Erin is 2 wheeling!

Here I am about to ride my two wheeled bike.  It's new...well, to me.  

I'm getting started...

 

Here comes Katie the expert, passing by me.

 

Here I come - beep, beep!

Katie's Locks for Love

In first grade, I decided that I wanted to grow my hair out for Locks of Love.  We found out that Pantene Great Lengths only asks for 8 inches of hair instead of 10 inches for Locks of Love, so we're sending it in to their organization on Monday.  

Here I am for my birthday party so that you can remember my long hair. 

Maggie is cutting my hair.  This is me with half of my back hair gone.  Annie got to hold the hair as it was cut off.  

Here I am with only long front hair!  Now you see it...

Now, you don't!  Tada!  

Just finished.  I can now style my hair behind my ears.

Here are the three girls in front of a crazy blue picture.  

PS - Annie & Erin also recently got hair cuts.  Annie's is about at her shoulders with some layers and Erin cut off about 2 inches and got some long layers as well.  

Here's a bit of catch up blogging...

 

John turned 13 - yes, we have a teenager in the house...

Erin turned 7 - yes, she thinks she's a teenager as well...

John ran track this Spring; 400m and a few relays.  He improved over the short season and now I'm trying to get him to consider Cross Country for the Fall...

Katherine's Big Weekend - 1st Holy Communion

The Woods drove out and Grandma flew in to celebrate her big day.  We did Grandma's traditional Krispy Kreme run in our pj's on Saturday morning.  After we'd recovered, John, Luke, Patty and I ran a few miles on the bike trails near our house while the rest of the kids played at the park under the care of Kyle and Grandma.
 

Everyone enjoyed the swing set in our backyard, though it was interesting to keep up with Dominic and Cece - dangerous!!

We ate very well - surprise, surprise!  Dominic demonstrated how he can take care of corn on the cob very well now that he's a big man.

Finally, her day in the spotlight arrived.  Katherine wore the family heirloom dress and veil (passed down from Heather & Annie).  She read on the altar during the presentation of the gifts.  John & Annie served at the 1st Communion Mass and Erin got to sit with Grandma and the Woods.     

 

   

  

  

We had a wonderful Spring Break trip to Mississippi.  We began our touring with a stop at the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN.  The kids were fairly interested and I think it will make Martin Luther King, Jr. Day each January a bit more meaningful.  The museum is in the hotel where he was shot and there is also a portion in the building across the street from where James Earl Ray shot him.  

We celebrated St. Patrick's Day with Marin and Tracey in fine style shown here.  The kids thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Marin and finally warmed up to Muzzy on the last day in Meridian.  

On Wednesday, we drove to Vicksburg, MS to tour a civil war era city plantation house and the Vicksburg National Military Park.  This photo shows a cannonball that is still lodged in the wall of the house.  

Here we are touring the military park, looking at where the Confederates shot at the Union Army from one hill to the next.  

We returned to Meridian and celebrated Katie's #8 birthday and finally getting to see Uncle Boog.  

On Thursday, we toured Uncle Boog's Naval Air Station.  We all got to fly in the simulator and try on his flight suit, along with visiting his office and eating at the base bowling alley.

We were able to hang out and chat with Boog and Tracey and catch the beginning of the NCAA basketball tournament games.  

On Saturday, we hit the road early and visited a former working cotton plantation - Waverly, in West Point, MS.  Then, up the road a bit, we stopped to walk around the campus of Ole Miss, in Oxford, MS.  A grand time and wonderful way to get a flavor of the South.  Only thing that we missed was a true taste of the South - grits, collard greens, and fried chicken.  Maybe next time!

At the end of March, Annie was honored at the University of Iowa for her test scores on the Explore Test, an 8th grade level test.  She also was able to recognize a teacher and she chose her Independent Learning teacher, Mrs. Houseman. 

Last Thursday, the Middle School performed their rendition of Going, Going, Gone with the Breeze.  John was one of the mannequins in a costume department; he was a caveman and one of his friends was a leprechaun.  

Finally, last night, we survived a birthday slumber party for Katie.  

February Happenings...

  

Annie & Erin made a little snowman.  He's gone away for the Spring although he may make one more visit this weekend if the predicted storm comes.  

 

Katie has taken up Basketball this winter, playing on a combined 2nd/3rd grade team.  She has really come a long way in a short time and seems to enjoy this sport more than others that she's tried. 

 
 

Lastly, thanks to all for the many birthday wishes!  I spent the day realizing how very blessed I am.  I repeatedly thanked God for my first 40 years and for my family and friends.  I also requested another 40 years as I've only just begun!

John's News...

Now you see them; now you don't!

Yesterday was the big day for John.  The braces came off at 7 AM and he now sports a fashionable retainer.  He was pretty excited and I must say that his teeth look very nice.  For comparison, take a look at a picture from Joe & Kelly's wedding, only 4 months before the braces went on.  

Snow Fun!

John & Erin found a great way to enjoy the recent snow.  I have a video of Erin breaking free but it doesn't want to upload.  I'll keep working on it.  

In the meantime, it's FREEZING here - started at -7 degrees this morning and I have no idea how low the wind chill was!  I didn't even send the kids snow pants & boots because there was no way that they'd go out in this weather!

Here's to Spring!