Misc. January & February Pictures

Here are a few random pictures of other happenings in January and February.  I'm flying through, hoping to catch up on this blog . . . someday!  I'll only be three months behind now!

On January 18th, James and I took the girls to see Disney on Ice.  I got free tickets through Bargain Believer again.  They even got Mickey ears in the freebie bag I was given!

Cousins -- Leah, Emily, Joy & Savannah

At the end of January, Shawn & Luke enjoyed another Suns game.  The tickets were compliments of InfusionSoft, Shawn's company.  Luke goes down and shoots free throws after the game.  He didn't make it this time, but made the shot in May!  They give out McDonald's coupons for free food and that's all he got, even when he made it.  I thought they should at least give him two.  Not many kids make the shot!

Enjoying a Phoenix Suns basketball game.

 For Valentine's Day, I made heart French toast for breakfast.

French toast is a favorite breakfast, with plenty of powdered sugar on top!

Then, we had reservations at Chick-fil-A for table service on Valentine's Day.  We decided we like the boring old self serve option better since you don't have to wait.  The rose was nice, though.

Luke, Leah, Joy dressed in pinks and reds for Valentine's Day.

We wore our reds, too.

Shawn went to a fund raising breakfast at the Hilton in Mesa on February 25th.  He is a big Ron Paul supporter and really enjoyed himself.

Shawn & Ron Paul, presidential candidate.

We made a last minute decision to get rid of the palm tree in our front yard.  It was getting too tall for Shawn to trim.  We didn't want the added expense of maintaining it, when we didn't particularly like it.  Surprisingly, the kids were attached to it.  They were sad that they couldn't try to climb on it from the mailbox anymore and ??  I'm not really sure what they loved about it, but we even had a couple tears shed over the whole thing.  I told them to take a picture of it.  So, here it is, in our memory forever!

The beloved palm tree.

Finally . . . . 

Oreo & Snowflake continue to be loved and photographed often.

Visiting Grandpa & Grandpa Wally

The kids did a mini interview with Grandpa Wally, while were visited him at the beginning of February.  (We have been there many other times, but I just remembered to take pictures this time!)

It's always nice to see him and brighten his day, at his care center.

Grandpa Wally, Joy, & Leah doing their interview for Awana.

The kids pose with Grandpa.

Juli's turn to pose.

Then, we were off to Grandpa's (Larry's) for some shop fun.

Jo, his dog, just had surgery, so she had a cone

Playing with two energetic golden retrievers is always fun for the kids.

Grandpa helping Luke with the plastic sign he made on the pantograph.

The kids have had so much fun making things with Grandpa.  So far it's been plastic items like key chains and signs with their names or something else they etch into the project.  Luke chose to make a "Gamers Only," sign on his door.

Game Nights

Game nights have slowed down over recent months.  Maybe we'll be back to the fun sometime soon.  I remembered to snap pictures one night, at the end of January and want to include some great friends, so here it is, in pictures . . .

Mark, Ted, Shawn, Mike, Scott, & John.

Lydia, Lauren, Sierra, Kristelle, & Tamara playing Ticket to Ride.

Sara, Sarah, Juli, & Tammie

Leah, Evelyn, & Joy playing with rats instead of games.

Kyle, Jason, Jeremy, & Luke hanging out in Luke's room.

We used to do it every month . . . First Friday Fun!  We need to attempt to continue the fun.

Joy's Really 10 Now!

Since we celebrated a few days early, we spoiled Joy again on her real birthday.  The Gilberts were in town for a funeral, so they were there for this celebration.

I love this picture since it's what Joy is . . . a big little girl!  She loves fashion and knows what she likes and doesn't like to wear, but she also likes to dig in an play still.  She and Leah love playing with their Littlest Pet Shop figures.  They are very creative and come up with some good stories to act out.

Claire, Brianna, Joy, & Leah woke up to opening a gift from Mom & Dad.

Before the Gilberts had to leave, we went to a favorite restaurant, Culver's.

Joy, Brianna, Leah, & Claire sitting on the top of a corner booth.

Then, she picked Texas Roadhouse for dinner.  I think it was their rolls that drew her in.

Leah & Joy will their balloon art.

Joy, riding the birthday saddle.