Today is Our 13th anniversary. Lucky 13, has it been that long? I'm sure to Raegan, it seems like it's been much longer. What do we have to show for it? 3 very very important things.

I love you Raegan

Jack's big day

Jack turned 7 today. We had his birthday dinner last night, and he had a party on his birthday. He picked fried shrimp, cheddar baked biscuits, and cupcakes for his birthday dinner, because he is watching his girlish figure.

He had his party at bounce house. A lot of kids showed up, from his school and scouts, boys and girls. They were all red faced by closing time. He got some good stuff. His favorite was a spongebob birthday card with spongebob singing his version of happy birthday. It was a good one. I can't believe he is 7 already.

This is more like it!

We had great weather this weekend. I guess all my bitchin and moaning paid off. It was nice to kick Jack out of the house for a few hours on Saturday. On Sunday, we went to our favorite little park and wore them little legs out. Then we stopped for ice cream, haircuts for the kids, and the grocery. Luke walked everywhere we went, no stroller. That kid ran a marathon and passed out in the truck. Grace had a blast, helping Luke at every stop. by the way (can you tell Grace is growing up?) Jack is back there watching Dad, as he shows everyone how to swing really high and jump off into the tree. Raegan said she was trying to figure out how to get all of the kids back to the truck by herself and come back to get me, to bring me to the hospital. She was very scared, and was yelling at me.

Grace has been sleeping in Jack's room for the past couple of nights. She is as excited about the new bed as he is. Jack has to keep his door closed, and he always forgets. Luke was up on the top yesterday throwing things off. He was very excited. His mommy was very mad.

Jack showed all the kids what the little squiggly thing is for.

Luke went on all of the slides. those are his favorite

Snow, snow, go away!

There's not much to report, but it's been awhile since I put pics of the kids. It's been a long winter. It snows, and snows, and snows, and snows. It warms up, then freezes, then snows again. We have a bit of cabin fever, and have passed around a cough for weeks. The kids don't mind much, as they have been off of school a few extra days. I make them practice twice on those days. Their music is coming along great. They both had good report cards. Grace even got an A in PE. If you know Grace, that is a milestone. They have a piano recital in May. Maybe this time, Grace will participate. If not, oh well. She likes to play, and is really good at sightreading, so as long as she enjoys it for herself, that works. We got rid of the dogs, so I don't have to get out in the cold and fool with all of that anymore. It's really nice to be able to just take care of my kids now. We got bunk beds for the boys. It will be delivered on Thursday. Jack is very excited about that. I am too. We're gonna kick Luke out of the bed! Raegan is doing good at work. She found us a great babysitter, so we were able to go out on Valentine's day. We went to a local seafood restaurant that we have wanted to check out for awhile. It was a really nice place. The food was really good. It's not Louisiana, but probably about the best you can get this far north. Me and Luke spend most of our day jamming! Im learning a lot of Black Label Society right now. Zakk Wylde is awesome, and is really good to learn from. Luke really loves music, and he gets a very healthy dose of it daily.

Grace is starting to have hormone stuff. She is starting to show signs of becoming a young lady. I'm still in denial, but Raegan keeps telling me she is old enough. Oh boy.

The kids had fun the first few days of snow. We had at one time, about a foot of it. It stayed for a week or 2. The black ice on the roads surrounded our neighborhood, so we had to stock up on essentials and hunker down for a bit. All of the roads around us are hills and curves. You can get out, but getting back home is near impossible in those conditions. I had to park my truck at a school down the road and walk home in 5degree weather at one point. There were cars in ditches, in the woods, in peoples yards, and stuck in the road, everywhere.

Luke is growing up fast. He helps with EVERYTHING. Sometimes it's a pain, because he knows what should be done, and doesn't let me put anything off. He keeps me busy. He is very good at cleaning up after himself, and is very good at communicating with his pointing and grunting. He has several baby molars coming in right now. They all are coming in at the same time, so it's kind of rough on him, but he will be able to chew his food better very soon.

While Luke is getting brand new teeth, his big brother is losing all of his. He is missing his 2 front, and the little one you see there on the bottom right front. You thought he had a lisp before!

Jam

Im addicted to this stuff. Peach Jalapeno. Grammy made me a few of them for Christmas. I ran out, so I tried my hand at it. I put 1cup of Jalapenos, instead of 1/4 cup. It should have some kick. It still needs to sit a few more hours. Everything sealed, and it looks like it set good. The only problem is most of the chunks floated to the top. Its ok, though, I'll just mix it up real good when I open them.

In real news, Raegan had 3 wisdom teeth cut out on Friday. Poor thing hasnt been able to eat anything for days. Since she is on pain meds, she quit nursing Luke. He seems to understand totally. He hasnt complained once. Its really hard on Raegan now, though, cause she is in constant pain. She is all swolen up, in more than one place, if you know what I mean, and is in the middle of PMS..... Good times for all! She still goes to work every day, but they send her home early every day.

What Luke is up to.

This one is glad to be back in a routine.
His curls are coming backHe won't let anyone feed him anymore.

He thinks he is too big for his highchair

Christmas

Chuck and Lorna at Cock of the Walk in Nashville

Ice scating in downtown market square

Luke tries to do everything everybody else does, and he is pretty good at it

It's tough to beat Grace, though.

Early present openings are exciting for everyone

Counting cards

Grace and Jack's first recital

Open air car of the Three Rivers Rambler, christmas train ride.