Snowman/Snowmonster

Ryan starting his snowman.

Ryan with the "bottom" of his snowman. We continued to roll that snowball for 15 minutes and I think we ended up with a ball the size of a golf ball. He sure was determined to make it work.









Ryan at the end of his snowman making experience. He decided to make a snowmonster instead. This was done by shoveling snow/ice from the drive way and placing it in one spot. He then used a variety of nuts to make the eyes, nose and month.





Ryan heading up the hill with his friend Daelan and her friend, Grace. He really enjoyed sledding with the big kids. When did he get so big?



Caden only cared about playing baseball and riding his dump truck. He couldn't understand why the truck wouldn't go anywhere in the snow. He sure makes me laugh. What a sport.

On January 27th we had our first real snow storm in Joplin. The kids were so excited that I promised them we could go out and build a snowman first thing in the morning. So on January 28th we awoke and put on the our winter gear to go out and play in the snow. I thought making a snowman would be like riding a bike, once you know how to do it, you never forget. Well I found out this wasn't the case. The snow was so soft that we had to pile it in one spot using ice from the driveway which was left over from the ice storm the day before. The boys loved every minute of it. I am so glad that Ryan was able to build his snowman/monster that he wanted. Thank goodness for answered prayers.

Matthew is 8 Months

Matthew turned eight months at the end of January. Don't you just love his smile? He is a huge asset to our family. Ryan and Caden just love having a little brother. He has started to crawl backwards. It is so cute. He gets his little belly off the floor and then pushes himself backwards. It reminds me of an inch worm in reverse. He also maneuvers in a circle with little or no effort at all. This helps him keep an eye on his older brothers. He loves to watch them run and play. They make him laugh with the funny things they do. He loves to snuggle and share kisses by biting your chin. He enjoys sharing Daddy and Mommy's food and thinks he is so big because he drinks from a cup. Just don't tell him we have to hold it. We are grateful for him in our home and feel so blessed to be his parents.

Nan's Gift

For Christmas the boy's Nan knitted each one of them a vest. They look so handsome in them.

My grandma is so talented when it comes to knitting. She has been so kind to share her talent over and over again with us. We love you Grandma.

Grandpa's Week

This year we've decided to celebrate each one of our extended family members. At the first of the year we asked each member to write a letter about themselve. The first person to respond was Grandpa Bright. This week we spent the week talking about and getting to know Grandpa better. These are a few scrapbook pages I made to help the boys see their Grandpa. We learned that Grandpa enjoys singing and acting. He loves his family and is currently working on his master's degree. The boys enjoyed the fact that he played football when he was younger and coached soccer. It has been fun getting to know him better. Thanks for helping us do that by sending back your letter.

Birthday Bliss

On February 1, 2009 I celebrated my 29th birthday and it was amazing. I was able to spend the day with my boys and go to church. We had our friends Tabitha and Quinn and their family over for cake and ice cream. As I look back on the life that I've lived so far, the valleys that I've traveled through and the mountains I've climbed, my heart is filled with gratitude. I am grateful for the lessons I've learned and the love that I've shared. I have been blessed with an amazing family. A husband who treats me like a queen and kids that love me without fail. A mother and father who gave us the best they had to offer. They always supported us in whatever activity or endeavor we set out to do. They cherished the fact that each one of us was different and had different strengths and talents. I am grateful for my siblings who have been such a support and strength to me. They are always teaching me and helping me to be become a better person. We have enjoyed some great family moments as we traveled through this journey called life. I also have the blessing of being part of an even bigger extended family as I was married to the man of my dreams and became a part of his family. They have taught me that with communication anything is possible and that life is worth living to achieve the best there is to achieve. They have welcomed me into their family as one of their own. And last but not least I get to experience the greatest joy I've ever felt and that is being a wife and a mother. Everyday seems to bring new life, new love and to show me that I'm not in this journey alone. And the list could go on and on. I wish that time allowed for me to include the so many others who have touched my life and made it the best possible: friends, teachers, co-workers, visiting teachers and the list goes on. Isn't life grand!!!!