Basketball 2010

Here are Luke's basketball pictures for this year and last year.  He did so good at his game on Saturday.  He scored all 12 of our teams points, made some great passes, and I can't count how many rebounds.  We even had some parents from the other team who wanted to know who Luke's parents were to tell us how impressed they were with his basketball skills.  We let them know that this is his 3rd year to play and that lots of the teams this year have many younger players.  Next year, in the 1st and 2nd grade league, may be a different story, since he will be the youngest.  Regardless, he is having a great time playing basketball. 

Band Hero has entered our life

I bought Band Hero and left it in the back of my Yukon.  I was going to unload it and hide it after the kids went to bed.  I forgot to unload it.  The next morning on the way to school, Luke noticed it in the car.  So, Band Hero was an early Christmas present.  Even Avery has embraced her inner ROCK STAR!

Jelly beans

Here are some more of the props Reyna brought. I love this idea. I think the pictures turned out so cute. Reyna told the kids, on the count of 3, I want you to throw these jelly beans in the air. 1, 2, 3....Luke threw his so far into the air, I swear some of them went on top of the building, 2 stories high. Luckily Reyna brought the whole bag, so we were able to do it a couple more times. Luke was given some more specific instructions on how high to "toss" the jelly beans. We laughed so hard as we were being pelted with the jelly beans that he threw into the air.

Christmas 2009

So, I finally dressed everyone in purple for a picture.  I know some of you are surprised it has taken me this long.  After seeing these pictures, I don't know why I waited so long!!!  They turned out so good.  My sweet friend from church, Reyna, took these pictures for us on Sunday.  Luke is a ham, and a poser for the camera.  Avery is a little shy, so getting genuine smiles are always difficult.  Reyna had GREAT props that got the kids mind off the camera and made for some really great shots!  Poor Freddie was still getting over pneumonia in these pictures.  We took Sadie with us.  She is such a sweet little puppy and getting bigger each day.  The kids loved having her in the pictures.

Thanksgiving 2009 with Allie Rae

What an awesome Thanksgiving we had with some cousins we haven't seen since Luke was a baby, probably close to 6 years.  The kids got to make turkey's out of apples and other fun decorations.  We also made a table cloth for Allie Rae and mom and put everyone's hand prints on it, even Reese's!  What a keepsake! 
From right to left --Ian age 14, Hannah age 16, Reese age 6 weeks (Hannah is holding her), Olivia age 12, holding Avery age 3, Luke age 6, Sophie age 11, Bryce age 8 and Jordyn age 5.  The older kids were so awesome for our little kids to hang out with. 
Everyone is holding their turkey, Luke volunteered to hold Reese's for her.
The turkeys close up

Tonia helping Allie Rae with her hand prints.  Allie Rae's favorite color has always been pink, so naturally one hand was pink. 

Avery with the classic olive-on-every-finger pose.  I think people were beginning to worry about Avery's stomach, since she ate SO many olives that day.  She kept asking for more, and everyone kept giving them to her. 

Our gracious hosts - Cousin Sue and husband Larry and our kiddos!

Sadie at the races

Sadie was a huge hit at the race track this weekend. I was worried that all the loud noises and cars would scare her, so I was prepared to turn around and take her back to the house. She was a little timid at first, but as the day progressed, she really warmed up and loved all the attention that she got...from friends and strangers!
Here is Cade with Sadie.  Cade told me that he has wanted a chocolate for a while.  As luck would have it, Cade won the race in junior dragsters!  Go Cade!  He determined that it was definately time to buy a chocolate lab with a small portion of his winnings!!
Caleigh, Avery and Luke watching HSM2 in the trailer.  We missed Caleigh's birthday party, so we took her present to the races.  Sadie decided Avery's back was a great place for a nap.
Here is Avery and Sadie in the basket of the golf cart, ready to go to the starting line to watch Freddie race.  Freddie mentioned that of all the pictures I took at the race track on Saturday, there wasn't a single car in the picture?!  Oh well, I will get some actual racing pics next time.

The last picture is of Luke holding his hands over Sadie's ears to protect her from the loud cars, however, my guess is that if Sadie is asleep, the loud cars are hurting her ears. 

It was a fun day and I am sure Sadie will go back with us to the track.

Since we were there until after midnight, the kids gradually began to fall asleep, Sadie didn't mind curling up next to Luke and going to sleep too!