Monster Truck Jam

Lately Joey has been interested in monster trucks.  He loves to watch them on tv and play with them all around the house.  So Jason decided it was time to bring Joey to his first monster truck show.  Jason, Joey, and Grandpa Heiple went to the Monster Truck Jam at the Peoria Civic Center.  After getting over the initial loud noise shock, Joey loved the show!  His favorite monster truck is Gravedigger.  This might have to become an annual guys night out event!

Star Wars 3D

On Friday Jason brought Olivia and Joey to see Star Wars Episode 1 in 3D.  This was a proud moment in Jason's life, being able to share his love for Star Wars with Livi and Joey.  Olivia did great throughout the movie, but Joey had trouble staying interested.  This is the beginning of several Star Wars memories!

Poor Zoie

The other day Jason and I noticed that Zoie had a huge gouge in her side that looked to be a couple days old.  We felt like the worst dog parents in the world not noticing it before, but we never saw blood and Zoie rarely bothered it.  I brought her to the vet and she had to get 6 stitches.  The next day Zoie decided to take her stitches out so we had no choice but to keep a t-shirt and cone on her until the wound healed.  She was not a happy puppy!

Valentine's Day

On Valentine's Day Olivia and Joey woke up to a few valentine gifts. Livi got some new drawing supplies, books, candy, a bubble sword, and a new Barbie pool. Joey received some monster trucks, books, candy, and a bubble sword. They were beyond excited and played with their valentine gifts until it was time to leave for school (I had to drag them out the door :) ).

At school, Joey had a fun Valentine's Day field trip. He and daddy went to Razzo's Pizzeria, took a tour of the kitchen, made a pizza, and had pizza for lunch. Joey even got a fun cook hat and Razzo's shirt. Livi had her Valentine party on Friday before our 3-day weekend break, so she had her Valentine Day fun early.

On Valentine's Day night, Jason made a delicious dinner...heart pizza! He made a sausage pizza for us, and a cheese pizza for Livi and Joey. Jason is such an amazing husband and father...Livi, Joey and I are incredibly blessed to have him in our lives!!!

We had a fantastic Valentine's Day...a day full of fun and love!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Happy Valentine's Day....we love you!!!

Olivia's Literacy Night

Last week, Olivia and I went to her literacy night. Mrs. Renshaw hosted a wonderful literacy night in her classroom which allowed all of her class to come in with their families and play all kinds of games. All of the activities prompted reading and literacy practice and were a great way to help the children learn how to read and get excited about reading.

Olivia and I had a great time walking around and participating in all of the activities. I LOVE watching her get so excited about school and learning! Thank you Mrs. Renshaw, for hosting such a fun night!!!

MONSTER TRUCKS!!!!

Jason and Joey had a boys night out a couple weeks ago. They traveled up to Peoria and went to the monster truck show with Grandpa Heiple. Joseph has been very interested in vehicles (tractors, trucks, rescue vehicles, trains, construction vehicles, monster trucks, etc.) Jason thought that the monster truck show would be perfect for Joey. After getting over the initial shock of noises, Joey loved the show! He has talked about it everyday since and drives his monster trucks all over the house. What a great daddy, grandpa night for Joey!

Our Little Cheerleader

A couple weeks ago Olivia participated in the Rochester Poms' Cheer Clinic. She and a lot of other Kindergarten, First, Second, and Third graders were able to attend a clinic after school and then perform at the Rochester Girls' Basketball game. Olivia LOVES to sing, dance, and perform...this was "right up her alley" as Olivia said.

It was nice having a family night out and being able to catch a basketball game!

Happy 100th Day of School!!!

On January 30th we celebrated out 100th day of school! Believe it or not, we only have 76 more days of school left!

Bingo!!

At the end of January, Jason, Olivia, Joey, and I went to the Family Bingo Night at school. This was the first time that Olivia and Joey played bingo. It was so much fun! Olivia had the lucky card, she was the only one who won from our family...she actually won twice! Each time Olivia won she was able to choose a prize from the prize table; she chose an Olivia the pig dry erase board for her and a jump rope for Joey. It was a fun family night out!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

As of January 22, 2012 we officially have a 6 year old in our house! Olivia had an amazing birthday weekend. On Friday she was able to celebrate her birthday at school with her friends. She decided to have vanilla ice cream cups as her snack. Olivia was so proud to wear her birthday crown around school and participate in all of the birthday traditions in her classroom!

Then on Saturday she had her family and friend birthday party. Olivia was surrounded with love and engulfed with birthday wishes!

Finally on Sunday Jas, Joey, and I were able to celebrate her birthday with her. Livi woke up early in the morning ready to open her birthday presents. Then after presents, we had a nice family breakfast at home. After breakfast, Jas had to go to work, and Livi, Joey, and I had a fun day at home playing with Livi's new toys. Later at night, we had a fancy birthday dinner for Olivia.

I can't believe our little girl is already halfway done with Kindergarten and is now 6 years old! She is amazing and brightens our lives everyday! We love you Olivia Marie...Happy 6th Birthday Sweet Girl!