Four HAPPY Birthdays Celebrated!

This year brought something new for us.  My sister, brother-in-law and niece are training in Hungary to be missionaries.  I am so thankful that we can video call with them often.

Family came from in and out of town to help us celebrate the birthdays.  First, we video called over to Hungary to wish my niece a happy 2nd birthday!  That child is so entertaining and lovable!

Second, it was time to celebrate Nana's birthday!  Lots of animal print flip-flops and flip-flop slippers plus a brain teaser book were given.

Now it was the Knight's turn . . . Pretzel cones was the favorite gift, I think.  They had to be mail ordered as local stores don't carry them anymore.

Bud has been asking for a pinata for his birthday.  How do you justify a pinata for three children?  You buy a mini-ata!

The Knight and Bud recently went on a Father/Son camping outing at church.  The Knight said I was trying to drag up bad memories by making a camping cake. Ha!  It seemed to be a bit hit though especially when it was time to light the candles and sing!

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY, BUD!

Christmas 2013 -- The Condensed Version

Pretend this is read like the fine print at the end of auto sales commercial  . . . nospacesnobreathsandsuperfast!

Little Girls Baking Club - Princess Sparkle tied for 1st place!

Finally found some decorations for on top of the closet in the entryway.  LOVE IT!

Celebrated Christmas with a friend that knitted each child their very own hat.

Got to spend time celebrating Christmas with this cutie pa-tootie!

Oh, and the rest of mom's family . . .

but everything pretty much revolved around her . . .

until we found out she is going to be a BIG SISTER!  Congrats, Aunt Mel & Uncle Josh!

The ornament I made for the sibling ornament exchange -- shrunken chip mobile for Jon,

The ornament I received from Steve.  (We don't even try to come close to this skill level.  It would just make us look worse.  Whittled from a couple 2x4s. Hmph!)

The ornament the Knight received from Anna. (An awesome compliment to the ornament I received.)

Church Christmas program - Bud with his age group

Butterfly (far right) with her friends from Sunday School performing their part.

Nana (aka church secretary) being recognized for the amazing support she gives the church staff.

My Knight (aka church treasurer) being recognized for his exemplary work on the church finances.

Christmas Day - Round 1 with Nana & Pappy

Sparkle finally got her Vera Bradley purse & wallet.

Daddy getting a new winter coat.

Bud trying to drag off all his loot before the rest of the family came.

His bag was partially filled with this new tire pillow from Nana & Pappy and this ragtime quilt that Mommy made for his bed.

Christmas Day - Round 2 with the cousins (Daddy's side)
We decided to open gifts in two rounds -- kids then adults.  With 21 of us, the kids don't like to wait their turn anyway.

Round 3 with the adults - So much easier now that we do grab bag style.
Over-sized lap blanket and feet warmer I made for Aunt Pat.

Cousins hanging out in the "kid cave" playing their DSs while the adults hung out and talked.

Sparkle and Daddy working on her new 3D puzzle.

Tada!

Above average temps gave Bud the opportunity to drive around his new orange 'maro!  (He wanted me to take a picture of the front of the car, then her turned it around and told me to take a picture of the back too.)  Love that kid.

Happy 50th Anniversary, Mom & Dad!

Not many people can say this, but I have great in-laws.  The Lord has truly blessed me with a great second family.

This past weekend we had the privilege to celebrate their 50 years of marriage.  Lots of friends and family joined us for a beautiful reception and a delicious meal.  It was a great honor to be a part of it.

Welcome table

Some of the kitchen help

Sparkle helped fill the layers of the cake and add the first coat of icing on the cake.

Mom shared how they met and their testimony

Congratulations to a super, wonderful, loving, 

unique couple that I'm happy to be related to -- Happy 50th, Mom & Dad!

1963

2013

Happy Easter!

We had a very blessed Easter weekend.  Papaw and Gramma came for a long visit.  The Knight and the kids attended the Annual Egg Party at Nana and Pappy's house while my parents and I went to lunch and went shopping for a few things to work on a few house projects.

 

We ended the weekend over a scrumptious Easter meal before Papaw and Gramma headed back home.  We had a wonderful day at church.  We are so blessed.

 

Bud took this picture of us!

We did Resurrection eggs this week.

Waiting for Papaw & Gramma to arrive and enjoying the warm"er" weather.

Sparkle gave tractor rides at the Annual Egg Party at Nana & Pappy's house.

Time to dye eggs!

Sparkle made origami bunnies for our Easter dinner table.