Karate

Blake has been asking from the beginning of the year to do Karate. So when I saw the form that they were having classes held at the elementary school I jumped on it. Alex's heart is really with soccer, but he did say that he wanted to try it too. So we got both the boys uniforms and they started to learn their karate moves. Blake was so excited to be learning karate and was happy to be sparring with other kids, but karate just turned out not to be the thing for Alex. He hated going to karate every week and would all of a sudden come down with mysterious belly aches right before karate so that he wouldn't have to participate and they would miraculously go away when karate was done. I made him go to all of the classes except the last three(he got sick with strep) just so he would know that when you finish somehting you need to finish it.

Blake attended the mandatory tournament in order to move onto a yellow belt and won first place! We were so proud of him. In March he took his test and passed and was awarded his yellow belt. He is now back in karate and hopes to move onto an orange belt by the end of school and Alex is now in his element(soccer) and loving it.

Blake Sparring


Alex Sparring



Sit-ups


Receiving Yellow Belt


Looking at certificate

Lets Rodeo!

So we headed out to the Rodeo in February. I would have more pictures of animals and all, but needless to say when you are 6 and 8 years old you really don't care too much about chekcing out the animals. Instead you are more worried about getting to the carnival with the all the rides in the back end of the fair grounds. I have a ton of pictures of them riding rides, but really not too many with animals.

Fun at the Park with Grandma Meers

Alan's mom came down for part of Spring Break and for Addison's birthday. We ended up going to the park for a picnic and some playtime. The boys had a blast and so did Addison.

SNOW Day!

So we had a "snow" day here in San Antonio. This is as close to the real thing as the kids have ever come. There was less than an inch (probably less than 1/4 inch) and not enough to do anything with really. I remember back when I was a little girl in the late 80's and SA receiving a big snowfall. Needless to say we were fresh out of snow supplies for me to go out and play in, so my mom put sandwich baggies on my hands to keep the moisture off of them and then put socks over them for mittens. I did the same with the boys this year. Addison got in on the action just with a picture and then she was right back in the warm house. Alex lasted about 2 minutes and Blake was out front and then in the back yard for about 20 minutes. He was a trooper and came in with his face all red and freezing. They were most excited about not having to go to school this day!

Happy New Years!

Christmas Time 2010

This was our first year celebrating Christmas as a family of five. It was so neat to be able to see some pink under the tree this year mixed in with all of the boys blue paper and their cars and trucks. Mom came down from Ohio to be with us this year. Next year I would LOVE to be able to make it up there for Christmas so that the kids can have a white Christmas.

We made sure that we made cookies and decorated them for when Santa came and had our reindeer food ready to go for when the reindeer landed on our lawn.

On Christmas Eve we had Chris, Kelli and Hayden over for dinner and to exchange presents for the kids. On Christmas morning we celebrated at home and then headed over to Dad and Kims for Christams at their house.

North Pole 2010

We started off our Christmas break by heading to the North Pole which has become a new tradition for us. The boys love to make the cookies, pick out books and a new stuffed animal and of course tell Santa what they would like for Christmas. I was excited to have them all sit with Santa this year, but I don't think Addison quite shared in my excitement. :) She was terrfied... so we quickly snapped the picture and got her so that the boys could have a quiet time talking to Santa.

The boys at the North Pole


So far so good


Wait a minute...who are you and what have you done with my mommy?


HEEEELLLLLLPPPPPP!


Mommy comes in to save the day!


Blake telling what he wants


Alex telling what he wants


Picking out their new stuffed animal


Cookie decortaing time