Bennett sings a solo at his 4K Easter Parade program. We are so proud of our Easter Bunny!

Bennett and his buddy Luke. They are so handsome!

 

Hoping everyone has a blessed Easter

Fat Lips & Fancy Dresses

February started with a BANG literally! Bennett was playing across the street like he does everyday and trip on the trampoline and busted his lip. It was swollen for a couple of day, then went down for a day and then it looked like this! And the next day it was all better! Craziness!

Langley had her first dentist appointment

and it went great!

Parker was asked to be in the Children's Court for the Junior Auxiliary's Annual Cotton Ball. So the day before we went to the salon for manicures. Of course whe picked off all the pretty polish before the big night but it was fun. 

Mom and dad all dressed up and headed off to the Cotton Ball.



We look good if I do say so myself :o)

Parker and her classmate and friend Campbell.

The Royal Court dance.

Parker and her beautiful hand made lace dress. I hope that she/Langley will choose to wear it again.

The next day was a beautiful day and the girls took advantage of it and got some vitamin D.

and so did their dog purses....

Parker's creations

 Most children bring party favors home from birthday parties...but not Parker. She gathers up all the ribbons and tissue paper

and makes beautiful flowers!

Langley sings

As promised.....Langley's singing debut!

January randomness

Girls Night In -- while Clif and Bennett were off at the hunting camp we girls did our hair and nails 

 Bennett and Langley are very proud of their tower

 Many cold days have kept us inside this winter so the art room (aka the dining room) has been put to good use by all the children. Let us know if you have any requests!

 Parker has once again added another career choice to her growing list. She attended a pizza cooking party at the Viking Cooking School and had a wonderful time and has decided that she would like to be a chef as well. Below she is making cream cheese icing for the cookie pizza.

Merry Christmas

I know that this is posted very late but I just wanted to make sure that we had a record of Jesus' Birthday Cake. We hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas and was able to celebrate with family and friends. 

 

New Year's Eve

We had so much fun traveling to see family before Christmas we thought we would just continue on down to the Gulf Coast. Just so we wouldn't show up during nap time we took a side trip to the Bass Pro Shop in Pearl. the kids loved it and we killed a little bit of time while breaking the trip up.

Langley really took to a guitar that connected to a microphone while in Gulfport. She kept singing on it (video to follow) and this picture is the best because she is on a dinosaur in the garage/play room without a shirt!?

Penny made herself right at home on Lauren's expensive drapes :)

The weather was a bit chilly but we were able to head over to base and play at the fantastic playground.

Then on to planning the new year's eve celebration with the purchase of fireworks. I have no idea why Bennett didn't want me to take his picture but you can tell from this photo.

Then we were on to mussel fishing with a stick and guess who led the pack....can't see her can you?

Anxiously awaiting the fireworks

There is the fisherwoman!

KABOOM! and these were bought in a tent off the highway! Way to go Clif & Crosby!

And no New Year's Eve is complete without some sparklers! 

We had a wonderful New Year's Eve celebration in Gulfport and look forward to many more if they will have us back!

Christmas Memories

Last year before Christmas we allowed the children to open one gift -- of course it was pajamas from us so that they could wear them on the last day of school. That doesn't sound very exciting but they were thrilled! So we did it again but this year they each wrapped a gift for one another and really enjoyed seeing what each one got the other. What I love is that they couldn't stop thanking each other!

Below Langley is enjoying her Christmas party with her best friend Miriam Jane.



Bennett in his new PJs at his class party.



A couple of years ago my sister-in-law had a great idea to get the Barnes' cousins together to decorate cookies for Christmas. The children really love it and the cookies are yummy! We try to save some for Santa but that doesn't always happen.

 

We also try to get a group picture...this one turned out great!

We've also done a small gift exchange which of course the children love!

Christmas trip to Centralia

The weekend before Christmas, we all headed up to Centralia to visit with Poppa Jack, Coco and to meet our new baby cousin - Jackie.  Below Langley is having a good time rocking with Coco and baby Jackie.

Bennett and Josephine goofing around before bedtime.

Everyone is all lined up for Coco's Christmas surprise. It kind of looks like Josie isn't so sure about Parker....maybe it is her outfit...

This is kind of random but it is amazing how fast Parker is growing up and the way she is learning to communicate. Below is a "text" that she typed on the tablet for me. If you can't read it it says "this is not werking so can you fix this." One of the games must have shut down and she couldn't get it to work anymore. This was at the end of her first semester of 1st grade and she was just learning how to read, spell and journal. I love reading all her little notes she jots down around the house and this is just one that reminds me how fast they grow up!

Two sleepy men.....

We woke up early Christmas Eve and headed back to Greenwood so that the children could participate in our Christmas Eve service at Mass. Also, Bennett needed to get home so that he could put out the reindeer food so they would bring Santa to our house.

We had a wonderful time in Centralia but unfortunately we didn't get a lot of pictures. Sarah, do you have any?

Happy Valentine's Day

Langley was so sweet to leave me a Valentine surprise in her bed when she woke up this morning! Oh the things we moms smile at these days! Hope everyone had a wonderful day!

Fun with animals

Where's Langley?

Snow!

A little bit of snow stuck in Greenwood today but everyone still has school!

Crazy weather

Saturday it was bathing suits and puddles and today we are expecting ice pellets! Crazy weather!

Bennett's obstacle course

We have had some warm days this winter. This video was back in November over the Thanksgiving break and Bennett was running out of things to do and then came up with an obstacle course. This was probably his 5th time through and then Clif and I participated....sorry no video on that!

This boy is a natural!
Footnote - Bennett didn't shoot it but he sure wishes he did!