My Life ...

1.19.2010

Saturday Afternoon Fun

Michael and Shelby (and Cola) in the house they built outside.

Warming by the pretend fire! :)

A+ for creativity!

Not very sturdy, but it will keep them dry! I think!

Second attempt!

Special Day - Happy Birthday, Shelby!

Happy 11th Birthday,

Shelby Herr!

We took a day off from school to celebrate Shelby's 11th b'day. We hung out and just did what we wanted to do! Later we went to the library (one of her favorite things to do) and the park.

A few gifts.

Shelby captured this pile up of the boys!

Opening a gift from her grandparents. Not sure who was more excited - Shelby or Michael?!?!

The boys gave Shelby a LEGO kit she had wanted!

Other gifts!

Dinner was planned at Applebee's before we would head to church!

Can't beat a kids eat free night on a b'day!

Except Shelby is almost too old to participate!

Dad, Jack & Grant

Michael, Mom & Shelby

Happy Birthday, Shelby!

I love you so much!

Day two of b'day celebrations!

We had a rough night Shelby's b'day night with a sick brother. Shelby and John had planned to go for her birthday breakfast on Thursday morning. Well, we had planned a special gift for Shelby.

At IHOP, John gave Shelby this special bag!

She immediately knew what those earrings meant,

and she was THRILLED!

To my surprise, Daddy took her immediately to get them done!

WOW, how is that for service?!?!?!

There's my girl! We love you, our precious daughter!

1.10.2010

Busy Week, Sick Week

Well, Maybe starting off the year with more than one blog post in a week - I may be able to keep up! Only time will tell!

Late last Saturday we arrived home safely from our trip to AR and LA! We had a great time visiting with family and friends, but we were all very glad to get back to our own beds. Sunday we spent resting and unpacking and trying to warm up - the temps were much colder here than they had been in LA! Sunday night we had a sweet time of prayer as a family.

Monday was a FULL day! I had scheduled a "teacher-in-service" day, because I knew we wouldn't be able to accomplish much in school with our other commitments that day! We ran errands in the morning and were home for our friends to come stay in the afternoon! The BIG event was that for Scouts is was Pine Wood Derby cutting night! All of our children enjoy prepping for the BIG RACE!

Thanks again to Shelby, we have pictures from the evening!

Jack watching Jackson work on his car! Cool!

Grant waiting his turn!

John clarifying with Grant what he wants to do on his car.

Our friend, Max, is so proud of the front of his car. Max is also excited that he is going to use Mr. John's Dremel to do some detail work on his car! Fun!

At Scouts was when I started coughing. I thought it was the saw dust, but unfortunately I was wrong! It took several days, but I have had a full blown cold! I haven't had one this bad in a long while! Thankfully so!

So, Tuesday was back to school! Hard to get back into the swing of things, but we did it!

Wednesday the children had check-up dentist appointments. This was Michael's 2nd time to go - his first time was a disaster! The hygienist was not good with an almost 4 year old. This time he did a great job, and he even had x-rays done! We were so thankful! John was very excited that with over 80 teeth checked - there were NO cavities! YEAH!

Thursday we ended up with a few snow flurries! We got our school work done so we could play a little. After a little snow play and hot chocolate, we watched the BCS Championship Game!

Dad was brave to go with them for a short while!

Shelby trying to sled!

She is persistent. Michael tried to keep up with her!

Michael looks like a snow bunny!

Friday was a stay home day, no Bible study. We watched it snow all afternoon.

So, Saturday we decided to play a little more with what we had!

Michael and I made our birdy friends some snacks!

Michael playing!

Shelby having fun!

Grant making a snowball!

Jack running in the snow!

Group photo!

Sledding across the street!

We ended our week with the most special time of all! Around 9:30 Saturday night we went to the airport to welcome our friends, Drew and Sharon, home with their twin boys! We couldn't have had a better end to our week! We thank the Lord for His blessings and provisions for this precious family!

Thanks again to Shelby for the picture of these sweet boys!

1.07.2010

New Year's Eve & New Year's Day with Family

New Year's Eve 2009

My parents came over to visit at Nana's for the day!

We had Johnny's Pizza for lunch - it was LONG overdue!!!

I took Grant to get some new jeans that he needed and found these cool Star Wars Lego shirts! Well, Shelby's isn't Lego, but it is cool! I wish I had one to match!

Uncle Dave telling a story!

We finally got to meet our new cousin (my niece), Ellie Cole!

What a treat! Read more about the Cole family here!

Our kids LOVE to play chess, so this HUGE set at Uncle Ben and Cousin Melinda's house was a TREAT!

Aunt Hailey, Uncle Kevin, Dad & Mom (Me) watching TN play football on TV.

We were joking ... the Texans come for a "Louisiana New Year's Eve"! :)

We love Uncle Chris & Aunt Andrea!

Happy New Year, Michael Cash!

Sweet Aunt Hailey & Silly Uncle Kevin

Cool fireworks setting on Shelby's new camera!
Thank you, Mr. Jason, for setting us up with sparklers in the rain!
We won't soon forget that experience!

New Year's Day
January 1, 2010

Chloe Belle wasn't 100% on her trip to Louisiana! The Coles had to leave on New Year's Day because Chloe was getting worse. It ended up being more ear infections! So sorry, Chloe! We love you!