Basketball game and Tucker's now FOUR!

This morning we went to Marky's first basketball game of the season.  A precious local Catholic school has agreed to let homeschooled children play for the team so here we go!



Because he's Mr. Tall- he got to do the tip off-



After owning the jump ball- little man proceeded to get the first two baskets! Momma was shouting! God was so nice to give me boys- I LOVE to cheer from the sides! :)



Again- always the youngest and tallest- My Giant-



His job is to live UNDER the basket and get the rebounds, which is exactly what he does- no frills- no three-pointers- just grab and toss-



His cheering section- "Go Bubba!!!"



Don't worry Charlie- your time will come-



We won!



Good game, good game-



Meanwhile, TODAY IS TUCKER'S FOURTH BIRTHDAY!!! What in the world? How did my little sack of sugar turn into a real kid?!!! While he was happy this morning at the game and even went with us to pick out his birthday cake for Monday's party- he caught a stomach bug and had a terribly sad afternoon. The ONLY place he would be was on Mommy- he was not interested in laying on the couch or bed- Mommy is a good spot. And I thought it was wonderful. We were like this for hours-



Tucker's loss is sort of my gain- I hate to see him sick, but I LOVE TO SNUGGLE MY SUGAR BEAR!

For the first hour or so we just sat in silence and watched the fire Daddy made for us. I started to turn on the TV, but there is something so nice about real silence.



Sissy came in and enjoyed watching the fire as well-



She decided it would be a nice place to take a rest-



After he woke up I turned on the Lawrence Welk show and the whole family watched it. The children actually really enjoyed it. Tucker even said, "I love this show, Mommy". :) It was an episode featuring Henry Mancini so we heard the pink panther theme, Moon River, etc.- really fun.


Speaking of children getting older, these are from Friday's afternoon at the park- Charliebear is growing growing-



I love you Little Red Riding Hood.  More on Tucker turning four later.  :) 

Florida Trip- Happy New Year!

We went to Florida to visit Marc's family for New Year's. We had a wonderful time, although it is tough to be there without Noah. Right when we walked in Tucker said, "where's Noah? Is he hiding? I'm going to find him" and started running through the house looking for him. "I bet he's in the playroom- NOAH! Where are you?" Then he said to Amber, "Can I sleep with Noah tonight?" He just doesn't understand what has happened.

Amber, Dennis and Landin are doing amazing. Everyone asks how they are and you know they are heartbroken, but God has given them amazing grace to be able to show hospitality and generosity to everyone they meet. We laughed, we played, we reminisced. It was precious. On Saturday we took the children to the park in Celebration- they had this huge Eiffel tower-like climbing thing and the kids loved it. Even Tuck Tuck went to the top!





Sunday night we went to the Medieval Times dinner! We've always wanted to take the children to see this- with Marky and Tucker's love of knights, and Julia's love of horses- it's a perfect fit! Beautiful Amber and Tucker look at the knight's armor-

 

 We were rooting for the Blue Knight-
 

 When we got into the hall, Marc bought the two big boys flags to wave-

And

Aunt Amber bought the girls these beautiful Princess crowns-
 

Let the games begin! We were cheering loudly- it was a lot of fun!
 

Monday, Zaza and Grandpa took us all to GATORLAND!   :)
 

Yes, the girls had matching outfits-

Gatorland is just what you think it is- LOTS of Gators-

They asked the kids if they wanted their pics with a GATOR AND PYTHON and they said enthusiastically, "YES!"
 

Julia was petting the alligator like it was a puppy-
 

She was in HOG HEAVEN- she LOVES creepy crawlies!
 

Who is this child? How is she my daughter? I can barely look at these pics! But I love that she is fearless! :)

 

We had a lot of time hanging around the house- Charlie liked to read books in Landin's room-

Tucker entertained us all- he kept pretending to be baby Jesus and letting people hold him and he found a stethoscope that he used to listen to the hearts of Landin's stuffed animals, and even Granpda-



 It was a wonderful visit, and the children love to stay in hotels, but we are all worn out!