7th Birthday

 We started our year, like always... celebrating Hollister! 

First... Cake making

This is Chibaca-bird. This is the new craze in our world; Angry birds meets Star Wars.

Second, fun times with friends at Main Event.

This is Ryan. He has played on several sports teams with Hollister. His parents are good friends with us and they celebrated Hollister's birthday with us at Main Event today.

PRESENTS!!!!

It was all fast and furious and Angry Birds and Star Wars.

Oh, one Toy Story Tag book mom found on sale! Gotta get that reading in any way I can.

Time to EAT cake!

Then afterward we enjoyed much of what The Main Event offers. We bowled, played video games and rock climbed. 

Ryan, Hollister and Cindy. Cindy is Ryan's sister. She is 5.

This little boy loves bowling!

This man loves rock climbing! 

A harley? Oh my...

Yes, he is plugging his ears. It's really loud. 

 We all had a great day, especially the birthday boy. It's good family time and reason for cake!

2012- A Look Back

Once again, I am behind and we are only six days into the year. (typical) I didn't procrastinate this time, I needed a new family picture taken. Finally got one today during Hollister's birthday celebration so now I can finally publish my end of 2012 and then of course start 2013.

This was written 12/31/12
I just reread the entire year of 2012. There's an underlying theme throughout. I was behind all year. I was playing catch up in every post it felt like. Apparently, I am busy. Or, a procrastinator. Probably a little of both.

2011 Family picture

In some ways, 2012 was uneventful. at least compared to our other years.
But, in some ways it was C-R-A-Z-Y, like normal for us.

Everyone is older. Everyone is bigger. (some more than others)  But, everyone is healthy!

THEY ARE SO MUCH TALLER

Hamilton had his 3 year old check up recently and he is 90th %tile for his height and the 95% %tile for his weight! Hamilton continues to grow and mimic everything his older brother and Dad do.
He has soccer to look forward to in 2013. Not until the fall season though.

Hollister had the most going on. He had THREE ear surgeries. yes, THREE. Things are good in this area. His hearing on the right is improving. He continues to wear the Baha at school. We still may have one surgery to handle this next year. Time will tell.

Hollister also had the most going on with sports. He played two in the spring and three in the fall. Trevor coached them all. Hamilton and I cheered at all of them, practices and games.
Kendrick and CJ are both good. Both love reading still. I love that they still enjoy an actual book and not just electronics.
Kendrick turned 21, a huge milestone.

CJ has turning 16 to look forward to and hopefully getting his drivers license.

Trevor continues to work hard and stay busy with his business. We are so fortunate in this area.

I am still teaching 6th grade Math, but actually enjoying it this year. Things do work out the way they are meant to.

Family picture at the end of 2012 (sort of... 6 days into 2013)

Happy New Year and my goal for next year will be to stay on top of things and not be so behind with my posts!

The tradition is back! - Gingerbread Houses

After a year off, we are back!

Supplies!

 We bought this pre made houses at Ikea a few years back. We opened them and they were in perfect condition. We had two, one for Hollister and one for Hamilton.

 Serious business. He is reading the directions!

 After theirs were set and dried overnight, they decorated.

Hollister's (he made the snowman on his own)

 Hamilton's

CJ decided he was out this year. Bummer.

I made mine, decorated it and was done fairly quickly. My goal is just to keep it standing and not eat all the decorations and make myself sick. I tried incorporating some "cotton" for the upcoming bowl, but it's just a blob. Oh well.

Heavens only knows what this conversations includes.

 Maybe Hamilton is giving me ideas?

My finished house.

Go Aggies. (sad cotton, I know)

 Kendrick, well like always he starts strong and loses interest fast. Once again, an unfinished house.

And now, one week later... seriously people.... Trevor's house is complete.

Getting started... see, ONE WEEK AGO!!!!

 Building walls

 That date is wrong! It's a few hours behind... it is 12/31/2012 now!

 But, it is beautiful as always. He really is verfy creative.

We were out yesterday and bought, on great clearance, four houses for the boys next year. Yep, four this time. We think the older boys need some help. It was a mess, it was fun and I have been sweeping graham cracker crumbs all week.

Hope you enjoyed our attempt at art.

Take a look back at previous years:

2008

2009

2010

Happy New Year!

Christmas Day

Do you see all those presents? I am positive Santa came to the wrong house! This year we changed where our tree went. It didn't really fit though. We ended up leaving the top off. It's kind of funny, but it works! We liked having it in front of the window.

 Opening stockings stuffed with all kinds of good stuff!

 Hamilton got Mickey's farmhouse. This was his Santa gift.

 And this, we just couldn't resist.

 He has wanted this Batcave for a very long time. I think its his third one. (Read the following sentences dripping in sarcasm) Thankfully, Imaginex toys keeps coming out with various Batcaves. And thankfully, Hollister wants them all.

Very curious as to what this big box is for Kendrick.

 This is actually Kendrick's gaming chair from the big box. I think CJ has put one on his birthday wish list.

This was the only other thing that Hamilton asked for, a big boy bike. He loves it. Due to the cold weather we got for the holiday, he has yet to ride it outside, but is a whiz at riding it in the house.

I was noticing that I don't have good pictures or even that many. But we all had a great Christmas and got things we wanted and enjoyed spending time together. There's lots to organize now and lots to play with. Trevor and I actually bought each other the exact same gift. We each got the other a Keurig coffee maker. We each bought a coffee carousel for each other. I tell ya, great minds think alike.

Oh, and Kendrick got me a new microwave. I have had the same microwave since I lived in College Station. Yes, that is almost 10 years people!!! We rarely use a microwave. But when we do, those boys complain something fierce. But now, I have a new one to be installed. Anyone know a handyman that can do that for me?

Most of all, I enjoyed having four boys in my house all at the same time!