Too cool

to be caught dead sitting next to your parents at

the High school Basketball game!

Well, actually, they requested to

sit in the student section only because that is where

the free t-shirts are thrown...so they say. :)

(left center of pic- Kingston, Brody & Barker)

Happy 7th Birthday Barker!

First things first...cupcakes for breakfast!

Then Cousin Colton called to wish Barker a 

Happy Birthday via FaceTime...

Which lead to a series of silly faces all around

After dinner, Barker picked his birthday desert to be

a chocolate dipped oreo ball while being sung

the birthday song. (Being sung to on their Birthday's 

had always been the most favorite thing for both boys).

And next weekend Barker will have his very first 

sleepover with friends as his birthday party - and boy

oh boy is he counting down the days!

The Merriest of Christmases!

(Meredith, Barker, Kingston, Henry, Kiera, & Ava)

(Kingston, Barker, Meredith & Lindsey)

(Meredith, Kingston & Barker)

(Kingston, Stubby, Barker & Daddy)

zzz

(Barker, Grandma & Kingston)

(Henry, Barker, Kiera, Ava & Kingston)

Hey, when's our turn!?!

Daddy does Prime Time Football

Pretty sure Daddy has died and gone to Heaven!

Prime Time football

The afterschool care program at Barker's school

is called Prime Time and for the last several weeks

they have been playing an all ages football game

during their 'outside' time. Barker loves playing

with these kiddos so much, he begs to go back after school

even on the days he doesn't have to go to Prime Time.

So after we get home, snack, and do homework-

back to school we go for football. It's so fun to watch.

The older kids (5th graders) are so kind and gentle

with the younger kids. They invite Kingston in to play

even though he doesn't yet go to school there. 

Melts my heart seeing everyone treating each other

with this much respect and kindness.

kingston

I don't think he even knows how stinkin' cute he is!

He found Daddy's old headphones in a drawer and 

asked, 'Do we have a plugger-in that works

for these? I need to hhhuse it.' as he clutched 

it's plug close to his chest. To him, he had just found

treasure. I made him stop in his tracks to snap 

a quick photo. I want to remember this moment.

barker

My sweet, snuggle muffin.

Showing off the 'weapons' he made at MHM today.

He was so proud of them and had the whole family

play a game with them before bed tonight.

He just looked so cozy and sweet in this moment

I wanted to take his picture.

The jammie pants with the sweater and the beanie...

Cops & Robbers

I visited Kingston at school today and got to

assist while all the kiddos were grouting tiles

they are making for parent holiday gifts.

Boy was that a hoot! Mud was flung

and laughs and smiles were had!

I stayed for lunch and recess and even though it

feels like 40 degrees below zero, the kiddos

had no trouble staying warm.

These 2 are part of the 'good guy' crew and are in 

hot pursuit of some 'bad guys.'

It was comical to watch as they attempted to put them in 'jail'

and do there best at keeping them there.

Who knew 'bad guys' could be so squirmy! 

ninja hamster

I had lunch with Barker today, and at recess

he and 3 pals were playing a game they called 

'NINJA HAMSTER!'

Apparently the object is to throw yourself through the

larger holes of the soccer goal net before the opposing team

tries to 'score' by getting you with the ball...

Needless to say it was a hoot to watch, and no

ninja hamster was scored on or harmed - phew!

Here is Barker post-hurling himself through the net. The ball

was kicked unintentionally VERY sideways so it and the other players 

are far off to the side, but as they approached Barker wasn't taking any

chances! So through to the other side he went ;)

drainage ditch wiggle extraction

We took Spike out for a walk along the Indian Creek

Trail and when we turned the corner and stumbled upon

this drainage ditch - all 3 of these guys lost their mind!

They thought it was so fun to run up and

down the walls. Just back and forth and forth and back

and over and over again. It wiped them all out.

Just like that. Done, done and done. All wiggles extracted.

So naturally I'm now in the market for a drainage ditch in the backyard!

swoon!

Be still my heart.

I hope they always sit this close together when

reading to one another.

It was so hard for me not to squeeze in between

them and get the ultimate snuggle!

Oh Christmas Tree

A clear, crisp day...

perfect for picking out the Bolland Family

Christmas tree!

Recess at May Street

 Notice most of these kiddos are either wearing a light 

jacket or no jacket (Barker included

he tied his light jacket around his waist).

It was COLD outside - I had to bundle up for sure!

But they kept warm by running amok playing somewhat of

a soccer/kickball game that was so fun to watch.

I have so much fun getting to have lunch and recess dates 

with both boys - they really are pretty 

amazing kiddos (and I'm not at all biased)! ;)

Hood River Christmas parade - Mt. Hood Meadows style

We got to be in our very first parade!

All decked out with our pals Alana and Eli and got

to hand out goodies. How cute are we!?!