broken bow

The goal for spring break was to relax and avoid crowds.  We decided that Broken Bow was the perfect getaway for that.  Although my sister had been, it was our first time (and won't be our last).  It's BEAUTIFUL there and I'm sure it's even more beautiful when all the leaves are on the trees!

The kids were ready to explore and get down and dirty the moment we arrived.

This was also the only day we saw the sun unfortunately.

It was also Charlie's birthday the first day, so we all got to celebrate with him!

How many people can you fit in a hot tub?

 The hot tub was put to use on many occasions and always ended with the kids warming up by the fire.

 Kent brought up his four wheelers which made it that much more fun riding all the trails.

Our relationship basically started on a red four wheeler 12 years ago.  Gotta love that man.

 Kari thought she knew how to drive four wheelers...until she didn't know how to go up hill and flipped the four wheeler back.  Good thing 2 kids cushioned her fall....

 At one point we were wondering what was taking the guys so long out on the four wheelers.  They came back with Kent on the front of one pushing the other that had broken down.

 The fire pit of course was a big hit. 

 S'MORES!

 We did a little shooting (air soft guns).

Yes, we are country. 

And do you spot that deer feeder in the background?  There were a few times we spotted deer in the morning or early evenings RIGHT in the back yard (and usually in herds of 8).

 On our last full day, they all went out for EIGHT hours (I stayed back with Nolan).  It was wet from the previous day but everyone ate it all up and no one complained.  It was such a long day that Landry passed out while riding.  Kristin noticed his head just bouncing around so she asked Boston to help keep it steady while they road.

Hudson EATS this up.  I'm not sure if there's a kid out there who loves four wheeling as much as this boy.

The next day it was time to leave but the kids weren't ready.  They still wanted to explore and play even more.  I'm telling you this was a kids paradise AND they only asked to play video games twice!  I love when kids get to be kids and explore and use their imaginations.

Til next time Broken Bow (and there WILL be a next time).

Hopefully the weather will be a tad nicer too.

savannah's blessing

We headed up to Dallas on the weekend after Dallas had MAJOR snow fall (when I say MAJOR I mean MAJOR for Texas).  Surprisingly, they had MULTIPLE days that week with snow that stuck.  My boys were so sad earlier that week because Houston got ZERO snow and in the meantime, their cousins were out of school enjoying LOTS of snow (perk of Dallas is they usually get SOME kind of snow and then it's gone and back in the 70's the next week--my kind of winter).

Lucky for the boys, it snowed AGAIN the night before we arrived. 

Thankfully, it stayed cold enough for the snow to stay (even if it was rock solid ice by then).

It was Hudson's FIRST snow experience.

These kids played outside for HOURS in this stuff.

Much too cold for myself.

On Sunday, sweet, beautiful little Savannah Pearl was blessed.

This was the purpose of our trip.

Her dress was BEAUTIFUL!! 

All these cousins really are best buds.

 My parents with 9 of their 10 grandkids.

 What would my dad do without son-in-laws?

 We stayed one more night and skipped school/work on Monday just to extend the weekend a little.  Plus these two specifically have too much fun together.

 

6 months

 

I'm starting to realize it's harder and harder to keep up with my blog with three kids and every day life.  I also think I'm slacking in the picture department as well.  I'm trying.

 

Nolan was 6 months ONE month ago! 

Weight: 17 lbs 4 oz (43%)

Height 27 inches (62 %)

 

 He always likes to find the corner to sleep.  He even puts his binky back in his mouth now.  This changes so much!

 We are still working on sitting up.  He's a pro with support but once you take that away, forget about it.

 I had Kent pull out the jumper.  He loves it....for maybe 5-7 minutes.  I guess anything that buys me a little time during the afternoon chaos.

 I dropped his LATE evening nap which makes for a TIRED boy in the afternoon.  I've never had any of my boys willingly fall asleep in my arms, stroller, ground, wherever when they are THAT tired.  This kid on the other hand, if he's tired enough will take time to catch a few zzzz's when he can.

