Grandview Lodge, August

Jeff's parents took us on a fun filled long weekend to Grandview Lodge.  We had such a great time and stayed in an amazing house that had just been built.  The kids loved it and we all loved it too!  We had cooler weather, but it was still nice outside and we were able to spend a day by the lake.  There was an indoor pool with a water slide that the kids loved so we spent lots of time there too!

Settling in to the house, Sandy seems happy!

The kids find the kids bunk room and stake their claim!

Hattie was happy to be on vacation too!

Chase gets ready to play.  He also was not feeling real great and when we got home was diagnosed with strep throat. :(

 

Owen is ready to play!

Hattie and Jeff look out at the water

Hattie and I

39

I celebrated my 39th birthday on January 8th.  The kids made it so special for me! I was getting ready for work and Owen came in the bathroom and made me so back to bed.  He then got Chase out of bed and Hattie and Jeff all walked in holding cards and gifts.  Chase and Owen carried a gift and Chase was all squinty eyed because he had just got out of bed!  It was very sweet.  The night before I came home from MOPS and tucked in Chase.  He woke sleepily and said, "We got you a cake!  Happy Birthday"  That night we celebrated and had dinner, cake and I got to open gifts.  I got a new "Hattie" ring, which symbolizes her birth.  On Saturday night Jeff and I went to dinner at the Melting Pot and enjoyed a huge meal and time with each other.  It was so nice!  I had a surprise for the boys and got them a gift they had really been wanting-on my bday. They had no clue and were so happy!

 39!

 I love how little Hattie looks as they sing

Dinner out with Jeff at the Melting Pot

Basketball Class

This December-January Chase and Owen have participated in a basketball class in Mayer. They have really liked it and have learned so much.  It's been an amazing learning opportunity as it's a Christian environment and the coaches are the high school boys varsity coaches!  Men who actually know what they are doing!  The boys improved so much and are good dribblers and good basket shooters. They lack a little assertiveness in getting after the ball when scrimmaging, but that will come. 

Chase and Owen dribbling around the pins

Owen and Chase

Hattie had fun too!

Owen shoots!

Chase goes in for the layup

Snow Day

Last Tuesday the 2nd we got a lot of snow!  We even got out of school early and had a late start on Wednesday.  

The kids had a lot of fun playing in the snow, despite Hattie having strep again.

 

Hattie and Owen having fun in the big drift.

Owen on the deck playing in the snow.  Chase wasn't feeling well so he stayed inside.

Why?

Yesterday it started.  Hattie started asking "Why?" It's been so funny and cute, so far! :)

Illness

We've been hit with our usual illnesses.  3 weeks ago I had strep-which I thought was an ear infection. The next day Hattie was diagnosed with it.  2 weeks after that she was acting funny and had strep again!  Chase had a fever the next day and we've just been playing catch up!

Chase loses the other Front Tooth

Last Wednesday night the 3rd we had a bit of drama after Awana. Jeff was out of town and Chase's tooth was hanging on by a thread. He let me try to pull it out, which only worked on one side (I heard the evidence of tearing), but the other side wouldn't come out.  There were blood and tears.  He was worried it would come out in the night and he would swallow it. So we said some prayers and went to bed.

On his way to school the next day, the 4th, Chase was eating his snack, it shifted to the front of his mouth and he bit into it.  He suddenly bit his tooth and it came out, he said!  No pain, no blood, yipee!    So, when Jeff picked up the boys from school that day he was greeted by this toothless cutie, who was so proud!

He was also very tenderhearted toward Owen, who has not lost a tooth in months and really wanted some money.  So, before getting tooth fairy money, Chase promised to give the money to Owen!  WHAT?!!! How kind is that?  So, the tooth fairy wrote Chase a nice note and gave Chase extra money since she knew he was going to give the bulk of the money to Owen.  Chase even divided the extra money with Owen.  I couldn't have been more proud.

You can see Chase tell his story at the bottom of the post.

 Toothless and cute!

She Writes Her "Name"

I asked Hattie to write her name on a Valentine last night and this is what she did! :)

We've been practicing making the "H" so I was so happy to see her write it! :)  Way to go honey!