Cole's 5th Birthday Party

About 9 months ago Cole began requesting a bowling party for his 5th birthday. I mean, talking about it non stop. So, that is what we did and we had an awesome time! We began the party with a game of parent/child laser tag which was so much fun but very hard to take pictures of. The kids were a little apprehensive at first but soon fell in love with the idea and loved it! Next we moved on to bowling. So fun and so crazy at this age. The kids were so great about taking turns and cheering for one another. It was also nice beacuse there was a lot of parent/child time and I know everyone appreciated that. Cole hasn't been bowling much but he is pretty good...as good as you can be at 5 years old. He even got a strike!!!!! After bowling we headed in the party room for pizza and cake and presents. It was so much fun to celebrate out sweet 5 year old and spend time with so many friends! I still cannot believe he is getting so big.....

Cole is 5!!!!!

My first born turned 5 years old today.  I have never in my life seen someone as excited about their birthday as Cole Searcy.  On our way to school he even said, "I think I am a little bit taller today."  Oh - my sweet, sweet boy.  We did our annual Birthday Interview today and this is what our big boy had to say.....

What are your nicknames?  Cole, Cole Bug
How old are you?  5
What is your favorite color?  Red
What is your favorite animal?  Turtle
What is your favorite book?  Transformers
What is your favorite TV show?  Wild Kratts
What is your favorite movie?  Super Hero Squad
What is your favorite song?  The Avengers Soundtrack
What is your favorite food?  Cheeseburgers
What is your favorite drink?  Sprite
What is your favorite breakfast food?  Cinnamon Toast
What is your favorite snack?  Goldfish crackers
What is your favorite thing to wear?  Super hero shirts
What is your favorite game?  The Wolverine X Men game for the Leapster
What is your favorite toy?  Legos
Who is your best friend?  Jacob Vo
What is your favorite thing to do?  Watch a movie
What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Play
What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas because I spend time with my family
What do you take to bed at night?  My blue blankie and my monkey
Where is your favorite place to go?  Church
What is your favorite restaurant?  McDonald's
Where do you like to go on vacation?  Colorado and the beach
What do you want to be when you grow up?  A dad, a Family Doctor and a Praise and Worship leader

****update: Cole's 5 year stats: He weighs 44 lbs and is 3 feet 8 inches tall (both are in the 75% for his age).

Goodbye 2012

"May the God of hope fill you with all JOY and PEACE as you TRUST IN HIM, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

---Romans 15:13

Wishing you a very blessed and wonderful New Year!

The First Snow

 Lily Kate's first steps in the snow

One thing I took for granted growing up....SNOW!  Oh my word...now, I don't miss having months and months of snow and cold but a little every now and then is so much fun!  We were expecting a white Christmas this year and everyone in our area was so excited!  And then Christmas came and the snow did not....it missed us by about an hour South.  The suddenly on Friday Rhonald texted me, "It is really coming down!"  I looked up and I could not believe my eyes...SNOW!  Cole, who loves snow, freaked out!  So, Lily, who had never seen snow, also freaked out because her brother did.  We waited just a little bit, watching the beauty falling outside.  Then, when we had a little bit on the ground we bundled up and headed out to play.  I had not idea how Lily would like it and to my delight....Sister loved it!  She ran and played and laughed right along with her big brother until I forced them to come in and warm up.  The next morning, as soon as they had breakfast, we were all out in it once again.  Those two would have stayed out all day!  And I loved it...loved watching them enjoy something that they don't see much of....enjoyed making memories with them that reminded me of memories from my childhood....enjoyed remembering those friends and those times from when I was young with pure joy.  Once we finally came inside we all warmed up with a mug of hot apple cider and some serious play doh fun!  Ahh...my heart is full.  It wasn't on Christmas but it came....what a fantastic end to this year!

Lily's Bear

One day last week Cole was able to go to "camp" at Little Gym which left Lily and I with a morning to ourselves.  After running countless errands I decided to do something special with her that she had never done....Build A Bear!  She was very timid at first but quickly warmed up to the idea of making something of her very own.  She did not hesitate when picking out her bear...she went right for this one and stuck with it.  Lily really, really warmed up to the idea when she got to "fluff" her bear and pick out an outfit for it.  Lily does like to be girly but when it comes to clothes that girl is all about soft and comfy.  It was so fitting and so perfect when she picked out a pair of bright and "blinged out" tennis shoes and a soft hoodie for her sweet bear.  We dressed it, fluffed it again and then headed out to pick up Cole.  Lily insisted on carrying her bear box to the car...oh, she was so proud!  It was so much fun to have some time with her and oh so fun to treat her to something special!  I can't wait for more days like that!

Christmas Eve 2012

Christmas Eve...a day of magic!  We started out our day by prepping the dinner for Christmas Day.  I did not want to spend my whole day cooking on Christmas so we got done what could be done and ran a few last minute errands.  I will be honest...all of the excitement combined with being home for a few days was making my kids fight....like crazy.....over everything.  Just when I thought I could not take anymore my phone rang.  It was Emily inviting Cole to go to see a movie with Jim and Ben.  Hallelujah!  Cole was pumped, as was I.  Since we were planning on spending the evening with them they even offered to keep Cole all afternoon and it ended up being a fun and much needed break for both of our kids.  Just before dinnertime the rest of us headed to the Burrow home for a wonderful (and gigantic) Christmas Eve dinner, presents, play time, and lots of fun!  Just before leaving we changed everyone into their Christmas jammies and said our goodbyes.  It is so amazing to have friends, who are really more family than friends, to spend the holidays with - especially when our families are far away.  When we got home the kids were so wound up but they did their very best to settle in, listen to stories and head to bed so that Santa would have plenty of time to visit our house!