MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

HAPPY 9TH BIRTHDAY JACK!

Jack had a great 9th birthday, including Outback and Orange Leaf - 2 of his faves! He was just so happy on his birthday - I loved seeing the joy on his face with the new Clowney Jersey his Dad got him in South Carolina and the excitement of his new IHM socks. He is growing up before our eyes - he is starting to look much more tween and less little boy. Where has 9 years gone?

Jack - we love your honesty, inquisitive nature, your NON-STOP SINGING, sports-loving, stat-knowing, Type-A personality. We love your drive to always do your best and your loyalty to friends and family. We know how happy you are at IHM, playing your sports and being around your friends and family. We love you so much!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND MANY MORE!!

HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY WILL!

This is a day late, but we have been too busy celebrating! Someone was very excited for his birthday this year and counted down the days all week until the 12th! And now he is super excited to be the same age as his brother for 18 days!

Jack - not so much.

Bless Will's heart - all he wanted for his birthday was socks.

Yes - socks.

Now they are the Elite or Jordan socks (which are pricey at $16 a pair) but socks nonetheless. Gotta love this kid. LET THERE BE SOCKS!!

We love Will for his enthusiasm, kind heart, gentle soul, millions of kisses and hugs - even in the cafeteria, where he makes it cool to kiss The Lunch Lady - and of course his ability to be so naive and oblivious. I actually envy that about him and PRAY he keeps his unassuming, positive, "fly under the radar" disposition.

FOREVER.

We love you Wilbur-Dilbur. Happy 8th Birthday and MANY MORE!!

Back to School

We are full force into our school schedule now and everyone is doing great! Jack and Will both love their teachers and after a staggered start Brooke starts full time Kindergarten tomorrow. All 3 in the same place all day long. Mom shed some tears on the first day of school!

Here's to a great 2013-2014 school year to all!

Big Girl

Got her ears pierced!!

This Girl....

Has some BIG NEWS coming soon!

Where Has The Time Gone?

Jack (8.5) Brooke (5) and Will (7.5)

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY BROOKE!!

To our Baby Girl - Where has 5 years gone? Some of the millions of things we love about you:
your sass, pizazz and precocious attitude; your love of your brothers; your love of your friends; your excitement about Kindergarten; how you try to mother everyone; your polite and well-mannered disposition; how you try to act 13 when you are only 5; your constant dancing, singing and performing; your love for being outside and "one of the boys"; your love of sports, Hello Kitty, dresses and pink ALL.AT.THE.SAME.TIME. You are a tom-boy through and through. And WE.LOVE.YOU!!!!!

We love you Brooke!

Bathing Beauty

I know I am biased but really.....is she so stinkin' cute or what?

Mommy's choice of bathing suit.

New one from Grandma Jenny. After this she looked at the picture and said "I need a new pose. I only have one." Good enough for me!

Little of This, Little of That....

We have been up to a little of this and a little of that...waiting for school to be complete for another year. THIS mom will be happy to have all my kiddos in the same place starting next year!!

End of Year Field Trips

A little bowling fun - Brooke beat Jack in the last frame!

Learning the ropes of kid-pitch baseball...stealing bases included!

Good form!

Finishing up basketball - 7 months and finally done!

Looking forward to a fun Memorial Day Weekend!! Only 2 more weeks for boys - Brooke is done Thursday!

Jack's First Holy Communion

Jack celebrated First Holy Communion on Saturday May 4th. What a beautiful day to celebrate the wonderful young man Jack is becoming in God's eyes!

The weather was great and we had most of our family here to celebrate!

The proud 1st Communicant - he looked like a million in his suit!

Proud Grandparents Goshorn

And Grandparents Sorg

Uncle Jon and Aunt Molly came from Dallas!

Of course the Austin clan was there!

Proud Parents and Siblings

And Jack's favorite part - CAKE!

Thank you to all who remembered Jack on his day and prayed for him. We are so blessed indeed!

Easter 2013

We had a great visit with Aunt Stacy, Uncle Robbie, Cade and Reid for Easter weekend. Basketball, egg decorating, playing outside and lots of fun.

A little too early for Reid to cooperate with pictures...

But then he found out there was candy to be had...all smiles!

After the hunt - goodies galore!

He is Risen - Alleluia!!

Those Were The Days...

A while back we took a road trip to HC to watch the Panthers and Coach Miller play ball. Before we left we snuck into Lynn Gym, as it is going to be renovated into a residence hall soon.

The sounds and the smells were the same. It is just the way you remember, except no fans cheering loudly as the Panthers upset Manchester (or the other way around). This place is home in many ways to Andy and I - where I first tried out for cheerleading when I was a senior in high school and met the "other" Julie; where Andy met some of his dearest friends on the basketball court and in life; where I had my first job on campus, working for the volleyball coach; where I first cheered for #40; where he first saw me in a cheerleading skirt...ahhh, the memories!

Here's to ole' Lynn Gym. May her new residents be as good to her as we were.

One last pose...

One last dunk.

It's Been Too Long....

And I know it. I am sorry. I have been living. And been busy....

Watching games on my "home court" (Yes - Andy's idea).

At our "home away from home" Nothin' But Net for these undefeated boys...

and this Lil Hoopstar too!

Playin in the snow...

and wishing for spring!

We are hangin' in there! And enjoying Spring Break! More to follow...

Hello Kitty

This little kitty says hi.

She is hilarious!

BRACE Yourself....

This BIG boy....

got braces!

Jack's mouth needed a little widening so we have got a big 8 yr old boy in braces! He now looks 12. He has done a great job following all the orders, including giving up his beloved Tootsie Rolls. But 3 Musketeers have been a nice distraction. He will have them for about a year for "Phase 1." Just in time for little brother to get them (I assume). Can you hear my wallet crying??!!

Our New Lil Hoopstar

As much as I would love a petite, little ballerina or cheerleader being thrown in the air...let's be honest. My girl is tall. There is nothing "little" about her. So we let nature take it's course and signed Brooke up for BASKETBALL!

She had her first practice/game this past week. She tends to be shy in new situations so we had a long talk before we went about not needing to be shy, being a good listener and not hanging on Mommy.

We walked in, found her Coach, she shook his hand, changed into her "White Lightening" jersey and never looked back.

Andy even swore he saw her roll her eyes at him when he waved to her on the bench. Oh boy.
We are so proud of  our Lil Hoopstar!

Our Lil Lightening!

1st of many "games" I am sure!

Christmas at Home

Finally - Christmas at home. I must say - I was ultra proud of my kids this year. Whenever asked what they wanted for Christmas the answer was always "I will be happy with whatever I get." No pressure!! But knowing the boys were getting the ULTIMATE gift from Grandparents Goshorn - iPod Touch - no need to get anything else! HA!

Reading the classic before bed.

Love this, seeing my nativity in the background.

Santa always wraps in white tissue paper with black marker. All he has time for!

Jack (and Will) got new school gear, including a cool basketball bag!

Dad got some new gear too!

Brooke asked Santa for pink headphones and a Bengal Monkey (?). This little guy fit the bill!

The boys got an awesome race track from Uncle Mikey AND Grandparents Goshorn!

Great Grandpa Sawyer enjoyed the day with us too!

Brooke was spoiled - she got her Barbie Dream House from Grandparents Goshorn!

Of course the day would not be complete without singing and our "Happy Birthday Jesus" cake!