Camping and Pasta

For President's Day weekend we went a quick camping trip.  The weather was cold and wet but we managed to have fun anyway.  The campground has a huge battleship game the boys love to play.

 We kicked around a soccer ball for quite awhile.  It cracks me up how every little kid thinks if they run longer they will kick the ball harder.  Sutton backs up SOOOO far before he will kick it. 

 Vance and I played lots of Kanjam.  It is such a fun outdoor game!

Of course no camping trip is complete without roasting marshmallows.  I love sweets but I really don't care for s'mores or roasted marshmallows.  Roasting them is fun but I pretty much never eat any.

 Then we went in the trailer to warm up and go to bed!

 The next day we came home and everyone helped me cook a face dinner.  Lobster tails with homemade pasta.

 Chad encouraged me to buy a pasta maker after my pasta cooking class and I'm so glad I did.  Noodles are a dish everyone can help prepare!

 When you don't have a drying rack for your noodles you have to improvise with a mini trampoline.  It worked just perfectly!

Dinner was delicious and I can't wait to try out more pasta recipes.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's always seems a little hectic with Vance's birthday so we try to focus on his birthday and kinda wing it for Valentine's Day.  

We never do anything too crazy for class parties but we hit a new low.  I apparently spaced 1 (out of 5) class parties so Vance came to Sutton's rescue and made some homemade cards.  Works for me!

 I had quite a few people ask me to sell cookies so I decided it was the perfect way to earn some play money.  It was super tiring but I got them done and booked a trip to Vegas and enrolled in some photography courses.

 Now on to the class parties!  Sutton has gotten so much more fun at these and actually seems to enjoy me being in the classroom with him.

Keller and Vance had their class parties the next day and Sutton was more than happy to go with me.  I actually think Vance and Keller like to show off their little bro.

 

 We really go all out for Valentine's boxes...haha!  I always let the kids do their own (simple thing) and they love it.  Keller colored a Lego page and taped it on a box. Perfection! 

We always get the boys a little something for the holiday.  They were more curious why Daddy got a pink and black lace tank top...

We had a candlelight dinner complete with pink milk and flowers from Chad as our centerpiece. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Lego Lovers

The younger two boys LOVE Legos.  We are constantly stepping on little pieces that seem to be throughout our entire house.  I love watching their imaginations run wild.  They especially love the minifigures.  

Vance's Birthday Celebrations

The first of Vance's birthday celebrations was with the family.  We did a combined party for both him and Sutton but luckily neither of them seem to mind.

 He requested lemon cake so I tried a new white chocolate lemon bundt cake.  It was delish and Vance-approved!

He has been getting into volleyball lately and requested some volleyball gear for his birthday. Of course Chad and I are only too happy to buy those gifts!! He had some aunts go in on his gifts too and now he is ready to play.

However the best gift was from Grandma and Grandpa Sutton.  Vance loves Jim Gaffigan (he is a comedian).  I mean LOVES him!  He isn't really old enough to realize comedians actually tour like singers do.  Well I saw that Jim Gaffigan had a Dallas event this coming spring so my mom decided to give that to him for his birthday.  He could not have been more excited and is already counting down the days to his date with Grandma and Grandpa to see his favorite comedian live!

We decorated with our birthday banner and chalkboard.  Vance was surprised to find one more birthday surprise - we enrolled him in a two-day cooking class.  He was even more surprised that I woke up early to make him a hot breakfast.  He REALLY loved breakfast.

I always take lunch to school on the boys' birthdays.  He was happy to have me there. I am trying to cherish those moments because I'm sure it isn't too long before he would rather die that eat lunch with me with all of his friends at a nearby table.

 I just love my boy!

For dinner Vance requested steak and goat cheese flatbread with a balsamic glaze.  I love his style!!!

For his friend birthday celebration, Vance wanted to go camping.  My parents were gracious enough to let us use their trailer.  He invited a handful of his closest friends and Chad took them camping for a night.  We kept the plans and food simple per Vance's request and they had an absolute blast.  

 

His friends are some great boys for which I am SO grateful.  I hope these friendships continue to grow as the boys get older.  

Happy Birthday Vance!

My Boys

I love pretty much any picture with my four guys but when I actually take time to use my big camera I love them even more.  They are by far my favorite clients :)

Am I lucky or what?!