Weekend Fun

WOOOW!!


Watching the amazing jellyfish


For the past few weekends we have been exploring some popular area attractions with the family. We went to the GA Aquarium a few weeks ago and had a lot of fun. Of course the huge slide and hands-on attractions were the favorites......can't beat a 4-story slide and touching a live sting ray (at least watching mommy touch one!) The beluga whales and moving sidewalk also were mentioned among the best of the day.

More Weekend Fun

The family at the Hockey Game


Drew watching the action


Relaxing at the game with Daddy

We also went to a local minor league hockey game with the kids. They had a ball! After spending half the game eating peanuts and popcorn, the kids really got into the game. The team ended up beating their opponents 6 to 3. Luke kept up with the score the entire time! He really enjoys watching sports, especially making sure you know the current score. Future scorekeeper in the making.....following in his daddy's footsteps:)

Welcome Home!

Sarah's Sign
Sampling of what our front door looks like on Fridays

Waiting on Daddy to Arrive:)

With Daddy gone during the week these days, the kids really enjoy welcoming him home each Friday night......usually with banners and lots of hugs and kisses! Occasionally the kids will hide from him. They are easy to find .... the giggling and Andrew's little voice repeating over and over "Find me, Daddy, find me, Daddy!" Fridays have now become our favorite day of the week!!!!

Happy Friday everyone!!!

Happy New Year!

Laser Tag Gang

(Andrew couldn't keep his vest up so he just ran around after us)
Bowling 101 with Daddy

Sarah's bowling form...don't you love the green ball?

Our Bowling Scorecard

Go Daddy, Go!

Happy New Year to everyone!! (and Happy Birthday to our brother, Jason! The big 30...so young! ) We hope that everyone is having a wonderful start to this new year. Our family decided to head out on New Years day and enjoy some "family time" together at our local bowling/entertainment center. We bowled two games and the kids had a blast! This was Luke's first time bowling and he really got into it! With a little help from Daddy (and the gates on the sides) he did very well:) Andrew was too young to play, but he sure did enjoy watching the balls magically appear from the conveyor belt. We also played a game of Laser Tag.....it was vicious!! I never knew how competitive my kids were until that game. They were attacking us left and right! By far, this was everyone's favorite activity of the day. What an awesome way to start the year! Happy New Year to all our family and friends...We hope 2009 is the best one yet!!

Sponge Ornament

After being up late working on Christmas cards (yes, procrastinator as always with this!) I walked by the Christmas tree and something caught my eye. Yes, a kitchen sponge delicately placed on our tree for all to see! I am guessing that the perpetrator is our very active and creative two year old. I don't know how long this has been there, but something really profound hit me in that moment as I chuckled out loud. How much have I missed over these past few weeks? Those little moments during the day when I am too busy to stop and play, or stop and listen...... I don't want to miss those Lord!!! Thank you for using my two year old's sponge ornament to remind me of that this Christmas season. I think I might make the sponge a permanent fixture on the tree this year......and maybe the next, too:)
Moral to the story: Soak in every moment with those you love!

Merry Christmas!

Cousins from Saint Louis

The Shaw Grandkids Together

Hummmm.....what move should I make next?
Two cuties:)
Muscle men

Hangin' out with my cuz

Two heart-throbs

Poor Sick Sarah.....couldn't miss the action though

Brothers......(and rivals!)

The Shaw Grandsons

Over Thanksgiving week we got to spend some quality time with David's brother and his family from Saint Louis. The kids had so much fun hanging out at Grandad and Grandma's and playing together. Unfortunately their time here went by WAY too quickly. Sarah was sick on our last day and Grandma made a makeshift recovery bed in the living room floor so that she could still be part of the action. Sarah picked the best place to get sick on earth! I got some really cute shots of the kids together. We miss them and hope to make tons of fun memories in the years ahead. We love you guys so much!!

"Girl Time" with Sarah

Gabby, Maddie and Sarah

Getting the dancers autographs

Sarah and the Sugar Plum Fairy

The Mommas

Notice the hot cocoa on the table:)

BFF's and the hot cocoa

Sarah with "Samantha" in front of American Girl Store

Looking over the menu together:)

Mmmmm.....hot cocoa! Sarah's fav!

The birthday girl (Aunt Joy), Samantha and Sarah

A few weeks ago all the "girls" got together at the American Girl Bistro to have lunch. Sarah brought her favorite doll, "Samantha", and we met Grandma, Grammie and Aunt Joy for a special lunch. Of course Sarah had to order some hot cocoa..... she is the biggest chocoholic I know! She and I also got to spend some mother/daughter time at the Nutcracker Tea last weekend. We went with two of her best friends and their mommies. Wouldn't you know that they served hot cocoa there too! She is going to wake up one of these days with chocolate fever!!