Reese is 3

Reese was sick on her birthday...but she did blow out her candle and eat one bite of her cookie :) We went to Chickfila with our besties Lynette and Jenna after she was better. At 3 she loves to draw (circles especially), color, play with babies, cook in her kitchen, play with trains, legos and cars and play with her brothers.

 

Blake is 4

On January 6th Blake turned 4. We had a little party for him at our house on his birthday. He invited a few freinds, they played in the sandbox, climbed trees, bounced in the bounce house and just had fun being boys. He had a great time and loves his friends!

At 4 Blake loves to play with his brothers and Reese. He doesn't like it when she copies what he's doing - as he says "Reese is coffee-ing me", he loves trains and building tracks, loves to ride his bike and rides without training wheels, loves to be with Dad but is still a Mama's boy :) He's very affectionate and I can't get enough of his hugs and kisses!

Luke, Blake and Camden....buddies

 Can't believe this boy is 4!



New Years Eve

We spent NYE with the Schomburgs....such sweet friends. Our kids are like peas in a pod, everyone gets along - adults and children alike and I just love this family. A few pics of our family fun night.

 

Schomburgs vs. Boxes.....it was a tie :)

Christmas

We had Christmas several times, part of separated families. The kids don't seem to mind and we get to visit with everyone so it works. We were home on Christmas morning which is something we do each year....it's fun for the kids to get up and see their stockings. Stockings were always a fun thing in our house growing up so I enjoy finding little things to put in the kids stockings. I also do one for Kurt but I have become predictable on those items apparently ;) no more shaving cream honey??
 We had a good time with all our family...it's crazy but we're used to it and the others don't seem to mind our craziness or at least they don't show it. Or maybe they're like me and can do anything if it's temporary :)

Cast off!

Just before Christmas Truitt got his cast off. Just as he was getting to be a pro doing things with one arm :) He was thrilled and a little excited to be able to wear a splint. That excitement has worn off. At first his arm was tender when wrestling, punching etc - imagine that?! So anytime he is out playing the split HAS to be on. Now it's January and he'll continue to wear it on and off but after Jan it's not necessary. Thankful for healing in his arm and no complications.

Truitt hadn't been able to take 'real' baths in 7 weeks...he was so happy to play in the tub :)

Every Morning

Truitt ends up on the couch sometime during the night...every night. I loved waking up to this each morning.

Birthdays

My two November birthdays - Braden 9 and Truitt 6. Time flies....it really does. They had a small party, a few boys came and we played laser tag, it was fun. My friend Lynette took Reese with her so Kurt and I could play against all the boys (real fair!)...then last minute Melissa and Nick joined our team so we didn't do too shabby. All the boys loved 'battling' us...we had pizza and cake and a good time was had by all :)


Braden didn't tell anyone it was his birthday. He told me that right before school was out his teacher "figured it out". He doesn't like attention, at all.

Truitt with his birthday hat after he got off the bus...he loves attention :)

Thanksgiving

Well I thought I'd better post about Thanksgiving before Christmas arrives! We were in Pipe Creek...we had a great time with cousins and grandparents. It's always nice to see the OK side and catch up! I am seriously spoiled and don't have to do much of anything - besides kinda keep an eye on 4 kids ;)

the boys....

lovin' the trampoline 

 Braden and Cooper, riding Kurt's old go cart (new engine)

  guess who :)

BB gun...we had fun shooting at the target although I get a little obsessive. Must.hit.target.

 Danny Boy...such a pretty horse

 Cousins...love Reese hanging out with the boys along with her baby and purse

 

Halloween

Yep - I'm that far behind :) Here's a few photos from Halloween...Reese got the hang of it pretty quickly. She had fun running after the boys and carrying her bag. Truitt did ok with his arm, we took the sleeve off of Spiderman and it fit perfectly! Braden at frist decided not to dress up but then changed his mind and chose to fall back on 'army man', same as last year. As David Letterman said "Should I be worried my 8 year old doesn't want to dress up and take candy from strangers?". We'll see if he does it next year :) I'm not bothered either way.

Truitt

The day before Halloween Truitt broke his arm falling off the rings (like moving monkey bars) at the playground. Truitt, Braden and a neighbor went to the park a few houses down to play while I stayed in the front yard with the littles. I heard him crying (not screaming) and saw them all walking back so I headed over to meet him. Before I got close Braden came up on his bike and said "mom something is wrong with Truitt's arm". He's 9, he knows when something is really wrong. As I hurried I could see just how wrong it was...oh my! I did pretty good, just covered my mouth (to hide my gasp) and then told everyone to get in the car. We went to TCH and waited no more than 3 minutes - awesome! They were able to set the bones and then we saw the Ortho the following Monday. They put on a hard cast, it will come off in 2 weeks and another will replace it for another 3 weeks. If all goes well he'll have it off a week before Christmas.
 As I sat in the ER I found myself thanking God for a broken arm, thankful it wasn't his neck or his back or worse. We have great medical care and my child came home with me....so.very.thankful.

 This got us to the front of the line in the ER - ouch!

 Getting used to the hard cast - he's doing well.

Fall party at school, he was happy to see me :)