Congratulations to David's cousin Kellie and her family on the arrival of your new baby boy! Boys are so wonderful - and girls are too for that matter! Our congrats on your new arrival - may he be healthy and bring you much joy and happiness!

Dawn

Zach and Hunter both had ballgames tonight and Zach's team ended up winning 15-5. I was only able to watch the first hour, as Hunter's game was on the field across the way during the middle of it. Hunter did very well in his game and his coach gave him the game ball at the end of the game. He got it for being the only one who cheered on the other team mates and showing his team spirit. The coach told the other kids they needed to take lesson in this...how cute - my little boy!

When we got home this evening, Hunter wanted a piece of leftover chicken I had in the fridge. I heated it up for him and he ate it right down - but when he was done, he brought me something and asked what it was. It looked like a tooth! It wasn't his tooth...and he thought maybe it was the kitty's tooth, as she chewed on the bone when he was complete, but I don't think it's a kitty tooth...maybe it was a chicken tooth - hard to say. Hunter thought he should at least put it under his pillow - just in case the tooth fairy came for it. I thought this was so funny - trying to get a visit from the tooth fairy in anyway possible. His dad and I both agreed that the tooth fairy probably wouldn't visit for this fantom tooth...I like his thinking though.

Have a good weekend! We have ballgames galore and I have some engagement pictures on Sunday for a guy that I work with - should be a great weekend for it.

Dawn

Big Catch Up!

It seems like we are getting much busier now and I'm not getting this updated as often, so wanted to share a few pictures/videos of the kids - and even one of David and I.

I went on a field trip with Hunter to Burr Oaks a while back and these two little girls were hanging with Hunter most of the time. He asked if he could have his picture one of them and the other had to be in the picture with him too. They were pretty cute.

Peyton recently completed preschool and they had a graduation with their caps & gowns. They were so darn cute...

This was during a performance of a song called a Tooty Ta Ta (a variation of the Chicken Dance) and so his tongue stuck out and all was part of the lyrics - they all did a fun performance for us.

David and I attended what we thought was going to be a friends wedding last Friday night and we got all dressed up for the "Red-Carpet" event...turns out they got married in January and this was the movie premiere of their wedding...we don't get the opportunity to get dressed up too often - so that was nice.

Here is a picture of David in front of the J.C. Nichols Fountain and then a picture of me outside of the theater.

Here we are on the "Red-Carpet". My dang straps wouldn't stay up on my dress - guess I lost enough weight! Which is good - but everyone who has seen the picture has told me my strap fell - yes, I'm aware and so before you can tell me...I'm telling you. :)We have been running like crazy to baseball and t-ball games lately - when it's not been raining! I thought I would include a few videos of the boys at their games.

There is one of Aubrey & Peyton, along with two other girls, who was the cheering section at Hunter's ball game. They were having quite a time cheering on the Tigers.

Notice in Peyton's video that he wanted to make sure I was getting him taped...he even looks back to make sure when running to first base.

Hunter's is a short video - hope to get another at his next game. During this game, Hunter was playing the pitcher and one of the little boys from the other team got up to bat, hit the ball and it hit Hunter smack dap in the mouth. He ended up losing his already loose tooth later that evening. He knew the little boy from school and just couldn't believe that he didn't even warn him the ball was coming at him...I had to explain that it happens so fast that there really wasn't any warning to give. He seemed okay after awhile and understood it was an accident.

Zach's video is a little longer just because of all the different variables that goes into their games.

They are doing pretty good this year - have had a couple of upsets and a couple of awesome comebacks. It is so much fun at this age watching him play.

The kids and I went to the Deana Rose farm today along with my best friend Lori and her two boys. We all had a fun time and enjoyed the beautiful weather outdoors. I have some pictures, but figured I had already put enough on this post - so maybe I'll get them on flickr or somewhere.

One little story from this evening...Aubrey and Hunter were upstairs settling down for bed and I sent Peyton up to bed too. He wasn't too happy about it - a couple minutes after he went up, here comes Aubrey...why do you hate us mom? I told her I didn't hate them - I just wanted them to go to bed - seems like Peyton went up and told them I said I hated them all. Not nice! A couple minutes later, here comes Hunter - Why do you hate us mom? Once again, I don't...just want you to go to bed - he went in and got some water and on his way back through he replied, I just don't understand why Peyton would lie to us like that. I don't either! And I don't hate you! LOL - Kids!

