My guys!

 
 
 
 

Happy Easter!

We were able to enjoy a nice weekend together with Ken off from work and the boys out of school. Since the temps are still a bit cool to be outside for extended periods, we decided to go bowling one afternoon. It's been a while since we've bowled, but the boys did well and Ken and I didn't do too bad until our 2nd set of games (age kicked in:). Prior to going bowling Ken and Jacob went to the YMCA to play basketball with some other men. Ken came home all beat up. Jacob gave him a minor black eye (on accident of course), and Ken fell trying to dive for the ball at one point and messed his knee up, and on top of that, his feet were so blistered he has had to soak them and wear bandages all weekend. Maybe now he'll realize he's not 18 anymore:) No really, I love that he is young at heart, but we are both finding age setting in after being so sore from bowling and basketball. Saturday we got to watch Seth at his baseball practice, and he's getting right back into it for sure. It was quite cold but sunny. I looked like the biggest wimp all bundled up in my jacket, gloves, earmuffs, and blanket on top of all that...oh, and coffee in hand. Ugh! I can't wait for warmth! Easter morning we went to church and enjoyed time with friends. All weekend was consumed with watching NBA games and golf as well. We love to watch Tiger Woods play and as you know all too well, we are HUGE Cavs fans. All in all, it was just nice to be with family. I do wish we lived closer to extended family though. I miss that!

 
 










Seth enjoying some Easter candy!
 

More Cavs!

Well, we went to our last Cavs game for the year. I haven't been to a game yet where they've lost. Caleb decided to get his hair colored red for the game to show his team spirit and of course we made posters:) Seth bought an official Cavs headband. He's such a goof...he collects baseball and basketball cards and for fun he'll pick one at a time and act out each player with his indoor basketball hoop. He's such a little athlete at heart and so much fun to watch. Jacob and Caleb love basketball as well and though they might not act out players with their card collection, they tend to attempt the NBA moves of their favorite players when we all get outside playing the game...I would even say that Ken, at 39 going on 10, does as well:) Hee! I love their energy and spirit!

 
 
 

Jacob and Amanda!

Well, Jacob is a junior this year, and will soon be entering his senior year...yikes! Where does the time go? Jacob's taking Accounting, Chemistry, Enriched Language Arts, Latin III, Journalism, and Trigonometry. I remember my junior year being quite the full load as well. You think with all those subjects one wouldn't have time to do much else. Well, Jacob has made sure to make room for some social life. He's busier than ever with friends and we don't typically see him that much on weekends like before. He is awaiting his license. He just finished the class and test portion of driving school and has to wait 6 weeks before he can go take his driver's test. We didn't have all this where I grew up. We took driver's ed. in school...took the permit (written) test...one month later the driver's test. Here, they have to go to driver's school which consists of 18 hours of sitting in a class, and at the end of the sessions taking a written test. He got his state permit last year and has been able to drive, but had to do this as well. Now that he completed his classes, he will have to do the "in car" process for the school. Once he's done with that he'll go take his state driver's test. Wow, did you get all that! It's quite the process. Now that he's needing a ride every weekend somewhere, he is very eager to get his license, not to mention he wants to be able to pick his girlfriend up and not have mom or dad with him:)

 

Caleb Update!

Caleb is coming to the end of 7th grade. I can't believe it either. My boys are growing up so fast. Caleb had an awesome opportunity to be a part of the Jr. Model United Nations for our state. He is in project excel at his school and was asked to be part of this event. It was his first time to go out of town without a family member present. He was gone from Sunday-Tuesday last week for the event and had a great time. His group represented Saudi Arabia. I had a friend from church make his outfit and he looked pretty sharp. He was a little hesitant to let me put a pic of him wearing it for the blog...you all remember those days, huh? I was so proud of his hard work for this event. This will be a great thing on his school transcript as well. He's had a terrific year thus far and we're looking forward to what's in store for him next year!

