Thanksgiving in NC

Thanksgiving play

We had Thanksgiving at the Clifton house with many friends. The kids did a play about the celebration.

CWAC opened

Coffee with a Cause opened the doors.

Snapper Mower

Papa decided Cody needed a mower and so he got him one as a surprise. Both Cody and Keegan are enjoying it.

Camping with the Childers

We went camping at the Occoneechee State Park. It was really nice and we had a fun time!!

 

Cow N Corn

A whole crew of us went with our kiddos to Cows n Corn. It was very hot, but with a nice breeze we survived and the kids had a super time. We would like to go back to the fall events.

 

Papa visit

Papa came to visit and hang out with us before we go back to school. We visited the air mueseum and Frying Pan Park. It was fun!!

 

Papa dress

My dad bought Chloe this beautiful dress all by himself!! I was quite impressed with his choice as was Chloe.

 

My baby boy turns 8!!

Kale turned 8 today!! It is hard to realize my boys are growing up so fast. Kale chose to just hang with the family for his day. He wanted to eat at Cici's, get ice cream, and go to Funland. We did Cici's and ice cream, but will have to do Funland another time. We had a card with money on it, but the card got left at home. He also went to Target to pick up a flag football set and a few pair of shorts. Nana Jo and Nama had sent money and Papa had money at the bank for Kale. He had plenty to spend and even saved some.

Kale has always been and continues to be a VERY laid back boy. Not much phases him!! He loves all his grandparents, but he has a very special relationship with Papa. I believe it is because he is sooooo much like Papa and Uncle Marvin. He would move to his house and never blink an eye at home. He likes Papa'a laid back life, fishing, naps, and piddling around. He is a bright boy with tons of book sense. We often are not sure about his common sense, but the SCOPE teacher keeps reminding me most gifted chldren do not have common sense. So, we are feeling like he is probably VERY VERY VERY gifted!!!!! He loves to play football and is pretty good. However, he has a bad temper and often ends up letting his temper get in the way. He is working on it and we have seen some small improvements. Kale loves his sister and would do anything for her. Kale loves his brothers and generally will help them out when needed. They have the typical brother relationships. We love Kale and can't wait to see what his future holds!! Happy birthday, Kale Jonathan!!

Spring Break

During Spring Break, we put hardwoods down in living room, hallway, and kitchen. We began on Monday, worked Tuesday, took a break Wednesday and Thursday, and then finished up on Friday and Saturday. Naethan, Ben, and Clint were big helps with this project. The floors look really nice! We still have a few projects to complete in the kitchen, but the big projects are done.

For our break, we headed to West Moreland State Park with two other families. Our kids love hanging out with the Pelt and Clifton kids and were very excited to spend 2nights with them. We really liked this state park and will visit again to hike and stay. All 3 families ended up with different cabins, but close to each other. The kids enjoyed being able to run back and forth to each cabin. We hiked to fossil beach to find shark teeth. The hike was great and we even found a few teeth. Next stop was George Washington's birth place. It was beautiful!! We walked around and looked at all the houses and such. Our final event of the day was a game of kickball. This was lots of fun and we realized we are all very competitive. Each family had different meal responsibilities and no one let anyone down. The meals were fabulous!! We can't wait to do this again.

Spring break came and went in a flash. The good thing about that is it means school is lots closer to being done!! Woo-hoo!!!

Papa's visit

I had a workday so Papa came up for a visit. He picked the boys up from school on Thursday and they had ice cream (imagine that??). Chloe and I met them and Jonathan for dinner later that evening. The next day, Papa took the boys to the NRA museum and a few other places. Wendy came up on Friday night and stayed with us. Papa had won a karaoke machine and brought it up for us. The kids had fun singing and performing on TV. On Saturday, we ate breakfast at Panera then headed to find some fun. Mary Washington was having a cultural event so we headed there. The kids enjoyed the different displays and running around. It was nice out. Next stop was Ferry Farm. We did not stay long as Keegan was having some sort of allergic reaction adn needed medicine. After some great meds, we went into town to eat lunch. We ran a few more errands and then headed home. It was a full day!! Wendy had to head back home and Papa needed a nap. We cooked out and had a good dinner while the kids played. Papa ventured back home on Sunday morning. The kids had tons of fun, but are always sad to see Papa leave. They can't wait until summer to head to Bayboro:))

Keegan Daniel

On March 12, Keegan turned 9. It is amazing to look back at his last 9 years and to look where he is now. His character is one of a kind and his personaltiy shines in everything he does. He has come so far in life with the challenges that were before him. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for the rest of his life. Whatever it is, Keegan will be up for the challenge. We love you buddy and are very proud of you!!

Granddaddy and Nana Jo visit

Grandaddy and Nana Jo came up for a visit and we decided to get Grandaddy to help out with a few projects. Friday night, we hit Lowes to get materials for the project. On Saturday, we began with McDonald's for breakfast and then Nana Jo, the kids, and I were off to a different Lowes to pick up more stuff. While there, Lowes was having a kids project of building a water gauge. So the boys (with LOTS of help from a GREAT employee) completed this project. They enjoyed the tool aprons and goggles more:) Then we came home with the needed items for Jonathan and Grandaddy. We left them to work and went to town to eat lunch and shop. The boys found some treasures at 5 and Below. Next stop was Happy Hour at Sonic. Final stop at Dollar General to get Chloe (who was at home asleep) a gift. Upon returning home, the men had done quite a bit. Before bedtime th ey finished up and. . . we now have a microwave above the stove, new lights in kitchen, new light and celing fan in living room and new light above desk. It looks SUPER and we are very excited to have these projects done!!! Thanks Nana Jo and Grandaddy!! The boys and Chloe had lots of fun seeing the grandparents and were sad to see them go Sunday morning. Hopefully we will see them again soon.

