Hard to believe it’s been over 10 years since we started the blog. Technology is always evolving and as the interface between the phone (where we take 99% of our pictures) and the blog require a lot of effort. Hopefully that will soon improve though!
We are thankful for the opportunity to share some updates. And I apologize for not updating more often.
Since it's been so long since our last update - we'll do a quick summary. It's been a crazy few years for our family. The good news it that we're now in a stable location and are enjoying our new home in Virginia Beach.
Summer 2016...
 |
| We really enjoyed our year living in Missouri. It was great to be near family and we even had the opportunity to see one of my college roommates and her beautiful daughters at the Arch. |
 |
| Our family motto! It's been a challenging few years - but this lovely work of art made by Grandma Sunshine has greatly helped us focus on what's really important! |
Fall 2016...
From Missouri we did a bit of a crazy move in Virginia. The kids were awesome about the move and all the changes.
 |
Tobias is back in the Navy which is why we're living in Virginia Beach. He loves his job here!
|
 |
| James' 9th birthday - he wants to be a police officer when he grows up. These awesome policemen were having dinner and were kind enough to do a group picture with James to help him celebrate his birthday. |
 |
| Star Wars 9th birthday! James loves Star Wars and Legos. It was a good birthday. |
 |
| Here's the set he received for his birthday and he was able to put it together all by himself. |
Winter 2016...
 |
| Family pictures for 2016! |
Winter 2017...
We started 2017 with a wonderful cruise for Elias' 5th birthday! Love this family tradition and we look forward to celebrating Cora's 5th birthday on a cruise as well.
Winter / Spring 2017...
 |
| Cub Scouts remains a fun part of our lives. James does a great job with his derby car every year. |
 |
James made mine craft rice krispie treats for a Scout function!
|
 |
 |
| James played basketball for his school in 3rd grade and is fortunate enough to play again this year. He has a wonderful coach and awesome teammates. |
|
 |
| Elias played basketball for the local YMCA - he's also quite the athlete and had a great season. |
 |
| Our little Cora playing on the beach. |
 |
| One of the hardest parts about moving is leaving friends. We are so fortunate that our dear friends came for a visit. James and Abby have been best buddies since they were 2! |
 |
| Back in the day - it was James, Abby, and Drew Bear - now our crew has expanded and we are so thankful for the new additions. |
 |
| Tobias has a USNA ring and an MIT ring - James was showing off the MIT ring. Right now James is debating between USNA, Harvard, or Stanford. He has some high goals and we love it! |
Spring 2017...
 |
| Easter - my favorite holiday. And the kids (and Tobias!) are so sweet to always do pictures for me. |
 |
| Strawberry picking is a big thing here and we had a wonderful time picking strawberries. |
Aunt Teri got married in May! She chose a wonderful man and we were so thankful to make it back to KS for their wedding.
 |
| Teri and Cora were photo bombed by Tobias. My mom and sister think Cora looks a like Teri - they're both beautiful for sure. |
 |
| Eli stood next to the preacher for the ceremony. If any of our children become clergy - it'll be Eli! |
 |
| Eli was a very handsome ring bearer and enjoyed escorting our niece and Todd's niece who were adorable little flower girls. |
 |
The Walters' clan!
Almost everyone was able to attend, we missed out having Uncle Kyle with us as May is a busy time for farmers. |
 |
| Eli doesn't like change and wasn't very excited about leaving his awesome pre-k teachers! Thankfully, he still sees them every day as he walks to his kindergarten class. |
 |
| James had a wonderful teacher and 3rd grade year as well. |
Summer 2017...
The boys spent about half the summer with my mom in Missouri. They attended basketball camp and art camp and a few amusement parks too.
 |
| The kids love to play outside and play really well together. |
 |
| Dress up play is a big deal around here. It's always fun to see what costumes they come up with! |
 |
| Our biker gang! |
 |
| Eli made an astronaut helmet at summer camp! |
We closed on our new house in June. We are hoping to stay in this area for a few years.
 |
| And with home ownership comes lawn care! James is such an awesome helper and is so strong. |
We were also very thankful for the family and friends who have come to visit us.
 |
| My dad came for a visit in early August. |
 |
| Tobias' parents came in mid-August. |
 |
| Love these 2 pictures! It is now easier for James to pick me up than it is for me to pick him up! I just love his expression in the first picture - "really mom..." |
Fall 2017...
 |
| First day of school pictures - we now have a 4th grader and a kindergartner! We love their school and both boys are excelling academically and socially. |
 |
| The first day of school was also the solar ecclipse. |
 |
| Both boys played soccer this fall and both really enjoyed it. Even though it was James' first season and he was playing with 6th graders - he did great! |
 |
| Love these little guys and their team work. The boys definitely do whatever they can for Cora. |
 |
| One of the scout outings was to a tree climbing adventure park. Both boys were absolutely fearless. |
 |
| Love my boys in their dress uniform! |
 |
| 4th grade is academically challenging with some really cool projects and James has really excelled. |
 |
| It was super hero Halloween - I had Wonder Woman, Iron Man, Black Panther, and Ant Man. |
 |
| James' turned 10! We started the day with Monkey Bread and candles before school! |
 |
| And a Beyblade Cake! |
Winter 2017...
 |
| Tobias and I enjoyed the auction for the boys' school. |
 |
| Scouts encourages the boys to learn to cook. James made the pumpkin pie all by himself and it was amazing! |
 |
| James' team attended a game at a local college. |
 |
| Game 1 of basketball season - James played well and made this shot. |
 |
| James showing off his warm-up shirt and "game face." |
 |
| We had breakfast and pictures with Santa! |
 |
| Family pictures 2017! |
 |
| Fun decorating the Christmas tree. Cora helped Tobias put the angel on top of the tree. |
 |
| Before watching the Army - Navy game we enjoyed a space exhibit at a local museum. |
 |
| Eli made a lovely nativity with his Sunday School Class. |
 |
| James was baptized on Christmas Eve. We are so proud of him! |
 |
| The kids opened up 1 present before bed on Christmas Eve! |
 |
| Just before the Christmas chaos began! |
 |
| Love these little Christmas elves. |
A highlight of this Christmas was having my mom and my sister and her beautiful family.
 |
| We had 4 little boys in the house (James is the oldest at 10 and Gavin is the youngest at 5) and it was a blast! |
 |
| My mom and Cora were so happy to be together. |
 |
| James and his cousin enjoyed reading together too. |
 |
Eli turned 6 yesterday! He asked for a snake cake and Tobias was able to make these 2! It was a great birthday!
|
So as we wrap up 2017, I am incredibly thankful to share this update. Our children are healthy and doing well. We are excited for 2018. Happy New Year!
Comments