I have one busy 4 year old!

I took this picture this evening while Kate was showing me her ballet moves.  I loved the lighting, it was such a beautiful afternoon with lots of sunshine and a happy girl :) 

But I do have to say, I think I signed this girl up for too many activities!

My boys were never this busy, mostly because life was simpler then and we had no money for many extra curricular activities.  They did play soccer, but that was it. They are plenty busy as well now though, I'd like to take a few things off their schedule too.

Here's some pics of my busy little girl....

 Preschool 3 days a week and a spanish class on Tuesday afternoons.

She really is a good little friend to all her preschool classmates. 

 She started Ballet and loves it!

Swimming

she LOVES it!  Signed her up with her brothers for the month of Feb to get all those winter wiggles out two days a week. 

Kate and her friend, Anders

They get to spend two days a week together since Ander's mommy and I swap days watching the two of them so we can have a free mommy day. 

Mommy dates, we got to go see Beauty and the Beast on stage.

and of course all her appointments keep her busy too:)

I love you Kate bug, thanks for keeping me on my toes, I love watching you do things that you love and give you lots of confidence!

Birthday Party Success

DJ's

11th Birthday Party

DJ:

"mom, that was my best birthday party!" 

I am so glad that DJ loved every second of his birthday party!

We rented out a nearby hotel's swimming pool and game room.....No clean up and found out when we got there that a room was included in the birthday package.

So even though we were just minutes from home, the kids LOVED staying the night and staying up late. 

And the all you can eat breakfast served in the morning.  

 Here's Kate practicing her swimming

 What a great group of boys DJ has as friends, he's a lucky boy!

 DJ requested a cake with Michael Jordan's retired number.   Did the best I could :)

 Happppy BIRTHDAY  DJ!!!!  

We love you so much!!!

DJ's the big 11 today!!!

Five minute post....

looked over our flagged pictures and these were the few that stuck out to me today....thinking about my sweet boy and how much fun he has been in our family the past 11 years!

LOVE YOU DJ, 

SOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!

Here it goes, random pics, no particular order,  just clicked on pics that made me happy :)

 9 years old

 DJ had to see the west coast ocean as soon as we moved to WA. 

So off we went, two weeks after we had moved here.
He loved it, of course.

 National Zoo, 6 years old

 cousin Mia

 First time going to scouts, LOVE the hole in the knee!

 Age 7

 So love this picture of my boy!

Confidence

 Always, always taking care of his sissy.

Disneyworld with Grandma and Grandpa Sheneman

 He loves water.....just like his daddy

 Virginia Creeper, rode the whole 17 miles -- 7 years old!

 super heros, ah we were in that stage for so long!

 7 years old, on our way to church we stopped by Hugh McRae park, beautiful morning with my handsome boys.

 Determination, on the soccer field.   Caught it!
 7/8 years old

 Almost 11....

LOVE MY SWEET DJ!!!

I am one lucky mamma to have a boy as special as you!
No sappy post tonight, I'll save that for another day and post....soon I am sure :)

Jan Pic Recap

New Years Eve Party!!!

So fun!

2nd year tradition going strong :)

Progressive Party
We move house to house through the night.

We're always the game house...kids included!

Whew, it wears ya out, but by the last house the kids are pooped out and ready to fall asleep in front of a movie while the adults enjoy time without the kiddos. 

 We headed up to Schwietzer Mtn for a family day of skiing

 Yay, Kate!!

 What an awesome day!  

I love watching my boys especially, they love skiing!

Kate's getting used to it and now randomly says in her prayers at night that she will "learn to ski" 

Daddy painting nails....daddy only has one girl but he sure knows how to make her smile. 

Last but not least, Eagle watching

 Bald Eagles

 These kids loved it, we saw at least 50 - 60 bald eagles in the hour we were there.  

The last weeks of December and beginning of January they migrate to this area and it has become quite the hobby for northwesterners.

last but not least.....

we finally got a good snow fall, although it's long gone now.

Back to a mild sunny winter, but I am sure we will still get our fair share in Feb.  

Bring it on, my kids love it!

and it doesn't bother me too much either....

my crazy runner friends have me running over 20 miles a week lately!

Crazy girls, keepin' me healthy and feeling great even when it's slippery and a bit chilly outside.  

Thank goodness for under armor running clothes. 

I feel like I am running in the tropics when I put them on ;)

We ran our 9 mile wednesday lake run in a blizzard....didn't think the storm would be that bad!

we were pretty proud of ourselves at the end.

happy january