Chloe funnies!

Sorry about the quality of picture. It was with my phone and the easiest way to take one quickly.

Jonathan has had a fake puppy since he was little. It is a HEAVY sort of rock style puppy. Chloe has recently discovered this puppy. She totes around her puppy and pets him and talks to him. She wants him to sleep in the bed with her and covers the dog up because he is cold. As soon as we get home each day, she runs to get her puppy. It is really cute, but she is NOT getting a real one:)

Last week we were at Chick Fil A (big shocker). I was on my way home and we stopped to pick up dinner. Well, the cow was outside and I said, look there's the cow as I rolled her window down. She proceeded to scream at the top of her lungs for the window to go up and no cow. I know I am cruel, but it was very funny. All the way home, I'd roll the window down and say there's the cow and she would scream. The next day on the way to school, the boys wondered what would happen if we rolled window down. Well, she screamed again. In fact, over a week ago this happen, but she still screams and whines when I mention Chick fil a or saw there's the cow. Since we eat at Chick fil a way too often, this could present a serious problem.

Aunt Wee Wee and Uncle Matt

A few weekends ago, we headed to my sister's house in Maryland on a Friday night. We hung out that night and after the kids went to bed, I enjoyed playing the Wii Fit while Matt and Wendy enjoyed laughing at me. Jonathan was finishing a paper for school. The next morning, we went to an Amish place for breakfast. It is such a neat place to eat and look around. Next stop was Sandy Point near the Bay Bridge. It was a little cool outside, but beautiful. The kids enjoyed running free, skipping rocks, writing in the sand, and just having time with Wendy and Matt. There is a neat jetty that is made to walk on; Wendy and Matt stayed back with Keegan as there was no way he was going out there. Then we heading downtown to Annapolis to walk on the waterfront. Wendy and Matt were married here almost two years ago which was about two weeks after Chloe came home. It was funny to see her in the park now compared to then. She has changed lots. After eating lunch, we went back to their house and rested (or at least I did). Wendy and Keegan made his birthday cake (pictures of that to follow soon). Jonathan and I went out to a seafood restuarant on the water for our anniversary and then to a few shops. We headed home early to tuck the kids in bed. It was now Jonathan's turn to play Wii Fit. The next morning, Wendy cooked a good breakfast and we headed to church. It was lots of fun!! Thank you guys; I know we are a loud crowd!

Life

It has been awhile and when it has been I like to play catch up, so here goes. . .

*Cody read the book Inkheart while Jonathan listened to it on CD. Then he took all the boys to the movies to see it. Both agreed the movie was NOTHING like the book. Chloe and I went shopping while they were at the movies. It was a fun night.
*For family night we went to Suessuical at a local church. It was put on by CYT. The kids really liked it. The Little Mermaid is coming in May and I hope to take Chloe.
*This week we have enjoyed two snow days at home. It snowed around 6 inches and made for lots of fun.
*We went on a hike on the trail near our house. It is lengthy, but a very nice hike with many streams and creeks. I was able to take many pictures and the kids were prepared for the hike with magnifying glasses, snacks, and water. Chloe enjoyed walking and riding on dad's back.
*Papa challenged Kale to not get his hair cut. Kale made it until a couple of weeks ago. Jonathan and I had been ready for it to be cut for awhile, but had not had time. Kale began to complain about his hair as well. So he lost the bet with Papa, but we are all glad to have lost the shaggy boy.

Life has, as always, been fun and busy and this is our slow time of the year. The boys are all doing well in school. Chloe loves her new sitter and friends. We recently attended a middle school orientation for Cody. It is VERY hard to believe that next year he will be in middle school. He will no longer be with me at my school. Cody is growing up so fast. Chloe will join us next year for preschool at Riverview. She can attend 2, 3, or 5 days. I'd like her to go for 3, but it depends on transportation right now. I am excited for her to be at school. Keegan has an addiction to all electronics. He would play the Wii or watch TV or on the computer all day if we let him. He is growing straight up; not out and eats like a horse. Kale continues to excel in school and has qualified for SCOPE for next year. He is excited about that. The boys will be joining the swim team in our neighborhood this summer. I think it will be a great way to meet friends and have fun. Practices will just add to the craziness of life since I'm pretty sure they practice most days.

I changed the background as March begins birthday season around here. Keegan will be 9 next week, followed by Kale turning 8 in April, and Cody turning 11 in May. Let the fun begin. . .

iHeartFaces

I read about a photo contest on a friends blog and decided to check out the contest. After reading about it, I decided to join the contest. The hard part was figuring out which photo to use:( So, we'll see and maybe I'll do more of these; there is a contest each week.

Book Break

After reading about this book on the Toole blog, I wanted to read the book. Thanks to a blog tour, I was able to have the book sent to me and all I had to do was read it and write about the book. I love to read so I was quite excited. So here goes. . .

Jeanne Damoff writes this true story about a near drowning of one of her children and how it changes their entire world. She talks boldly about her faith, her doubt, the troubles that are created from the accident, her family, and her personal feelings throughout the story. Her community never leaves this family hanging from the smallest issues to huge ones.

I cried from beginning to end. This is an amazing book!! I liked at the end how the people in the story wrote where they are now and how Jacob changed them. I would recommend reading this book to anyone. It will touch every part of you. You can find it on Amazon.

Wordless Wednesday

Making cookies