The New Dump Truck

Yesterday after daddy picked the kids up from Joyce's, he and Grandpa went and bought a dump truck from the neighbor. Today daddy and Grandpa cut wood and used the dump truck...it was a family affair to watch the first load of wood be dumped by the wood burner...

Grandpa is driving the truck...Daddy, Grandma, Gavin, and Whittney are watching. What a beauty!!

The first dump...

Max went crazy over a piece of bark that came off the truck. It was funny to watch him try to tear it up!

Last night, we went out to eat and went to a Varsity Boys Basketball game where mommy teaches. She had six students perform at half time for a cheerleading camp they attended. The kids were planning to go to grandpa and grandma's house last night, but didn't because we got home late. So...this afternoon when Grandpa and Grandma drove the truck over, the kids thought they needed to go home with them in the dump truck. Aleigha thought she was going to get left behind (you can see the tears in her eyes). All three kids plus Grandpa and Grandma fit snuggly in the truck!

Making Jewelry

Today Whittney got out one of her bead kits from her birthday party. Gavin made a necklace for Mrs. Letizia, Whittney made a necklace for Miss Jenny and a bracelet for Daddy, and Aleigha made a bracelet for Grandma Suzie and Grandma. It was fun to watch them work and see what they created! We will definitely do this again soon!! They can made earrings, bracelets, and necklaces!

Icicles

Today we looked out the dining room window and saw icicles! It was amazing...Gavin and Whittney were in shock! Mommy opened the window so Gavin could knock them down...the next day, Whittney got her turn knocking one down.

Valentines for Uncle Jard

Today we are making Valentine's for Uncle Jared. Whittney enjoyed glueing and coloring...she made three for him...not just one!

Of course Aleigha needed to make one too! Her paper was covered with foam shapes by the time she was finished with it!! Gavin also made one!
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY UNCLE JARED....WE MISS YOU AND WISH YOU WELL IN IRAQ! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU IN MARCH!

Ice Fishing

Tonight, Daddy took Whittney ice fishing on Grandpa Great's pond. They pulled the ice house out on Sunday (after Whittney's birthday party). Daddy and Gavin went with Andy and Hayden along with Uncle Jasen.

The next time, Daddy took Whittney and Gavin...and Uncle Jasen came with Alex. Tonight...it was Whittney's turn by herself.

She is very proud of her catch!!

Gavin wanted to hold some too!

A Snow Day!!

Today we kind of unexpectedly had no school. Although they were calling for snow, we didn't talk about the option that there might not be school today! Mommy's school canceled first (which was a blessing... The girls didn't sleep well and mommy seemed to be up all night with one or the other). The kids were still going to have school...and then we saw the closing on the television. Gavin was much more excited than Whittney. Her hair was french braided and she was supposed to have "Beach Day" today at school!

After breakfast of bacon and eggs, we sat down and worked on Valentine's cards...thanks to Monica for the idea. Now we are ready for the parties at school!

Whittney does a great job copying words. We made a list of all the students in her class and she wrote both their name and her name on the Valentine card. She has much more patience for this kind of thing than Gavin. He was ready to go play with Aleigha while Whittney and Mommy finished the last few for him.

Although it would be great to write that this kind of behavior is normal at my house...it would be a lie. It was nap time for the girls and Whittney asked Gavin to read her a book before she laid down. The photo opportunity just couldn't be missed here...They do get along...some of the time!! They are usually at odds though.

News From the Doctor

Nathan took Gavin to see his pediatric surgeon today. Although the news may not be long term, it is exciting and I wanted to share...the doctor told Gavin that he can start doing his cecostomy flush every other day instead of every day!!! The doctor was very pleased with the progress that Gavin is making. We were skipping the flush every Friday, and there were no accidents. We tried it and skipped the night before Gavin's appointment...still no accident. The doctor seemed happy and even commented that maybe Gavin will not need a cecostomy for ever. YIPPEE! Thanks to our family and friends for continued prayers!

Trying Out the Curlers

Whittney was anxious to try out the new curlers from Grandma Suzie and Grandpa Pat. After baths tonight, she sat patiently as mommy put them in...and then Aleigha wanted some in her hair too!

She can't wait for tomorrow morning to see her curly locks!

Whittney wanted to see the back of her hair with the curlers in...Looks like a lot of curl to mommy!

Aleigha wanted the back of her hair in a picture too! Aleigha's curlers did not stay in...she pulled them out before bed. Whittney did leave hers in!

