End of Summer Fun and Summer Olympics!

We had a great summer together! I really enjoyed the kids and feel really lucky that they would still all nap for me most days of the week! It made us all happier ;) The last week we got a visit from Ragnar's cousin Laurie and Cade Stephens. They moved to Dallas so we haven't seen them in a little while. They got to meet Deacon and we enjoyed catching up. We took our kids picture in the regular spot! We were just missing Deacon who had fallen asleep!

We had gone to chuck e cheese..

Where a kid can be a kid ;)

Deacon was enjoying himself!

And we went bowling this summer a few times...

This week we also had our annual "Summer Olympics" at Grandma and Grandpa Speers house! We were excited this year as we were able to have some of our cousins join us! They started with the Olympic march to some music. They each made their own flag and then Grandma led the flag parade.

They began with a friendly competition picture. The kids were reminded to do their best but cheer others on. We had to especially remind Cavin who is so competitive he can't stand it!

My kids wanted to represent countries. Ella and Cavin were representing Germany and Channing the United States.

Crew could hardly wait for the excitement..and Deacon could wait..he was fast asleep ;)

First event was "Water Balloon Shot put". Here's Ella giving it a go!

Caden

Cavin was the proud winner of this event.

Coleton

Channing

 Charlotte

And..grandpa showing them how it's done!

The next event was the "Discus Throw" Here is Channing...she didn't get to far.

Cavin and Ella

Caden won this event after a tie breaker with Cavin.

The next event was the "3 Legged Race" Ella and Coleton were a team

Channing and Charlotte paired up

And Caden and Cavin won by a leg!

Channing and Charlotte finally figured it out after a few falls..They were happy though!

The next event was the "Frisbee Toss" No one won this event as none of the kids could get it in this year!

Then came the "Hockey Stick Race"

Grandma gave Charlotte a little help and Channing didn't even want to participate in this event.

Caden won this event with a time of :34 to the fence and back.

Grandma was kind enough to demonstrate the next event. She loves pictures ;)  It was the individual relay race!

And they're off!

Notice anything in the picture below? Cavin got beat by Caden barely and tried to cheat at the end to pull it off. Poor boy needs to learn to to win fair and square. He is in a phase where he just wants to win so we find him cheating more often then not!

His face is priceless...

The next event we had to move inside for because the lawn guys decided to show up. It was the "Javelin throw".

Ella won this game after a tie breaker with Caden.

These 4 couldn't wait for the lawn men to leave, so they were watching out the window. They were finished pretty quick!

The last event Grandma put together the "Obstacle Course". Charlotte was the first to go!

Then Ella's turn.

And Caden.. He was ready to go! He won this event as well with a time of 1:05

Then Cavin...

Took my sweet coordinated son like 15 seconds to figure out how to crab walk out of the pool. haha!

Next was Coleton....

And last but not least...Channing....

Then the last event "Beach VolleyBall"

All finished and time to cool off..

Caden got Ella good with the water gun!

 Then we had a yummy lunch and the awards ceremony!

They all got a medal and the 3rd annual Summer Olympics was a success! Thanks mom and dad for always making it a fun memory!

Dancing again!

Ella is back at it again! She didn't have a great experience last year at the dance studio we were at last year in ballet. This year she is trying out jazz as she wants a more fast paced dancing style and she is going to the Atascocita Dance Academy! I am hoping that she loves it and it's a much better experience. So far the first day she couldn't stop raving about the class. She had so much fun and I got to watch on the tv and they were far more advanced that last years dance! I am hopeful for her to have a great time. I think she could be a great dancer with proper training! Here's to a great dancing year!

Deacon's First Birthday!!!

Deacon is ONE!! I can't believe it! There are moments when I feel like he was just born and other moments when I feel like he has been a part of our family forever! We sure love him and he has added so much happiness to our lives.
On his birthday we started with the traditional birthday donut!

He wasn't quite sure what was going on...

He only knew the kids were pretty excited about his special day!

We went to an indoor playground to play for his birthday.

This kids happily played with him!

Then we got balloons and lunch!

This boy loves nuggets!

He's not sure about this whole turning one thing, but his siblings are sure having a blast! This shirt my sister in law Chira made for Cavin 6 years ago and now Deacon is sportin it!

He got to spend the day with adoring siblings. He lights up anytime Cavin is near! They truly have a special brother bond.

We waited until my dad and brother could get to our house to open presents and eat cake. We were so glad they could join us. 

He wasn't sure about the presents and I swear at this age...he was perfectly happy with a balloon! We should just skip presents!

He got his own little cake. I thought he would get pretty messy and make a mess, but I think by this point he was too tired. 

 He went from curious...

 to excited...

 to happy...

To dirty and tired! Haha. I have never been a huge fan of the first year cake mess tradition and apparently my kids haven't either. None of them have really been too thrilled.

I can't get enough of taking pictures of this boy, so here are some of my favorites our our one year old cutie!

He's one! This picture cracks me up cause it looks like he's holding up the number one!

He loves loves loves balls!

He is crawling EVERYWHERE! He is my first child who really mastered crawling!

His blue eyes make me melt!

Deacon still loves the pool and anything to do with water.

I'm not a fan of bare baby buns pictures, but I had to document this. He loves watching soccer with his brother and dad and I just got him out of the bath and he saw them and took off!

Much to my father's delight, he LOVES this rug that my dad brought back from Peru! It is so soft! He loves when he gets it out and is pretty territorial about thinking it's his!

Glad it can make my dad happy!

He has gotten pretty fast in the walker at my parents house. He is such a good happy baby. Definitely our most destructive child though. I remember wondering why parents didn't teach their kids not to make a mess or not to throw their food. I got through 3 kids and then had him and I totally get it now. We love his silly self! I remember praying when I was pregnant with him for one last hope at a child with blue eyes. I wanted a son with blonde hair and blue eyes like his father. I didn't know I would get each on the checklist. We sure love him! Happy Birthday Blue Eyes!!!