Happy 50th Birthday, Mom!

This past Saturday we celebrated my Mom's 50th bithday! She turned 50 on May 9th and had been threatening us for months that we had better not throw her a surprise birthday party - but that didn't stop us! You only turn 50 once, we couldn't let it pass by like it was just another day.

We planned her party for the weekend after her birthday so that she would think she was in the "clear." The party was at Johnny Carinos in Joplin, we picked this restaurant because Italian food is her fav and we wanted this party to be all about her! She is alway doing for others, now it was our turn to do for her and celebrate her!

I loved planning the party for her! Although, I must admit I was very nervous the last few days before the party. She is so sneaky - it is usually impossible to surprise her with anything - but, I think we pulled it off!

She was all smiles all evening long and enjoyed visiting and sharing good food!

Her yummy birthday cake from Ricks bakery in Fayettville - it was as good as it looks!!

When she got there and knew that she had been "set-up"

Mom and Sharon -
have been best friends since high school, so glad that she was able to come!

The spread - was so good!

All of her favorites!

Mimi and her boys!

Love this picture - she looks so happy!

Jordan, Sharon, Mom and Me

(Mothers and Daughters)

The four of us

Blake, Mom, Dad and Me

Mom and her parents

The Family!

(minus Deb, how did we let you leave without

the group pic)

Soccer!

Ok - here we go again, round 3 - I am going to keep up with my blog and keep it updated! I don't know why it is so difficult for me - I really want to keep it updated so we can share what is going on with our little family and to show you just how fast these boys are growing! So, here goes!

Lance played soccer this spring and LOVED it! We think he has found his sport - he loved the constant movement and running. We are going to get him signed up to play in the fall since he enjoyed it so much. Here are a few pictures from his last game of the season - his team didn't have a "winning" season, but he enjoyed it and that is all the matters, right?!

Snowed In.....again!

Last Tuesday night, we got the pleasure of another snow storm - this time we had around 20+ inches of the white stuff! It seemed like it just kept coming down, it was crazy! This was by far the most snow that I have seen here.

Again, being snowed in meant we had to entertain ourselves again and try to try sane while all of us are forced to stay indoors. Matt and the boys worked on tying flies - Matt couldn't wait to get out and test them on Friday and Saturday. He was pretty proud that he caught some pretty good sized fish on flies that he tied himslef! I entertained myself by cooking and baking, again. This time I gave homemade cinnamon rolls a try and I must say, I cannot wait to make them again! They were easier than I thought they would be and there is just nothing better than a warm cinnamon roll on a snowy day! I also made some baked potato soup that also hit the spot.

The Greenfields came over for dinner and to hang out one evening - the boys got out the slot car track and had a blast racing their cars. It was great to have them over! The boys stayed busy and gave the parents and chance to visit and catch up.

We had so much snow!!!

The path to our house...

Our drive way after Matt spent 3 hours shoveling it!

The icecicles were pretty in the morning sun.

What to do on a Snow Day......

Like most everyone, we have been home bound since the arrival of the 2011 Blizzard! Being stuck in the house means we have to find ways to entertain ourselves. Here are a few things that we have been doing to help pass the time.....

Grayson helping Daddy tie flys - such a good helper :)

Look outside and dream about playing football...

Grayson and Riley watching Daddy shovel the sidewalk....

Shovel the sidewalk.....

Mommy's entertainment - cooking!

Nothing like some yummy soup and homemade cookies on a snow day...

Snuggle with brother and watch a movie.....

Help Mom sort the laundry -

and he is a really good helper with this chore!

Hope everyone is staying warm and enjoying the snow!

The Big 7-0!!

Last night we celebrated GG's 70th Birthday! Lance and I baked a special birthday cake just for GG complete with big 7-0 candles. Lance was so proud of his creation! And I must say it was very tasty :)

We are so very blessed to have GG in our life - she is very special to all of us. I feel very blessed that she has been a big part of my life and now is a big part of our boys life. The boys love that they get to spend every Tuesday at the farm with GG and Papa - making special memories that they will always have.

Happy Birthday GG!!

We Love You!

Snow Fun!!

The boys were more than excited to wake up to a winter wonderland on Thursday. Lance asked countless times if he could out and play in the snow and go sledding - so finally, about mid morning we bundled and layered everyone up and headed out. It was soo, soo cold! But that didn't seem to bother the boys. Lance loved sledding - the faster the better and the more of a crash at the end the better. Grayson wasn't too sure about all the white stuff - he played it in for a while and followed his big brother and Daddy around but once he face planted, he was done! Mommy didn't last too long either, I volunteered to go in and get the hot chocolate ready for everyone :)

Lazy Sunday Afternoon.....

The past few weeks have been a bit hectic and crazy! So we took the oppotunity to enjoy a nice, slow Sunday afternoon. One of our favorite things to do on a Sunday afternoon is.....NOTHING! And that is just what we did today - the boys put their new lego/train set together that Uncle Blake gave them for Christmas and loved it! It gave Mommy a good opportunity to play with her new camera and allowed Daddy to watch the much anticipated Bears play-off game.

Grayson showing off his new Percy choo-choo

Lance and Grayson loving their train track

They play so well together.....sometimes :)

Daddy cheering on the Bears (complete in sweatshirt AND hat!)

And of course Riley - on his favorite spot on the couch!

Next, naps fpr everyone! Enjoy your Sunday afternoon!