Monday, December 5, 2011

A Little Extra Partyin...

Since my Mom and Rick didn't get to see Blake's swim party they decided to throw their own.

The Hello Kitty cake my Mom made.  Thanks Grandma!

Kate wearing Blake's new hat.

Blake opening her Hello Kitty earrings and necklace.


So sweet to have cousins come and celebrate. We love them so much.

Just pictures...












Thankful..

 We made our own Thankfulness Tree this year to celebrate Thanksgiving.  I colored the top and Blake colored the bottom.  Every morning after breakfast we would decide what we were thankful for, write it on a "leaf" and stick it to our tree.  The crafts I like most are ones you don't have to make a special trip to the store for, so this one was perfect :)
When Nick saw this picture he said "Is that KATE??"   LOL, yep she's growing up so fast.

These girls have so much fun together.
And just becase we are SO thankful for Nana and I love this picture. 

Blake's Swim Party

We had Blake's 4th Birthday at a local swim school {shout out Groupon!}
They got to swim and slide, then have cake and open presents. 




Grffin, Lexi and Blake

Lexi and Kate Jumping!

Everyone sang "Happy Birthday SPLASH You!"

Kate know how to eat cake without the hassle of a fork.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

November 13th 2011


My sweet Blake,

Today you turn 4 years old. I’ve been reading back through previous letters and it’s hard to imagine how far we’ve all come in 4 years. I feel like I could write a book about you, but I’m going to try to fit it into one letter.

In this last year you have changed so much. I can honestly say I LOVE just hanging out with you. We like to watch TV shows, read princess books or your bible, go shopping together, and sing loud in the car.

You are such an easy kid. You really have taken it easy on us. Daddy HATES to spank you, so it’s a good thing you don’t require many of those! Here are some things about you when you turned four.

• You love to know the meaning of words. Today you’ve asked me what “special” , “silent”, and “beautiful” really mean. It’s hard sometimes to explain in a way that you can truly understand, but we figure it out. There are some question you ask that I don’t happen to know they answer to, but you don’t believe me!! You’ll say “No, Mom, come on….tell me!”

• You are the best big sister in the world. You are so patient with Kate and never jealous of her. This morning I said, “Should we go get Kate up?” and you replied “Of course!!”. You share your toys, comment often on how cute she is, and love to tell me when she’s learned a new word or how to do something on her own. You can’t wait for the day when she moves into your room to sleep with you.

• You sometimes get words mixed up. You like to be the one to push the button on the “alligator” (i.e. elevator). You know that Mommy works at the “HoPsital”. The other day you asked me what the biggest number in the world is and when I asked what you replied “Chameleon!”

• You love God. We were just playing outside the other day and you looked at me and said “We should praise Jesus right here Mommy!” and so we did!! How beautiful for you to be able to express your thankfulness to God for what he has done for us at such a young age.

• A little quirk you have right now is praying for those who have already passed this life. You like to pray for my Grandpa, our sweet cousin Gemma who went to be with Jesus before taking her first breath and our dog Bubba who died earlier this year.

• We have a sweet friend Bobby, who is battling cancer, and if we ever forget to plead with the Lord for him you remind us!

• You still are a Daddy’s girl, but I think you’ve become just as much a Mommy’s girl this year.

• You can write your name, it’s so fun to see you learning new things.

• You take swim classes and are doing a great job swimming! You can float on your back, then turn over to a full swim! I go to the Mommy and me class with Kate and you do a great job sitting beside the pool cheering us on.

• Your favorite song is “God is bigger than the boogie man” by the Veggie tales. You know every word and belt it out!

• Your favorite movie is “The Nice Monsters” aka: Monsters, Inc.

• You’ve spent a few weeks in Arkansas visiting Grammie, Grandma and Nana this year. It was so hard for me to let you go, but it’s also very important that you get to know your family even though we don’t live close by. When I once called to check on you, you told me "Grammie bought me new things at the new things store...and remember Mom!! Never give up!!"

• Nana and Papaw came to visit for your birthday. You, Nana and I went to a store called “Sam Moon”. It’s all purses and jewlery….oh my goodness you were in heaven! You picked out so many bracelets and earrings and purses. You exclaimed “This store is AWESOME!”

So Blake, I hope this letter helps you remember being 3. I can’t wait to see what 4 has in store for us!!

Daddy and I love you to the moon (and on to the sun.)

All my love,

Mommy

Thursday, November 3, 2011


Thanks Aunt Rennie for these beautiful pictures during the family camping trip last weekend. ....I just wanted to share because I think they look so much alike here.   Wanna see more? Check out http://www.reeviewfamily.blogspot.com/

Friday, October 28, 2011

3rd Annual Pumpkins and Pizza

Even though I know it will be hectic and crazy and loud and messy....I just can't help but have our annual pizza and pumpkin party. We invite our friends, order pizza and pick a dessert, then carve pumpkins. This year we added painting pumpkins, I thought it would be less messy and easier if the kids wanted something they could do themselves. I guess it would've been less messy if my 18 months old hadn't walked in the paint...



Me and Jodi

Mommy Daddy and Kate



Ava and Blake showing their pumpkins

Jodi helping Kate

Bri's favorite, the slimy pumpkin guts.

Mommy and Blake

Everyone hard at work.

Noah posing for with his pumpkin.


Lexi and her pumpkin.

The finished products! 

{Sidenote:  We miss our FINCHERS!!! You better be at next year's pizza and pumpkin party}

The Pumpkin Patch, In Pictures









This is what a time out at the pumpkin patch looks like.  Poor thing.  She got over it quickly. I can't remember what she did. 



Sigh....I love my family.  I live for our days we get to hang out all four of us. 
God is Good :)

Blake spent a whole week in Arkansas earlier this month, then Kate and I drove in to pick her up and spend a few days visiting. 
Kate and Grammie checking out the horses.

LOVE HER.

Giggling with Caitlyn.

Grandpa and Liam.

Layla!!! (who is going to be a BIG sister by the way!)

My Dad taking the girls for a wagon ride.

Kinley and Blake.

I just loved the angel in the background. 

Kinley and Kate.  Too much cuteness :)

My Grandma and "her boy" Nathan.
Blake loves riding.

Lexi and Blake riding horses with Grammie's neighbors.
Just for kicks, here's a video of the kids being wild.