Whittney's Family Party

We celebrated Whittney's birthday today with family! We ordered pizza and got together after everyone went to church. In the picture, Uncle Larry is getting pizza while Grandma Till and Grandma talk. Grandma Suzie is getting a drink. Olivia and Whittney are eating at the counter and Aunt Megan had just sat down to eat!

Gavin is leaned back and relaxed while watching Uncle Andy work his Rubik cube. Uncle Andy got one side to be all blue and then he made it all orange!! What a great accomplishment for Gavin to watch....

Olivia and Whittney hanging out again today!

Evelyn, Aleigha, and Gavin riding the rocking horse. What fun!

Because we didn't have a birthday cake, Whittney had ice cream, apple pie, and blueberry pie in her bowl with her candle. Later, she ate a chocolate cupcake!

Daddy, Grandpa Pat, and Grandma Suzie enjoying the party!

Aunt Holly made this bathing suit cover up...she had an adult pattern and she had made one for herself....but she wanted to make one for the little girls! What a great idea. It will surely get used once summer comes!

Whittney opened many Hannah Montana gifts...which she recently has gotten excited about! Dolls, globes, a bag, hair glitter, make-up...oh boy!

Baby Nathan is being held by Aleigha (and his mom, Tonya). Aleigha just LOVES babies!

Whittney is showing Caleb her Cabbage Patch Kid set that Uncle Larry brought for her.

Grandma Till is feeding Aleigha imaginary food.

At the end of the party, mommy caught Tim playing with Gavin's transformer...we think he was having a lot of fun with it!

Olivia Spends the Day with Us

After Whittney's birthday party, Olivia stayed and played. The girls put on the Hannah Montana outfits Whittney got. Olivia was singing away...Whittney was a little hesitant.

Gavin and Dad...okay...Dad playing the Wii! Gavin happens to be grounded from playing the Wii and Leapster because of some behaviors in class and on the bus. He doesn't like to talk about it!


The girls were inseparable all day...they even played that they were sisters! It will be fun to watch them grow up and be friends!! Grandma got them both Hannah Montana notebooks with pens...

Whittney is 5!

Today Whittney's birthday party with her friends started at 9AM. When she woke up the first time, at 5:30AM, she asked if it was about time for her party!

Aleigha and Whittney were anxious for their first guest to arrive! This picture was taken at 8:31AM...only 29 minutes before the party was supposed to begin!

The first thing each of the girls did...paint a tea cup, saucer, and plate.

Seven little girls worked hard to make such wonderful masterpieces!!

Baby Corbin was the only boy at the party...until Gavin and daddy arrived home from basketball practice at about 10:30AM.

After painting the tea set, the girls had their "swimsuit party." Whittney requested that the girls wear their suits...we did not go outside or even swim in a pool. The girls ran around the house, played on the "reading chair" as though it was a pool, and laid on beach towels. When that fun was over, Whittney opened her presents.

Look at these beauties!!! Delaney (Jim and mommy's cousin Amber's daughter), cousin Olivia, Taigen, Miss Birthday Girl, Tandree (Whittney's best friend and sister to Taigen), Avery (Thane and Kylie's daughter), and Cadence (Andy and Serena's daughter). In this picture, mommy asked them to make a pose.

Next it was time to make cookies...Kylie and mommy made the cookie dough, which looked like play dough. Each of the girls got some of each color to use. As you can see, Tandree and Whittney shared a chair...the whole party! They are buddies.

Serena is helping Cadence with he cookie.

Grandma is helping Aleigha make her own cookies! Aleigha felt a little left out at the party because the big girls played together...without her. She tried to tag along the best she could.

All seven girls around the table working hard...Grandma Suzie and Kylie are talking while supervising!

After the cookies had baked, the girls sat down for a tea party. They had tea and ate their cookies they had made. Here are Kylie and Avery adding a little sugar to Avery's decaffeinated tea.

After the tea and cookies, the girls dressed up and played downstairs. They were practicing for a show. Here, Taigen, Avery, and Olivia are headed back down!

After the party, Olivia stayed for the afternoon. Once the kid finished lunch, they asked to "swim in the bathtub!" Why not?....

Next, it was rest and snugly time in the chair. Aleigha took a nap as we watched "Open Season."

It was a wonderful day. Happy Birthday to Whittney! Daddy and Mommy just can't believe that on Sunday she will be 5 years old...She is such an independent girl who usually knows just what she wants. We hope we can raise her as well as our parents raised us...We pray for her to be respectful of others, appreciative, caring, and responsible!...seems easy enough, right???