Wrestling boys

 Wrestling season is over for these boys and I was a terrible mother and hardly took any pictures!  Will wrestled with a club and had his first season.  We didn't make it to all of the tournaments, but we tried to go to most of them.  He did really well for a beginner and loved it.  No doubt he will be wrestling again next year.

Justin wrestled on the high school team and wrestled 120 all year.  He wrestled JV most of the year, but got in a few Varsity matches as well.  Competition is a lot tougher in high school than it was in middle school.  They go to tournaments in North Carolina, Tennesee, and Virginia so he was very busy. 

Although the season is over you can count on wrestling continuing in our house.  It's pretty much an everyday activity for our boys!

Derby time!

 Last month Will and Bruce participated in their pack's annual Pinewood Derby race.  Here's Bruce and Aaron putting the finishing touches on Bruce's car.

 I think there were 17 cars at the Derby race this year.

 I love how serious Will was when he put his car up to race each time.

 Holding baby Owen was just as exciting as racing cars.

 Will with his third place medal.

Bruce and Will went online this year to find how they wanted to design their cars and then drew it on a piece of paper.  They did most of the work themselves and were so proud of their cars.  Sadly, this was Will's last year to participate in the Pinewood Derby race.  Next year he will be in Boy Scouts!

Toothless grin

One of Madelyn's front teeth has been out for a few months.  I was afraid it was going to grow back in before the other one was out, but thanks to a collision with a friend, the other one is now out.  I love this grin!

Golden birthday

 Justin turned 15 on the 15th of this month, aka his "golden" or "special" birthday.  His siblings thought they were pretty funny when they put his gifts in Princess gift bags.

 Naomi painted this cute sign for Justin a couple of weeks ago and was very excited to give it to him.

 This is all Justin has been wanting for months...Aaron is an Android guy, but couldn't talk Justin out of an iPhone.  I don't think he stopped grinning (or using) his new phone all day!

 We planned a little surprise party for Justin at the bowling alley with a bunch of his friends from church.  He was pretty funny and a little in shock with the surprise.

 We're grateful for the good friends Justin has.  We had a lot of fun hanging out with them all afternoon.

After bowling, everyone came back to our house for pizza, ice cream cake, ping pong, and Ender's Game.  While it's not always easy having a teenager who is very independent, I love being his mother.  He is a good student, fulfills his responsibilities at church, and he is the perfect match for Aaron so that I don't have to watch all of his sci fi shows!  Happy Birthday, Justin!  We love you!

Marines graduation

 

We went to Parris Island, South Carolina for Ethan's (Aaron's nephew) graduation from Marine boot camp on January 31st.  It's been a long 13 weeks (especially for his Mom) of hard training and we're so proud of him!  Ethan had over 40 people there supporting him.  Here's most of our group trying to stay warm before the ceremony started.

 We were really excited to go and heard that it would be an amazing experience.  The discipline that all of the Marines had was very impressive and everyone was so friendly around the base.

 Our family (minus Justin) with Ethan

 Some of Ethan's fan club

 Justin left before we took the group and family shots with Ethan so we got a picture of them together at lunch.  Looks like Justin has caught up with Ethan in height!

 Will has always been into anything military and now he is even more.  We bought him this camo outfit on base.  Ethan gave him his canteen and Will was on cloud nine!

The few.  The proud.  The Marines.  Way to go, Ethan!

January Snow Days

 

Okay, we don't have anything in terms of snow on our family and friends in the Midwest this year, but that's what we like about the South.  The snow comes, you get a few inches, everything shuts down, it warms up, and is gone!  This year we have had two snowstorms, each producing about three to four inches of snow.  Perfect!

 It's just breathtaking to see white on all of the trees around us.

 After several hours of sledding, this girl is still all smiles!

It's so hilly here that we don't even have to leave our neighborhood to sled.  There are several open lots the kids play on or sometimes they even sled down the road right in front of our house. 

Turning {5}

 

This little girl has been dying to have her birthday for months.  Turning 5 is a big deal so we decided to take a few photos outside on a beautiful, sunny day.

 Naomi loves it when I curl her hair.  She is amazed that some people have curly hair all the time. :)

 She has been very into The Little Mermaid this year.

 Our cute fairy princess.

 

 Cake compliments of Elizabeth and her cake decorating skills.

 

Along with talking about turning five almost constantly, she was insistent she have a birthday party.  She loved having girl time with her cute friends.

I can't believe Naomi is five.  While it's fun to see all of the kids growing up and doing new things, I can't believe my little buddy will be in Kindergarten next year.  I'm going to miss the hugs and kisses I get from her at least a hundred times a day.