2016 Olympics!

It's not secret I'm obsessed with the Olympics.  I often hated being in school/working because I couldn't watch them during the day and dreamed of the day when I could do nothing but watch every.single.event.  I even prayed that I would have a newborn around the Olympics so I could nurse and watch them all night long.  My prayers were answered with Maverick and the 2014 winter Olympics in Sochi.

This year, Joshua and I decided to have an Olympics party that I'm hoping will become a tradition.  We made decorations and hosted mini-events for the kids to compete in. It was hot, but so much fun!! I was surprised at how well the kids did even in the heat. They never complained and kept asking for more events!

I'm so sad to say I didn't get very many pictures. It was really difficult to run the games, talk to guests, and try to take pictures too.

We started out with a torch relay. I had the kids take turns running around our back yard with our homemade torch (a flashlight covered with foil and felt flames). Joshua was last to run(since he was the host) and then he held the torch up to our tiki torches to light and signify the opening of the games!

We then did a march of the athletes.  I played the Olympic theme and we paraded around the backyard cheering for team USA! I forgot flags and realized the march was supposed to be before the lighting of the torch. (making mental notes for improvements in the future)  It also would've been fun to have the kids wear colors to represent different countries and all carry different flags.

Then we started the games! We did a sprint, high jump, hurdles, frisbee throw, 3-legged race, tug of war, and a long run.  The kids ages ranged from nine to five, so in the future I may need to divide older/younger kids. I was impressed with the good sportsmanship I saw and their willingness to try new things.

Finally, it was time for the medal ceremony. We played the national anthem and had them put their hands over their hearts.

After the games were over, the kids had fun with water balloons, a kid pool, water hose and trampoline. They played for hours without fighting or complaining... a parent's dream! We ordered pizza and my sweet friend, Megan, brought cookies and an amazing mocha salted caramel cake.

I think we'll have to start a bi-yearly field day and we can make it an Olympics party whenever they're on.

I'm so thankful for the family and friends the Lord has blessed us with. Our hearts are full.

And... go team USA!!!

warrior wednesday

What we've been up to the last few weeks of summer...  It's still really hot and I haven't wanted to push it by doing to much. I've got to make it to 37 weeks to deliver at the birthing center. So we play inside and pretty much only get out for groceries or church.  I'm so ready for fall!!

playing with our laptops while mom works on hers (planning for school)

playing outside in early morning before it gets too hot, but it was already too hot for mom so she watched from inside

Joshua found a toad!

we are learning to eat with a spoon but make a BIG mess!

early morning snuggles with dad... until he gets up to get ready for work

cheeeeeeeeeese!!!!

nothin like brother hugs!

We are ALL so ready to meet Anchor! Joshua is already taking his "big brother" role very seriously. And Maverick pats my belly and says "baby" every chance he gets.  We are still searching for the family car and slowly putting his room together. He'll be here soon!! Can't wait to add his pics to Warrior Wednesday!

4th of July

I hate to admit it but I'm normally a dud when it comes to small holidays.   Even on the big ones I procrastinate so long that I run out of time for crafts and decorating.

This year was different. I got into the patriotic spirit early enough to go to Hobby Lobby for supplies, pick up some 4th of July books, make crafts, and invite friends over for dinner.

First we made t-shirts. It was so much fun and I really hope this can become a tradition.  I even found an iron-on anchor so baby could be a part of the fun.

Then we decorated a bucket to collect candy in at the parade.  Joshua really got into it and made sure there was a star for each member of our family.  The small star inside the big star was for anchor (the baby in mommy's belly).... made my mommy heart melt.

Next we learned about patterns by creating this firework hat. Joshua LOVED making it but didn't want to wear it at the parade.

Finally we read our Fourth of July books: Corduroy's 4th of July; The Berenstain Bears God Bless Our Country; and The Night Before the Fourth of July.  I'm so blessed to have little ones who enjoy reading... it's a passion of mine and I love sharing it with them.

On Saturday morning, we woke up bright and early to get ready for the parade. The Denton Parade has been a tradition since before we had kids!! Unfortunately, I have no family pictures... oh well, live and learn! 

2013 (I was pregnant with Maverick)

2014 (at Fuzzy's before parade)

2014

We put on our shirts, stuck on our temporary tattoos and loaded up in the Merriman's van.  First (and most important) stop: DONUTS!!

At the parade, the boys wanted a "bucket head" photo. We told them to line up and this is what we got:

REDO... sort of!! 

Maverick loved watching from high up on daddy's shoulders.

The boys LOVED seeing the fire trucks, old cars, tractors, horses, and police men.  They ran and played on the lawn and just had fun being boys. I finally got my family photo! Hopefully there will be many more to come!

We headed home for lunch and naps and daddy surprised us with a swimming pool! Perfect timing! The Merriman's came over around 4 and Joshua and Jackson swam constantly from then on. We grilled shish kabobs, had corn salad, watermelon, and a yummy 4th of July dessert.  Doug and Melissa DOMINATED our game of Phase 10 but it was still a lot of fun.  It's so refreshing to spend time with good friends, good food, good conversation... it's just so easy hanging out with them! And an added bonus is that our boys get along so well. 

This is one fourth of July that's going in the books as an awesome fun-filled day of memories. 

warrior wednesday

What is Warrior Wednesday?  It's pictures and updates of the family and what we've been up to lately... with little explanation.  Sometimes I just want to post pics without having to write an entire blogpost. (Can I get an Amen!?)

This is the boys drinking their Chocolate Shakeology... and Maverick throwing a fit when it was all gone! Needless to say, THEY LOVE IT!!

We haven't played outside much since it's been so hot. But one afternoon I pulled out this spray turtle and Maverick had a blast playing in it!

We've been blessed to go swimming at my mom's pool! She lives 20-30 minutes away so it's not daily, but it sure is fun when we go! Joshua just finished swim lessons and so it's nice for him to practice.

We also went to Lee and Hollie Woodham's summer kick-off party. The food is always amazing and Joshua loves playing with the water guns, bounce houses, and other kids. 

We also went to Cabela's so Kenny could get a fishing rod and, of course, we bought some fudge... vanilla snickers and chocolate peanut butter M&M!  Yuuuummy!

the three musketeers

This past month Texas has experienced record breaking amounts of rain! While it's been a blessing to see the lakes full and fears of drought relieved, it's been tough having to keep the boys inside.

Especially since Daddy just bought them a new playground.  *Earlier in the year we were going on a walk and Joshua noticed a playground in someone's front yard. He asked for one since it was so cool to have your very own park in your backyard. =)

It took Kenny over two weeks to put together... after work and in between periods of rain. Joshua watched patiently, wondering if he'd EVER be able to play on it.

The long anticipated day of sunshine finally came... and it just so happened we were watching his cousins Claire and Emma.  Joshua eagerly awaited their arrival.

From the moment they arrived, the three were inseparable.

Claire has a wonderful imagination and Joshua and Emma are happy to obey all of her "commands."

First they played on the playground. They came up with the idea to pour a cup of water down first and then slide! So much fun... they came flying out!

Once they were thoroughly soaked. they moved to the trampoline to dry off. It amazed me how quickly they came up with games to play.

Their final outdoor "treat" was water guns! We told them we weren't filling them up because the ground was already so soaked. But they used puddles and Sam's bathtub to fill them anyway and had even more fun!

I'm so thankful for cousins and sunshine!!  It was an awesome day!!

**Kenny also just replaced the fence. We are LOVING the new one! The back side is taller so it blocks all of the houses and traffic noise. All we see now is trees and it's heavenly! =)