Drum Roll Please....

No seriously....Eli played the snare drum...and his drum rolls were awesome and well timed...

The boys had their district band concert with all 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and H.S. band members. We heard from each grade and from the H.S. Jazz band too...and man are they awesome! This district has an AMAZING music program and the boys' music teacher was named the 2010 Outstanding Elementary Band Director of the Year by the Northeast Kansas Music Educators Association!

This year Eli decided to try the bells and snare drum...and he prefers the drum to the bells...but he did a FANTASTIC job on both at the concert. The bells are very easy to hear, even in this big group so it was easy to be proud. :) He doesn't look nervous at all does he?

 Here is the 5th grade group...can you find Eli?

And the 6th grade group...can you find Noah?

Noah had a little football accident at school that day and the nurse thought he had broken his hand...but a doctor's visit showed it was fine and he was fine playing that night...although a little disappointed at not getting a cast! They played several songs as a 6th grade group and then with the entire group and they sounded great. Noah has really enjoyed band and wants to take the saxophone test so he can switch instruments. I think that would be awesome...but that is what I played so I am a little biased.

 

And as always....I have to document the occasion with a shot with their proud daddy...and as usual the only evidence that I was there are all the photos!! :) They call me Momarazzi....

  

I'd like to say that daddy was giving Noah some words of wisdom but alas...he was chewing gum while I tried to take a photo! The nerve!!

You guys did a great job and we are loving the music you are making! We are very proud!

Sledding With The Stars....

So, after we wore out Aslan we headed to a nearby park. Our underneighbors have been going here for years and by the time we got here it was empty...which was perfect for us. It was dark, ominous, cold, wet, bumpy and fabulous! The boys had a great time!

 Lucas' started the night out at the bottom of the hill. It had two hills and he was too nervous to take the hill from the top...but after 30 minutes he took a leap of faith...told himself he could do it..and he did!! About 30 more times!! And many of them backwards!

 This hill was huge...It had two bumps and the kids just kept on going...

 Their favorite game of the night? Rolling races...who can roll down the hill the fastest...

 I took a lot of photos during our 2.5 hrs(!!) in the snow...but I'll spare you them all.....it was cold, wet, white and fun as they were flying past me on sleds...you get the idea...BUT this cute pic was on our way back up to the loft...ready for warm showers and HOT CHOCOLATE!

And this final photo is to show you our little handy man...we broke the sled that night and he fixed it the next morning. He pretty much rocks...he gets that from his daddy, I'm sure...or maybe grandma showed him how to swing a hammer? :)

Aslan The Sled Dog....

So the kids (or daddy?) jokingly mentioned hooking Aslan up to a snow sled...and giving him a proper workout...and that day came last friday...

 Doesn't Aslan look so cute? He has no idea what the boys have in store for him...

 Woo Hoo! Go Aslan Go!

 We only had one proper sled so we also used my cookie baking sheets...and they worked great! 

 I know this is blurry...but it was hard to focus on such a fast moving target..but can you see the GLEE on Lucas' face? He was giddy because he was flying so fast!

 Sometimes Aslan needed a little help to get going...so this is Noah leading the charge!

After everyone had their fill...or rather after Aslan had his fill....we changed shoes, clothes and gloves and headed out to a huge hill in a nearby park...but not before we gave Aslan more LOVINS!

Where Can You Find 84 Degree Weather in KC?

At CoCo Key Water Resort!

It may be 5 degrees outside but it's always 84 degrees at CoCo Key! We bought the kids twilight passes ($5 each!!) as a stocking stuffer but they were for Jan. 17th only...so we used those passes to warm up and enjoyed a tropical mini vacation for Scott's birthday. The kids convinced me to leave my good camera at home so I only had my cell phone...and it takes horrible photos so bear with me...

