Number 11

B turned 11 this week!  What can I say about him? He's just a really super guy!  It was wonderful to be able to celebrate him.  We celebrated this weekend with friends -- he created a really cool treasure hunt for them which ended in the "room of gold" (our kitchen table laden with gold coins - plastic and chocolate - and platters of pizza and cake).  After partaking we went outside and watched National Treasure on the "big screen."  

So thankful for this boy -- so thankful to be  his mom -- so fun to watch him grow up! 

Back to School

I can't believe the kids are back at school.  The summer has come and gone, the first day of school as well . .. and still no post from me.  So, here goes -- we had a wonderful summer break!  I just loved being with my kiddos.  We had a few camps and at least one structured activity each day - plus a last minute trip up to Utah - but really quite low key and just right:)  Last Monday, August 6th, the kids headed to school.  We have a new middle schooler this year as well as a kindergartner . . . and one emotional mama.  I miss having the kids here.  C wasn't sure what was going on the first couple of days and kept looking for everyone.  I think she has adjusted to the new schedule now and I'm getting there, too.  Everyone is really enjoying their new classes (for the most part -- today was the first day S said she did not want to go to kindergarten -- but big brother took her hand and she agreed to walk into the school with him).

Memories from the first day . . . (why do these photos insist on being crooked??)

Another Special Day

 BR was baptized last Saturday.  It was a very special day for him and for our family.  As he came up out of the water he had a super big smile on his face - so touching.  We were so grateful to have Nana & D and Grandma all come to be a part of  his big day, and thoroughly enjoyed their visits.  At the end of the day we gave him his Baptism Book with notes from many family members, and he sat and read it and wrote his own memories from  the day -- which I think went something like "the water was warm and I am happy."  It was a day we'll always remember!

It was really sunny -- I'm not sure how many eyes are actually open for this pic:)

Mom's Art

Some of you may know that my mom is an artist.  She has wanted to start up a website for a little while now and as of TODAY she has!  You should go check it out -- right now she has black and white prints of every state flower as well as 5 different water color limited addition floral prints.  Go to robbiedrewesart.com and check it out -- could be a great Mother's Day gift idea!! 

An Easter Birthday

 
Today was an extra special Easter for us because it was also BR's birthday!  We celebrated on Friday with friends -- BR asked for an AIR FORCE birthday.  We had beautiful weather and Daddy was the hit of the party by dropping "explosive eggs" and paratroopers from his radio controlled airplane in very difficult winds!  (BR yelled "take cover" when the eggs started dropping and dove under the jungle gym!)

So many things to love about this guy -- here are just EIGHT in honor of his 8th birthday:

1- I just love BR's SENSE OF HUMOR -- just thinking about him makes me smile.  I wish I could remember one of the jokes he's made up recently, but none are coming to mind right now -- but they're clever, trust me!
2 - I love BR's AFFECTIONATE nature - he's always quick to hug me and tell me he loves me - makes a mama feel good!
3- I'm so proud of BR's PERSEVERANCE - at the beginning of the school year he was struggling with his reading. He has worked really hard and is now right where he should be and feeling so confident in his reading ability!
4 -  I love BR's COMPLEX mind -- he keeps me hopping.   A few weeks ago I had a little cold and had lost my voice.  I was trying to talk to him and not much was coming out.  I said, "I can't speak, I've lost my voice."  He thought for a minute and said, "So . . .you're dumb-- that's what they called it on the olden days."  I explained that no, this was just a temporary inability to speak, etc . . .He came right back with, "OK, so you're temporarily dumb."  He was not being unkind, he just really wanted to use that term I guess :)
5- I am touched by BR's FAITH - whenever he bears his testimony I feel the Spirit so strong.  I'm excited for his decision to be baptized in a couple of weeks, and look forward to sharing that day with him.
6 - I love that BR is so CONTENT with life - he can play for hours with or without friends or siblings.  He loves to be with people, but he's perfectly content to hang out alone as well.
7 - BR is so FRIENDLY - he's always been the most outgoing of our kids, I think.  He can start up a conversation with just about anyone.
8 - BR is a wonderful BIG BROTHER - he just adores little C and loves to talk to her and rub her little cheeks.  He's also a wonderful playmate for S, and is learning to be patient with her and to enjoy their make believe games together.

 

I'm so thankful for this Easter day, for the time to reflect upon the greatest gift the Lord has given me and each of us.  I hope it has been a beautiful day for you as well! (Just had to add that last pic --did it make you smile, too?)

Happiness . . .

Over Spring Break we went to the "Happiest Place on Earth!"  We had a wonderfully exhausting time.  We LOVED having Nana and D join us there - thanks so much for making these memories with us!

S's favorite ride

Posing for the camera

favorite princess

 We love Nana

We love D

Happiness

Exhaustion (OK - this pic isn't really from DisneyLand, but it's so sweet it makes me happy, and it's a good representation of how we all felt after 3 days in the Magic Kingdom.   I was down with a cold the week before Spring Break.  While I was  trying to nap E kindly gave C a banana in a bag to keep her happy and let me sleep a little longer. . . and  she ended up falling back to sleep -- ahhh!)

Catching up . . .

Today I was talking to Grandma Johnson and she asked if I had been blogging lately because she missed staying up-to-date with our little family, so this post is dedicated to Grandma:)

Lots and lots of fun happenings in February:

Pinewood Derby - B's last -- he went out with a bang having made his fastest car yet.  He's already looking forward to helping BR with his first car next year!  B also earned his Webelos Badge at the end of the month -- way to go! (Yep - he's 10 and almost as tall as me:)



Both B and E participated in their school's Science Fair.  They were pleasantly surprised to earn 1st in 4th grade and 3rd in 6th grade!  Next week they get to go on to the SARSEF Science Fair.



E was invited to take part in an Honor Band this month.  Several 6th graders from local elementary schools came together to learn and play several musical selections.  Emma did such a great job - one of only 3 electric basses in the band.  She really enjoyed playing with kids who knew their instruments -- and they really did sound good!  

BR has been working hard at his reading and is doing so well!  He's very excited for his upcoming birthday -- this is a big one - he'll be getting baptized at the end of the month, and gets to join the cub scouts, AND gets to have a "friend" party this year.  He really enjoyed going up to Pinetop during Rodeo Days -- he loves the snow!  Dad took E & B up on the slopes while BR practiced around the bunny hill, and then went sledding -- his favorite part!

S loves being a big sister - she introduced C to the fine art of "tea partying" this month.  She's also getting ready for Kindergarten next year and has started reading -- she loves figuring out new words! She also loved playing ion the snow in Pinetop.

And little Miss C doesn't seem so little anymore.  She is such a happy baby - full of lots of smiles!  She is sleeping nicely for us most nights now, and seems to learn new things each day.  We just love her to pieces!