Spring round up

Besides birthdays we had some other fun spring time events around here that I thought I better get documented as summer is rapidly gaining speed - so here's a few of the highlights of the rest of our 2015 Spring:

First off we had a gofer problem that needed our attention...

Just kidding, we planted some new trees around the house and the kids enjoyed "helping" with the process but I do love that first picture of Rhett in the hole as big as he is.

Rhett was fascinated by the heavy machinery that came to visit. 

Ryan and our tree guy working together to get them in. My mind can't help but reflect on the symbolism here,
we are definitely in the family season of roots because one day we will be in the season of wings and yet there are many days these seasons are so intertwined in the here and now too.   

We also took Rhett and Ava to their first ball game. Ryan had some tickets through work for a Sunday OKC Dodgers game. I think it was my favorite spring time family fun outing. 

She picked up on the excitement when we got a run in!

Rhett however was not a fan of the horn that sounded each time we scored,

though he was a fan of free concessions in club seating.

Dads make the perfect seat back for the final stretch.

We also tried out a family mini-golf outing for the first time on our Anniversary weekend.
It went better than I expected. also I'll let you guess based on this picture which one dresses themselves these days.

She has been living in this dress this spring. (This pose was her idea, "here mom take my picture!")

Spring time means lots of backyard swinging.

We found out this spring that baby #3 is a girl!
Ryan and I went celebrated 11 years of marriage by dinner out at Tommy's.  

and of course spring means patio time and bug finds.

They have been loving finding Rolly Pollys and
building elaborate homes for them before they set them free again. There's always a big to do when Ava decides "they need to go back to their family" and Rhett isn't quite convinced they should part with them yet.   

This Spring also meant unprecedented flooding accompanied by the usual severe weather and while our creek was the fullest we've ever seen it, we had no major damage or problems with it, just some days of changing plans and late nights tracking the weather. Being born and raised in Oklahoma I use to not be too focused on the weather but if Oklahoma is in tornado Alley I think the OKC metro must be the alley of that alley and having kiddos means that is something that gets my full attention these days when spring comes upon us. 

We also taught the toddler bible class on Sundays this spring, getting to church not just on time but early to get ready for the kiddos was definitely something that took some effort but I was pretty proud of us getting that accomplished and also pretty glad now that we have some more flexibility on arrival time again.

And one of our biggest milestones this spring was this girl finishing preschool. She has loved her preschool teachers and friends here the last two years. She was always so sad the day she was sick and couldn't go. Finding places that love and nurture your child's spirit in the way this special place has is the best foundation I can think for this stage. We have loved her time here and she is so excited for going this next step to "big school". Kindergarten here we come! 

Rhett turns 2!

Dear Rhett,

You turned two! It seems a little boy is emerging more every day and its been a joyful, tiring and fun ride this year. Your shenanigans these days include but are not limited to sneaking Rory's food to eat, drinking from her water bowl, using markers on your face and arms, making messes with toothpaste when you can get your hands on it, you always have about 5 bruises at any given time on your knees, elbows or shins from all your climbing and running. You are like a moth to a flame with water puddles or mud. 

You love bubbles, baseball, soccer balls, cuddles, Curious George, Olaf, playing in water, trains, trying to dress yourself. You got a soccer ball for your birthday that you called "my birthday soccer" and you slept it with every night for most of the week. Your favorite shows are Diego and Daniel Tiger. Your favorite books are The Little Engine that Could, Little Blue Truck and Clifford. Your favorite songs are Jesus loves me, Holy, Holy and Old McDonald had a farm. Your favorite foods are pizza, pasta, Milk, avocados and strawberries. 

You give the best cheek-to-cheek wrap-your-arms-all-the-way-around our heads hugs and I love your sweet little kisses. Your still at that stage of a kiss is usually all it takes to heal any injury so far. 

You love to talk and surprise us with the things you say. Some of my favorites right now are when you yell out at the most random times "All aboard!" and at night when I am leaving your room you've started saying over and over at the top of your voice "I love you too mom!" At church I usually prefer you to stay with us through communion and then you go to the Nursery during the sermon, lately you've started saying, where all can hear as church is starting, "I wanna go to the Nursery!". Sometimes you think it's funny to call me Heather and when you are looking for dad it's pretty funny that you will often yell out "Ryan!" in the same cadence I do when I am looking for him or needing him. 

You love to wear your tie and I am pretty smitten fan of you in it.
Your eyes are like mine, mostly blue with a few flecks of other colors  mixed in.

These days you like to wake up between 5:30 and 6:40 most days. Daddy usually gets you and brings you to me where we sometimes snuggle and you go back to sleep for a while longer or if not then you like to go hang out with dad while he is getting ready. You still take an afternoon nap and usually wake up a little crazy from that nap often needing some snuggles and down time before your back to you regular cheerful self.

forget getting you to be still for this photo shoot, your dad tricked you a few times to staying in place for a few seconds otherwise you just ran in circles. 

We celebrated with a baseball themed birthday party with family in Broken Arrow. 

Blowing bubbles with your great-grandma 

It's kind of hard to think of you of being a big brother in a few more months but I know you'll be a great at it. You adore your older sister and are usually quite enjoy the care taking ways she nurtures you and tries to keep you in line. I joke with daddy that God knew we could only keep up with one rambunctious little boy so he decided another girl was what would be best for us. We love everything that makes you you even on the days you wear me out at this stage.

