Grandparent Blessings

We have had so much going on the last few weeks I don't even know where to start. But as I was going through pictures and trying to organize all of the events of the past couple weeks, I saw a trend emerging...Grandma and Grandpa.

Grandma enjoying the tent she helped the kids build.

Grandpa playing cards. Grandma helping Noah read.The "Tickle Monster"

Enjoying a day at the park at Grandma's house. A few weeks ago Calla and Noah got to race their pinewood derby cars at the AWANA Grand Prix. Neither Jeff nor I are real car enthusiasts, but we sure do know one, Grandpa! He spent so much time with the kids helping them pick a design, shaping the wood, drilling a new wheel base for the tires, painting, sanding, adding weights and so much more. On race day, I thought those cars would fly right off the track they were going so fast. The competition was stiff this year though and the kids cars didn't win the big trophy, but I saw Grandpa checking out the winner and he sure looked like he was getting some great ideas for next year. Cutting the wood just so. Race Day! Proud Grandparents and even prouder kids show off their cars. Even Nehemiah enjoyed watching the cars race, when he wasn't chewing on his hands (he got his first 2 teeth!)

This Valentine's Day was uneventful for us. Sunday came with one pretty sick child and a commitment to work in church nursery that morning. For those of you not familiar with our church, it is very difficult to find a replacement for nursery the morning of, just because of the size of the church and its not really fair to the coordinator not to show up at all. So I took half the kids to service and nursery and Jeff stayed at home with Bella and Micah. While Valentine's Day was sort of a bust, we got our chance to celebrate on President's Day on Monday. Thanks again to Mom who came over and watched the kids while Jeff and I did some shopping, had lunch at a restaurant that didn't have a kids menu and just enjoyed each others company in peace.

Friday night is pizza night.

Noah lost his first tooth on the 13th.

Happy Valentine's Day!It Snowed!!! 10:00am 3:00 pm (gotta love the south)

Dribble It, Pass It, We Want A Basket!

This year Noah and Calla joined UPWARD, a Christian Sports League. Noah is playing basketball coached by Jeff and Calla is cheerleading. Noah has learned quite a lot this year in basketball. Jeff has taught the boys how to dribble, pass, play defense and line up a shot, so pretty much everything! Don't let the hard work fool you though, Jeff loves coaching. And the other kids and I love watching Noah and cheering him and Daddy on. For me it is exciting and entertaining at the same time. I have a new respect for Jeff's level of patience and commitment! Watching the boys dribble down court and organize an offense may be a bit disheveled now, but the fundamentals are there to build on in the future.

In the video, Noah is in orange.

Calla is thrilled with her Cheer Squad. Because some of her friends were on the older team, she was able to cheer with them, making her the youngest on the team (and giving me the opportunity to carpool to practices). Her twelve girl squad is made up of mostly third through fifth graders, and although that may be a daunting task for some, Calla has lived up to the challenge. She not only enjoys being the smallest on the team, but has used it to her advantage, and is the top of the "pyramid". Because Calla is in an older group, she does not cheer for Noah's games officially, (she still cheers him on as his sister). Instead her squad cheers for the oldest basketball teams, which is very exciting to watch. The boys and girls on those teams obviously have the basics down and play very competitive basketball. We look forward to watching many thrilling games in the coming years!

The players come out of a tunnel when their name is announced. Calla is the peanut (fouth from the right).

Hi Mom and Dad!

Calla and her friend Taylor.

Our favorite little cheerleaders.