Happy Birthday Daddy!!

happy birthday to you
happy birthday to you
happy birthday dear daddy
happy birthday to you!!!

We love you to the moon and back!!

hugs and kisses from 4 very lucky kids:
benji, carolyn, kathryn and john

bikes

We've been enjoying some warm(er), sunny days the last while.  (Then I go and choose the coolest, windiest day to take pictures of the kids)  With the nice weather, the kids have enjoyed riding their bikes. 

Katie can now ride without training wheels.  She really is too big for this bike, but not quite big enough for the next size up.  It's hilarious to watch her ride up and down the driveway:  sitting on a little bike, legs going 90 mph, hair flying out from underneath her cap.  (The video I wanted to post won't upload).  :(

This boy.  Is a maniac on wheels.  I'd love to put a speedometer on his bike, and keep track of how many miles he puts on in a season.  We are lucky to have a spacious driveway.  On the afternoons and weekends the driveway can get a bit congested with bike traffic.  I can only imagine the fun we'll have this summer.

 Despite this picture, she really can ride well.  Any free time is spent on their bikes.  They sure burn alot of energy.  Not to mention their appetites have exploded.  And they crash the minute they go to bed.   She was given a new bike for her bday (January).  It turns out it's a bit too big for her yet, but, it fits Benji perfectly.  Luckily, Carolyn was more than happy to loan her bike to Benji, and borrow his bike until she grows some more.  (I'm also glad we choose to get a bike that works for boy's or girl's... red.  Although her only request with this 'trade' was if she could paint her (Benji's "old)" bike blue!! )   

And then there's John.  (Blogger won't upload his picture.  Will have to try later)

He's a maniac on training wheels.  His preferred method of braking is dragging his toes.  I'm sure by summer he'll be ready to roll like the big kids.  It won't take long, since he sure is logging in alot of practice.

wordless wednesday

TN

The other week we made a trip back to TN.  Just John, Daddy and me.  I'm mad, embarrassed and ashamed I didn't get more pictures than I did.  Besides the fact, it was great to see so many familiar faces. 
The first part of our trip we spent in downtown Nashville.  Close enough to walk to many attractions.  The biggest attraction, for John at least, was the bridge over the train tracks.  We likely walked 3-4 miles that morning.

We made a quick stop at the Ryman.

The 2nd part of our time, we spent further south with friends.  Now I'm really wishing I would have rememeber to keep my camera handy(er).  Good thing for memories.

There's been more to our life lately other than birthdays.  Despite what our blog says.  (or lack of blog)


We have a stomach bug (knock on wood- a few of us have missed out on it.  so far).  It was short lived when it struck each kid, thankfully, but it still took its toll on everyone:  the kids, mom and the house.

Carolyn lost tooth #5.  (Benji has lost 4.  It has led to a competition of sorts.)

We (my husband and me) enjoyed a short-sweet weekend away.  It was a mixture of business and pleasure.   We ended up staying at the same motel as we did on our honeymoon.  Kinda special.  Reminiscing, since June will be 10 years for us.

Homeschooling carries on.  It's rewarding to see progress and improvements as we look back on the year.

It's been an unbelievable mild winter.  Especially nice for us, since we spent the majority of the past 2 in sunny, mostly warm TN.  We've ended up with enough snow to keep the yard mostly white.  This past week we got hit with a winter storm.  Our area got a mixture: snow, rain, freezing rain, ice- made for a slippery mess.  Just north of us got 12".  Further north has even more.  It's the beginning of March, but the calendar means nothing to the weather in our neck of the woods.

I do have a funny video of Katie.. and some pics of the kids to share.  But my spare time is up for now.. next time!