Isaac LOVES to play soccer...or baseball...or football! Although he doesn't take it too serious...a good thing...he loves to have fun and get exercise!! This past season we were lucky enough to have a family friend, Emily, on the team as well. They had a blast...even though their coach...was a little TOO serious. Their team name was called Green Money...everyone on the team hustled hard all season...and they ended up having a great season!!

Liah...LOVES to read!!

Liah LOVES to be read too! Since I am at school during the day, my best friend and partner in crime Hannah does an AMAZING job being the 2nd mom to my Liah. Liah loves to read and Hannah is so kind to read to her just about any book she picks out. Liah reads books to herself as well-she makes up the stories-and it is SO cute! We read LOTS of books before we go to bed at night...because we don't want to go to sleep so mommy can study*wink* I read to Liah first and then Liah reads the story to me :) I love my Liah!

Gabriel...my 8 year-old SCOUT!!

Ok...for every one who never thought I'd say this...take note...I can't believe my LITTLE BABY is growing up!! Gabriel is NOW a CUB SCOUT!! Gabriel turned 8 over the summer...and yes...I am way behind with blogs since I'm now a full-time graduate student (which will be another blog post) but I wanted to share some great milestones my kids have accomplished. Gabriel has really grown a lot over the last year. He will always be stubborn and assertive...he is a natural leader. He is very sweet at times...and it's hard to see my little boy growing into a bright young man. At first, he hated scouts because, I think, he just wanted to argue and fuss about something...because it's not "cool" to reform. But now...he loves EVERY MINUTE!! I'm so proud to call Gabriel my oldest son. He is amazing!

Gabriel leading the flag ceremony

From Left to Right: Isaac, Adam, Gabriel, and Aunt Jill (his dutiful*wink*cub scout leader)

Gabriel's Baptism

Gabriel turned 8...and we had already began the conversation about being baptized. Well, many of you know Gabriel is very smart and puts much thought into everything. He had kindly informed us that he was not ready to be baptized...because he wasn't "ready to be good"...lol. THAT'S RIGHT!! He actually said that! Adam and I decided to wait it out and keep talking to him about it...but let him decide when he was ready. His 8th birthday was quickly getting closer and he was still thinking about it. On the morning of his birthday, we got up and went down to the local donut shop to get doughnuts to celebrate. As he BURST through the door, he proclaimed to the workers "Hey, it's my birthday today!...and I'm gonna get baptized!" And after that...well...he pretty much kept the same excitement :) We are very proud of his choice to be baptized and we are very proud to call him our son.

Gabriel and his cousin Jordan

Gabriel and Bishop Steanson

The AWESOME Rope Swing!!

Ok...many of you already know...but for those who don't...Adam's been in the scouting program for several years. Over the years, he's learned lots of cool things and the most recent has been KNOTS :) He loves putting his knowledge to good use and has recently added a GREAT additional to our back yard!...a ROPE SWING!! He worked on it one night...and kept it a secret. The next day when our friends the Van Orden's came over...it was discovered! And well...THE REST... IS HISTORY!

Did someone say "School's Back in Session"?

So...I am going to make-most likely-a lame attempt at filling those few of you who still read our blog in on what's been going on in our lives the last 6 months. HOLD ON...this could prove dangerous...lol

We'll start from the present and work our way backwards...

Gabriel and Isaac have OFFICIALLY started school...that's right...I said SCHOOL!! It's hard to believe the summer is already over and another school year begins. This year they both seem to have amazing teachers that are perfect for each of their personalities.

Isaac's teacher is sweet and soft-spoken.

Gabriel's teacher this year is laid back and seems perfect for him.

I'm excited to see what a new year brings for our family. And most of all for the boys to learn and have another great year :)

Snow days...AND LOTS OF THEM!!

Ok...so here's the deal...I think that snow if FABulous!...but when kids don't go to school for a week and a half...things get interesting...VERY interesting! We have had loads of fun with the kids in the snow, watched endless amounts of movies on the wall with Adam's projector, and drank enough hot chocolate to melt all the snow in TN...hey maybe that's what needs to happen! ANYWAYS, after a week of endless fun...things start to become the norm and no longer special stuff that we can do if we've been good*wink*. We have been sledding at the church, sledding down our street, and sledding down our yard. We've had snowball fight after snowball fight and even that is no longer as fun as it was in the beginning. Here are a few pictures of the fun!

To parents everywhere who have kids out of school because of snow...let's just pray REALLY hard that tomorrow is the first day of getting back to normal...homework, tests, and report cards! Bring 'em on!!