Fantastic February

I hate that I didn't post anything during the month of February! There were many great things that went on but with many activities going on, that leaves me very little time to sit and write.

My most favorite thing in February was celebrating my baby boy's 10th birthday. I am in awe that Austin is now 10! It truly seems like yesterday that we brought him home from the hospital to complete our family. He is an amazing kid. He is full of life and he fills our home with so much laughter, life, and fun. When he is away at a friends house it is way too quiet!

He has a heart of gold that I am so proud of. He has come home from school several times to tell me that some kids are being unkind to other kids in his class. He goes on to tell me that he tries to take up for them and will sit with them when no one else will. I am so thankful for his sensitivity to those less fortunate or those who may seem different.

His birthday fell on a Saturday this year so we actually got to celebrate on his real birthday. He took 6 friends to the movies to watch Journey 2 Mysterious Island and then back to our house for cake and ice cream. The movie was great and all the boys seemed to really enjoy it.

Lots of gifts from family and friends!

February also brought us our first snow day.  It wasn't much of one, but one nonetheless.  It was nice to have a day off and the boys enjoyed the snow for most of the day.  It warmed up quickly so what started as snow, made quite a mess of mud when it was all said and done.  I am not sure how much I like snow days since I spend most of my day doing the laundry from the boys going out and playing and changing clothes multiple times.  But it is fun to have a day off to just play....and they are only kids once!

 They started on our little hill and eventually joined the rest of the neighborhood kids on the big hill across the street.  It wasn't super cold, so they spent a couple of hours out playing before coming in to eat....and then out again!

February also marked the end of Cole's basketball season. His team finished the year winning all the tournaments they entered and only had 3 losses. He played around 35 games. 

He played in the finals of the INBC tournament on the 25th. On the way I got very emotional as I realized we were going to his last non-school game or last "little-league" game. He will try out for the 7th grade team sometime in April. I have no doubt he will continue to play basketball well into high school but this was just another reminder that my babies are growing up.

For most of February we spent our time going back and forth between basketball and baseball.  It got very tricky for Cole but we are fully ready for baseball now!  It is funny how we all are ready for a change in sport as the current one comes to a close.  We are excited to get this baseball season underway.  We plan to go to McKinney, TX with Austin's team over Memorial Day weekend and then back to Grand Prairie, TX with Cole's team for a World Series in July.  

Wow it's December!

On Wednesday, (Nov. 30th) I had to take Cole to the doctor because his ear was hurting.  He had an ear infection....first one in the last 10 years....strange!  Anyway, when the receptionist gave me his note to return to school then next day, I was completely shocked that it said "Cole can return to school on DECEMBER 1ST!"  What?  Where has this year gone?  I guess time flies when your havin' fun!

Thanksgiving this year started with the Hog Jog in Owasso.  Cole and I ran the 5K and I also ran the mile fun run with Austin.  I am proud of both of them!  Larry went for moral support and was the photographer.  It was a fun, new tradition we hope to continue!

Larry helping Austin get his race bib on.

At the starting line!

Ahead of me...big surprise!

Cole and I at the starting line for the 5K!

Believe it or not...this is the beginning of the 5K....my facial expression would tell otherwise!

Finishing...Cole was a couple of minutes ahead of me but I finished a personal best 27:47!

Both boys fell asleep in the car on the way home and then crashed on the couch and chair!

After the race we spent the rest of our Thanksgiving day at Jimmy and Joy's and then on to Ron's for 2 wonderful dinners!  We love spending time with our families.  And of course mom and I had to check out the Black Friday sales.  I wasn't that inspired so we went to Walmart at 9:00 for their 10:00 specials and after price matching from Target and Best Buy we were home by 11:00!  Larry and I then went out later on Friday to do some other shopping.  A great Thanksgiving and soooooo much to be thankful for.  God has blessed me beyond words!

Cole started basketball and has played 2 tournaments and one league game over the last 2 weeks.  They are 8 and 8 and have 2 1st place medals!  Great way to start the season!

1st Tournament and 1st Place!

Tip off Thanksgiving Hoopstarz Tourney 

Cole waits on the free-throw shot. 

 Thanksgiving Hoopstarz 1st Place!

Austin received the Awesome Reading Award in November.  I am proud of him for so many reasons but this makes his teacher mom very happy!

 He looks so happy!  He doesn't like to be up in front of people and the whole school was there!

Christmas is just around the corner and we are ready at home.  We put the tree up on Wednesday before Thanksgiving but got it all decorated on Friday after Thanksgiving.  I have found a new addiction in Pinterest, so who knows what other decorations may make their way into our home!

My mom made the comment "I can't believe you have a crimson and cream tree!"  I responded with it is burgundy and light gold!  It has inspired me to buy a tree after Christmas (hoping for 75% off) to put in our game room and decorate it in nothing but ORANGE and BLACK....Go Pokes! (Today is the Bedlam game so I had to get that in there!)

Our Advent Calendar inspired by Pinterest!  I plan to add pictures of some of our family activities as we do them this month!  Austin is so excited and it is rubbing off on Cole!