Missouri Mavericks Game!

This past weekend, we went to our first hockey game!  The Missouri Mavericks are a fairly new team to Kansas City and their arena is less than 10 minutes from our house!  We thought this would be a fun family activity.  Hockey fans are loud and wild, so we fit right in :)  We had great seats close to the ice.  

Spoiled with cotton candy!

Apparently for Lily, we weren't close enough.  She had to go down to get a closer look.

He's pretty excited

Zamboni time!

Warming up

This was Jackson's position the first half of the game!  For a boy who is always on the move, this was a rare moment.  He really liked it!

We lasted through the first two of three periods.  The game did not start until 7:00pm so by 8:30pm, the kids were done.  It's probably a good thing we left when we did, because the game went into overtime and sudden death!  I don't think it was over until after 10:00pm!

We will definitely go again.  It was a fun family adventure! 

Great-Grandpa Martin

Yesterday, Great-Grandpa Martin went home to be with our Lord. I am thankful both of our kids were able to get to know him, although we lived at a distance.  During our last trip to CA this past summer, we were able to spend some time with Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma Martin.  I recall Great-Grandpa chuckling at Jackson and his constant activity.  He also realized Jackson was fond of lemons during lunch out at a restaurant, so he continued to feed him lemons during our entire lunch.  Lily has always loved seeing her great-grandparents and immediately bonded with Great-Grandpa.  I recall her walking up to him when she was almost 3-years-old, with a Dora book in hand, asking him to read it to her.  And, whenever she was on the couch next to him, she had to snuggle up.
I have so many great childhood memories with Grandpa and I'm thankful that my children were able to make some of their own.

We look forward to the day we see you again in Heaven, Great-Grandpa!

Philippians 3:20-21 "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.^"

Valentine's Day 2013

Lily had a great Kindergarten Valentine's Day this year.  I was able to take Jackson up to play with cousin Maria and join Lily for her school party.  Another one of the many "so-glad-I-am-home-with-my-kids" moments.  I enjoy being in her class just as much as she enjoys having me there.  I love it.  Here are some pictures in preparation of and during her big party day:

writing a personal note to her teacher, Miss Gosnell

her handmade Valentine's..."I think you're just WRITE!"

I really enjoyed making this year's Valentines with Lily.  She helped with every part of this project- cutting, writing, ... it was great!

party day!

working on her "LOVE" heart banner

finished product

with friends Kayla, Taylor, & Abigail

 (it was also "hat day" in support of leukemia/lymphoma so Lily chose her tea hat :)

counting candy hearts

Meanwhile, Jackson and Maria went to the library for toddler storytime.  I think Jackson had fun!

Lily's 1st goose hunting trip with Daddy

This past weekend, Lily joined Daddy on her first goose hunt.  As an avid hunter, Daddy has been counting the days for this moment.  I'm really not sure who was more excited...Daddy or Lily?  They left early on Saturday morning, with snacks and iPad to occupy Lily during "downtime".  Daddy set up a nice warm blind for her and, after seeing what layers she peeled off when she came home, he kept her nice and toasty!
I am only able to retell the story as it was told to me from Daddy, so I'm sure I will skip some details.  However, I know this event will be forever embedded in Daddy's memory, so he can fill in the gaps :).
After they got set up, Lily took about an hour to hour-and-a-half nap (that's my girl!).  Justin said there were geese flying overhead, sporadically, but he just let her sleep.  Right after she woke up, Justin was able to call two geese closer to them and asked Lily, "Are you ready?"  She said "Yeah!"  So two shots were fired and two unlucky geese fell.  Lily has been reciting this next part ALL weekend...to her grandparents, church friends, anyone who will listen!  Lily said "Daddy got so excited!  I have never seen him get that excited!  He gave me the biggest bear hug and swung me around!"  They both had such fun together.
This was an event that will definitely go down in the memory books for both Daddy and Lily.  And I'm sure there will be many more to come.

Where's Lily?

Oh...there she is!

with her trophy geese (and BB gun prop :)

proud Daddy

quite the geese-slaying team!

Like sister, like brother...

There is something fascinating about our lazy sue corner cabinet that neither child has been able to resist.  Tupperware, bowls, sippy cups...endless playtime for my little toddlers.  Thankfully, there is nothing breakable in this cabinet, so it's free game!  I have enjoyed watching them play while I cook.  
The age difference between these two pictures is just at 1 year. Can't get over those sweet grins :)