Travel Day!

On Friday we traveled to Denver with Daniel to see Dr. Ivy.  If you want the full details of the day, just head here www.caringbridge.org/visit/danieljames.  But here are a few pictures from our day...

Daniel enjoyed the plane ride as much as he has been enjoying car rides.  He ate many Cheez-its and Gold fish, went through 2 whole bags of wipes, laughed when the plane ride was turbulent, threw at least 50 things on the floor for me to retreive...

...and took two of the nicest naps he ever has on my lap.  One on the way to Denver and one on the way home.  Sweet boy!

My Aunt and Uncle picked us up at the airport and we met my other aunt and uncle for lunch across the street from the hospital...

My Aunt Kathy had to get some kisses before they left... 

It was a long full day and the news was the same.  In spite of it all we found joy in the little things and made the most of a quick trip to Denver.  Next time I am going to have to get a picture with Dr. Ivy and his staff.  Somehow photos escape my mind in the middle of tests and talks. 

For those of you who prayed us through...thank you!!!!!

Our kids at home were well cared for by grandma and the boys even joined the girls in lunch at their pink table (I was afraid to call it a "tea party"!)  :-)  The boys are good sports for sure!  And Sam is often being a goof.  :)

Tournament Winners!

This weekend, Sam's baseball team won another tournament!  After a long day on Friday, it was a sweet treat to come home and sit in the sunshine and watch my 9 year old play ball!  Two of my most favorite things...the sun and baseball!

Sam is our #33...carry on his daddy's favorite number...

Here is a double by Sam...

It was a fun weekend of baseball!  Sam pitched all but the last two outs of the championship game.  He did such a great job!  And he even had to pitch against the team he played on last fall!

Here is the team...

And with their trophies...

And some behind the scene pictures...

Some of the boys hanging out between games...

After a long Friday in Denver, Daniel cheered from home with daddy...

And the girls love to see their sweet friend at the games...

Great job Royals!  And great job Sam!!  We all love to watch you play!!  

Drew's 11!

It is hard to believe that this little guy...



turned ELEVEN today! Where does the time go?? Sometimes this seems to have been a lifetime ago, and on days like today I cannot believe he is 11 .


Of course his day started with our tradition of opening presents by the door...



We had some dear friends over for dinner and cake and ice cream...



He is truly looking SO grown up. Drew wants to have a camp out party this summer...so in a couple of months the celebrating will continue!

We love you Drew! Happy birthday buddy!

Easter Celebration

Yesterday was a great day. A Great day!!!

The kids woke up to their Easter "buckets" this year. It is a tradition to have their new summer swimsuit as a part of the bucket (or basket or bag depending on the year!).


And the girls were quick to put them on and pose for a photo.


Did you notice they also put ALL of the little hair accessories on? So cute!

And Brent had the boys do a "gun show" with their new summer tanks on...boys!!


Daniel loved his Moose Man and he also received a Dinosaur T-shirt that says "Super Tough". I thought that was totally fitting for our little buddy and since he cannot swim (because of his central line) he received a matching pair of shorts...


We then started the huge task of getting everybody ready and everything packed to head to church! I am so glad we made the effort as it was such a great morning. We had the unexpected pleasure of hearing Chaplain Bill play the trumpet during the music. Amazing hardly does justice to how awesome that was! Here is the family in our pew...I got a few looks as I snapped this picture, but I didn't care as for us it was a huge accomplishment that was totally photo appropriate...:)


Before we left, we took some photos outside, here is one with the 5 kiddos...


And the church now has this wonderful display right outside the building. A perfect place for an Easter photo!


When we came home, we had our traditional Easter Egg hunt. And after Daniel had a nap, we headed for our 3rd annual Easter dinner at Maggiano's. It is Italian family style dining and is something the kids had looked forward to since we left the previous year.


When we came home, Brent and I tucked all of the children in bed, talked briefly on the phone to our family's and then settled in to watch the Ranger's win their Easter Sunday baseball game.

As I said, it was a GREAT day.

Thank you Jesus!

Happy Easter!

I will hopefully be back tomorrow to fill in the details of a wonderful day with my family...but for now Happy Easter!! Jesus is Alive!!!

Tornadoes

Yesterday there were 13 tornadoes that touched down in our area. YIKES! I had been at a morning appointment in Dallas and was at a friend's house when the storms hit. She lives about 15 miles from our home and her son was at a school not too far from where we live. So as the sky to the west of us darkened we headed to pick her son up from school. By the time we reached the school, the sirens had started and the children were in "tuck and lock position" and were not allowed to be released. So my friend Summer and I were ushered into a warm, stuffy hallway of his elementary school to wait out the storms.

Meanwhile, my Sam was at gym class with a friend and Brent was at home with the other 4 kiddos. We were all spread out. But we all stayed safe!

Here are some pictures from the tornadoes...

Tornadoes

As far as I know there was not a tornado that touched down very close to where we actually live, but they were definitely all around us!

And here is the picture of the "shelter" my kids (that were at home) made in our central bathroom...



Pillows, dolls, bike helmets, bean bags, baseball cards...the essentials for surviving a tornado. :) Lizzy even had a notebook for her and Abby to play tic-tac-toe.

When the school gave the all clear, Dylan and Summer came to our house for dinner. And then when the clouds had rolled away to the setting sun, I drove them back home.

It was a crazy afternoon to say the least.

Thank you Jesus for keeping us all safe!

Speed Racer

Daniel has learned how to scoot himself around on his Buzz Car!! And it is so cute. This is a huge milestone for him and we are so proud! :)