him.  Good move Mom.

We met up with some of my sorority sisters for a crazy playdate and lunch.  I can't believe how big all our kiddos are getting.  Over half of them are in kinder or older!

Addyson turned one Memorial Day weekend.  Such a little princess!!

Kylee, Trish, Jordan, and Addy came up to Dallas for a weekend away and we went to the aquarium with them.  These kids are getting so big.

Blake and the "jaguar".  The first time we came here, they were big into Dora and Diego, and he got a "baby jaguar" stuffed toy.  He still loves it and won't sleep without it!

We went to Dick's last resort after the aquarium.  So funny.  Cody's read "my parents asked me to run away", Addy's said "someone please call 911, I don't know these stupid people", and Blake's said something about him being the playground pimp.  Not sure how to explain that one!!

We've spent a few weekends out at Trish and Jordan's.  We always have a good time hanging out with them and the boys wear themselves (and Kylee) out on the trampoline!!