We had a great time! We went round and round the lazy river, visited the hot tub every 30 minutes or so, tried every single water slide they had, played water basketball, road the alligator, balanced our way over the Lily Pond, ate some pizza, climbed the ropes like monkeys and climbed the 3 story stairs multiple times just to ride the tube slides back down. I went 7 times myself and the kids were well past 13 the last time I counted...and we were warm, happy and thinking of Florida! Lucas and I really liked the big bucket of water that dumped on you every 10 minutes or so....and I caught it on video to share! I also have video of Autumn and Lucas going across the Lily Pond...we had a great time celebrating Scott's birthday with our Christmas gifts! Happy Birthday Daddy!

Birthday Madness

Scott's birthday started out with breakfast in bed...I heard the little monkeys in the kitchen and by the time I got there, Lucas was making a cup of coffee! (We have trained Noah and Lucas on how to make us a cup of coffee...best idea ever!) I helped add a few little things and VIOLA...breakfast in bed! They were so excited to surprise daddy with Eggo's, cheesy eggs, bacon, fruit and coffee...

Even Noah's friend Tony was in on the celebration. In fact, he woke up Eli by jumping on his bed saying, "It's your dad's birthday! Get up! Get up!" 

We had a small family party for daddy on Sunday night and because I was visiting Grandma in rehab, he actually made his own birthday dinner too! Sorry honey! He made one of our favorites...Meatloaf with mashed potato icing and it was yummy!! I made a special dark chocolate cake with chocolate cream cheese icing and it was delicious too. And because we have had 4 children turn 8, I thought for sure I had an "8" candle but when I got home I could only find a "3"....so I used our sparkler candles and put them in an "8" shape....I had a 7 though, go figure....

 Remember the closed eye thing? Well, it still plagues me! Aagghh! Noah & Autumn!!

 Noah & Eli!! The more I protested, the more they did it and the more Daddy laughed...

Whew...that took a lot of work to get all eyes open.... though not all looking at the camera...the more kids you have the harder it is to get all eyes up front...good thing they are so cute...

Awww...birthday lovins.....

These kids sure love their daddy....

 Happy Birthday to you......

 Happy Birthday to you...... (Look Ash! Painted walls!!)

(I also just noticed that N & E were on the computer when Lucas and I came from the kitchen singing Happy Birthday. Oops)

 Happy Birthday dear daddy....

Happy Birthday to youuuuuu!

:: Thirty Eight ::

Happy Birthday Husband!! I just wanted to let you know that you are amazing! I had a great time going thru photos tonight to make this collage, because it is so enjoyable to remember all of these moments. You are an amazing father who shows kindness, compassion, grace, mercy and love to your kids every day. They adore you, look up to you, trust you, respect you and want to be just like you. You show them unconditional love and they know that you would protect them at any cost. You model a genuine life for them when they see you struggle with Lyme all while keeping a good attitude and persevering.  You speak to them with respect and they know right where they stand with you. You have fought for every minute with them and they are better off because of it. They need you in their life and I am very proud of your perseverance in not being pushed out. You offer hugs, giggles, guidance, reassurance, soul support, wisdom, discipline and a balanced view focused on critical thinking. You are teaching them to think for themselves, to strive for excellence and to push themselves to do their very best. I LOVE that you have a parenting philosophy and that it is a great one. The proof is in the kids! You have done an amazing job as their father and I love you for that. The collage is just a snapshot of how much you love your kids.

I love being your wife. I still get nervous when we go on a date. I still melt in your arms and your lips...oh your lips! :) Our conversations have stretched me, challenged me and brought me out of my comfort zone and you have taught me grace. You make me a better person...whether I want to be or not! I know that you love me unconditionally, you respect me and you encourage me in every area of my life. You are my biggest cheerleader (should that be yell leader since guys aren't cheerleaders?) and I appreciate that. You are my snuggler, my cuddler, my heater :) and my best friend. I am so thankful for you and soo thankful that you are still here to celebrate your 38th birthday! Happy Birthday My Love!

