Speed Stacking Kiddos

Eli and Lucas competed in a Speed Stacking tournament at the end of January against around 100 other elementary kids in their district. They signed up only a few weeks beforehand so they practiced almost every day and were both a little nervous about the event. They each signed up for the 3-6-3 event as well as the full cycle competition. The kids lined up at tables for each event and each had 3 chances to get their best time. It was a LONG event followed by a LONG awards ceremony. They both did a great job and it was fun to watch!

Eli was quietly contemplating his competition and becoming one with his speed stacking cups....

This was Lucas' first competition. He was so nervous! It was a little overwhelming to have so many kids and parents watching that he felt a little distracted.

Look at Eli go....

Go Eli Go!

This is part of the full cycle. After all the cups are stacked they break them down into one stack. It's awesome!

Look at the concentration on that face!

Lucas and his event time card waiting to turn in his time.

If you haven't heard of Speed Stacking don't worry....here is a video of Eli stacking the cups...

Before it's too late....

I have been a bad blogger....so before too much time goes by I am adding 2 events from December for Eli and Lucas. They had a music program right after Grandma came back from California and because I came straight from work, I didn't have my camera. So, I just got these from Grandma. Eli and Lucas had a joint music program of Christmas music and The Nutcracker. Eli played a few songs and Lucas danced. It was cute.

Doesn't he look serious?

Eli is on the far right playing his Cello. His group did a great job!

Lucas is in the middle group...getting ready to dance...

Isn't he a cute little bunny? Second from the left.

And I love this photo. Isn't it cute? This was the first time the boys had seen Grandma in a month. She looks so good!

All That Jazz....

Noah had a Band concert recently that included 5th-12th in his schools area. These are always my favorite concerts because you get to hear the grades in a progression that shows how much they learn from year to year. I LOVE LOVE the HS Jazz band and as usual, they were amazing. They have a girl drummer who ROCKS (ha, I'm so funny) and this year one of the saxophone players did an amazing solo. It was fantastic!

  These two shots are so you can get a better idea of how many kids are in this program. It's a fantastic music program! The entire gym was full with a floor full of musicians and 3 sides of bleachers filled with family. You really get to know your neighbors in a setting like this.

It was hard to get a good photo of Noah because of the drum...
but you can see him playing the clarinet just to the right of it.

Sorry Hadlee- I tried to get a photo of the two of you playing but this is the best I could do.
I could always photoshop it together? :) *For inquiring minds, Hadlee is sitting next to Noah and is his "special" friend*.

There, that's better. Cute little musicians huh?

Of course, my usual photo after the performance...someday I'm going to make a little YouTube video of all these shots so we can watch the kids grow.

 The concert was great! The 7th graders did a great job and we enjoyed the music. I always think that's amazing at a kids band concert. :) A few days before that, Noah had a special Saxophone solo that he performed at his Middle School on their Diversity Day celebration. We didn't get to hear it live but he said it went well and apparently he got a standing ovation....which was pretty exciting for him.

And because our family just can't get enough Jazz.....

Scott took us to see the Brubeck Brothers Quartet at a local Jr. college. They were phenomenal and it really inspired Noah to dig deeper into Jazz...which seems to have paid off. He is doing some great Jazzy riffs with that thing and it sounds great! Makes me want to pick the sax up again.

One of the things I love most about Scott, is how he parents. He is a great mentor and teacher and I love these moments when all the kids are in the studio working out a new song or trying to master a new beat. This night, Scott and Noah were playing along with Take 5, by Dave Brubeck. Great stuff!

So, there you have it...The family who plays together...stays together. It's true!!

Mom's 70th Birthday Adventure

Remember back in November when my mom flew to California? Well, I wanted to share some of her great photos with our family. She had a fabulous time and I know it was so good for her heart and her spirit. You helped breath some life into her and she loved every minute! Enjoy!

Mom, Aunt Sandy, Uncle Nick, Aunt Claudine...

Aunt Linda, Uncle Nick, Aunt Sandy, Aunt Claudine and my goofy mom in front. Doesn't she look healthy?

My mom is the 2nd child of 6 and the oldest girl...I won't tell you about these great stories I've heard about her little sisters borrowing her freshly pressed clothes....Aunt Linda has heard it too many times... :)

I LOVE my Aunt Sandy but haven't seen her in soo long. She has Lupus but I am always amazed by her sweet spirit and positive attitude. She is so sweet!

Dear Aunt Claudine....I heard what these butterflies are for. I'M IMPRESSED! :)

They are rather silly together. Aunt Patty wasn't able to make the reunion but she was missed.

Mom got to spend Thanksgiving with some of her family and that was very special too. Here she is with Aunt Claudine, her daughter, daughter in law and granddaughter. Sweet girls!

These babies up front? They are supposed to be babies!!

I'm so thankful for having a great family spread all across the US who loves us and who gladly takes us in!
They took great care of mom while she was there and she didn't have any health problems at all.

This is Uncle Terry (the oldest sibling) and his daughter.

Thanksgiving under tents in California. Cool!

More cousins....haven't seen them in forever!

My cousin Jason and his sweet wife Eileen with mom.

The Aunts really gussied her up! The last time they saw mom was one of the worst weeks of her life physically. I was so glad she got to spend time with them after recovering. It meant so much to her.

Well, this last picture is prob. my favorite. My sweet mother has a silly, adventurous spirit and this is her on her way home. Look at that smile! This trip was a HUGE milestone for her! If my little mommy can fly across the country by herself then she has recovered!! WOO HOO! Because of this trip, we decided that mom was in good enough shape to go back to her house. We still have some things to work out (like driving) but while Bill is staying with her I know she is fine. I am getting her in to a Pain Clinic close by so we can try and diminish some of her shingle pain. If it wasn't for that, she would be running circles around me again. Other than the side pain, her heart is strong and working great. She is an amazingly strong women and I am so proud of her. Love you mom!

