Brian's Birthday - 39

Brian turned 39 this year.  It wasn't the most exciting day ever -- it started off with an oil change in his car, breakfast at home with the kids and then the stomach bug!  Yuck!  John and Rhonda came to visit which was lovely...just difficult for the birthday boy.  Next year's the big one!!!!

Easter 2016

Here's our crew bright and early Easter morning 2016.  Jacob has jelly beans in his hand (the first of the season) and boy is he thrilled!  Lovely day celebrating! He is Risen!

Crazy Creative

Olivia has been hard at work creating/designing accessories for Ella and her American Girl dolls. These are just a few of the things she has made.  Everything is always a surprise for Ella and she loves it!

 Goody bags for the party.

 Gifts.

 Pizza, iPod, laptop and paper plates.

 Twister and spinner.

Cleaning supplies

John's birthday

It was a joy and a pleasure to celebrate John's (Opa's) birthday a few days early this year. 

I thought the pictures turned out very well:)  

Mom turns 71

We have to celebrate Grammie's birthday early now because she always gets to go to FL for her birthday - we are happy for her!  This year Jake helped mom make cupcakes. He put all the wrappers in the cupcake pans all by himself...can you tell?  He was SO happy with himself.

Next he helped me decorate them - half an oreo and sprinkles (jimmies he says) on top.  The jimmies just would not stay on the icing.  Oh well, Grammie loved them anyway.

Grammie Kisses:)

Olivia was at dance...but here is everyone 

with Grammie and Pop Pop.

 Mom and Me - love her!

My week

Yes, there has been many hard parts about this week - the week after the blizzard of 2016.  But oh so many good parts.  Here is a little taste in pictures.

This kid, yeah, the 14 year old one in the picture with his mama, that one.  He is an awesome kid.  What other 14 year old takes his mom on a "date" to Stanford Grill (he choose and made reservations) AND PAYS?!?!? Wow! 

Now that he is 14 Brian is giving him some challenges to help him with becoming a man.  And this was one of them but still - I was blown away by the sweetness of this gesture, the conversations we were able to have and the love this kid shows me.  God has blessed us immensely.  And then when we were just about to leave Zach said "Look at your to go container mom" and I looked down and there was a perfect heart that had formed all on it's own.

Yes, we had a busy Saturday, but fuzzy slipper socks with his sneakers - dad was in charge:)  And the pants just kept riding up.  The whole thing just deserved a picture - this was at the Towson Basketball game.

Olivia's dance company performing at the Towson Basketball game.  They did an awesome job!

And then the privilege it is to have a team and a coach that is able and willing to pray before and after Zach's basketball games.  Just love this so much.

And last, but not least, is my new hedgehog PJ pants.  Found them on the clearance rack and I just love them - aren't they soooo cute? And comfy too.

SNOW

Like almost 30 inches of the white stuff...the blizzard of 2016.  The kids had a blast and I didn't even mind it all that much:)

The snowmen was completely made by our kiddos...and the pictures were taken by them as well.  Fun!