Friends...

We invited some friends from church over today, and the kids had a blast together!  They spent time working on their Bible Bowl, had some fun at the park, jumped on the trampoline, and just enjoyed each other!  All five of them get along really well, and they are alike in so many ways.  We're so thankful to have such great friends.

Taylor, Graysen, Nathan, Madison and Kinsey....

Cousin fun...

We met Nana and Chance for yogurt this afternoon.  Yogurt plus cousins always equals fun!  These three absolutely love each other!

Celebrate the Arts...

Nathan's artwork was chosen to be displayed at Celebrate the Arts this year.  He was really excited that his was chosen!

"A" Honor Roll...

Nathan's awards were today, and he got "A" honor roll again!  He was disappointed he didn't get the principal's award (95 or above in every subject) because he had all 95's and above except in two classes!

While Madison doesn't have awards at her new school, she did get all A's in her classes too!  She even got all 95's and above!

I'm so proud of these two kids and how hard they work in school.  Both are in advanced classes, and they are doing so good.  I can't believe we are in the last stretch of this school year already...it's going by too fast!

Outtakes...

The kids always wonder why it takes us so long to take yearly pictures, and these perfectly explain what I have to deal with each birthday!  These goofy kids stress me out, but they sure make me laugh.

Madison's 13 year pics...

The only day that would really work for taking pictures last week was Friday, and that was the only cloudy and gloomy day all week!  The lighting was horrible, but we went ahead and took her 13 year pictures at the Gaylord Texan.  My grown up and beautiful baby...can't believe she's a teenager now.

Watchdog day!

Nathan sure does love having Watchdog days with daddy!  Michael decided today would be a great day to do it so he'd be home for Madison's birthday!  Nathan was so excited.

I don't think Nathan was quite ready for the picture!

Nathan sure is lucky to have such a wonderful dad who cares enough to do this for him.  He had a great day!

Madison's big day...

The day has come....we have a teenager in the house!  Madison woke up to balloons this morning (on her head, thanks to Nathan), and she wasn't the happiest to be waking up at 6:30 on her birthday for school.

After school, we took the kids to Orange Leaf Yogurt, which has become a tradition for birthdays!

She opened presents, and was really excited about gum from Nathan!  Our gift was mainly painting her room with new bedding (pics to come soon once she gets all the different pieces for her bedroom)!

Madison chose Mi Cocina for dinner, which was music to my ears!  It's my absolute favorite restaurant of all time, so I was excited to be going too!  We sat out on the patio and let the kids play in the area behind the restaurant (rocks/stairs/pond/etc).  It was such a wonderful night.  It was a little chilly in the shade, but so peaceful and relaxing!

Madison had a great day today.  A lot of her friends made it special for her, and she actually enjoyed going to school on her birthday this year.  Her party won't be until April, so she still has that to look forward to!  I can't believe my baby is 13...time flies.  Happy birthday, Madison!

13 years...

It's hard to believe sometimes just how fast time goes once you have kids.  Madison was such a petite and precious baby girl, and now she's a beautiful young lady!  I really can't believe it.  A teenager.  So grown up and becoming more and more independent every day.

Madison is a goofy girl.  She's definitely a more quiet goofy, but she has a personality on her (very similar to her daddy's)!  She likes to joke around and she loves sarcasm!

Madison loves texting her friends, listening to music, organizing her bedroom, sleeping in, hanging out with family, The Middle, reading, doing devotionals, playing her clarinet, eating spicy chips and Mexican food, running, and fixing/straightening her hair.  While she's definitely growing up, she still has a little kid left in her!  She loves playing with Nathan, making slime, spending the night with grandparents, playing at the park, and jumping on the trampoline.

I think her 5th birthday and this birthday have been the toughest on me.  When she turned 5, she was starting school and entering a new phase in her life.  Now, she's also entering a new phase, and while it's not a bad thing, it's still a little hard to swallow sometimes!  My BABY has her first crush on a boy, our conversations are getting deeper, and it just makes me realize how fast she's growing up.  I know we have so many great memories ahead of us, if I can just wrap my brain around her not being a little girl anymore!  She's a sweet girl with a big and caring heart.  She's an amazing student who not only makes wonderful grades, but listens and shows respect to her teachers.  She loves God and she's getting closer and closer to taking that next step in baptism.  She makes me so proud!  Sometimes, she makes me doubt my abilities as a mother, but I sure am glad God chose me for her!

Madison, I love you more than you know!  You make us laugh and you make us smile.  I'm so proud of who you're becoming, and I just pray you always put God first in your life.  Try to see the good in life, and always notice the things that make you smile every day.  I love you so much.  Happy 13th birthday, sweetie!

Spring Break...

Madison was sick the beginning of our Spring Break, so we didn't do a ton this week.  But low key and relaxing is good, especially with our normally busy schedule!  The kids played, read the Bible, made slime, and just had fun together.  On Thursday, we had friends over to play, and then we went to see Moana and the kids loved it!  Overall, it was a great week...lots of down time!