Alternative Sports :: Pep Band & Crocheting

On Friday, Noah had a chance as part of the 6th Grade Honors Band, to play in the HS Pep Band at a local HS Basketball game. Whew...that was a mouth full....he was really looking forward to it but had no idea how much fun he would have. There is nothing quite like the atmosphere at a good basketball game. Scott stayed home with Autumn and Eli while I took Lucas and Noah to the school. We had planned on everyone staying home but me, but Lucas said that he had learned to crochet a bookmark that week and his mom had promised to bring the stuff for him to work on another one....and so we figured it would be a good bonding time with his mom...on our time...but it's supposed to be about THE KIDS...so why not.

When Lucas and I got to the gym, his mom had secured a seat close to the band seats so Lucas sat next to her and I sat right behind them. Lucas wanted to sit with both of us so he could work on another bookmark, and show me how he does it. He was so proud. His mom starts and finishes each bookmark and he patiently crochets his projects. It was very cute...and I made sure to take some "action" shots. The second bookmark he ever made was for me. Isn't it awesome? I LOVE it. He made one more during the game that was for a friend at school. He wants to make another one for his dad & teacher.

Our original seats were overrun early on by thousands, hundreds, ok maybe just 100 high school kids... but in my old age I had forgotten how rowdy games can be. We kept getting pushed to the edges of the benches and when the kids stood for the first part of the game, Lucas wanted to move to higher ground. So, the three of us moved to the top and had a great view of the game. The Vikings won, the crowd had a lot of fun and Noah did a great job with the Pep Band. He LOVED LOVED it and told me that he wants to do it every Friday night. :) Can you find Noah in the group? Hint- He is wearing a black shirt... :)

Here is a closer shot...he is under and to the right of the directors hand...dark, shaggy, cool hair...clarinet...serious musician...tried to hide from my camera most of the night....

I took lots of photos hoping to get some really clear ones but again, I hate the lighting in a gym. The pep band sounded great and I did record 2 of their songs to share with Scott when we got home. Lucas and I had a great time listening and watching the game and I loved explaining BB to him. It was a great game! I am looking forward to more of these kind of activities as the boys get older...even if all we ever do are "alternative" sports!

Photo Shoot :: Dawson Style

A few weeks ago we had a beautiful day of 70 degree weather and the kids and I took advantage of the warmth! I LOVE photography (traveled thru Italy, Holland & France for a photography class in '99) and do senior pictures and portraits as a part of my freelance design business. I usually tell the kids what they HAVE to wear to our photo shoots....like the famous Christmas sweaters that I LOVE and they not-so-much...or coordinating outfits for our yearly beach pics...and so on and so on...

But this time I said those magic words every kid wants to hear...YOU CAN WEAR ANYTHING YOU WANT...and they were ready to go outside in no time. We started downstairs at our warehouse and after just a few shots Lucas tripped over Noah's feet and scraped his knee. I took him upstairs to get cleaned up and bandaged while the kids used my camera. Lucas was too hurt to continue so most of my pics are Lucasless... :( But, we explored more of the West Bottoms and had a great time while Lucas hung out with daddy. Love these kids!

 These are the pics they took in the 10 minutes I was gone. Crazy aren't they? There are a few I really like...but unfortunately most are blurry.

I got a few cute ones of Lucas before he fell. Isn't he handsome?!!

 Oh yay....we hang out on Fire Escapes because we are C..O..O..L..

They kind of look thuggish in a cute, cuddly way, don't they? Especially Noah in his hobo hat.

 I love the rich color in this one but would like them not to be squinting. Noah had his model face on and barely cracked a smile for the camera...though he was laughing in between shots. He likes to be mysterious....while Eli hams it up and Autumn is sweet and smiley. Lucas has a model face too...

This is under the 12th street bridge. But not all the way under. It is the middle part that is currently closed. Great contrast, backgrounds, color and view from here!

 Silly shot...

 I love their facial expressions...very true to life...

 My models....I LOVE that they enjoy this type of thing and want to be artistic too.

Every time I take their pics I am blown away at how grown up they are! I sure miss my babies but we are really enjoying our time with our little adults! Here's looking forward to 2011!

*I have a ton more pics I'll share later during a slow week. :)