Kerner Ridge Buddy Program

Our 4H club, The Trailblazer have a program that they have brought back from recent years in that you adopt a buddy from the Kerner Ridge retirement home. Micah and Nathan's buddy is named Mr. Tom and Abby and Esther have a buddy named, Mrs. Mildred. The kids are encouraged to ask them question and find out more about their lives. They also can draw them pictures and take them little gifts each month when we go to sing for the residents. The kickoff to the program was last week and the theme was  Western. Our friend, Mrs Karen did a wonderful job planning and organizing for us. 

The yummy food table 

My boys with Mr. Tom

Playing games and getting to know your buddy

Abby and Esther working on pictures for Mr.s Mildred

My girls with their buddy, Mrs. Mildred

The whole group sang for the residents right before we went home.

I am really glad that we are doing this program this year. I am looking forward to going every month and learning more about these wonderful people that God has placed in my children's lives.

Happy Birthday Mac!!

My sweet Mac Daddy turned three yesterday. We love you big guy! Thanks for being the best pet ever and for loving us all...No matter how grouchy we are! 

Here is the link to how we got Mac. We really feel like he has been gift to us from God. As EB White said, "A really companionable and indispensable dog is an accident of nature. You can't get it by breeding and you can't buy it with money. It just happens along."

That is our Mac

Introducing.... The Yeti

  Goodbye sweet Minivan.... you have been so good to us for the last 6 years, but I am sorry. We are too big. We must move on.....

To the Yeti! She is a beast, but she seats 12...and let me tell ya, we need the space!

I am in the process of sprucing her up a bit and making her mine.... whatcha think of my lil family?? 

Florida Trip part 1 The Beach!

This was Sarah and Micah's first trip to the beach. The were able to go on Pawpaw's boat and walk and swim the beach...it was a lot of fun for Micah. Sarah was a typical 16 month old and tolerated the sand and cold ocean. but she had moments when she liked it too. 

 Brothers

 Sisters!

 Daddy getting him some baby love on the beach

 Mommy and Sarah taking a walk

Our whole family. I almost didn't post this picture because I am wearing a shirt three sizes too big for me and look somewhat blimpish, but it was the only on we had taken of the whole family...so please excuse my roundedness and know it is ( mostly) the large shirt. :)

Florida trip! Part 2

We were able to go on vacation the last week of February/ the first week of March to Florida to see Greg;s family. Abby and Nate flew down a few day early so it was only Greg and Me, Sarah, Esther and Micah on the trip down. (Can I just say I have no idea now why I ever felt overwhelmed with just 3 children??)

We were able to split the week and stay at Greg's dad's and his moms with a beach trip squeezed in the middle.

Greg's mom and step dad live on a ranch and his little sister Gigi has a ton of animals to play with. The kids have so much fun outside they all become dirty, sticky, hot messes by bedtime.
Here is my crusty crew with Ma, Pa and Gigi
Gigi's hound dog Priscilla ( and yes, the daddy is named Elvis) had a litter of puppies and so there were lots of cuddle furry babies to love on.
Micah at the river
The river was low, but that didn't keep them from trying to tube down it.
Esther and her cousins Amanda and Tristan
The whole group of cousins playing Hide and Seek in the dark. So much fun!

SNOW

So it seems like my winter snow dream lasted about 6 hours one Sunday afternoon in February. That is all we are gonna get!!

I have been spoiled in NC the past 4 winters with beautiful 6" or more snowfalls that made the perfect sled days and was also perfectly melted within a few days. Micah has been dying for snow and we even thought about taking him skiing, but it would be more like slush even at the ski resorts because of such a mild winter. Sooooo I made the kids go out and enjoy this one! The did too! The boys stayed out until all it was was a muddy slushy mess.

Ready to sled!
First time!
Everyone ran outside just as soon as the snow started!

We are into 70 degree March days now and most of the trees in NC have begun to bloom so I really do think winter is over. :( Oh well...maybe next year we will get a big snow. If not..I might have to go chase one down!