More Christmas

Addison's class upcycled electronics and made Christmas ornaments with them. They sold the ornaments and used the money to raise money for a well in Africa. She is quite a salesperson and wouldn't let a person leave without an ornament. 

We have a little group here, of 4 families, that all moved here within a few weeks of each other in June. We have banded together and figured life out together. We had their families over for a holiday party. 

Mimi and Jimmy came to celebrate the holidays with us. It was cold and rainy, but we had fun indoors!

I hosted a little holiday party for the girls and their friends on the first day of Christmas break. We read a book, made snowmen from modeling clay and had an ornament exchange. They are all such sweet girls and I loved having them.

The Best New Year

We had the best New Year's Eve this year, because some of our favorite Ohio friends, made the long drive to visit us over the holiday. They left their house at 2am, drove with only 2 quick stops and got here about 10:30 on New Year's Eve.

It was the coldest, dreariest days we had all winter, but that didn't stop our fun. We had TONS of shows put on by the kids. Ate lots of yummy food and just laid around my house visiting. Lying around is not something either of our families is used to, so it was such a nice break!

We spent one day race car driving, playing laser tag, bowling and playing games at FastLanes. I was the slowest car, by a mile!!!! I'm a safety first kind of race car driver. None of the kids want to ride with me. 

Sharing a Zaxby's shake is a road trip tradition with the Sphires. 

It was 20ish degrees, but that didn't stop us from hiking our town trails and ice skating. We drank lots of hot chocolate and stuck near the fireplace when we got home. 

Every night, for at least an hour before bed, Tommy wrestled the kids on the mattresses we had out for them. It was CRAZY TOWN in there. Amazingly no one got hurt and I think it was the highlight of everyday. 

These 2....just practicing for their trip down the aisle someday. 

Merry Christmas 2014Ch

Christmas Eve we went to the candlelight service at our church and then out to dinner.

Gracyn was saying one last good-bye to Trixie....blowing him a kiss until next year.

Milk and cookies for Santa.

I love this picture. There is really no joy like the joy of a child on Christmas morning!

Add caption

Holiday Happenings 2014

The Bentonville Christmas Parade is a big deal around here. It is quite a parade for a small town. Addison walked the parade route with her school choir and sang Christmas carols. Tommy and Gracyn walked with the MARS float and handed out candy. At least until the last leg of the parade, when they ran out of candy. Try being the candy company float telling people that you don't have any candy. No good!

Could she be any cuter? She was on a  mission with that candy!

Poor Reagan was supposed to be part of the MARS crew as well, but she had an unfortunate bout with the flu. Both types. A and B at the same time. In spite of a flu shot. Poor girl felt better by parade day and was well enough to watch from the sidelines with me, but she couldn't participate. 

She missed this fun too! Our neighborhood had a hot chocolate and cookies with Santa night. We made crafts, visited with neighbors and ate lots of dessert.

We did Facetime Reagan in to Santa and Mrs. Claus for a second.

We also managed to squeeze in several nights at the townsquare ice skating rink. 

Skating fun with friends.

Poor Tommy, he was a trooper. He wears a size 15 shoe. The biggest they have is 13. He loves ice skating, but not enough to curl his toes up 2 inches. 

100 Days

All 3 of my girls have gone to kindergarten in a different state, because our life is crazy!!! Gracyn is the first one to get to celebrate 100 days of school by dressing up like a little old lady. She played the part well. We all had fun getting her set up for this day!

Snapshots of Life

We still have our Little Guy. He is right along side us in everything we do, doing so great and just one of the crew. I wish I could share more and show you pictures of how adorable he is, but we are just not allowed. Thanks for all your prayers and continued support. They are felt and appreciated.

Reagan started softball this year. We are just a few practices in and have our first game next week, but so far she loves it.

She also had her 2nd grade musical at school. She had a speaking part and did great. 

Sweet Lola is one of Gracyn's school besties. We ran into her at the park one afternoon and they couldn't have been more happy.

Speaking of happy.....our church hosts a quarterly night out for foster parents. They keep our children from 6:00 to 9:00, feed them dinner and give us a gift card to go out and eat. So thankful for this ministry. This picture is the first night we had been out alone in several months.

Found this little note on my car windshield when I came out of the mall one day. I am super-busy keeping 4 little people alive and happy. No time for small details like shutting a car door. :)

Reagan was chosen to be the "Terrific Kid" in her class and was honored with a special lunch that Tommy and I got to meet her for.

The special lunch includes crazy wigs!!!

Nothing like last minute surprise visits. One of my oldest best friends came on a spring break road trip to Arkansas and spent the night with us. Kaleigh is an only child, she may have been in shock with my crew.

After kindergarten.....I send her off all fixed up each day and she comes home like this. 

Dress like Humphrey the Hampster day. The whole school did this, but only Gracyn was up for it in my house. 

She loves to read her bible app at night before bed. Snuggled up with all her stuffed animals and lions. The lions are her favorite. Must have them to sleep.

And my favorite from this bunch. These 2 had a "Pampered Paws Boutique" on cold, rainy day. Whiskers (the outside cat who I constantly let *sneak* in) was a good sport.