spelling bee

My 1st grader came home last week with a sticker on her shirt and an award in her hand.  She had won the spelling bee for her class and would be competing (today) against the other 1st grade classes.

 She was given a list 4 pages long of words to study and was a bit nervous at the length of some of those words.  ( I was too.)

 Our biggest fear is that Presley would be too hard on herself and cry if she spelled a word wrong.  We wanted her to enjoy this time. 

She is such a GREAT girl, but is quite often hard on herself.  She doesn't like to get things wrong. 

 We kept telling her she already was a winner, having make it to the spelling bee in the 1st place and we were so proud of her.

She did a great job and ended in 4th place!  And when she sat down she looked up at us and gave us a big smile. She was ok with it.  : )   She lasted several rounds and went out on the word - still (she missed the 2nd l). I was telling her how I can still remember when I was in the 4th grade spelling bee and I went out on the word alfalfa.  I even remember what I wore.  (Jenny you may be surprised to hear that.)  She knows how to spell still now. 

Pawpaw was nice enough to take today off of work and come watch her.

And I took Addy with me to watch her also.  I think Addy may have been more excited for Presley than Presley was for herself.  : )

Congratulations Presley!  We are so proud of you. 

mlk weekend

Our planned 3 day weekend due to MLK day on Monday turned into a 4 day weekend, thanks to a snow day on Friday.  We started our weekend with lots of playtime outside in the snow.  We played, sled, and helped Daddy snowblow/shovel.  Having Friday off also gave us extra time to pack up for our weekend away.  This is our 3rd year heading to Lake Wawasee with our friends to spend the long weekend.  The girls were so excited for this trip. 

They have so much fun running through the "Big House" and playing with their friends.

Reese and Millie held hands wherever they went.

First friends - Grace & Presley.

I couldn't find Addison for several minutes and finally found her and Ryne cozy on the couch playing her DSi.

The kiddos were jumping at the chance to head outside to play in the snow.

Baby Addison.

Watch out Reese, here comes Millie!

Bob and Chad took turns pulling the kiddos on the sled.

Reese and Ryne.

Reese and baby Addison.

Every year Presley always looks forward to "wrestling" with all of the guys.

Here is a quick picture of all the kiddos that were able to come this year.

Left to right - Grace holding Reagan, Presley holding baby Addison, Reese, Ryne, Addison holding baby Sullivan and Millie.

This is our 3rd year going.  I was looking back at some of our past times there.  Here and here.  So much fun!

new years

Just found these pictures on my little camera from New Years Eve.  We went to our friends,  Bob & Katie's house.  It was fun for the kids and adults. 

 We had an early countdown for the kiddos and were home tucked in to bed by the time midnight rolled around.

 Millie & Reese (a little over a year apart)

 Mommy & Reese

 Daddy & Reese

Happy New Years!

IU vs. MSU 2011

 For the 2nd year in a row we have been lucky enough to head up to East Lansing to catch the IU vs. MSU basketball game at the Breslin Center.  My 2 favorite teams.  I always feel a bit torn with who to cheer for.  I cheer for both teams at all times except when they play each other....then I have to go with my life-long team, Michigan State.  I am a Hoosier fan by marriage.  : ) 

 This year Hilary wasn't able to join us, but Mom and Dad came with us!

 Last year MSU won the game in overtime by 1 point I think.  I was hoping for another close game this year, and it wasn't quite as close, but it was still a great game. 

 Both teams were undefeated going into this game.  Unfortunately (for Chad) a road game was too much for IU to handle.  Michigan State ended up winning by around 15 or so, but it seemed much closer.

  

Coach Izzo.

 2 of the best coaches, Coach Izzo and Coach Crean.

 Always love IU's warm-up pants.  Old School.

 Jordan Hulls over Brandon Wood

 White-out in the Izzone!  Because this game was over Christmas break and most of the students were not on campus, they had the Alumni fill in the Izzone.  One of my best friends from high school had wrote me earlier in the day and told me she was going to be in the Izzone.  I kept looking for her, but never could find her.  

Coach Izzo, always in the ref's ear.

 Christian Watford (LOVE watching him play-makes exciting things happen)

Double team on Cody Zeller

Travis Trice over Verdell Jones III

Branden Dawson

  Draymond Green

 SPARTY!

 Draymond Green and Cody Zeller

 Jordan Hulls over Draymond Green

 Keith Appling

These 2 battled on the boards all night. 

The next day we were able to walk a bit downtown and hit a few bookstores before stopping for lunch at P.F. Chang's and then we said good-bye to Mom and Dad and started our trip back home.

It was a great quick get-away that we are hoping to be able to continue the yearly tradition!