Spring Break 2019

The first weekend of Spring Break we had the Upward basketball awards ceremony.  Each child was recognized on stage with their team and was given a new basketball.

The kids and I started Spring Break week spending a couple days with my parents, Nanee and Popee.  We even went to the dentist with them... To meet mom's dentist who use to be a MLB player.  This was super exciting for Silas because he has really started to like watching sports on tv and live.  He also has started collecting baseball cards and loves to look through them over and over at night before he goes to sleep.  So, he got to meet Ryan Kohlmeier!  Ryan also signed two of his baseball cards for Silas!  What a nice guy and good role model for others in their community.

We went roller skating one evening with some of our good friends during a school sponsored skating event.

On Wednesday we drove to Branson with one of our favorite family friends.  We had reserved a condo to stay in together and we all have Silver Dollar City season passes, so we spent 3 nights and 3 days together having lots of fun!  Our condo had an indoor pool.  The kids loved being able to swim every evening.

It was still pretty cold the two days we were there, so we all bundled up in our coats, hats, gloves, and long underwear.  Pictured below, our group, Eric, David, Phoebe, Silas, Stacee, Felicity, Sarah, Abigail, and Mandy.

Our first ride of the vacation was the roller coaster called Thunderation.  All of the kids were tall enough to ride this one.  Phoebe does not enjoy roller coasters, but I made her ride this one talked her into riding this one with us.  Then we went to an area where there were a lot of smaller rides that Silas, Felicity, and Phoebe really enjoyed.

We spent some time warming up at Fireman's Landing shooting and throwing balls at each other inside the ball area.

Silas rode every roller coaster that he was tall enough to ride!  And, I think he liked them all!

Below, Sarah, me, Abigail, Mandy, David, and Silas getting ready to take off on the roller coaster called Outlaw Run, a huge wooden roller coaster.  This is one of my favorites.

Below, one of Eric's favorites, the Barn Swing - David, Abigail, Sarah, and Eric.

Powder Keg is a super fast roller coaster.  All the kids were tall enough to ride this one too.  So we ALL rode it. Fun times!

 Felicity seemed excited to ride the Powder Keg (above).  Phoebe however, (below, in the middle with me) was not excited at all...maybe a little scared and mad at me...maybe.

Wildfire was one of the two that Silas was not tall enough to ride.  This one goes upside down several times.

At the end of our second day we headed into Phoebe Snapp's TAFFY shop.  We grabbed a bucket and started filling it with taffy that we could eat during the rest of the trip and when we got home.  We all picked out some delicious flavors.

Below, Silas and Felicity riding in the wagon together, reading the maps.

Back at the condo the kids all enjoyed one more evening of swimming.  The next morning we all got up, loaded up, and headed out.  We drove three hours north to visit Eric's Grandma Dorothy (Grandma Great).  When we arrived she was SO HAPPY to see us.  She greeted us as we walked in with the most excited and happy "ERIC and STACEE!!!", I have ever heard.  She couldn't stop smiling.

We visited, looked at pictures with her, took a walk, played the piano and sang with her, and sat with her while she ate dinner.  She made us all laugh at the dinner table as we talked with the other ladies that sit with her.  She sang a silly song, and talked about trips that she had been on in her lifetime.

The next morning we went back and spent a little more time with her before we left for home.  Visiting Grandma Great ALWAYS does my heart good.  She has always been so welcoming, kind, and loving towards me and our children.  She remembers our names and things we have done together.  I am so glad that we got to spend lots of time with her, when our kids were little, before she had to move from Olpe, and I am grateful for the times we get to see and spend time with her now.  I hope that we will get to return soon.

Birthday Cheer

Sarah turned 12 at the beginning of March.  We celebrated a few days early with Popee and Nanee.  They came to town and let Sarah pick a place to eat dinner.  She choose Golden Corral.  After dinner, we came home and had cheesecake and she opened some gifts from them.

She got the new 3-D pen that she had been wanting!  Yay!  They also gave her some supplies to go with it.

There was also a card with some money in it to use for activities throughout the year. And, a gift bag filled with new clothes. And, a new camping Barbie set.

Lastly, from Nanee and Popee, a ring!  It is beautiful and has her birthstone, the aquamarine in the center.  Once last summer, while we were visiting Nanee and Popee, Popee had tricked the girls into going to a jewelry store with him so that he could get their ring sizes.  Then they had this ring sized to her hand and gave it to her for her birthday.  She was so surprised and loves wearing it now for special occasions.  Thank you Nanee and Popee for the fun and special gifts!

A few days later our family celebrated Sarah's birthday together on the day.  We went out to eat at Olive Garden and then came home to open presents from us and eat dessert.

Silas and Phoebe each made her a card and gave her some of her favorite treats, and a DQ gift card.  Ice cream and yummy treats make Sarah happy.

Sarah got a princess crown necklace from Grandma Sharon.

Eric and I gave her three certificates this year.  One was a certificate to go see the new Disney movie, "Dumbo" when it gets to the movie theaters, and one was for $30 mad money, and one was for $40 to spend at Silver Dollar City sometime this season when we go there together.

She received a giant box in the mail from Uncle Matt...

It was a cool Wooden Multi-Craft Weaving Loom.  There was also a package of different colored yarns and a new cute San Francisco t-shirt.  Thanks Uncle Matt!

Sarah choose to have an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen as her birthday dessert.  We put 12 candles in and sang "Happy Birthday" to her.

The next day another gift arrived in the mail from Uncle Bret, Aunt Andrea, and cousins Ayden and Kallin.  A new book and a Coldstone Creamery gift card.  Thank you!  (Everyone must be figuring out that Sarah loves arts and crafts, and ice cream.  You can never go wrong with these things for Sarah.)

Over Spring Break we took a trip to Branson with some friends.  Sarah got a few special perks at Silver Dollar city because it was her birthday month

Happy Birthday to my (not so little anymore) Sarah Jo!  Your foot has outgrown mine and you are now almost two inches taller than me.  I can remember it like it was just yesterday, you were my little buddy...holding my hand, smiling and laughing with me, riding in our truck with me to visit Daddy on the weekends - You were always such a good traveler, playing outside and swinging in Popee and Nanee's backyard.  You and I will always be special friends.  God gave you to us so that you could help me and be a ray of sunshine in my life when I needed the sunshine the most.  You are my reminder that God is with me and has a plan for our lives.  A plan that is greater and bigger than we can see.  He knows what is best for us all.  And we have to be patient and trust His plan.  So many people love you - Sarah!  You are good and kind.  You show great determination and have great strength and a fighting spirit.  You do the right thing even when others are not looking.  You strive to be the best that you can be in all areas of your young life.  You are a good leader to all who are blessed to know you and have you in their lives.  I love you Sarah Jo!  You are one of my greatest blessings and a joy in our lives.  

Love, Mommy.