One Happy Boy

Carter has wanted a Nintendo Switch for quite some time. Every time we would go to Target he would stand and look at the switch and dream about the day he would have one. He has been saving his money and once he finally had enough to buy it he was ready to go to Target. He has played and played on it and even has a couple buddies from school he can play with. 

 

Valentine Party

This was our 9th annual Valentine Party. 

The kids and I headed to Mom and Dads on Friday March 12 for our 9th annual Valentine Party. We had to post pone it this year due to bad weather in February. Friday night we stayed up way to late talking to mom and dad and then Saturday morning we headed to Columbia to visit friends and run a few errands. Saturday late afternoon and evening we traded our valentines and just enjoyed each others company. Sunday everyone went to church and then back to mom and dads for lunch. After lunch the kids both took turn driving John's new to him truck. It is a 5 speed and they both want to learn to drive a stick. Uncle John always has the most fun toys. 

Our boxes this year:

Iceberg with penguins (Henry), Lighthouse (Shelly), Popcorn Truck (Megan), Up house (me), Coocoo Clock (John), Cinderella's Castle (Kenzie), Heart (Dad), Shiny (Carter), Valentine Box (Grandma Lou), Train (Lilly), Elsa Castle (Aubrey), and Valentine boxes (Mom)

Carter's box - he did Shiny from Moana

My box, I did the up house.

Got a few pictures of Grandma with the kids.

 

Couples retreat

Every February there is a marriage conference in Branson. Tim and I went a couple years ago and really enjoyed it we went again this year. It was nice to get away and to focus on our marriage.

We tend to always stop at the same places but this is a must for me. 

When I was little we always stayed at Rockaway beach. It is a little outside of Branson so it use to be slower pace, it had go carts, bumper cars, ski ball, etc Since then it has drastically gone down hill but I wanted to see it. It is kind of sad but someone has bought the hotel we use to stay in and turned it into apartments. They looked really nice. 

We checked out the fish hatchery and the dam. I could stand and watch the water for hours. 

One night we went to dinner at Top of the Rock at Big Cedar Lodge. We ate at Osage Restaurant and then we walked through the largest Native American museum. 

The stove inside Osage Restaurant

The museum was primarily a Native American museum but there was some Lincoln items that got my attention.

Abraham Lincoln's desk.

We also made time to see The Haygoods. They have been playing in Branson 29 years. I remember watching their shows when they were just getting their start and they played at Silver Dollar City. 

Basketball

The 2020-2021 season was very short in IL. Basically they only got to play 6 weeks. Life in IL really is different than the rest of the world. I am just grateful she got to play. 

McKenzie and one of her friends, CeCe. 

They had to play with masks - I very much have an opinion on these restrictions but all I will say is it is not healthy.  We had several girls pulled out of the game due to not being able to breath because of air restrictions.

They only allowed 2 people at each home game but we were able to watch a few of the games on Facebook live. 

 

snow camp

McKenzie got to join the youth group and attend snow camp in Michigan back in January. She had a blast.

Nerf Gun wars.

Evening chapel

The girls

 

Shelly and kids visit

Shelly and her kids came to visit in January. Everything was shut down and it was freezing outside so we just played games, did science experiments and hung out. It was such a fun weekend. 

There was lots of playing in the snow. 

McKenzie loves to make Disney themed dinners. They are always so good.

Look how cute her cake pops turned out. 

Our neighbor makes hot chocolate bombs so we had to try them. They were fun and delicious.

These two are two peas in a pod.