February

Dearest Boys,

February was all over the place.  It was both warm and cold, busy and chill, with family time and friend time.

First up, we took in a high school basketball game with your school friends.  One of my favorite things about your school is their participation with Adopt An Athlete.  These high school kids come to your classroom every week and you love having that time with them!! At this point in the year, your class was paired with a basketball player so we went to watch them play.  

Jax, you celebrated Brody's birthday at an escape room.

Our church hosted a fun, adults only, date night.

After a little "winter break" from sports, soccer and baseball started up again.

High school soccer was in full swing too so you and Braxton signed up to be ball boys for one of their chilly games.

Thankfully, the weather warmed up so we could go for a patio dinner at Joe T's with our favorite group of friends.

Lastly, we had a family date night of dinner and bowling.  No more bumpers for y'all so things are getting real ; )

Spring is in the air!!

January

Dearest Colton and Jax,

In full disclosure, I'm creating this blog entry 8 months after the fact.  Remembering January is not easy.  Here are the pictures I have on my phone though:

The Fletchers came over to ring in the New Year with a goofy game night!

We burned off some energy at Altitude (a trampoline park) before Winter Break was over.

Some young ladies started hanging out around you, Jax!  This was interesting new terrain.  Y'all ran around the neighborhood together and, when I told you that I wasn't comfortable with you hanging out at their house, you hung out at our house.

We had a Marty B's family date night complete with s'mores!

Colt, you went to a birthday party and got to experience rock climbing!  #conqueringfears

The month culminated with your first ever Pinewood Derby!!!  You and Dad worked together to build a great car and it ended up winning 3rd place!!

So proud of you!

Merry Christmas!

Dearest Jackson & Colton,

After having the busiest December on record, we ended the year in total CHILL mode!!

We went to church with Grandpa and Grandma for Christmas Eve service.

And we took it easy on Christmas Day.

Y'all spent a lot of time playing outside with your newest toys in the final days of 2017.

Family Photos

Dearest Jax and Colt,

We continued the tradition of sending a photo card for the holidays this year.  After "winning" a photography session in your school's auction, we met the photographer at a nearby campsite and she quickly got some decent shots!

Decembering

Dear Colt and Jackson,

December seems to always have a lot going on but this year takes the cake!

We started the month by volunteering with the Salvation Army.  We joined some baseball teammates to ring the bell outside of a nearby Walmart.

We also spent an evening at the town's Nighttime Christmas Parade.  Colt, you were in the parade on a float with your scout troop.  Jax, we watched from the sidelines with the Vaughn Fam.

One of the best things we did all month was attend The Christmas Story, a performance put on by an area church.  Our seats weren't ideal yet the show still knocked our socks off!!!

Our neighborhood stepped up their game at this year's Christmas party!  In addition to the usual Santa Claus, they also had a photo bus!!!

Somehow, your soccer team also squeezed in one more 2017 tournament!?!?!

We had a triple date to celebrate Brandie's birthday.

We talked with THE big man at Bass Pro.

Our favorite horse carried our sleigh through Highland Village.

And we decorated cookies for jolly 'ol Saint Nick.

We all need to settle in for a long winter's nap!