Must.Catch.Up.Before.Posting.About.Summer.

EEK! I don't like speeding through these great memories we have collected over the past few months.

I don't have much of a choice, though. 

Here goes:

Toward the end of the school year, Ayden ran for Vice President. Isn't this the best Uncle Sam picture ever?! We didn't use this one on his campaign posters, but it's hilarious, so the blog gets to show it off. His posters turned out great, thanks to Robin who helped me tweak and print them on the eve of her newest little one's birth. She likes to keep busy, even in the last hours of pregnancy.

Brent and I took the older kids to Illegal Burrito for dinner while Robin was in the hospital with little sweet Charlotte.

Here is the family of four!

I turned 34 this year. I just don't really enjoy birthdays anymore. 

I don't mind getting older, I just don't care to make a big deal out of my birthday like I used to.

Nevertheless, Josh made me a super delicioso cake and we had a good time. 

There was that wild and crazy night with this group of girls that I will not explain in detail. 

Let's just say that New Orleans is a lot of fun. 

 We somehow convinced the boys to play baseball this year, 

which they actually enjoyed. It might not happen again, though.

I love baseball!

Afton with her "bat" and ball. She's a nut.

 Next Post:  Afton's birthday.

First Big Scouting Adventure

I'm a den mother and proud of it! 

Ask anyone around here. 

I'll put on my horrifically unflattering switchback pants any day.

Here's why... 

Avondale Family Campout 2013

Archery

Cooking breakfast with cast iron on the fire

Bird watching

Cutest Moment:  Fishing with these very eager adorably filthy fishermen. 

(Click on this picture to get a better view of their grubby little faces!)

Meet "Bobby" the bobblehead.

Proudest Moment:  Our pack conducted the opening ceremony in front of  all of the other troops.

Ayden was the caller. We had an eagle scout from another pack telling Ayden what to say (to the right).

The boys did great!

Games

Collecting firewood

Who doesn't enjoy a good fire while camping?

That's a tomato Afton's eating like an apple. 

She doesn't get that from either of her parents.

Sitting by the flag the boys made (they made the stand too).

I've never seen Ayden happier than he was this weekend.

Funniest Moment:  Friday night, after encouraging our boys to discretely find trees to pee on-which they already performed multiple times-we learned what the true meaning of "leave no trace behind" meant. Apparently, "leaving no trace" includes no urinating in nature. We had to reprogram all of the boys to find the nearest port-o-potty or restroom facility. OOPS! The camp director had a good point though. If you have thousands of scouts camping all summer on the same camping sights-marking their territories wherever they please-that becomes a well established territory, but a putrid place to endure. STINKY BOYS!!

Mr. Charles Is Six. SAY WHAT?!?!

Ian turned six on February 15th. He's such a big kid. 

I can't believe my little squishy chunk-a-monk is so grown up.

This year is his third and final year in Miss Vickers's class.

She has been great to him. 

He is a sensitive and shy little guy, but he's slowly getting more brave.

In his Pre-K years he did NOT want us to sing happy birthday.

This time we sang TWICE because my camera wasn't ready the first time.

I teamed up his party with the Valentine's Day party, so these poor kids were loaded up with sugar and RED40 dye!

And here you have the sugar crash!

On Ian's actual birthday, his dinner request was a Frost Top root beer float.
The McBrides and Mangums joined in on the juke box booty shakin', lard eating party.

I mean, look at this po-boy! That's what I ate and I'm still working off that mayo.

Now it's time for the big birthday bash pictures.

Ian wanted a rescue vehicle Lego City theme.

And I must gloat a little...Momma delivered.

The ladder truck came to our house!!

Can a kid get any cuter?

The whole rescue crew.

Our sheriff deputy neighbor also drove his car over for everyone to explore.

This is my friend Rachel and her son. She said she felt like Dumbo's mom when she got locked up.

Dakota and Michael were fascinated with the REAL handcuffs.

Gas masked Ian and a mismatched princess.

The sirens and lights were in full force while the firemen drove away. 

Ian. 

Was. 

Beside himself.

He scored big time in Lego gifts. 

Here he is with his airplane that he made all by himself.

I just turned the pages and pointed at the directions.

Now we have two Lego maniacs.

Now for the thoughtful motherly reflection:

This child, Mr. Ian Charles, is such a character. He comes up with the funniest things. He talks with a deep husky voice and you really have to tune in or you'll miss some great stuff. He has no desire to be in the lime light, but he LOVES to dance and groove to super cool music. He's a gentle soul, but if irritated for too long-get ready for some noise. He sometimes acts like an old man to get of doing any kind of work, saying his knees hurt or he broke his back. He is a math whiz. His fine motor skills are fascinating to watch. He loves to ride his bike, watch netflix, build Legos, play with any and every vehicle at all times. When we are trying to leave the house, he runs to his room and grabs armfuls of toys to pack with him. When we are packing for a trip, he packs a month in advance. Not essentials like clothes, toothpaste, and underwear. Just special pillows, books,  and toys. About 30 of each packed in every bag he can get his hands on. Ian is very aware of his surroundings. For example, he tells his teacher exactly who is absent before she even checks the role. Ian gives me the best hugs and kisses. He has to be tucked in a certain way every night and we have to kiss and hug just right. I love it. I love him. He's a great kid to call my son. Happy birthday, Ian!!!

I Figured Out My Phone!

How long has it been since my last post? That's how long it took me to figure out how to get my pictures onto the computer. Sad, I know. But now I know-thanks to Josh-and now I can post phone pictures more often. Hooray!

One of my three New Year Resolutions was to run a Half Marathon. 

Resolution complete! It was the best race of my life thus far. Great friends, perfect weather, no pain-thanks to my knee therapy and super awesome kt tape.

My knee the day before the race!

Post race victory picture!!

My running buddies! (Hilary on left, Alexa on right)

Two weeks later I ran the Mardi Gras Mambo 10K. 

I thought it would be a breeze since I just conquered the Half. I was so wrong.

It was my worst race ever. They can't all go perfectly, I guess. My time was the same as last year's 10K, and I know I'm faster. It was just a bad day.

Mardi Gras! We took the kids to a small parade in Denham Springs.

Static Attack!!

She discovered this all on her own.

Super cool valentines made from miniature matchboxes.

Ian loves buttons, stickers, medallions, ribbons...

Pirate field trip

Ayden is most definitely still allergic to nuts. Aww nuts.

I know this is short and sweet. More to come. Stay tuned.........