Bundled UP

Baseball season proved to be a cold one.  I don't like to be cold, but I love to watch my boys play ball.  I learned very quickly that a blanket doesn't work.  The kids that are watching climb in my lap and then there is a draft and then I am cold and then I am cranky.

It doesn't matter how many layers of clothes I wear, I am cold.  Until I discovered the sleeping bag rule.  You bring a sleeping back for each person in the family.  You get IN the sleeping back and sit upright on the bleachers. The bootie doesn't get cold, the body doesn't get cold.  Everyone laughs when they look at you and then they say, "I am bringing a sleeping bag next time!"

JLS and WHS didn't totally get it right when I told them to get IN it, but they did stay curled up together in the chair with the sleeping bag around them.  It cuts the wind and it keeps you warm.  It doesn't matter what you look like, as long as you are warm!

New Church Building

This little cutie makes every day brighter.  He still wakes up with a smile and hug and lots of snuggles.  He doesn't get moody or angry.  He doesn't get lippy with me.  He is still my sweet little boy and I love it.

Our church has been planning and building a new Harvest Sanctuary for probably two years now.  Harvest is the non-traditional service at our church that we usually attend.  It has always shared the sanctuary with the traditional services by alternating hours.  BUT...our church is growing and it was time to get a dedicated location, so they added on.  It is a fabulous building that might resemble the main sanctuary of any other contemporary church.  Our church is big as people refer to it as "The Methodome" :)  But the amazing thing about it is that it feels small when we are there.  The people are amazing, our Sunday School is a dream and the children's department rocks.  We love it there.

The beginning of January was the first day that the new building was open and we got to worship there.  To say it was PACKED is an understatement. We got there 30 minutes early (well beyond the comfort of the Sampler Family) and we barely got a seat on the back row.  Everyone was excited about the new building for sure.  The previous 3 days, there was a reading of the Bible from front to back by a rotation of probably a hundred people so that the Word of God was the first thing read in that room.  It was touching.

After waiting our 30 minutes and chit-chatting with those around us, it was time.  And, it was much anticipated.  Being a non-traditional service, there is a stage and there is lighting, but it is also designed with taste. It's really beautiful.  We all noticed the "movie theatre" seating where we all had individual chairs vs our previous pews.  As our pastor hopped up on stage, the lights in the congregation went down and the lights shined on him and everyone applauded. WOOHOO!   As soon as the lights went down on us, WHS very sweetly got on his knees and whispered in my ear, "Where do we get the popcorn, Mom?"   

And he was serious.

JBS is ELEVEN!

I am not sure how this has happened.  But the little squirt I used to carry on my hip everywhere I went is eleven years old. Where had the time gone?

We didn't do a party last year for his birthday, so this year, we made up for it with a Game Truck Party.

JBS wanted a MineCraft cake and I wasn't sure I could do it. So, I hired someone to make it.  Ho Hum.  Every time I do that, I regret it.  All that matters is that JBS loved it, right?

We had our party at 4:30pm on a Thursday, so I braced myself for hungry boys.  We had pizza and chips and cake while we anxiously awaited the arrival of the truck at 5pm.

Of course, the one day we had the party, there was 100% chance of rain and 47 degrees.  So, we moved the party into our garage.  We brought the outdoor heat lamp in and gathered 'round.  It really wasn't so bad.  Definitely nothing worse than having 16 10 year old boys running in and out of my house on a rainy day. :)

The Game Truck trailer arrived and the real party began!

The inside of the trailer had 4 large TVs...

And a wall of seating.  And the boys were in absolute heaven for two hours.

And when they left, they received these DARLING cookies my friend, Brandy, made.

The part was a huge hit and the boys were still talking about it at school the next day.  Momma pulled off another party and now I can rest...until May when its JLS' turn.

My Man Loves Haircuts

Sweet WHS LOVES to get his haircut.  He loves it because of the headrub involved in the shampoo and all the tickling he gets when she combs his hair.  Secondary to his curls, he doesn't get a haircut as often as the other boys.

So...he gets REALLY (Willie) excited when its his turn in the chair.

Baseball Fans

One more pic from the season.  If its not one son's game it's another.  These two are rooting for JLS this day.  

Rooting includes playing mud football, tag, eating snacks and playing with friends, of course.

Serious Business

A sweet friend took this picture of JLS pitching.  He takes this job very seriously and so does this nervous nellie in the stands.  I am watching a 9u pitcher.  I cannot imagine the way a mother of a professional pitcher feels when the crowd of fans loves or hates him.  It is NERVE RACKING if your son is on the mound!  The whole game depends upon his ability to throw strikes.  And if he doesn't, it can be a very long inning.

