Feb 2024

We've started baseball practice. Lyla always wants to "go". So there are LOTS of shenanigans as she entertains herself. She's also REALLY good at fake sleeping. 

The youth went on their first temple trip of the year. Tyler got to be with Grayson for his first trip. They always end the night with Braum's. Grayson has a great group of boys his age that I am very grateful for. He fits in and they all seem to have fun as they are getting to know each other. 

We didn't get an ice storm this year. We got early shorts weather. Don't worry, almost everything gets rained out in March and April. 

Grayson is off to middle school next year, and they had an open out. Tyler was on his 2nd trip of the year so all the people went with me. He's worried because middle school is a HUGE change here. Visiting the school helped ease some of his fears. Unfortunately, I learned that our school district doesn't have a string program. WHAT. THE. WHAT?! I was soo disappointed. Fortunately for Grayson, that means he go to choose band. He's very excited for the fitting day to see what instrument he will get to pick. 

One of Nolan's classmates started selling 3D printed dragons. With leftover Christmas money, each kid bought one. Why do I only have a picture of Lyla's? No idea. But it was cute when she buckled it in for safety. Right after this both boys got REALLY bad fevers and got to stay home a few days from school. Luckily, Lyla escaped the germ. Grayson did his own thing, but Nolan and I started Star Wars. He had finished playing Lego Star Wars on the switch and wanted to watch the movies. He was sick long enough that we finished more than I'd like to admit. We slowly worked through the remain few when Tyler was gone. 

For Valentine's day we found a very simple, very CUTE heart style. 

While Nolan was home sick he missed being picked as Maverik of the Week. He was very excited that it was finally his turn! 

Baseball has begun! We have 6 practices a week with 4 of them at the same time! Grayson is on the Braves, Nolan the Rockies and Lyla the Lady Rangers. We made the decision to move Lyla up to coach pitch because tball in Texas was a special kind of toxic. We've been working with her at home and can't wait to see how she progresses this season! Grayson can play, but we are helping him find his calm enjoy the game and stop worrying about all the "what-ifs". He has the skill he just needs to believe and trust himself. Nolan is going to be jack of all trades this season. He's even going to get to try out some pitching this season! He's moving to kid pitch and we're hoping he keeps trusting himself to hit in games! Why do I only have a picture of Lyla at practice? I'll never know. 

Grayson's Honor Choir had their first festival. They performed two songs and then a clinician took a few minutes to praise them and give them something new to work on. They did such a great job! The director is very experienced and you can tell that her high expectations and skill led the kids to do a great job! They looked and sounded like a real children's choir. I have loved watching him in this choir! After their festival performance, they took the kids to a pizza and arcade place. They got two meals and unlimited fun(mini golf, arcade, bumper cars, laser tag, etc.). He was worried about being gone all day, but he found some new friends in another school and had an absolute blast! 

Baseball is just pre-heating. Full temperature is just ahead! Opening day is around the corner! 

Until next time... 

Jan 2024

January started off at a run. The school hosted a donuts with dad breakfast. None of us can seem to remember why Lyla stayed home this day and is not in the picture. 

 

Over Christmas break, Tyler found a great deal on these hanging lights for the deck. Costco also have the table for a STEAL! The heat broke our other one. Brutal. 

I mean, I know it's not Utah/Idaho, but the heater broke in the Primary room one Sunday. Spoiler alert, it breaks the AC in the summer, too. It's just lovely. Anyways, we FROZE! I kept my coat on the full hour. Even the wiggle songs didn't warm me up.  

Nolan's 3rd grade field trip was a tour a Globe Life Field. Tyler got to be a chaperone again. It's kind of a new family tradition as long as it keeps working out to be an option! They said it was ok, but that Fan Fest is much more fun! They didn't have the World Series trophy there! Apparently, it makes appearances all over the place.  

Nerds were in the kids stockings and it's so funny to watch how they eat them. Lyla  loves to dress up. The crazier the better. 

Grayson continues to be a great kid at school. He amasses so many points that he was able to get a collection of these cute animal mashers. 

 

One of our favorite family activities happened again this January. The Texas Rangers held another Fan Fest event. I was very sick and did not get to go, but Tyler took the kids. Mitch and Emily were able to come up for it as well. It seemed like a blast. There are so many things to see and enjoy at the ball field! 

The kids killed it at wiffle ball and we can't wait for baseball season to begin! 

Yes, that is THE Pudge Rodriguez behind Nolan. Sneaky picture, by Nana. 

The trophy WAS there this time, but the line was a MILLION miles long, so the took a picture of a picture with it. Same thing, right? 

Obligatory cousin twin photo. It's so fun to watch these kids connect like very little time passes. We are looking forward to our trip to Branson this summer! 

Briskkkeeeettttt. We are bunch of carnivores over here when Tyler uses the smoker. 

MOST OF ALL, Grayson was received the Priesthood and was ordained a Deacon. I was worried that he wasn't ready. He wasn't old enough. It's crazy that we are already at this milestone. However, over the last few months I've noticed him changing, growing and maturing. By the end of February, he's passed the sacrament, given a talk, taught a lesson at church, led an activity and been to the Temple.  Such an awesome milestone for Grayson. He's always willing to work and do his best. I love watching the new Deacons pass the sacrament. They look scared and confused, but they bring a willingness and humbleness that I love watching. They are eager to serve, even when they have no idea what's going on. They look for the other boys for an example and do their best to give us all an opportunity to take the Sacrament. 

His very first activity of the year was a flight activity. Every youth got to go on a short ride in a small airplane. Tyler said this picture ended in an emergency landing. Tyler noticed it, but the kids... not so much. Tyler did not go back up that day. 

We just keep finding milestone after milestone around here. Nolan has a snaggle tooth that is better fixed earlier than later. He got a spacer in December (it popped out after 4 days, just as he got used to it, siigggghhh.). They reinserted the spacer and added a top row of braces. He picked blue bands because that is his favorite color. 

Tyler found out that he was needed on a few work trips in January and February. On his first trip I sent him a picture of our "no dad dinner". He was bummed because apparently he love's mac and cheese with hotdogs. Who new? 

Baseball season is right around the corner and we can't wait to dive into the madness. 

Until next time...