90 years young

Last week we got to celebrate Grandma Rodgers' 90th birthday with her and Grandpa (just a little late). We brought angel food cake, some cool whip, and raspberries- a treat she made for me many times as a child- (only with fresh berries from her garden.) Every time I see raspberries they make me think of her and Grandpa and the raspberry patch they had in their garden for so many years.  I remember how even the sting of a thorn didn't hurt enough to discourage me from harvesting the sweet berries they grew.  We lit a candle and sang to her- and I could tell she felt as special as I did when I was with her as a child. 

As we sang, she looked around the table at her great grandchildren, smiling the warm smile I have come to know and love. She gently laughed her all familiar deep giggle signaling genuine happiness. I have such fond memories of the times have I spent with her and Grandpa in my comparatively short 38 years. I only hope I can make it to 90 myself.

sleep over

Although Cass and Lucy bearly fit in a twin sized bed together anymore, I was happy to see that they still want to try. :)

fuzzy

Aaahhhhh my fuzzy haired little boy in his fuzzy dino jammies.  ♥love♥

hideout

Little did I know that when I got our coffee table this past September at Junk Bonanza that it would become a hideout.  I guess I never considered all of its potential in those areas.  But show a child something and chances are good that they will look at it totally differently than an adult.  Cassidy is my fort builder and has used it many times to create fun hiding places.

A story I forgot to share at Christmas.  We got the kids a PS3 and along with it came a bunch of games.  Isaac loves to 'hunt' with Andy.  (Which actually means to tag long when Daddy goes to shoot clay pigeons or watch his as he is shooting his bow.)  When we got the PS3 we decided to get Cabela's Dangerous Hunts and to give it to Isaac because it comes with a gun and we figured he'd love to 'shoot' animals with Andy.
 


Christmas morning rolls around and he is totally pumped to get his game.  Andy gets it set up and plays a round to see how everything works.  We are all watching and cheering him on.  Andy finishes his round and goes to hand the gun to Isaac. But he is not there.  Where had he gone?  We looked around and called him- and it wasn't until we heard him answer that we realized that he had crawled under the table.  There he was clutching his blankee with this look of seriousness on his face. We were so into the game that we didn't realize how scary it probably was!  Every so often in the game a bear, wolf or wild cat jumps out and swipes at you in a very intimidating manner.  He watched for a little longer and eventually saw that the threat was only to the guy on the screen, asking for a turn of his own.  Now he really likes it.   Poor kid!

another day older

the Bucks and Jabari

A really neat experience came up last week.  We found out about a promotion through the Bucks where along with a reduced price ticket in the lower bowl, alumni of BYU (and those they purchased tickets for... us!) got a chance to stand in the tunnel and hi-5 the players as they entered the stadium, and then got to meet Jabari Parker for a photo op afterwards.

We are not really spontaneous people but we both knew how much Jack enjoyed his Christmas present.  Then add on the other perks, and we couldn't turn the chance down!  We got Jack out of school early, and he and Andy headed down to Milwaukee for a quick getaway.  They went to the game with Abby and Kaleb, Jake and Alex and then stayed with Ab, Kaleb and the boys for the night.

 To see the smile on Jack's face makes my heart beat a little faster.  He doesn't seem to show a ton of emotion or interest in many things, but this is one thing he really loves.   The rest of the kids and I had a special "girl's night plus Zeekie" (as they called it).  We got the movie PAN. stopped at Walmart to each pick out a special treat, and enjoyed some Casa Mexicana takeout.  I am feeling so thankful that we are blessed to be able to have neat experiences like this.

I will take one of these any day :)

Sledding with cousins

 The kids have had plenty of chances to sled over this break.  Here are a few of Isaac and the boys.

2016

Welcome 2016!

We  had the family over and celebrated with food, games, and movies.  Before the girls went to bed, they helped me make this cell phone 'art' to commemorate the occasion:



Then on New Years day we tried out the new shack and caught a few fish.