Fun in the Snow

The last time we had snow I took these pictures of the kids all bundled up in the backyard!

Paige is the only one that doesn't have snow pants. So, she never matches outside!

I need to buy Tyler a new pair, then give his to Jaden and Jaden's to Paige!


I think this picture is PRECIOUS! He looks cold though.

Inside to warm up! And, then to the kitchen for hot chocolate!

Especially Cute!!

Jaden and Paige go to Kids Day Out Mondays from 9:30-1:30.

A few weeks ago--I thought they looked especially cute so I tried to capture their cuteness.

Instead, Jaden decided to be his silly self-- and who knows what Paige is doing.

I just thought he looked so cute in his little sweater and white K-Swiss shoes!
He gave himself 2 thumbs-up too!!

And, Paige looked adorable with her dress over her jeans and little sweater. And, the flower in her hair just topped it off! But, would she look at my camera? No.


This is what most of the picture taking time consisted of-- Being silly, laughing and hugging.

So, there is my attempt to show you how cute they were for school.

Upwards Basketball

This year Tyler is playing Upwards Basketball at our church. It's one way to outreach to the community. Steve is the head coach. At practices they have devotions and verses they go over with the kids and then at half-time, one of the pastors does a 2-3 minute "lesson" for the crowd, while the players have their huddles elsewhere!

Tyler is #6.

Here's dad instructing Tyler. The kids wear these colored wrist bands so they know who to guard on defense! It's so cute. The other Saturday, I was yelling at Tyler to get the ball from a kid. Then, I noticed it wasn't his color wrist band, so Tyler wouldn't even think to get the ball from that kid. They concentrate hard on "their" player.

Upwards has Cheerleaders, which is so cute! Can't wait til Paige is 5!!!

This game Hallie got to cheer for Tyler!

These two were wound up after their game, but we managed to get one picture!

Tyler's showing off his dollar for having a good game.

And, the cheering section!

Paige, Jaden, and Leah Wilkinson!

Our games are always at noon so we eat lunch at the concession stand---

hot-dogs, Cheetos, AND nachos make up our Saturday lunches!

The crowd:

I hope our kids realize how lucky they are to have grand-parents close. A normal "Crowd" for Tyler is both parents and both sets of grandparents. This past week Uncle David and Aunt Amanda and their kids came to the game as well as Aunt Barb and Uncle Jim. It's so fun!

Bragging Rights:

Tyler really is good at basketball--for a 6 year old. He's not necessarily "the best" on the team. (But, right up there). I especially like to watch him play Defense. He is so intense. He'll steel the ball and stays right on his man. This past Saturday, he made 6 out of 6 shots. WOW!! It was SO FUN to watch him. His little face just lights up as he looks to the sidelines after he makes a shot! So proud.

And, then it's fun to go to church the next day and have people tell you how good your son is at b-ball. Is that bad to like when people tell me that? I'm just proud of him!!

And soon Jaden will be playing. He's already talking about it and how Steve will be his coach.

I think it's busy now, imagine in a few years when all 3 of them are in activities!

Birthdays #3 and #4

Tyler had his friend birthday party, then a party with family, and next... cookies to school. This year I was gone on Tyler's actual b-day so we did the first 2 parties early!! Then, Steve took the cookies to school. Sugar cookies with Transformer rings on top!!

Here's Tyler and Megan at school!

Then, Saturday, Jan. 17 was Tyler actual b-day. He had a b-ball game at noon and then him and dad spent the ENTIRE rest of the day and night together. They had a great time. Larry and Linda took Jaden and Paige for the afternoon/night, so Steve could spend quality time with Tyler! First they went to McD for a happy meal, then to Wal-mart to spend his gift card he got for his b-day. Then, off to the movie (Hotel for Dogs). Then, to Target to buy more toys! (Tyler's like his mom---he has money to spend, he wants to spend it all!!) So, more toys at Target. Then, to On The Border for dinner. (I think Steve swayed Tyler's picking on this one!) But, Tyler does love cheese dip and Steve said he was quite happy with his own bowl of cheese dip :)

Then, they went home to play the Wii. Tyler told me the next day when I got home, that he played the Wii "all night with dad". They did stay up until 10 just the two of them, playing the Wii together and having a great time.

So, I think me being out of town on his b-day turned out to be a good thing. Steve and Tyler would not have had so much time bonding, had I been home!

Sunday morning Tyler asked Steve if Jaden and Paige and mommy could be gone another day! I think that means he had FUN!!!! and that's what birthdays are about!!

The Pink Cora Square

Cora is an 11 month old precious little girl who was diagnosed with cancer 3 short weeks ago and has already gone to be with Jesus. Cora's parents, Joel and Jess, are in my brother's Sunday School class in Newton. I have not met the family, but have followed their blog for the last 3 weeks. It is such an awful, but at the same time, amazing story. Can you imagine your 11 month old, being diagnosed with cancer and then losing her just 3 weeks later.

The story is amazing because of Joel and Jess extremely strong and outward faith. I love reading their blog because of the verses they post and just watching their faith through this terrible situation.

