Marshel's Basketball Career Starts

Marshel started playing basketball and loves his team, the Cardinals. He is a great team player, making sure not to hog the ball and to pass when he can. He has made a few baskets as well. He even made one of his free throws when he was fouled by the other team. He is having a blast playing this sport.

Pools open!

We were so happy when the pool finally opened for the season, in April! The water was a bit cold still, but the kids didn't care. Mom refused to get in for at least 2 weeks, but she would sit and watch the kids play. They must have different thermostats than adults. They were having a blast and started their summer tans early this year.

Marshel is working on being a better swimmer and Kellee is picking up right where she left off last year. She wants to swim without her vest, but Mom only lets her do that for a little while and only when Mom is very close by. Kellee's too much of a daredevil to be left alone for a second.

Kellee's 5th Birthday

"Mom, now that I'm 5, can I go to school tomorrow?" I have heard this so much since the big day. Kellee doesn't understand why if she's had her party that she's not going to school now. She had a fun pool party with some of her friends. We had sandwiches, chips, drinks and cupcakes with butterfly rings. Then she had a family party that night, so she got a 2 for 1 deal. For her dinner with mom and dad, she chose the same place Marshel went. She actually ate her food before the saddle came along and loved being the center of attention.

Marshel Turns 7 Years Old

Marshel's 7th birthday was fun. We had it at the park. It was an overcast, cloudy day and we were worried about rain, but we made it through the party with no showers. A lot of Marshel's friends from school came and they played games and played on the jungle gym. Blowing out the candles was easy - keeping them lit long enough was the biggest problem. But, we finally succeeded, with a lot of help from the parents surrounding the cake. Marshel was so excited for the fun toys he got.

When we asked Marshel where he wanted to go for his birthday dinner, he didn't know the name of the place, but he knew it was the place where he could sit in the saddle. We finally figured out it was Texas Roadhouse. Although he didn't eat much, he loved sitting in the saddle and having the girls announce his birthday.

Don't try this at home:

So, I have decided that high heels and trotting across a parking lot DO NOT go together.

Who cares that I was in a hurry? I guess I should be happy I didn't fall down in front of everyone.

I should know better as I already have weak ankles, so there you go.

Now, I have to hobble around on a sprained ankle looking like I need a walker.

No pictures required or allowed! You'll just have to use your imaginations!

Coloring Easter Eggs

Marshel's note to the Easter Bunny. He said he wouldn't believe in the EAster Bunny unless "it" wrote back and gave him a hug while he was sleeping.

We had fun dying easter eggs. Nate had worked a 9 hour day, so he was pretty exhausted, but he eventually got into it and we had a good time. No one threw any eggs into the dye this year, but we did have several drops, resulting in some cracks.

Here are the results of our labors:

Easter 2009

The Easter Egg Hunt was a little interesting as we had a bit of a rain storm the night before, so the ground was pretty wet. In fact, all of the eggs came back with grass on them, and everyone's fingers were a little stained.

Nate said he didn't want to look for eggs, so he took pictures for me. But, then he thought better and started picking them up and putting them in his pockets.

Easter morning, Mom awoke to the sound of rustling paper and found Kellee in the kitchen with her Easter basket emptied and all over around her. She was so excited she couldn't wait for everyone else. Mom made her go wake up the rest of the kids.

Easter clothes: Nate got a new white shirt, but he had to work today, so he didn't even get to wear it to church. Rachel got a new dress and cute black sandals to go with them. Marshel got a new shirt and pants, but he gave Mom a hard time with the whole idea of taking pictures. Kellee got a cute new dress, shoes and hat. She loved the picture taking.

Note Rachel's new red hair. She got it just in time for Easter.