 We also pulled out the high chair and started this boy on some veggies.  He does pretty well with the basics and eats them right up.  I'm crossing fingers that he will be a good eater later on.  Hudson is DIFFICULT with foods and I'm determined to get this kid to not be so picky and be good about eating GOOD foods.  It may be a shot in the dark but I'm hoping!!

Oh and he also still has red hair....and eye brows.

rockets game round 2

Boston had been DYING to hit a Rockets game this year.  When I found out about "MORMON NIGHT", the deal was too good to pass up.  We got a sitter for Nolan and took the rest of the fam to the game with the Buchanans. 

The boys were quite calm at first.

 Until they got into the game and got a little food in their bellies.

 The game got REALLY close at the end but the Rockets pulled through and beat the Nets!

 One of the perks of Mormon Night was that you could go down on the court and shoot ONE free throw.  Talk about a boys dream (including GROWN boys).

 Kent was proud to say he MADE his one chance shot.

Don't you love all the "security" they have down there..ha!

The boys were in heaven.

I'm sure glad that I love sports as much as I do so that I can really enjoy stuff like this with my boys!  I KNOW this is the way I'll be spending the rest of my life with these boys.

rodeo day

It's RODEO time around Houston this time of year which means it's GO TEXAN day at school

(why they call it that and not just RODEO day, I'll never know). 

I'm waiting for the day Boston no longer cares to dress up.  I think our days with that may be numbered.

 Hudson was giddy about this day for a few weeks.  He's totally thrilled to be in school doing some of these fun things his older brother gets to do too!

I think I have some pretty cute cowboys although I think we need to invest in a cowboy belt and cowboy boots since we will be in Texas for the LONG haul. 

Hey, when in Texas, do as the Texans!

I swore I'd never be a Texan.....

new beginnings+more

First of all, let me say I LOVE my calling.  I've been in YW for just over 5 years now and all though at times I'm tired, I still think there's no other calling I'd rather be in than working with the youth.  They are great and I love the relationships we have formed over the years.

Anyway, so when planning our activities out for this year, the youth apparently wanted to bring back an oldie---Silly Spaghetti Dinner.  Basically in a nutshell, you do a three course meal (salad, spaghetti, then pudding) and they have to eat with a RANDOM utensil (i.e. spatula, wooden spoon, baby spoon,  wisk, etc) while both hands are tied to the people on either side of them.  We had a pretty good turnout this go around with a few non-member friends who came too.

We asked each youth to bring a box of cereal to donate to a local food bank (that was our "service" act for the evening that we are trying to squeeze in anyway we can this year). 

I think we collected about 33 boxes!

While the youth were eating their dessert, I decided it would add a little spice in the mix if we shoved a few of the girls' faces into their pudding.

 They didn't expect it at all.

 It turned into a little bit of a pudding war zone

 But it was a BLAST!

 We also had New Beginnings 2 weeks after.  The theme this year for the youth is "Embark in the Service of God".  Love this theme (okay, I love whatever theme they give every year).  We decided to stick with the theme and the whole nautical thing they had going on for our program this year.  I think it turned out cute!  There's seriously some WONDERFUL talent in YW!  If you need something built, you got it.  If you need something designed, you got it.  If you need delicious food, you got it.  If you need something sewn, you got it.  It's quite awesome.  Everyone pulls their weight which makes things SOOOO nice.

I feel like the program went over well too.  We decided this year that we wanted to challenge the girls to perform as many service acts as possible throughout the year.  We had t-shirts designed (again thanks to wonderful talent in YW)  and gave each girl their own "Embark" shirt to be worn any time we are doing a service activity (kind of like the whole HELPING HANDS tees).  I'm so bummed I didn't get a picture of them!  The goal is just to help motivate these girls to look for any opportunity BIG or SMALL to serve.  The point is to be aware of these opportunities and to act  just as Christ did.  Hopefully they will catch the service bug and will realize not only how much it effects others but also how it makes them feel as well and how much service changes others and yourself.