Your sister and great grandpa hangin at your party

We love you brother bear! Happy Birthday, so glad you were born and we look forward to more fun and sweet memories together during this next year!

Love, 

Mama

Ava turns 5!

 Dear Ava,

Your 5! and you are so excited about it, beside getting to chew bubble gum and move your room upstairs you tell me daily all sort of things you can do now that you are 5. "5 year olds brush their own hair all the time, "5 year olds don't need help getting dressed." Which is still so classic because every other day that changes if you want to do it all by yourself or you want some help.

We celebrated with a theme from one of your favorite things from this year. We had a Neverland Peter Pan party and you were so excited to host your first friends party.  Besides a few family friends, you invited some church friends and had a special friend from your preschool too. I think my favorite part was the half hour before the party started you were so joyful with anticipation and excited to show all your friends the fun we had planned for them.

Your party day dress was gifted to you by your Uncle Matt and Aunt Lori and I think you wore it three days in a row you loved it so much. Even on our stay at home days you can usually be found these days in a dress or your gymnastics leotard "practicing" while you watch your current fav American Girl movie about a gymnast. 

The Pixie dust necklaces were a big hit!

Even Super Man made it to celebrate with you!

Your favorite gift was your first roller skates.

On your actual birthday me and you and went on a lunch date to our favorite tea room that has become a little birthday tradition for us. It was fun to be out just the two of us. Right about this time 5 years ago was when I held you in my arms for the first time, its been such a joy to watch you grow each year into such a beautiful girl both inside and out, I couldn't be more proud to get be your mom. I love reliving and revisiting that day in my mind and heart each year on this day. I asked you in the evening if you wanted us all to go out  for dinner or it just to be you and your dad and of course the idea of a special date night with just him was what you preferred. I love watching how much you two love and adore each other. You share a love for Ribs so a trip to Texas Road House was where you went for your special birthday dinner. 

Later during your birthday week we went on a special outing to the arts festival downtown. You were absolutely enamored by the dancers and music at the children's stage. We pretty much just stayed there the rest of the time while you danced your heart out and brother ran in circles. You and Rhett have had a lot of fun this year, while sometimes he annoys you by getting into your things for the most part you have become great play mates and you are so nurturing and loving with him. 

Oh to dance like no one's watching - one of the many super powers of childhood

So Happy Birthday sweet girl, we had fun celebrating this milestone with you and are loving year 5 with you already,

Love,

Mom

Easter 2015

Ava and Rhett had 4 egg hunts they got to participate in between school, church, friends and home. Some of my favorite moments this year was at almost every one we went too if Ava thought a friend or little brother didn't find enough eggs she would put some of hers in their basket. While we have plenty of typical 4 year old struggles at times with ownership and sharing, she also has these times that her generous and kind spirit pours out so naturally and abundantly it just warms my heart. 

Easter morning surprises

Egg Dying fun waiting on Sunday lunch to finish cooking, strategically planned during brother's nap time.

egg hunting in the backyard

Rhett figured out pretty quickly it was fun to smash the real eggs together and I figured out pretty quickly I didn't boil them long enough...

Happy Easter!

Spring Break 2015

We traveled down to Houston for spring break again this year. The kids and I hitched a ride with mom and dad and had a good time visiting our family there. 

Sunday we worshiped with Jen and her crew at their congregation. Rhett was pretty onery that morning so we got to attend only part of the service as he and I spent a lot of time in the lobby.

In the afternoon while Aunt Jen kept Rhett for a much needed nap, I took Ava and Allie to see Cinderella. It was fun to go to a movie we all enjoyed - 4, 12 and 34 years. I thought it was well done, The overall message was about being kind and having courage so while I have some mixed feelings of some the princess themed movies, I liked that this movie focused on a lot individual character and strength for Cinderella and wasn't all just about falling in love and being "Rescued". 

Monday we hit the Houston Zoo. I really like their zoo and have enjoyed each time we went, parking was a bit of a nightmare because half the city was on their spring break but once we got inside it was fun and easy to get around. 

She gets ideas in her head and had a whole thing she developed about bringing a notebook and drawing pictures of the animals at the zoo. Luckily Aunt Lori hooked her up with her specific supplies requested. 

Our monkeys at the zoo. I love Adley's face in this picture,
she was cracking us up the whole time we were there. 

Rhett had so much fun this year at the zoo, he loved seeing the animals.
Our OKC zoo pass got us 50% off admission! Grandkids took turns hitching a ride with punkie.

I was reminded again this trip of father's servant heart, it really is a spiritual gift for him in serving others and he especially enjoys serving his family. He is always quick to buckle, unbuckle the kids for me or offer to carry them. He graciously carries luggage for you and literally and figuratively does anything he can to lighten your load.

Allie got to play hookie from school to spend the day with us on Monday, her and Chloe's spring break was the week before. 

Aunt Lori and sweet Hudson

Tuesday we hit Ikea and had lunch with all the littlest cousins while big cousins were in school.

How are they 2 and 5 next month!!?

These two had so much fun playing together and were very sad to part ways.

(I think their play "dinner" they have here is unknowingly full of fire aunts. Rhett grabbed two hand fulls of fire aunt mound dirt while we are this park, everyone got a few bites before we left, I only had one on my foot but it my entire foot was swollen for a day or two)

I wished we got to see each other more often but its fun when do to get to spend so much concentrated quality time together.