Mason's Bike~

For the last 6 months or so we have really been trying desperately to get Mason a bike.  This is not the same thing as getting any other kid a bike.  I test drove several bikes last year and finally found one that I thought would be good for Mason.  Once we decided on the bike that would work for him there was the matter of paying for it.  You see, a bike for a kiddo like our sweet Mason runs around $4100.  That isn't typically an amount of money we have sitting in our checking account wondering what to spend it on.  The same students who so generously set up the 5K to fund raise for Victoria took it upon themselves to try to get funding for Mason's bike.  They (and we) posted the fund on our facebook accounts and they looked for grants we could apply for.  I applied through Angel's Hands and they were able to help us.  With the help of our friends and family we were able to raise half of what we needed to buy this bike for Mason.  The day it shipped I was so happy I could hardly stand it! 

We put it all together and drove him around our limited space in our house.  It was pretty freezing when we got it so we were hesitant to take him outside yet.

I decided that he would get more use out of his bike if we sent it to school.  They could use it during PE or recess.  They sure have used it.  The most amazing thing is that Mason can actually peddle himself around.  He laughs and giggles and loves every second he gets to ride his bike.  It is so great for him to have something active he can do.  I am so grateful to everyone who helped us in our efforts to get our Mase this amazing bike. 

Ethan and his Gramp~

Ethan and his Grampy started a new tradition this school year.  Gramp takes Ethan along and they get haircuts together.  Ethan LOVES it.  I think Grampy does too.  I actually do too!  It's a big win, win, win~!  They make an afternoon out of it every month or so.

After Ethan started going with Gramp his cousin Riley wanted in on the fun.  Now it's a group outing!  They have such a great time.  Isn't my dad the best?!

Victoria's First Date/Dance -- Preference~

Funny story..  When I went to parent/teacher conferences last month I noticed on the wall a poster advertising Preference, the girl's choice formal date dance.  I took a picture of it to take home and show to Spencer and Victoria.  I playfully said to Spencer, "you should make her go."  He thought that was a great idea.  The only problem was that the dance was only about 10 days from then. 

Victoria was furious.  She threw tantrums and yelled and slammed a lot of doors after Spencer informed her of her new plans.  He told her that she had a few days to find a date or he would.  If he couldn't find a date she would take him.  He found her a group in minutes and it was all set.  She fought HARD against the idea of going.  Spencer didn't budge on his position that she would be going.

I thought this whole thing was funny and actually would be so good for her, until I realized that it meant that I would have a lot to get taken care of in a short amount of time!

After the weekend and a few days in school Victoria (with the help of her friends) was able to find a date.  I still am not really sure how all of the asking went down, but she found her own date.

A funny thing happened once she started resigning herself to the fact that we (the mean parents) were forcing her to go to a dance with her friends..  She started to get excited!

She hated admitting it to us, especially Spencer, but after she had a date (3 days before the dance) she was looking forward to it.  We borrowed a dress from our cousin that was darling.  My friend who does my hair was amazing at finding us someone to give her the 'up do' she so wanted.  We were all set.  Now to just get phone numbers for all of the people we would need to contact to get the details from.

It was pretty cute.  She came home on Friday with a list of all of the things they had planned and phone numbers for all of the people we needed.  Her friend wrote that up for us.  Spencer actually called her date's mom to see how well he knew Victoria.  Thank goodness he did because the next morning she called us back to inform us that no one had given her date any instructions or information of what and when they were doing things!

They left pretty early in the day to go and play games and get yogurt and picked the dates up to go take pictures and have dinner before the dance. 

Victoria is so funny.  She was obviously nervous having someone do her hair, but when it was done she LOVED it.

We thought she looked gorgeous.  She was so happy and excited.  The first time is definitely the hardest for her and it was great it was such a fun experience.

Spencer was beaming and so happy, then he realized that he was sending (by force) his daughter out on her first date!  Then he got nervous.

I'm the embarrassing mom that followed the group to the place they met for pictures to be sure to get my own.  It was freezing and Vika just wanted to go inside so we got a few, but not a ton!

They had a very large group that looked like they were a lot of fun.  She had a great time at the dance and at all of the things they did afterwards.

She got home just after midnight and was exhausted.  She was asleep within 15 minutes of walking in the door!  We had to wait to get our story of how the night went.  We were just happy she came home with a huge grin on her face!

Family Pictures 2011~

Once again (I'm behind) we had our family pictures taken in the fall.  I am addicted and if Katie (our photographer) ever gets too busy for family sessions I don't know what I'll do.  My friend from back in the 'serving at Macaroni Grill' days is now a professional photographer.  She is nice enough to take our pictures every year.  The kids were mostly OK but a little hard.  I'm so glad she managed to get such great pictures even with all my crazy kids!

Taekwondo Belt Testing~

This fall Ethan began taking Taekwondo lessons.  He loves it.  He has so much fun going to his class and learning his forms and skills.  I think it's really been good for him.  Around Christmas time he had his first belt testing and he passed.  We all went to the pressentation of his new belt ceremony.  He was so excited and so proud.

They called his name and he came to his teacher and they took his old belt and replaced it with his new one.  He tried so hard to hold his smile back.  We all knew secretly how proud and excited he was of himself and he should be!  What a great day for Ethan.

Tired Moose~

Most of the time Mason is a great sleeper.  It is very conditional  though.  He has to be tucked away in his bed.  He NEVER sleeps anywhere other than his bed.  We will drive for 16 hours in the car and he will be the only one who doesn't sleep. 

One day after some serious puppy playing we walked in on him like this.  How darling does this angel get?!  He must have had a busy day.  It was so sweet that he was cuddling his puppy and actually sleeping on the floor. 

Valentine's Day 2012~

I'm weird, I know, but Valentine's Day is my absolute favorite holiday.  I love it.  I completely do.  Spencer is so good about remembering to spoil me.  He always gets me tulips and chocolates.  I woke up this year to this beautiful spray of tulips and to little vases with tulips and flowers all over the house.

Ethan was very excited to tell Victoria and Ezra all about what to expect on Valentine's day.  He made sure to tell them to go to the bathroom before bed so you didn't have to get up.  That way, mom and dad can sneak into their rooms to set up the Valentine's presents.  He also told them to be sure to fake like you are sleeping if you hear mom and dad come in so they don't take the presents away.  It was fun to hear his perspective of things!  They both followed his advise.

The kids were sweet and made cards and fun things for me too.  I took pictures to remember them.

Of all of the kids Mason is the one who hits the jackpot every year.  It's funny.  Ezra was obsessed with Valentine's and was so excited to give them to his friends at school and once he got them he carried them every where.  Ethan loved it and got a bunch, but Mason comes home with bags of stuff!  He sure is loved.

Ezra was sure to remind me that he is my Valentine.  He sure is.  I'm pretty late posting this, but even about a month after Valentine's Day he still yells "Bye, Happy Valentine's Day!!" when anyone leaves our house.  Maybe he'll be like me and love Valentine's Day.