Snow and Basketball

Snow - it is a major thing in Alabama. Last Saturday, we awoke to a winter wonderland.

Later that day, the kids had their first basketball games. Here is Pierson's team being introduced. Go Tigers!

I didn't doctor this picture at all. Pierson is just that fast on the court. What can I say, he is like his Dad!

Sydney's team is the "Flash." She has her defense down - it helps to be taller than most of the other kids!

Here is coach Daddy, encouraging her to run fast. I love that Pete is coaching Sydney's team this year.

Thanksgiving Day

Another successful Thanksgiving turkey, and he was a huge 17 pounds!

Here we are, waiting to dig in. We had a great day with just the four of us. We ate, hung out together, and played bocce ball!

As always, we set up the tree Thanksgiving night, and it was so much fun.

Hanging the garland and lights. It is hard to believe that the kids are 7 and 5.

Time for the star. Every year we alternate who gets to put it up. This year, it was Sydney's turn.

Choir Sunday

Two of the children's and youth choirs sang on Sunday morning. This is Pierson's 1st and 2nd grade choir. They did a great job singing!

This is the Senior High choir from the church. Even after 4 years, I am still so excited to be at our church. They have so many opportunites for the kids to serve God and learn about Him. It is a great place to raise our kids.

Boy Scouts Learn About our Vetrans

The troop got to try on all sorts of gear.

Sydney and Pierson got to try on the jacket, helmet and a gun they use in Iraq.

After the field trip the kids got to make Christmas Cards that they will deliver to the Veteran's. It was a great way to get the kids understanding why they get Wednesday off of school.

Halloween Day

We decorated scarecrow sugar cookies to kick off the fun activities of the day, then we delivered them to the neighborhood kids. They had a blast.

Pierson is always ready to help cook something - especially cookies!

Pumpkin carving time!

This was serious business.

A Jaguar and a Jedi - great halloween fun.

Boy Scout Camping Weekend

Last weekend we went to Boy Scout family camp and had a great time. The leaves were beautiful and changing colors, but boy was it cold!

Pierson's first time shooting a BB Gun in a firing range - he did a great job. Sydney even had a turn at the guns.

Pierson and Sydney also had a chance to try their hand at archery. It was fun to see them trying brand new things.

The whole family had fun riding these cars around the track. It was complete mud, but, oh, so much fun to slip and slide and race.

Just some proof that I was camping also. It was tent camping, and I didn't remember how hard it was to sleep on the ground! But I will do it again next year.

Sydney's Field Trip to the Pumpkin Farm

I got to go on Sydney's first Kindergarten field trip. And we had a great time at the pumpkin farm. So many fun things to do. Of course, Sydney can never pass up a petting zoo trip!

My little horse rider - had a ride on a tire horse. Yee haw!

Sydney and her little buddy, Patrick, picking out just the perfect pumpkin at the farm.

Firestation Day with Cub Scouts

Every boys dream to see a fireman's pole - reminds me of Dave Rill!

Syndey Sings in Church

Sydney sang in church this morning with the kindergarten choir. She did a great job, they were so cute. I am so thankful that we are in a church that offers so much for the children to do.

Madison Street Festival

Pierson had so much fun walking in the parade with his Boy Scout troop. They threw candy to the crowd and they had a blast!

Pierson was one of 12 chosen from his school to compete in the art show at the festival! We were so proud of him. His rendering of an Aztec sun was quite impressive.

Back to the festival at the end of the day to pick up trash. It was a 7 year old boys dream!

Our Backyard!

Just a cute picture of Belle hanging out in the back yard.

So, our new house had a dried up pond in the back yard. We just found out that it belongs to us! Due to the drought it hasn't had water in it for a long time. But, thanks to two weeks of rain, we have a pond again.

Even the ducks love it. And Belle loves the ducks, which she scares away when she goes for a swim.

First Day of School

Pierson leaving for his first day of first grade.

Sydney waited for an hour for him to get off the bus.

First day off the bus and all was great.

The next day was Sydney's turn. First day of Kindergarten is very exciting!

Sydney's first day of Kindergarten with Miss Fry.

July Trip to Nebraska

After leaving Utah, we drove to Nebraska to spend time with my side of the family. We were blessed to have the whole family get together. The girl cousins hung out together.

The boy cousins had a great game of dress up, but where is Eli (or is it Gideon)? I can't tell with the mask on!

Thanks Uncle Kevin - Pierson had his first bike ride!

Peter had a ride too - thanks Uncle Randy!

Dad was the fisherman of the evening - they were begging to jump on Grandpa's hook!

First time in a kayak! He figured it out right away - no worries.

The whole gang who went fishing, kayaking, and cooking out!

I even caught a fish and I think it was at least 20 inches long! That's my fish tale and I'm sticking with it.

Sydney jumped off the diving board for the first time at Eli and Gideon's pool!