Beach Night Winter 2014

This year we had two beach nights in the middle of winter.  One was for Grammy's birthday and it was more of a Hawaiian night.  The other was our traditional Beach Night to break up February.

Grammy and Grandpa brought us all back Hawaiian outfits.  We had amazing Mai Tais, a "beach" for the boys, and a fun time at Grammy's birthday party.
 

 

At our next Beach Night we had coconut chicken and shrimp from the Thai Cafe (take-out of course because you don't take three little boys into a restaurant) then Orange Leaf frozen yogurt.  We came home and watched Swiss Family Robinson.

A Week with Cousins - Febuary

At the beginning of February, my older sister had a double mastectomy.  It is a wretched procedure and I took two of her six (at the time, she fosters) children.  We actually had a great time.  Jack and my boys are kindred spirits.  His positive attitude, energy, and compassion worked perfectly with my boys.  He is a great balance for my more stoic Sawyer.  Catherine is deaf and that had some challenges, but she was happy to be at our house and played very nicely.  The sweet girl is a train building wizard and I don't think she has any at home with which to build.  Dana recovered very well, but it was a tough spring for her.

My two cuddle bugs for the week.  They all spent half the time sleeping in the basement.  Let's just say that three boys alone in the basement for a week really turned it into a "Man Cave." Gross.

These guys love playing on Dinosaur Mountain.  They found a new "mountain" at the farm and named it Ninja Mountain.

Lego Movie in 3D!!!!!

 Valentines Day PJ's from Meme.

 

 World's funniest kitchen helpers.

Lots and lots of ninja play.

These two did not get along very well.  Even though Catherine was 3.5 yrs old at the time, she was developmentally about Paul's age.  Therefore neither of them understood the concept of sharing.

My cleaning helper.  This sweet girl loves to clean!

The botanical gardens.

 The aquarium.  I hit the jackpot.  I was expecting it to cost me $50, but February is free!  I think I celebrated with Starbucks for mommy afterwards.

Somehow the bubbles "accidentally" overflowed every night. 

Valentines Day 2014

Clint and I knew we would have a few extra kids for Valentines Day so we took our date early.  We started with a hike through the snow at Lake McMurtry.  It was beautiful and felt good to walk.  We then went to dinner and had a drink afterwards.  This is as good as it gets in Stillwater if your not willing to drive far.  Ha!

Sawyer had his school party.  He was so excited and his daddy go to be there for it.

 My three little Valentines.  Always a blur of activity.

Valentines morning everyone had chocolates, a card, heart shaped pancakes, and chocolate covered strawberries.

Valentines Day dinner, Grammy joined us. We had meatballs and heart shaped rice crispy treats all upon request. Every year the kids get a game from Mom and Dad for Valentines.  This year it was Hungry, Hungry Hippos.

Sawyer made this at school for Valentines Day.  I think it perfectly reflects his love language.  Clint and I have thought for a long time that his love language is gifts.  This seems to exemplify that.  Love it!

January Update

Here are a few snapshots of our life in January:

Now that Sawyer doesn't take naps, his Saturday and Sunday afternoons are special time to help out Daddy.  He got to change the oil on the jeep this Saturday.

Grandpa and Gumbie gave a presentation at the OSU library.  Clint and I left a date early to watch.  The room was packed!

The OSU Chemical Engineering students have a club called ChemKids.  They came to Sawyer's class with their prof, Dr. Aichele, and made dip-in dots for the kids using dry ice.  Everyone loved it and the presentation was excellent, especially the part by Dr. Aichele (even the expert Dr. Castle, aka Grammy, said so)!  Paul was screaming "Dada" the entire presentation from the back of the very crowded classroom.  He was very offended that his dad did not immediately come to him.

Sawyer had fairy tale day at school and he was Puss in Boots.

One snowy January day Sawyer wrote an entire book about Curious George.  He did a great job and it is so precious.

We did a lot of Legos this January.  Sawyer allowed me to mix some of the kits (dioramas or whatever the legoese is) together and finally got into his own creations (we may have had a double decker couch contest in the house).  He always wants me to take pictures of his lego creations.

Our annual January family picture at the orange picnic table.

And this guy might just be the best cuddler in this household.  Considering he was a total pickle in January, I soaked up everyone of his sweet hugs and kisses.