This pic Babe snapped.  A World Series ring....pretty impressive for a 9 year-old.  Actually, quite impressive for my husband too :)

Fake Pics

The Little League that we play for in The Woodlands is the largest Little League in the nation.  So, if you can imagine picture day for the largest Little League in the nation?  It is total chaos and lots and lots of wait time.  We didn't have a game on picture day, so our team chose to go to "Re-take Day" for our pictures.  Guess what?  We didn't have a game that Saturday either.  So, the team opted to take our own pictures.  Our coaches wife took great pictures and made really cute gifts for the kids.  These  are just the ones I snapped :)

He's totally hamming it up...but even still.  He's a cutie!

Raingutter Regatta

Babe was in charge of the Raingutter Regatta this year.  JBS's den was too old, so this year there was only one boat to create.  

Proud boys with their boats!

Hat Day

The Second Grade had Hat Day where they had to create a hat based on the book they read.  Then, they had a hat parade around the whole school.  I was so impressed with the creativity from some of those hats!  Most of JLS' creativity was on top of his hat and not visible...but next time around...we will be MUCH more prepared!

JLS read a book about  a Ninja and we glued Ninja people to the top of his hat with Ninja words around the back.

So many cute hats!

The Last Christmas Program

I knew this day was coming and I handled it better than I thought.  With WHS going to Kindergarten next year, this is the last Christmas program at our preschool....ever.  We were so blessed when we stumbled upon this preschool when we first moved to The Woodlands.  We have been to 7 years of Christmas programs, but several times I had multiple children.  I think I added it up to 13 years worth of tuition paid here.  The best money we have ever spent, albeit a small fortune.  I will cry buckets when I don't get to drive thru the drive thru every morning and afternoon to pick up my kiddo.  The teachers there have all become precious friends to me.  They have been so great with my boys, as well as supportive of me as I have made hurdles in my life as well.  They are an amazing bunch and we will miss them dearly next year.

This year, WHS is the big man on campus.  He, like his brother, JLS, got to play Joseph in the program this year.  The best part about Joseph is that he looks good and is a man of few words.  Actually, zero words.  The perfect job for WHS!

When we are proud, our tongue is always out.  Isn't yours?

Joseph and Mary

A view of the sanctuary while the kids sang.  The same precious songs they have sung for 7 years, but still so precious those little voices are!

The cast party:)  We got to speak to the star of the show.

And after he got out of "wardrobe" we snapped a pic with Miss. O.  Truly....they have been in the same class since they were 18 months old and the best of friends.

Merry Merry Christmas!

First Elf Visit of the Season

I only THOUGHT that was the last Christmas post.  I found some December pictures we missed.  Here is our sweet little elf, Ginger, who made his first entrance in style....complete with a cookie decorating kit!

So decorate we did!  I am not sure if more candy went their mouths or on the cookies.

But either way, fun was had by all!

Final Christmas Post

The Texas side of the family was thrilled for sleet, snow, cold...we took it!  It was fun to see white while we were there.  WHS doesn't remember snow, although he has seen it before.  And, Mona, our sweet rescue doggie has surely never seen it. The two of them jumped and squealed and tried to eat the snow.  They were having a blast!  The big boys lasted about 30 minutes before they wised up and opted for another movie...

On a side note, G2 has grown several inches between each time I have seen him for the last couple years.  He hasn't stopped yet b.c he is now taller than me and I look up to my 12 year old nephew.  He is pushing 6 ft.  A string bean, but almost 6 feet tall!

We watched lots of movies....

played lots of cards....

enjoyed being snuggled by the fire inside while it was cold outside...

The Cook Off

BD and Grammy worked hard to prepare the trails for the boys to come...blowing of leaves, redefining the trails, scaring off evil spirits...

While I was at the lake, with help, we finished three puzzles...one that was a continuation of Thanksgiving 2013...the hardest puzzle I have ever completed.  This one was JBS's Christmas gift and he never touched it.  Wishful thinking to have another puzzler in my family.

The day after Christmas, we had a Dutch Oven party.  We made a campfire candle...

...and watched Vin and Babe and Paulie cook....

We watched...

....and played...

and watched...

And then, it started to snow. So, this Texan went inside!

And waited for the Goulash and Monkey Bread to come to me.  I would say I was the smart one...