Wednesday, January 31, 2018

fall break beach fun

For our fall break this year, Daddy & Mommy took us to Myrtle Beach to stay in Oma's beach condo for a few days.  We had the best time...playing on the beach, swimming in the pools, relaxing in the hot tub, going to the pier, etc.  And, all the fun activities weren't busy like in the summer...big bonus!!  We had such a fun time together.

Hot tub with Daddy... 
...and the pool!
Sweet Brecken

Sisters...Averie & Emmersyn
Sweet Averie
Sweet Brady
He was digging a hot tub for on the beach! :)
Sweet Emmersyn

Brady enjoyed feeding the birds...until they got a little too close for him.  He decided to not feed them again after that.  Too funny!
Brecken loves to be buried in the sand.
Of course, then Emmersyn wanted to be buried, too. :)

Can you see the alligator that he made in the sand?
Uncle Todd, Aunt Helen, and their kids joined us for a couple of days.  We had a lot of fun hanging out with them.
Daddy & Brady playing bocce ball.
Game night in the condo.
We spent one day at the Wonderworks Museum, enjoying all sorts of activities.  We love this place.  Here, Brady is learning about electricity...
...and then, he & Averie learned how to work together to spin this motorcycle in a circle...over and over again!
Emmersyn learning about pulling and weights...
...and Daddy & Brady shoot some hoops!
Then, it was the bubbles...Carter put a bubble around Brady...
...and then, Averie did it to Emmersyn.
Best friends...waiting to ride the roller coaster simulator.
Family
Emmersyn wanted to try out the brain wave activity game.  This picture just cracks us up...looks like she is really concentrating hard. :)
We also got to do the obstacle course...so fun!

Averie
Brady
Brecken
Daddy & Brecken...he was finally tall (& brave) enough to go, but he did get a little hesitant in some higher spots.  He loved it, though.
Meanwhile, Emmersyn was too busy walking on the moon.
We ended our time at the museum with a fun game of laser tag...
...& loved it!
Then, it was back on the beach for some more fun.
Daddy playing bocce ball with Brecken & Emmersyn.
They loved it!
The condo is near that pier.  On the pier is a little restaurant and an arcade.  We enjoyed that one day.  We had a great time.

Emmersyn & Madison enjoying the car ride....
...while the older girls played Deal or No Deal.
Carter & Brecken were cashing in on their tickets...
...and Daddy & Brady were trying to win more!
Emmersyn would get so excited...even if she only got one ticket!
Then, it was time for another day on the beach...and warm enough to boogie board.  (Well, warm enough for us kids.  Daddy & Mommy thought that the water was freezing.)
Loving the beach!
Daddy helping Brecken dig a really big hole...
...and then Daddy helped Emmersyn learn how to boogie board.
She loved it!
Over...
...and over...
...and over...
...and over again!
But, it was worth Daddy's energy for all those smiles!

Brecken loved riding the waves in, too.
All smiles!
The older kids were relaxing in their "hot tub."
Averie & Stephanie
Madison & Emmersyn
Daddy walking with Emmersyn on his shoulders...she loved it!
We always enjoy getting pizza at King's Pizza.  It has become a tradition every time we go to the beach.  We had such a wonderful time at the beach, and we are so thankful for the fun memories made!  A great fall break for sure!


the really big 4-0 surprise!!

Mommy really wanted to throw Daddy a surprise party for his 40th birthday.  So, she started planning during the summer.  And, with the help of Daddy's dear friends, Mr. Travis & Mr. Kevin, she was able to truly surprise Daddy.  He was in shock for days!  

The party was held in the VIP room of the bowling alley.  Daddy thought he was going for a birthday guys night out...bowling & dinner with Mr. Travis and Mr. Kevin.  After they got their coffee (& chatted at Starbucks for Mommy to get everything ready), they headed to the bowling alley.  Meanwhile, 30-40 of Daddy's closest friends & family were in the VIP room waiting.  Mr. Travis told Daddy that the regular lanes were all full at the moment, but they could check the VIP room for empty lanes. That's when Daddy opened the door to everyone yelling, "Surprise."  And what a surprise it was.  He was totally shocked...so fun!  The evening was filled with lots of laughter, tons of food, bowling, and great memories.
A big thanks to Mr. Kevin & Mr. Travis for helping the surprise party be such a success!!  
Daddy & Mommy with Uncle Blair, Aunt Blip, Nana, & Poppy who all came to celebrate!
Uncle Thomas, Aunt Lindsey, Little T, Uncle Todd, & Aunt Helen came to celebrate, too!
And, most of Daddy's (& Mommy's) dearest friends!
What a fun group...what a fun night!
The Big 4-0!
Happy Birthday to Daddy!  Mommy sure surprised you good...what a wonderful night!

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

happy 40th birthday, daddy!

Once Daddy & Mommy got home from their little birthday getaway (see post below), we got to celebrate Daddy turning 40 as a family!  We showered Daddy with gifts and cards, and then we celebrated with a fancy birthday dinner at one of his favorites, Del Frisco's.  We are so thankful for Daddy, and we loved celebrating him.

Daddy & Averie
Daddy & Brady
Daddy & Brecken
Daddy & Emmersyn
Mommy with the birthday boy!
Daddy & the kids
Our Family...Happy Birthday to Daddy!
(We also had some of Mommy & Daddy's sides of the family there to celebrate, but we didn't get any other pictures!  Sure was a fun night!)

the first surprise

So, Daddy turned 40 in October, and Mommy really wanted to surprise him and shower him with lots of love and celebrations.  So, the first surprise Mommy did was steal Daddy away for 2 nights.  (Of course, Daddy thought this was his big surprise/gift for turning 40, and he was happy with that, but he was so surprised and thankful for his surprise party as well!)  They headed into Charlotte & enjoyed a fancy dinner the first night.  The next day, they enjoyed playing Top Golf with some dear friends & another celebratory dinner.  Lots of laughs and lots of fun!
Top Golf was a lot of fun...
...& ending the evening with a yummy celebratory dinner!
Happy (early) Birthday to Daddy!

happy birthday, mommy!

Mommy turned 39 on September 11, and we had a fun time celebrating her & showering her with gifts and a few cards.  Mommy chose Bad Daddy's for her birthday dinner, and of course, she loved it! Always fun celebrating birthdays in our family.

And, of course, Mommy wanted a picture with Daddy & each of her children.

Mommy & Averie
Mommy & Brady
Mommy & Brecken 
Mommy & Emmersyn
Mommy & her 4 kiddies
Mommy & Daddy
Happy Birthday, Mommy!  We love you!

first day of preschool

In September, I started back to preschool.  This year, I am in the 3 year old class.  My teachers are Mrs. Lauren and Mrs. Kim...and I got Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00-1:00.  I love it at preschool...
I even got to pick out my own backpack and lunch box.  Of course, I chose Minnie Mouse!  So excited for my first day back to preschool!



solar eclipse

We were pretty excited about this once in a lifetime solar eclipse viewing.  So, Mommy had a hair appointment that day, so in order for us to all be home in time for it, Daddy picked us up early from school.  We were so excited about that.  We love when Daddy gets to pick us up.  We headed home and got our glasses ready.  Then, Mommy met us at home right after her appointment.  We got to put on our glasses and check out the solar eclipse.  

Such a cool experience, and we are glad we got to take part in it.