Emma's first concert!

We were so excited to hear that a favorite group Mercy Me was coming to our city!  Brian & I immediately made plans to take Emma and Nathan.  This was a big night for Emma since it was her first actual concert!

 We went out to walk around during intermission and actually met one of the opening bands, whom we LOVED--  Zealand Worship!  

 So, Emma got a shirt and Nathan got a poster for them to sign!  Super exciting!

 Mercy Me was AMAZING!

 It was a great first concert for Emma, and the rest of us had a wonderful time too!

Jazz Night

Brian and I got to see Nathan's Jazz Band perform as guests at a nearby college.  It was a small auditorium so we had a good view.  They played really well!

His actual birthday

Finally, Samuel turned SEVEN!

 We spent the morning at Class Action- the last one for this school year.  He took cupcakes to his 2nd hour class (Sea Animals), which he loves.  

His last class had some game time outside- here he is getting his chase on during duck-duck-goose!

 Requested birthday dinner:  Mac-n-cheese, hotdogs, carrots, crescent rolls, and chocolate milk!

 He didn't really want me to put candles in his cake, but agreed so he could blow them out!

 He thoroughly enjoyed opening every gift!

 Birthday spanks!

Samuel's first "friend party"

Samuel couldn't wait for his first FRIEND birthday party this year!  He kept telling us that he COULD wait for his birthday but he COULDN'T wait for his party!  He carefully selected a handful of best friends to invite and began counting the days!

Samuel said he was looking forward to three things:  His cake, presents and his friends coming.
Emma made name tags for everyone:

His friends drew pictures on a mural for him as they arrived.  The kids were excited to either play in the playroom or outside so they did a lot of both before and after the festivities.

 When we started planning the party, I really only wanted to do one baking event for this and his birthday.  We decided to have cupcakes for the party and the cake (center) could be there as well but would be saved for his birthday.

 I love this picture for two reasons:

It shows how Samuel pours over his cards...

and sweet Annabelle (who Samuel is "going to marry" is patiently waiting for him to be done).

He went to bed a very happy boy that night, though he did have a little confusion about whether he was actually 7 yet-- nope.

Youth auction

Yes, that's right-- Nathan was up for auction! (Along with several other youth).  This was a fundraiser for his upcoming trip to Belize.  

His auction picture and bio

My name is Nathan.  I am 14 years old.  My favorite type of work is heavy lifting, but I am willing to do any kind of work available.  I have experience mowing, raking, and cleaning toilets.  I also make a mean omelet.

Let the bidding begin!

It turns out that the omelet making was a big selling point!

He will be sending out fundraising letters at some point for those of you who are wondering...

Yay for tooth #6!

I have been so eager for Samuel's other front tooth to come out!  I just wanted to see that adorable toothless grin!  He wasn't so sure it should come out until the other grew in... he was afraid he wouldn't be able to eat.  One day we realized that the new tooth was already coming through so he began to really work on it!  Before it came out, he could twist that loose tooth in such odd ways!  Then finally it was ready so we pulled it!

More school pictures

I always take the yearbook portraits for our Classical Conversations group.  These are the ones taken about one week ago:

Camporee

Emma and I attended her Heritage Girl's Camporee!  Emma spent the night with her troop while I stayed at home, still recovering from the back issue.  BUT, I got up early and met them before they left for the campground.  

This one was completely different from last year, and even in a different location, but it was fun and interesting.

Early in the day we met up with a friend who had moved away!  It was great to see Lizzie!

BFFs

 The girls I was responsible for:

First aid demonstration

 A definite highlight for Emma was the gift of a pocket knife from one of her leaders!  She learned that she is very good at whittling!

Proof that I was there-

Annie, the musical

When we found out that Emma's dance recital will be Annie this year, we were super excited.  Then, we heard that the musical of Annie would be in a nearby city, so we had to go!

Our friends Madison and Gabby (and their mom) went with us.  It was wonderful!

The girls got to go in pajamas!

 Our view:

 A few stock photos since I didn't take any pictures:

Cousins

These three will always be frozen in my mind like this:

But, they have changed so much in 10 years!

First birthday in the new house

I had the honor of the first birthday in our new house.  It was tempered by some really bad back pain/spasms, but with meds and my sweet family, it was still a lovely day!

Samuel & Emma surprised me by making lunch for me-- it was my favorite-- a BLC (bacon, lettuce, cheese) sandwich! 

They picked a Menchie's cake, and it was really yummy!

After dinner, there were music and dance performances to celebrate my birthday!

April Fools

We told the kids they were lucky to get any April Fools (same with St. Patrick's Day this year)-- Mom and Dad were super busy unpacking and trying to get our household and lives somewhat organized.  One good thing is that the kids thought we didn't know it was April Fool's Day, so that helped us fool them first thing in the morning- with a box full of donuts?-- uh, I mean BROCCOLI!

Then, the silliness and practical jokes really began, but it was all the kids... Emma and Nathan put some thought into it and had some good ones this year.  Samuel and Lucas did a lot of trying as well.  And then there was the squishy hand... that kept showing up in random places...