Basketball Spring 2013

I for one am very glad for some nice warm weather. The kids are enjoying lots of outside time. One of their favorite activities right now is to play basketball with their Daddy. Luke absolutely loves a good basketball game and is learning to get quite into the moving around defending part of the game. Caleb likes it too... in his own Caleb sort of way.

 







 

Abby plays along too for awhile.
She even made a few baskets the other night and did a little victory dance!
She celebrated and then got distracted from the game by a friendly little rolly polly.
 

I documented all of the action and then I myself got distracted by my favorite tree in the yard.  This tree is lovely, and I could spend a lot of time taking random pictures of it.  Here are my two favorites from this lovely evening.

 

Cupcakes

We all enjoyed Caleb's birthday cupcakes for a good many days after his party. ... note to self... you do not need to make 60+ cupcakes next year!

Caleb's 6th Birthday Party

Caleb had an Angry Bird Party for his sixth birthday.  Somehow I didn't manage to get a whole lot of picture, but the kids all had a great time.  We had a giant sling shot in the bag yard, an egg hunt, and a whole lot of angry bird cupcakes!  Happy Birthday sweet six-year old Caleb!


 

 

Familia in Waco

Over Spring Break, the Sieverts and Nana Tammy made the LONG drive from Albuquerque to Waco just to visit us!  We are so thankful that they did as we all had a wonderful time together.  Family time is extra precious to all of us in these days, and I love making cherished memories as we watch the cousins all playing together.  We also loved having my dad's wife Tammy join in on the fun!

Abby at Four Years Old!

Our sweet Abby is four, and she is loving it.  She still has a fairly calm personality.  She acts a little bit shy around new people and seems to be obedient at school and church.  In fact last night, Jon told her that he thinks she is beautiful on the inside and on the outside.  She had a huge happy smile on her face, and Jon asked her what makes her beautiful on the inside.  She responded, "I am always good,  and I obey my preschool teachers."  That is a very true statement.  Abby loves school and is always excited when it is a "school day".  She continues to go two days a week.  At home Abby loves to color and draw.  She also likes working on letters and numbers and other school stuff.  I won't say she is always obedient at home because that wouldn't be the truth!  She certainly has her moments when I have to tell her multiple times to pick up a certain toy or clothing item.  Abby's favorite toys include Strawberry Shortcake, My Little Ponies, her tea set, and her dress up clothes.  Jon has recently taken up teaching Abby ballet.  When Jon was in college, he had to take a dance class, and between his recollections from that class and some you tube videos, he has taught her some moves.  It is the most precious thing to watch her doing ballet with her daddy.  She adores it and likes to be the center of attention as she performs for us from the top of the coffee table.  It is such a sweet memory that they are making!  We love you Abby!  You truly are beautiful on the inside and out!

February Photo Drop

Abby's Valentine's Party at Preschool

 

Luke eating his favorite breakfast- oatmeal.  He wakes up saying "o meal" everyday.

The two little ones enjoying some time outside while Caleb was at school.

Happy Birthday Abby!

Abby is now four years old!  We celebrated with a birthday party for her and her best bud, Selah, at a local frozen yogurt shop.  This was seriously the easiest party ever, and I think that the kids all enjoyed themselves.  We are very proud of our four year old!  Happy Birthday Abby!

Getting ready to head to the party

The Birthday Girls

The kids made their own place mats. 

The birthday girl eating her frozen yogurt

Blowing out the candles

Baby brother, Luke, makes this face often.  That kid has some seriously expressive eyebrows!

Selah's sister, Kaiya

The two "little" babies enjoying their yogurt

A Happy Four Year Old!

William H. Pace June 29, 1950 - January 27, 2013

 

One of my favorite childhood memories of my dad was when I was about five or six years old. I would wake up early and walk into the living room to see my dad sitting in his recliner drinking his coffee. He would ask me to come to sit on his lap, and he would give me little tastes of coffee. I always felt so special and grown up getting to drink coffee with my Daddy early in the morning. As an adult I have that same memory. For the past ten and a half years, each time I have come home to Albuquerque, I have woken up fairly early, poured some of Dad’s gourmet coffee, and known that I could find him in his office drinking his own cup. We have spent many mornings talking things out in there: fun things like new babies, new houses, different jobs, or opportunities; and the really tough stuff too like all of the details of caring for my mom in her last days and planning her funeral, or a serious prayer request that I wanted to share with my dad, or even how we felt we could support my brother or sister in whatever they may have been going through at that time in their life. During these little morning meetings, my dad was always great about giving just the right amount of advice. Jon and I have always respected the way he could give his opinion yet completely leave the decision making to us. Dad used his business sense, his background, and his love as a parent to counsel us through many car problems, computer issues, and major life events. I think I will always feel an instinct to call my dad when I need advice. Now instead of calling him, I suppose I will make a cup of coffee and remember him. Dad was many things, but I will most cherish that he was a wonderful father and an outstanding great-grandfather. We will miss him a great deal and long for the day when we will be reunited before our Lord and Savior in Heaven. I love you Daddy!