Ethan's Basketball Season(s)

This apple does not fall far from the tree. Our little Ethan boy is obsessed with sports. He comes by it rightly, with a long line of sports fanatics on the family tree. Kent has even commented that Ethan is more intense about sports than Kent is! Yikes. At any rate, Ethan is loving basketball right now. It seems like as soon as one season is over, the next begins. It is hard to be busy every Saturday, but with Kent as the coach, I am happy there is something that Kent and Ethan do together. I know that it is one of the things Ethan loves more than sports- spending time with his dad.

Ethan has come a long way from the uncoordinated kindergartener that didn't know how to handle the ball. He practices indoors and out, at practice and at home. He now understands the game and his skills have improved so much. I love watching him be committed to something and to see him work so hard. Kent, too, has come a long way as the coach. During the first season, I saw Kent coaching a lot from his seat, mostly watching. Now it is a much different story. At the last game, I actually saw Kent pacing the line up and down the court with the team. There were a couple of times he crossed over the line and was shouting words of encouragement. I love it! This picture made me laugh because it looks as if the coaches are having some sort of "stand off."

This season, the team was able to get jerseys that had their team name on the front, with their last names on the back. Sometimes I think about how these boys might play on the same team with each other through High School and it just makes me smile.

Ella's Graduation

We are so proud of our little preschool graduate. It's been a long road of whining that she was "too tired to go to school", or "already smart enough" but she made it and we are thankful for her teachers that loved Ella so much. At first she was mad because her robe covered her hands.They held the graduation at the High School auditorium and even played the graduation song as each student marched one by one to the stage.
Ella is front and center. They sang lots of adorable songs that I have been hearing Ella singing for the last few months, as they've been practicing at school for this big day.

This is Ella being "hooded" as an official graduate.
Ella receives her diploma.

Ella's field trip to the Dental Office

Ella's preschool class took a field trip to Kent's office today. I remember when Ethan's class went to his office the first year we lived here. Time sure is going by quickly. Next thing I know, I'll be blogging about Cannon's preschool class going to see the dentist on their field trip.

Ella was the line leader for the tour since it was "her daddy's office."

The kids were able to take turns brushing the horse's teeth.

Ella really got after those cavities!

Each child got to "ride" the chair. Ella was sad when they asked her to get out so quickly. She kept saying she needed to have a cleaning. Haha. That girl loves to get cleanings.

Dr. Copeland showed them X-rays and molds. It was so fun to see him interacting with the kids. You can tell he loves his job and the people he treats every day.

The staff put together fun little goodie bags for each student.

Here is a group picture of all the kids, the teachers and some of the dental staff.

Mother's Day Tea

Ella's preschool hosted a lovely Mother's Day Tea Party. We got to bring our own teacups and have delicious apple juice and cookies. Kent had the day off today so he stayed home with Cannon so Ella and I could have some special one-on-one time together. It was nice to sit there with Ella and not worry about anything else but her. She had made me a beautiful gift and we read books, without a care in the world. I love moments like that- especially after the week Ella and I have been through.

Ella's new hairstyle

Ella the Stylist

THIS

Ella the Artist

While I was at a Primary meeting last week, Kent stayed was home with Ella and Ethan for the night. When I got home Ella was so proud to show me the work she had done with markers on the wall while I was gone. She drew some mountains, traced her hands and made them into balloons and even drew her with her two best friends. I have to ask- how long did this take her to draw all of that, and more importantly, where was her father?!! Also, I know the canvas on the wall looks very out of place, usually there is an entry table with a lamp next to it, but it had to be moved to play basketball. While the cat is away...

Frilly Lilly

Erin dressed Lilly up so I could snap some fun pictures of her. Lilly is so photogenic. I can't wait for the next photo shoot!

Amanda

For awhile, I've had my eye on a nursery in town that I was wanting to use for pictures. When my friend Amanda asked if I would take pictures of her, I was excited to try out this new location. It turned out to be a great hidden secret which gave us lots of options for varying colors and textures. She was a good sport to try out different things with me. She made it easy to take pictures- being such a beautiful subject!

Her sister came to help watch the kids while we took pictures so we snapped a couple of her, as you can see beauty runs in the family.

Blessing Day

Day-Old Child

My day-old child lay in my arms, with my lips against his ear.

I whispered strongly, "How I wish -- I wish that you could hear.

I've a hundred wonderful things to say ( A tiny cough and a nod),

Hurry, hurry, hurry and grow so I can tell you about God."

My day-old baby's mouth was still and my words only tickled his ear.

But a kind of light passed through his eyes, and I saw this thought appear;

"How I wish I had a voice and words; I've a hundred things to say

Before I forget I'd tell you of God -- I left Him yesterday.

I am so happy that Cannon and Lilly were able to share their special blessing days with each other. It is a day that will always be a tender memory for me. They are such beautiful babies with little spirits that bring so much love into our lives.

Getting this family picture was quite the chore. It is sad that Cannon is screaming because this little guy hardly ever cries. Ella was pouting and crying as we were taking pictures, I can't believe that she is smiling. Not only is she smiling, but if you didn't know her you would almost believe her to be an angel! My mouth isn't quite smiling because I think I was in the middle of mumbling some sort of bribe (or threat) to get her to smile. Oh- the truth behind the scenes, right?

After church, Gary and Katie Martin were gracious enough to let us have a luncheon in their beautiful backyard with family and close friends to celebrate Cannon and Lilly. The weather was great, the food was delicious and the relationships were strengthened- life doesn't get much better than this.


Erin and I had fun planning this "gathering" for our babies. Just pretend I am holding Cannon, he was asleep in his car seat (shocker) and I didn't want to disturb him.

Poor little Ella had to take a time-out (look in the car). Poor little pathetic girl.