Happy Happy Happy

Birthday Jack! 

Lylah our sweet 4 year old, decided to have a Duck Dynasty birthday party.  She loves the show and wanted to "shoot ducks and watch Duck Dynasty".  So we complied and invited all of her little 4 year old friends to come "duck hunting".

Now, that is some "bed head"

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

 A friend knitted some beards for Lylah and all the kids that came. I unfortunately didn't get a picture of all of them wearing the beards. They took their "duck calls" or whistles and went duck hunting for duck decoys we hid around the yard. 

 Heather and Jill posing. 

 A little duck, duck, goose.

And then things went down hill.  

Lylah was enjoying the event, but was for some reason lamenting turning 4.  

 She did not want to leave my side...

 She did not want to open presents.

 She was willing to watch a little "Duck Dynasty"

But was VERY unhappy about anyone singing happy birthday to her! 

4 is a hard age to be. 

My love Lylah Rose, 

You are a ball of fire. Your curly hair fits your personality to a tee.  You love your siblings and though for others you are hard to understand, love to talk.  You laugh hard and love harder! You will do anything TJ or Avarie do, if you feel up to it.  You can get them to do whatever you want to do and have mastered the art of pleading, including the lower lip pout.  You LOVE LOVE LOVE babies, and would play "mommy" all day long.  You are starting to learn how to write and you love to "do school" with us everyday.  Other than TJ and Avarie your very best friend is Paxton with whom you would love to boss around all day long.  You have a heart of gold sweet girl and I am so thankful God chose to place you in our family.  I  look forward to watching you grow into the woman He will make you.  We love you precious girl!  - Mommy

Happy Easter!

We had an AMAZING day on Easter. It was BEAUTIFUL outside, which seems to not happen very often. We went to sunrise service, breakfast, church and Sunday school.  Then we had a great dinner and Easter egg hunt with the Fries family.  Of course, mamma had to get some pictures of my beautiful children.  I unfortunately did not get a picture of our family.  

 Good Night! These girls are gorgeous! 

 Check out this handsome boy! 

 Fun mom and girlies self-portraits

 I was sure we had pictures of all the kids with Tim, but for some reason I only have this one.  

 My love. 

 The Fries cousins, minus one little boy cousin due to

arrive in July.

Daddy's Turn

My handsome husband turned 36 the day after TJ turned 10! I have celebrated 13 birthdays with this wonderful man. I look forward to celebrating another 70!  I love you Tim! 

10 Years Old!

It has been a long break since blogging!  That is what happens when you are busy busy busy.  So here are some updates...

 If you can believe it, I can't.  

Our amazing son is 10.  

 TJ wanted a very specific cake, chocolate cake, peanut butter cup icecream, chocolate frosting, frozen.  Your wish is my command, at least on your birthday!  

"Take the Picture already Mom"

 TJ wanted all things Lego and Hunting.  

 He got a new bike too! 

Sweet boy, 

I can not believe that you are TEN YEARS OLD!! How did that happen?  You are such a leader! I pray that you take those qualities the Lord has given you and use them to lead people toward Him.  You love to be part of the party, no matter what kind of party it is.  You love to watch sports with your dad, and like to play, especially to be a part of a team!  You are silly and funny and a fantastic board game player.  You are a protector of your sisters and so good at helping with younger kids.  You constantly ask for another sibling, but only if it can be a boy.  You are a good friend and care deeply for those around you. I love you son, and I am so thankful to be on this journey with you!  -Mama 

Basketball Baby!

This is the first year for Avarie in basketball.  She was SUPER excited to be able to play this year and that her best friend is on the team helps!  She had a great first game.  At one point she stole the ball dribbled it down the court and scored a basket!  Way to go A!

 Getting ready for practice

 TJ has been practicing since right after Thanksgiving and his team had a nail biter of a game and came out on top! 

 Hudson is playing in the same league, so it was fun to get a picture of the 3 of them together. 

My duck hunters

Tim has started taking TJ duck hunting every weekend, they are up before dawn and head out to the wilderness to bring home our dinner. TJ is LOVING LOVING LOVING it!  

Ice Skating

A neighborhood plaza put in an ice skating rink, I took the kids one morning and invited Bob and Velma to come and watch, which was a blessing.  TJ and Lylah put up with it, but were more interested in taking off the skates and heading to Starbucks.  Avarie however could have stayed out there ALL DAY LONG.  She LOVED it!  Too bad her birthday is in August, because it would be a great birthday party idea. 

 Yep, even mama got out there.  Another perk of having the kids home, the place was DEAD.