Why does God allow these things to happen? Why to a sweet, innocent baby. I have cried A LOT and I don't even know this family. I have cried because I know that could be my child. I have cried because I think of all the moments I miss with my kids (and other family members) just ASSUMING that we will have tomorrow. But, what if tomorrow my loved one would spend the rest of his/her days in a hospital bed.

Cora's story has not just touched me. It has touched THOUSANDS (maybe more) people in the last 3 weeks. So many people have been following this story and now want to help the family.

So, here's where the pink Cora square comes in:

Instead of buying flowers for Cora, the family is accepting donations to build The Cora playground at their church in Newton. If you click on the pink square, you will see over a 100 individuals who are donating their profits from their hand-made items they sell on Etsy. Most of these women do not know Joel and Jess. They, like me, have been introduced to the family in the last 3 weeks through a friend or their blog.

So, PLEASE click the pink square and BUY in memory of Cora and help fund The Cora Playground. I know Paige is going to have new hair bows and things from there. I am excited to then remember Cora when she wears them and hopefully NEVER forget how short life can be here on earth.

If you want the complete story of sweet Cora, PLEASE go to Joel and Jess's blog at-- http://themcclenahans.blogspot.com/

Thanks for letting me share. This is a VERY SHORT glimpse of Cora. I would advise everyone to go to Joel and Jess's blog--you cannot help but be changed.

Birthday Party #2

Tyler's family birthday party was at our house. He could choose anything he wanted to have for dinner. First he choose Sloppy Joe's, one of his favorites. And even though we had that last year for his b-day, I didn't say anything. But, he then changed to Potato Soup. So, Soup it was... And, even more awesome...Steve is the soup maker at our house, so I was off the hook there!!

A birthday card that sings "TYLER". We'd never seen such a thing. It was quite cute. Grandma Roth found it somewhere. Tyler took this to school for show and tell the next week!

Tyler is good about letting his brother help him open his presents! (On a side note: we did tell Jaden he needed to zip up his sweater zipper a little, but he liked it down all the way!!)

It was a Transformer Party--so of course we need Transformer gifts.

Tyler wanted Bubblebee and Octimus Prime. This is Octimus Prime and another guy--

from Grandpa and Grandma Balzer.

And, BubbleBee from Aunt Steph and Uncle Scot.

A Star Wars helmet that you can talk into and has a built in light!

from Grandpa and Grandma Roth.

And, a Wal-mart "credit card" from Uncle David and Aunt Amanda.

Plus, more....what a fun b-day!!

Paige and Taylor in their birthday hats!!

And, Mason in his hat too!!

And, finally cake and ice-cream. Of course, an Octimus Prime cake!!

Happy 6th Birthday Tyler! We love you lots!

Birthday Party #1

For Tyler's "friend" b-day party he got to choose 6 friends to take to the movie with him. We went to the Palace and saw, Hollywood Chihuahua.

The movie started at 2pm. We got there about 1:50 to find the movie was "sold out". The sign was up on the bill-board above where you pay, that says SOLD OUT. This could not be. There were no other kid movies playing at the Palace. I had 3 hours and then had to return all the kids to their parents. So, I went up to the ticket booth to "beg". I needed 8 tickets, including Steve and I. They told me they could sell me 6 tickets, but there would be no way we could sit together. I explained I needed an additional 2 for myself and husband and explained it was a b-day party. I continued to explain my husband and I could stand, but we had to be in the theatre with the kids!! The computer literally would not let them sell 2 extra tickets. So, we paid for tickets to another movie--so we had ticket stubs--and then went into the theater. (This was their suggestion, I didn't just do this on my own---even though I may have if they wouldn't let me! he he)

There were no seats. What would we do? I couldn't let the 6 year olds go in pairs to sit, throughout the theater and at that---6 year old BOYS!! no way.

Luckily---there were 6 seats on the center FRONT ROW!!! YEP! And, amazingly, the side front row had 2 seats. So, we all sat together...leaned back, slouched down in our chairs as to create the least discomfort on our necks!

Here they are---on the VERY front row!! Pop and pop-corn in hand.

I think Tyler enjoyed the movie. Don't worry--he didn't sit like this the whole movie. There was lots of talking and laughing too.

It's easy to get a group picture, when you're on the front row!!

Backrow: Jackson, Tyler, Hallie, Megan

Frontrow: Austin, Noah

Three of a Kind--Megan is Tyler's new friend from Kindergarten. Hallie is his neighbor and great friend! Hallie is as girly as it gets and Megan is not. Being the paranoid mom I can be, I was worried how it would work with these 3. Would Tyler be nice to both of them? Ignore one for the other? One of my main goals in raising my kids is that they are nice to everyone.

Well, no worries--these 3 got along great. Hallie and Megan were laughing and wanting to sit by each other. They got along super.

After the movie we went to McDonald's for ice-cream and to open presents. We had extra time, so we went to the Playland, so they could play in the tunnels....always a hit with my kids!

And, then it was time to take everyone home. And, WOW was my car LOUD! pop, popcorn, ice-cream, and running around in the McD's tunnels sure hyped up the kids!! But, they all had fun, that's all that matters.