Happy Birthday Scott!

It's hard to believe but our little daddy just turned 39! 39!! (Shh, don't tell him but that's awfully close to 40!) We celebrated the big 39 over a 3 day weekend and spent his birth DAY loving the 65 degree weather! Daddy made us his famous breakfast and we sat around the breakfast table reminiscing for about an hour. (I love it when we do that!) We gave him his gifts and then the boys headed outside for a little football game. 

Eli! You are in big trouble for closing your eyes buddy! And why does Scott look so scared? :)

I really like Scott's face in this one. He was LOVING the time with his boys and having a good time. Pretty good for an old man, huh? :)

After football we gave Scott a couple hours to recover while we went to the YMCA to swim. We ran into our old neighbor (who helped us so much when Scott was in treatment) and had a fun time. That night we took Scott to one of his favorite restaurants, sang Happy Birthday to him in front of strangers :) (his favorite of course), got him a special slice of birthday cake and had a great time laughing. It was a great way to celebrate 39 and I've already started thinking about the big 4-0. Look out honey! :)

Happy Birthday to the best Dad ever!

Happy Birthday Thoughts For Daddy

Write one of your favorite memories of daddy.

Autumn: Today, (January 14^th 2012) when he started dancing to the song he made, while he was showing us the changes he made! J It was great!!!!

Eli: During the summer when I flipped him off his inner-tube………..penguin (“)>!!!!!!!

Noah: When he scared me so bad I ran to him screaming!!!!!!!

Lucas: in New Mexico when we went white water rafting. I was in the front of the boat and we went down a big dip and I got splashed soooo badly.

Write 5 things you LOVE about dad.

Autumn: How he cooks, how he knows how to play instruments and sing, how he’s funny, how he gives great hugs, and he is very smart!

Eli: how he t3aches us fings, how he has a sense of humor  (like me) he plays most instruments, and that he’s very smart, he looks like me …….SHARK (^^^)!!!!!!

Noah: baldness, mustache, clothing, sense of humor, fun

Lucas: music, squirrel, personality, dad, him waking up EVERY morning and makes us breakfast.

List 3 reasons why you RESPECT dad.

Autumn: Well he is my dad so I kinda have to respect him! Just kidding! I respect him because he is worth respecting, he brought me into the world so why not give him respect! J

Eli: I respect dado cause if we don’t respect him he um…….doesn’t want to have fun , and cause you must always repect adults, last is cause he is nice so u need to be NICE back….clown (:0)

Noah: I have to, its sorta fun, hes not unfair

Lucas: um……….. I respect…. Your music and your squirrel and…. How kind you are.

What is ONE word that describes daddy best?

Autumn: Hmm…that’s hard!…There are so many!….I’m gonna say….funny. Because when I think of dad most of my memories are of funny things that he says and does!

Eli: Um…………AWESOME…………………AWESOME………………AWESOME…………………………………………AWESOME……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….AWESOME……..AWESOME……AWESOME. ……..HEART <3

Noah: HANDSOME

Lucas: um………………………………………….. a big bunch of………..FLUFFINESS

**This is the unedited, silly version of Scott's birthday card from the kids. They even added the color. Sweet huh? Hope you have a great birthday today honey! Love you!**

Happy New Year!

I know....I'm way behind but finally found some time for me! yay! I'm taking a few hours to blog, work on photos, clean and sort in our art/music/game room. Catching up on our life will be my treat in between projects. I love rewards. :)

So, once again...HAPPY NEW YEAR! We had a very quiet night at home with our bubbly, mucinex, cold medicine and remote. I was still sick with something and Scott was just hitting the fever stage of his illness so the couch was just right. Pathetic huh? I have high hopes of going to New York City to see the ball drop someday...maybe when the kids are all teenagers? That would be so much fun!

In the midwest, we are having some AMAZING, unusual weather but you won't hear me complaining. I hate cold, bitter winters but apparently LOVE balmy, 60 degree winters! We spent a lot of time outside in January in our new yard, which we LOVE. It seriously looks like a park. The trees are gigantic and gorgeous and it's the perfect place to play for hours. The boys have played outside several times without a coat this month. That is just nuts! Although they do still take Hot Chocolate breaks. :) I know this weather isn't normal or necessarily good but I could really enjoy winters like this!

Now that we are getting settled into our new home there have been some added perks! For one, every time it rains it doesn't pour into our kitchen or bathroom...so that's a plus. :) We don't have to take the dogs down 7 floors in a slow freight elevator for a potty break and we are close to the boys' school. Scott has also taken over the cooking and shopping which has really helped me out. I am working 55-60 hours a week but I LOVE coming home to a gourmet meal. Look at some of these fantastic dinners that my super talented hubby makes for me! How lucky am I? :)

We are really looking forward to 2012 as things keep getting better and better for our family. I am loving my job even as stressful and chaotic as it tends to be and I love what we are doing for non profits. We are working with Operation Smile, Children's Miracle Network, Children's Mercy and many other groups around KC and I love being a part of that! I decided that my goal this year would be to focus on finding a healthy balance in my life. A balance between a demanding job, a husband, 4 children, a home, my health, my mother and her business and me time. 2 days after I made my resolution I worked 22 hours in 2 days and have done that several times in the past month...but I still have hope that I can find that balance. I am working on my health and have some new personal goals that I hope to meet. I hope you are enjoying the new year too and that your resolutions are persisting!