 

What a cutie:)

 

Seth's Awards Night

Seth finally finished his season of basketball. What a great year it's been! The other team he played for ended a couple weeks ago. This league was an Upwards Basketball League that is done throughout the country. This was his 4th year, and every year they have an awards night with a special guest. This year was one of the country's top jugglers. He and his family performed all sorts of neat tricks. Much better live:) The kids really enjoyed it, and also got to see a slideshow of the season. Seth is notorious for having his tongue out all the time. He came out of the womb with his tongue out and it's been out ever since:) So, during the slideshow it didn't surprise me at all to see him up on the screen, ball in hand, tongue out!:) All the players received a backback as a surprise to end the night. Oh, that's a real dog in the pic below:)

 
 

Seth--Team #1

Seth is a busy guy right now playing on two teams. This is the school league he plays on. He is # 6. Ken has had the privilege to coach both of his teams, not to mention assisting Caleb's team too. This particular game he got to do the tip off. He was so excited to do that and actually got possession for his team. I have never seen Seth play so well. I heard one of the parents calling him a little "Lebron James". He scored 17 of the 23 points in this game. In the last 3 seconds of the game he had possession and knowing it was down to the last couple seconds, he came down and scored a 3 pointer right at the buzzer! I thought I was going to lose my voice from cheering so loud. It was exciting to watch and his team all jumped up and gave him high fives. These are such great memories in the making. I am so proud of all our boys. I know I brag, but how can I not:) They're the best!

Seth--Team #2

Here is Seth, #14, playing on one of the leagues he's on. This is a 3rd and 4th grade league. Seth is in 3rd grade, so he's on the younger end of this league. This game he scored 14 of the 28 points throughout the game. I love watching him develop his skills more and more each year. You go, Seth!

The Winter Blues!

Well this year has been a crazy year of snow and more snow. I didn't grow up in this type of weather and I've been here for 6 years now and it isn't getting any easier. Ken grew up in New Hampshire so he was somewhat used to this, but being in the South for 13 years he quickly adjusted to the warm weather, which we obviously love so much more! I couldn't help but take some pics of the snow so you can get a picture of what I mean. Caleb was pooped and was taking a break from shoveling in the one pic. It's hard work scooping the snow and tossing it to the side. It is heavy stuff! Really makes me glad there are so many men in our household:) We cope by thinking about our summer vacation to the beach. We can't wait...2 weeks of fun in the sun! It can't get here soon enough if you ask me:)

Caleb in Action!

Caleb had a fun season of basketball this year. This is the 7th grade team for his school. He is #20. Caleb played tough defense boxing out the defender, along with making several assists during the games, not to mention making some key scores for the team. We love to watch our boys play ball. You would be surprised how emotional it can be. The older they get the more I get intense with the game cheering them on!

Our 18th Anniversary!

Ken and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary this weekend. Ken surprised me with a night away with floor seats to the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA team. I bet you haven't figured out we love basketball:)...We had a nice steak and lobster dinner followed by the game. It was so cool to be so close to the players and see how tall they really are. We have kept up with Lebron James since he graduated a few years ago from the Akron area. He's amazing to watch. We stayed at a nice hotel and knowing it was our anniversary and that Ken is a platinum member, we were upgraded to the honeymoon suite. We had a wonderful and relaxing time. I can't believe we've been together that long already...I feel so old sometimes...I'm thankful for such a sweet husband and great kids...I don't know what I would do without them...

Cheryl is the greatest and she has demonstrated for 18 years what true unconditional love is all about. We have a great family and we love each other tremendously, but if it wasn't for Cheryl's steadfastness, loyalty, commitment, sacrifice and every other superlative praiseworthy adjective I can name, we would be nothing!! She is absolutely the BEST. I'm the luckiest man alive, because on top of all that she's incredibly beautiful too!!

 

Our Sign:)

I made this sign for the game. Austin Carr is a former Cav and now is an announcer for the Cavaliers. This is one of his favorite sayings during the game. It made TV:) Austin Carr gave us 2 thumbs up when he saw it...needless to say, that made Ken's day. Ken was wearing his Varejao wig when the camera man got him! It was such a blast!

What A View!

 
 
 
 

Game Time!

 
 
 
 

Warm up Time!

Here the Bulls and Cavs are warming up for the game....it was exciting to see how close we were to the players.