I hope everyone has a safe holiday weekend!

~~~Dawn

I have so much I need to write about...Peyton graduated from preschool...Hunter lost his first tooth and then his second tooth...David and I had a wonderful night out alone Friday night (much needed with no kids)...the list goes on and on...and I hope to get an update out by this weekend.
We have been running to ballgames and just downright busy - no excuses, but that's how it goes!

Thanks to all my wonderful friends and family for the birthday greetings yesterday! I have not been in the best spirits this week and it was nice to have something to bring me out of it a bit.

I'll be posting some updates on the kids here quickly!

Dawn

I hope all the mother's out there had a very Happy Mother's Day! I spent the day with my mom and enjoyed our time together. The kids enjoyed their day as well - we visited with my Grandparents and hung out with my brothers - it was a relaxing day. With the exception of the drive home...I had to pull the car over twice because one of my children, I won't mention names, was misbehaving. This same child got a good talking too by Grandpa before leaving - someone needs to put some fear into him - he doesn't seem to be bother by me in the least. I had to stop once to move him and his other brother around so that he wasn't near his sister whom he felt like antagonizing all the way home. Once this was accomplished she went right to sleep. Then I had to stop one more time for a little attitude adjustment, but that was all it took and the rest of the ride home was peaceful.

Hunter had a t-ball game yesterday and he did so good. He was the last batter of the game and the bases were loaded and he almost got a home run - in t-ball land - but, they got him out between third and home - but he gave it his all.

We went to dinner on Friday night to celebrate David's Grandma's 84th birthday. It was a nice time with his parents, his uncle from CA came in for the celebration and his great-aunt joined us. We didn't think we would be able to join since the boys had baseball - but they were rained out so we were happy we were able to join in the festivities.

David and I are attending the wedding of a friend of mine on Friday night and it's going to be a "Red-Carpet" event. We are looking forward to it and I bought a dress yesterday for it - I'll have to post pictures of us on our night out. She is planning on having the "paparazzi" there to be snapping pics as the guests arrive and get out of their cars - it should be quite an event. I'm really looking forward to it.

Peyton is graduating from preschool on Tuesday and is looking forward to starting Kindergarten in the fall - he did very well at his screening this past week and is all set to go. I can't believe he will be in Kindergarten - boy how time flies.

I took a few pics of the kids yesterday - we went down to the West Bottoms so I could do some pictures of Zach. I'm going to try and make him a book of pictures for leaving 8th grade and entering high school, but in the process also took some of all of them. The picture posted below earlier is a collage of some pics I took of all five of them - with a group like this, it's hard to get one good one, but I thought putting them all together in a collage showed the fun they were having. They were not dressed as I would have liked for a group picture, but no one was planning on getting pictures until they saw all the fun Zach was having...oh well.

I cannot believe that I have been a mom now for 14 years! I am so very blessed to have five beautiful, wonderful children. I would not give this life up for anything! God truly has blessed us with an amazing family and I look forward to many years to come as they continue to grow and learn and change. Each one of them have their own qualities that make them so special and I can't imagine life any other way. So, on this Mother's Day - all I can say is Thank You God for giving me the most wonderful gift of all - the gift of being a mother!

~~~Dawn

Happy Mother's Day

Zach had a baseball game tonight and what a game it was! The first inning they took the lead with a bang - one of the kids hit a grand slam and it was off. A couple innings later the other team caught up and the rest of the game was tie - ahead - tie ahead...we ended up losing 9-8 in overtime, but what a fight.

I was bummed because Zach didn't get to play too much. He normally is catcher and this team has a catcher that they've had for 2 years, so he started. They were going to then put Zach at 1st base, but then decided to work him in as a pitcher. He pitched the last inning of the game and he did a pretty good job. He walked two players though and then they switched out pitchers and the next pitcher had a kid hit one clear out to the fence and so they won by one. Zach was so down on himself, but in my opinion he had nothing to be upset about! He pitched very little, but he felt like it was his fault that they lost since he pitched those two that walked. I spent the entire drive home talking to him and letting him know how good he did.

Even though he didn't play much, they do bat through the roster - which I was glad. He had a hit right down the first base line and ended up getting out, but that was okay because he got an RBI.
It was a good game and looking forward to the next two nights of baseball...actually have 7 games scheduled this week in a 6 day time frame...these boys are going to wear me out!!!

Take care...

Dawn

This is probably not my finest post...I really probably shouldn't even post this...but I just thought it was so dang funny and I had to share - even worse, I took a picture to go with the story. Here's how it happened...

We had just arrived at Hunter's T-ball game tonight and was working our way up to the field when this woman walked by and Aubrey said something to me...I wasn't quite sure I heard her right, so I asked her to repeat what she said and it was "Mom, that lady had a big butt" Well - I quickly informed her that wasn't a nice thing to say and we should keep our thoughts like that to ourselves...but you will notice her mom took a picture. I just thought it would give a better effect to the story! Shame on me! Luckily, I don't think the lady heard Aubrey...and she didn't see me take a picture, so we should be okay.

Until next time...

Dawn

Thank goodness for sunshine!!! The kids and I are planning on heading to a park this afternoon for some nice outdoor play.

I got up bright and early yesterday morning and met a co-worker and her daughter for senior pictures. We spent 3 1/2 hours trotting around Kansas City and took 400 pictures. We started at Kauffman Gardens, then headed to the Nelson for some cool column shots, headed to Westport for some graffiti wall photos and then down by Kemper for some shots. It was a busy morning, but I think we got some really nice photos and I think she'll be quite pleased.

I took a 3 hour nap after I got home from taking the photos. I don't get that opportunity too often, but it was much needed and when I woke up, the kids and I headed out to a park for some fun. We went over to the Bass Pro shop park and when we arrived there must have been a wedding held there or something - it was quite the interesting wedding though - the bride and groom were getting ready to ride away on a motorcycle. She was in a dress, but not a white dress, just a green colored dress with a bright orange veil - the groom had on a bright orange tie to match - it was quite the sight! Zach and I got quite a kick out of it.

Tanner has been quite sensitive lately to loud noises - so when we were at the park and the motorcycles were revving up their bikes - he just cried. I was glad when they finally decided to head out for good.

Hunter was supposed to have a ballgame, but the fields were still wet from last week - so hopefully this week will be better for the boys and their ball games.

David has to umpire this afternoon, so I think the kids and I will head to a park this afternoon so they can get out and play. We are tired of being cooped up at home.

Oh and one last thing - Aubrey just informed me she wants to get a princess tattoo on her arm. I told her we could discuss it in 20 years! :)

Have a great day!

Dawn