BB tourney

Our youngest boy had a basketball tournament last weekend. I was so pleased to go. It felt too normal though. It was a nice feeling. A feeling as though nothing else big is going on in my life. Nothing life threatening..nothing that requires such intense focus...
Let me just say that BB is not his game. He is a karate kid so to speak. His effort, however, was highly commendable. He didn't get much game time, but he held his head high, he swerved all around his opponent, back and forth, never yielding. I was pleased. I told him so.
Here's a couple shots I admired from a game. I love taking photos. I have no fancy shmancy photo shop...
Well I can't get more photos to list because it's full?? I will get back to you on this.

wavy fields of crazy crochet goodness

It took me awhile to get this on here but I did finally finish Secret Agent's (3rd son) crazy color requested crochet blanket. Now each child has their own crazy crochet, except I did officially do a ripple for Damsel girl. I actually ended up making this one super wide. The weird color combo he requested actually turned out pretty well in the end.

It amazes me how God makes us all so different, each child so unique with his own taste and preference. You see, I have never hated red but never felt any kinship with it. Never chose it often. My two oldest sons tended toward blues and greens. I am always a bit more swayed by deep eggplant rich purples. But Agent has always loved RED. He is drawn toward it. Loves it.
Well, here he is wrapped in it's wavy soft, goodness. I love it. He loves it! That is the most important part. Don't they together just make you want to reach out and eat 'em up? (my kids don't like me to say that after a certain age) :) I don't think I can ever stop though.

READING ADVENTURES: owls in the family

I have to tell you all about a great little book. It's an oldie but goody. I remember my oldest son reading this one years ago and loving it and saying how funny it is. It's been on my book list for some time now and I finally got around to giving it to the other boys. (not sure if damsel will read it now or later) I must say that they loved it too. It has been retold around our house over and over. I had the boys dictate a narration and illustrate it as well. It is not an overly long or hard book to read, so it would be good for any young reader. A must read. Have fun with your reading adventures this week!!

brotherly love

FUN CITY!!!!

Fun City was great! We have been trying to plan this since B finished phase 4 and here we are, finally there. We wanted to do something simple, but special to celebrate together as a family. We also brought our 5th kid, good family friend Casey.

We started out the first night bowling in the fun atmosphere of black lights and pizza. Hey, there's T just chillin'. He really has some skill at this game too.

The big boys are drummin' to a different beat on this electronic game. And you thought there was no exercise with these games. :)

We had to try the race cars. The kids (including the big kid here) loved those little race cars. I even raced and have formed the opinion that it was fun for the first 2 rounds then it starts to shake the stomach around a bit. I am sensitive that way.

Water park water slides.

Look at that thick hair!! It is so fun to rub it after he gets out of the pool and it gets all wavy and curly. He tells me has been praying that it won't end up curly, but I thought it was adorable. He won't mind it too much.

Daddy's birthday is Tuesday and he is 40!!
Can you believe it?
We had some cake and sang to him.
Happy Birthday honey, you're the best!

CAUTION: what you are about to see next could be disturbing to some of you, so view with caution as you are about to witness a sensitive, smelly teen filled domain.....be glad there is no smello-blog right now! :)
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Yes, in case your wondering, that's a TV they are staring at!! And YES, in case you're wondering, they did have their OWN room adjoining ours. :)

skiing adventures

Even though we live near a place that offers skiing, we have never bothered to go, especially since I knew if we loved it, there was a good chance that it would become an expensive favorite. I just had to post these photos from a couple weeks ago of T and D going skiing with our good friend Craig. We were so thankful that he was available to take them (it was a weekday) and teach them how to ski, while I stayed home with Damsel and Braveheart. The boys are officially hooked. They loved it so much that they called to say they would be home later than planned. Thanks Craig.

wordless wednesday

best friends

C and D have been best friends since they were very young in grade school. You know that friend that you just always have your whole life? Where D is quiet and reserved, C is loud and outgoing. Both are fine young men with kind hearts and make us proud. They are opposites, which I love. C brings a special amount of rowdy to D's life that has been a real blessing. The other kids just love him like a brother and he returns the brotherliness. Here they are heading with friends to a wedding. We consider C our 'adoptive' kid. We are so blessed for them to be friends. Glad to know you in this world C. Glad we are a family in Christ too.

To quote C: "I want to live here except for the veggies!"

girl in leaves/ 2006 boys

More brilliant colors! Can you see the little girl blending in these photos? :)

Weeee!

There she is!

What a little leaf head!

I had to add these adorable fall pics of the boys from 2006. I just always remember them as so precious, I couldn't leave them out.

rockets with dad

We actually had a Sat. that everyone was home together and Bryce felt well enough so dad took both the boys to a cub scout outing where they built and shot off rockets! They had a blast. I love the shots Glenn got of the boys in mid air. It makes my heart feel joy to see Bryce well enough, between treatments this phase, to jump into the air. Visions of him unable to go upstairs unaided still linger in this grateful mother's heart!