There's no Season like Basketball Season

I didn't grow up playing basketball, I don't watch NBA or college hoops, but I have to admit I love watching the kids play basketball...their intensity, their smiles, their teams.

First Snow Day of the Season

The first snow day of the year is always the best snow day right!  

The idea of snow hasn't been around for a while so the kids are totally thrilled to be outside all day.  Later in the season we still get a day off school for the snow, but the kids don't last outside as long which means for a loud, messy house. 

 But for now, I love watching the big kids play with the littles.  I love watching them sled down the hill and when they fall off the sled at the bottom they seem to just lay in the snow an extra little while just taking it all in, then grab a scoop of snow as they get up to munch on while they hike back up the hill.

 I love the beauty of the snow, how it reminds us that Jesus washed us white as snow.

Oh Christmas Tree...

Here we go, on our yearly quest to get a Christmas Tree!!

 He looks like he belongs on "Earnest goes to Camp"

 This little saw has been used to "cut" the tree down since Jack was little

Max turns 8!

Happy Birthday to our Max!!  

Well, what can I say about Max?

He graduates from having to ride in a booster seat!  In his mind that officially makes him a big kid.  In my mind I'll always have 3 bigs and 3 littles.

He's playing on a basketball team and is going to try his hand at baseball in the spring.

He still loves to do anything Bob does outside.

He loves school even though it's quite a challenge for him.

  

He's still the kid that's able to wiggle his way into the hearts of so many.  This year it seems to be the basketball teams at the kids' school.  Several of the boys came to him on his birthday bearing gifts and candy.  It just made Max's day.  You would've thought an NBA player gave him the gifts! Before the game he gives them a dab, cheers his heart out the entire game (you always know when Max is in the gym!), and gives the guys a fist bump afterwards.  The girls and guys argue over who Max likes more.  He's the unofficial NCS mascot (without any type of uniform).

Not sure what was up with my camera when I took this picture, but it's the only one good one I ended up with.

Happy Birthday Max!!

Lets Go Stillers!!!!

The Lord is my Light and Salvation

I walked out to the barn on this foggy morning and was taken back by the morning sunshine.  I grabbed the camera to try to capture the beauty but of course (I am not very good with a camera) the pictures do no justice.

More Pictures from Thanksgiving 2016

Of course I failed to get any pictures of our actual meal, but Bob took these cell phone pics of some of the kids.

 Up at 5:30 to play Monopoly.

  I missed it because Emily and I braved the crowds for Black Friday Shopping with Jenna and Kara...not sure which is crazier!!!

 Max and Daddy took several morning hikes.

 Max slipped and rolled down the hillside and ended up in these grasses.  Bob was ready for the screams of pain but instead heard Max howling with laughter!!

 It can't be a true visit without taking out a few trees!!

More hiking!  We were happy for the mild weather!

Happy 70th Birthday, Grandma!

In the Garvin family Thanksgiving always coincides with Grandma's birthday.  This year we celebrated her 70th!

So this year we are especially thankful for all of her 70 years.
We are thankful for her good health.
We are thankful for her loving heart.
We are thankful for how she spoils all of us.
We are thankful for the endless amounts of cookies she has on hand,
 for all the food she prepares for us,
for a welcoming home she lets us stay in (and trash),
for the packages she sends,
but mostly we are thankful for her love for her Savior Jesus Christ.

We Love You, Grandma!!

Dinner out to Shakespeare's to celebrate!

I have one...

Happy Husband today!!

Christmas card pics

Each year we attempt to take our own Christmas pictures.  It often brings out the Grinch in some of us (although for those of you who know how much Bob loves Christmas, he had an awesome attitude this year!)

Here are some of what we got...

 Probably not going to use this one ;)  Jack's having a blast huh!!!