Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Random Happenings

Our elementary girls had their art show at school.  Maddox was thrilled to show us her favorite piece of art she created this year!  
 MK was not in to getting her picture taken but she did request that I take a picture of her art.
 Maryn found a poster of Pete the Cat and requested a picture.  The funny part is that she absolutely will not sleep in her room if a Pete the Cat book is on her book shelf.  
 Chapman has decided that dressing up is a fun thing....and when dressing up, one should take off their diaper.  
 Our little Maddox Ren is preparing her mouth for her upcoming bone graft surgery that will take place later this year.
 We have been exploring new places in our city.  To celebrate Earth Day, we ventured out to the local swamp.  There are several trails and bugs....the children were a bit less than thrilled with this experience BUT they can say they have been to a swamp.
 Pryce took it upon himself to teach the kids a lesson or two....
 in full preaching mode, he declared the day to be a true success once everyone settled in!
 The rare photo of me and my kiddos....
 Chapman continues to get more and more adventurous as she grows....
 she loves a good playground and will make herself all comfy when she needs to rest for a moment.
 Maryn has enjoyed her sweet co-op friends this year.  
 These kiddos have been together since they were itty-bitty and they are the cutest group of kiddos to be with!
 Safety First
Always Wear Your Goggles When You Are a Passenger in a Car
 Four year pictures....
 We do a formal portrait of our children at the age of four.  On this night, it was Maryn's turn to have all eyes on her!
 This sweet girl was thrilled to have some time with mommy all alone....
 we met our photographer/friend at the local canal...
 everything is so perfect green and lush....
 Maryn did so good!  She was all about being the center of attention for a moment!  
She looked so pretty with her curls in her hair....
 and she loved how she could pick up her dress and walk....
 after pictures, Maryn and I went to dinner - her choice, "the place with the ice cream!"  Who would say no to that??!?!?
 And then we were off to see Cinderella.  Maryn was star struck.  
Our sweet friend, Pearl, was a mouse in the show!
And another friend, Grayson, was in the cast as well!  Maryn had so much fun talking with each of them after the show and taking pictures!
Finley
We have purchased dog bed after dog bed for this pup of ours yet he still insists that the most comfortable place to rest is on top of laundry or in bed with us!
I received the May trunk for Matilda Jane and I employed my in-home models!  Taking photos is really not the most fun but we all survived!  
These cuties needed a good popsicle treat after our photo shoot!
For the last 8 years I have homeschooled at least one of our children and we have attended a local co-op that has been our school family.  I would not change this season in our life for anything.  I am so thankful we had the opportunity to homeschool our children.  It grew me as a mother and as a person.   Alas, the time has come and all of our kiddos will be in school next year.  SIX different schools to be exact!  And this week we said goodbye for now to our co-op family.  I made Pryce take a photo to remember the day....
Colin finally has a car of his very own.  We drew it out as long as we could but the time came and our boy is loving his new ride.  (His brother is too!)
Happy Birthday to PRYCE!
Pryce turned 15 years old and we all made sure to celebrate his life throughout the day!  We are blessed by this kiddo....his heart is huge.  His one birthday wish was to get his driver's permit.  ACK! I cannot believe my two babies are old enough to drive!  We did make it to the DMV and he PASSED his permit test and he is so ready to drive he can't stand it!
Our little Maddox Ren.
I worried so much about this little one.  
She is my "hippy baby" - she is the child who would be happiest just curled up in my arms all day everyday!  She went to 1st grade this year and I just held my breath.  She knew no one.  
This girl has had an amazing school year and this group of friends is part of the reason why.  Maddox has some of the sweetest little friends and an amazing teacher.  Pretty sure tears are going to be shed in a few weeks when we all have to say "goodby for now!"

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Easter 2017

Easter 2017
Chapman was introduced to her most favorite game to date - hunting Easter eggs!
She is all about the candy!
 Our two littles had egg hunts at their preschool.  
 Next up was the "street/neighbor" egg hunt...
 Our biggest girl was not about to hunt with a basket this year but the Target bag saved our day!
 Each egg hunt allowed for the children to find 12 eggs so the kiddos were all counting their eggs as they went along!
 I am so thankful for these sweet baskets given to us by Ryan's Aunt Peggy.  So sweet!
 This little one has learned to look at the camera when she wants to and to avoid it at other times....thankfully I have learned to snap quickly and be happy with what I get!
 The big girls had such a good time sharing with their littlest sister!
 Dying eggs with this toddler was a new experience!
I think she is the first to try and eat the egg, shell and all, as she dyed it!
 This guy humored us with dying an egg too!  We are so thankful for our bigs and their hearts that love their sisters big!  (Colin was helping his Pop with some music on his iPod!)
 Maddox discovered how to dye half of the egg one color and the other half another color....
 and I learned that their a reason to use the utensils when dying eggs!  
 Easter morning was extra special this year with Gran and Pop here!  
 Our sweet Maryn kept her sunglasses on until it was time to go to church!
 My two helpers decorated the bunny cake....we sure to miss our annual bunny cakes from our old neighbor Ms. Ann!
 Maddox learned a lesson on how to devil eggs from Gran....
 and then it was church and pictures!
Maryn fell asleep on the way home from church and she never wakes with a happy face....thus, the long face in our pics.
 This sweet girl
Chapman McKensie
So thankful she is home with us and celebrating Easter this season with her family!
 My boys
My three favorite boys
 Gran, Pop, and our six kiddos!
 Following church, my sister and her family arrived as well as our dear friends, the Mohrs!  We were so excited to have everyone with us for the afternoon....good food, good laughter, egg hunting....it was all good for our souls!
He is Risen Indeed!