Happy Happy Birthday!

 The long awaited birthday finally arrived!

I think Alec reminded me at least 20 times yesterday...

and told every doctor and nurse during our 

visit to Children's Hospital 

that he was going to be 6 tomorrow.

 This transformer loving lego crazy guy 

woke up this morning...threw his arms in the air

and exclaimed that he was six!

He packed up all his goodies for school

and St. Paul's and happily went to school.

 Restaurant choice was Chili's and he enjoyed 

the birthday serenade (way more than last time!)

 Excitedly dug into his brownie and ice cream...

And was happy to let these two finish it off...

which they were very glad to do.

As I listen to him putting together a new lego

creation with his brother

(not even fighting)

I am reminded of just how much I love this little man.

How much I love his 'one liners"...

and his unique way of looking at the world.

His determination...

to do things...

and not do things.

His sense of humor...

and his sensitivity.

So serious...

but yet so full of joy.

Love you little man.

With all my heart.

Hope you had the happy happy birthday 

you have been dreaming of for days!

The Winter. That. Never. Ends

Another cold week in store for us...

in this winter that never ends.

We have some brief warm days....

but barely enough to revive our spirits.

It has been a tough season.

Of loss.

Of sadness.

Of illness.

and change.

It has seemed like every time we think we are managing a change...

another change occurs.

But...

as with all hard seasons...

there are moments of joy and happiness.

We celebrate birthdays (LOTS of February birthdays!)...

Sorry for the lack of birthday pics - 

( the February birthday girls will be glad I didn't post them - :)

We are on count down of days (especially when you are going to be 6!)

 Darling happy little Mavis Rose - Grandpa Shelby and Grandma Kristi are in love!

 Grandpa JK...smiling through his pain...and coming to celebrate 

his Kristi's birthday!

 Beautiful Rae

 and beautiful Korb

 They make my heart happy.

 Not sure Rae will go sledding with Ava again :)

 Korbyn declined sledding.  She knew better!

Yesterday the kids and I managed to go to church and swimming

(Daddy is working on taxes - fun)

 (that was a little scary - me and 4 kids) 

but we survived! 

 Laundry is not done...house is a wreck...

but that is all OK with me.

Cause one thing this season has taught us is that

life is short.

And we better take chances,

reflect on the good in our lives,

and lean on our faith,

spend time together,

and love and hug as much as possible.

Happy Birthday Grandpa Jim!

 Happy Birthday Grandpa Jim!

Not exactly the meal you were hoping for

but we promise we will honor that tradition

the minute you get home :)

Hopeful this next week brings comfort and healing

to our sweet Grandma Shirley!

Miraculous as her recovery has been.....

we continue to ask for prayer as she gains enough

strength to come home!

Happy Valentine's Day everybody!

Snow, snow and more snow....

Snowy weekend. 

We just made the best of it...

we called it the Bryant Olympics!

 And had a mini photo shoot - to celebrate a lost tooth!

 And a tooth ready to be lost!

 And a guy who wishes he was still losing teeth!

Snow Day #1

 It was a beautiful snowfall.

Huge flakes...drifting down...

for hours and hours and hours...

and hours.

It embraced sledding.

 And squealing with delight.

 And freezing cold hands. 

 The animals took it in stride.  

They have actually taken over the garage since Christmas.

It is like doggy/kitty daycare out there.

Hudson adores winter...

his "tiny" bit of Husky and Lab bloodlines

 fear no snow.

 Sugar comes out with irritation at having wet feet.

But does like some fresh air now and then.

Our beautiful old Sugar..

 Roxie is completely happy to stay in where it is warm.

Today I did witness her jumping and playing in the snow...

but only for a brief moment!

 Maxx thinks he is a house cat.

(Only he doesn't know he lives in the garage...

not the house.)

Therefore no outside time necessary.

(FYI - I really really hate litter boxes.)

 Hank - who is staying with us for a few days

at doggy daycare...

is a Lab through and through.

Adores the snow...

and sticks...

and Hudson...

and running in wild abandon.

Until it is time to sleep.  :)

 Sandy.

Really likes living in the garage.

And eating.

(Her jowl looks a little like mine!)

And laying in the sunshine on warm days...

But mostly...napping.

In her cubbie.

In the garage.  :)

GroundHog Day 2014

It's been a bit of a rough weekend

 around the Bryant household.

I got the stomach flu on Friday night.

Nice.

(Ava had it last Sunday night/Monday

how long can a virus stick around anyway???).

The weather turned icy and cold.

The ground hog saw his shadow

.Dad and Alec both thought they were getting the flu...

(but both laid down for awhile 

and one is back making Superbowl food

and the other seems totally fine as well)

Which is really bizarre since I was 

completely out of commission for over 12 hours.

(I hope the chicken wings don't send them over the edge!)

But - this all means - we haven't left this house

since Friday night!

There have been games of "Go Fish"

putting together Lego transformers (yikes)

puzzles, crafts, books,

electronics, Easy Bake Oven trial run,

and massive cleaning.

This morning as I was listening to church on the radio..

(I refused to go infect ANYONE)

I realized I hadn't seen Ava in awhile.

We found her...

completely geared up in her winter attire..

outside sledding.

By herself!

 She talked these two into joining her later today.

Even though the snow wasn't deep 

there was a layer of ice underneath

that made sledding super fun!

 What a ham!

 Man I love that crazy big tooth!

And this guy - just makes me laugh.

I will admit - 

we are all getting a tiny bit "testy"

but it has been a good "family time" weekend

(even with the virus mixed in).

Fingers crossed that my frantic cleaning

will rid us of this stupid yuckiness. 

I guess time will tell!