my boys

I love having boys, there is nothing like it and when they say boys love their momma it is so true. The second Cullen wakes up he calls for me and he is my shadow all day long and when he goes to sleep at night I have to lay with him until he falls asleep. He pats the pillow and says "Mom and me." Ethan ask me every night to sleep with him in his bed and when I tell him Dad would be sad if I did not sleep with him, Ethan says" he'll be ok without you mom". I love, love, love my boys- Ethan is teaching Cullen to read and it is so sweet, he is teaching Cullen so much and Cullen is listening. They have my heart and are my world!

our farm

I love going to the farm. I get to see Nathan at peace and calm, I get to see my kids drive the tractor, feed the cows, run around and most of all remember granddad. We miss him so much and the farm is where we feel him there with us. Nathan is getting more and more cows- He just recently got the Oreo cow as I call them but I know that is not there real name. Ethan is learning a lot about the farm, he is in charge of opening the gate when we get there and leave. The farm is such a special place for us and I am thankful we have it.

christmas parties.....

I don't get to get dressed up that much so when the occasion rolls around I get excited.... New pair of shoes, new black dress.... now lets party.... funny thing is when people see me dressed up they are somewhat shocked b/c I normally have my hair in a pony tail, glasses on and sweat pants-

friends, gingerbread houses and lots of laughing

I love Christmas... baking cooking, making gingerbread houses, spending time with friends. Caroline Bussemas our neighbor has become a dear friend to me, she is like an older sister. I am so thankful for her friendship- Ava and her daughter Ella Grace are best friends and Ethan loves Triston who is 10 years old - we made melted snowmen, gingerbread houses and laughed and laughed - what a wonderful afternoon-

SURPRISE!!!!

When Nathan turned 30 I really really surprised him and never again have I been able to. So this year I thought since he was turning 37 I would try again. Well it did not work but he had fun never the less. I got all his friends together at Sullivan's for a surprise dinner. The Saturday before Christmas and all 18 people made it a point to be there, some had to change family plans to make it. Nathan has something very special that not many people have with their friends.

It was a fun night. Everyone enjoyed themselves. Old stories were told, lots of laughs- I even wrote a speech for him-

When I think about Nathan and the person he is I think back to the quote he put in his yearbook.

"The difference between a successful person and others is not lack of knowledge but rather a lack of will."

To me this quote reflects your life story- your will to succeed in everything you have done and will do. From family, to grades, to college, to friends, sports, Marines, your business, your voyages, marriage and fatherhood. Your accomplishments are many yet your determination and drive to accomplish more is still overwhelmingly vigorous.

There are many reasons I was drawn to you when I met you for the first time but as I got to know you my love for you grew because of your,

Dedication, whatever you are involved in you are 100% dedicated.

Your compassion for others,

Your determination to succeed in whatever you want to do

and behind the serious hard core look you can give, there is a heart of gold.

Your word is true, your heart is filled with love and your loyalty is forever.

Your eagerness to learn and remember things I admire.

You have loved me and taken care of me and I thank you for that, but most of all I thank you for the father you are to our children. They are your everything- from the second you wake up to the min. you go to sleep everything you do is for them. You take your time for them even when you don't have time. When your daughter ask you to have a tea party with her after a long, stressful day a work, you do, you rush home so you can play baseball outside with Ethan before it gets dark. When Cullen was born and was intensive care you never left his side, you stayed there even when I could not bear to anymore, you are their silly, their laughter, their hero, their hearts and their best friend.

It has not always been a smooth road these past 12 1/2 years with you, you are hard headed and you think you are always right- that's annoying. You are a tad bit spoiled but that is my fault!

I would not have it any other way- God gave me you through the ups and downs and I am so thankful HE did. I love you forever.

HAPPY 37TH BIRTHDAY NATHAN! I LOVE YOU FOREVER.

our sweet hudson

Hudson loves Ava, Ethan and Cullen. But most of all Cullen. I guess because Cullen is small too. He follows him around everywhere he goes and wants to do whatever Cullen is doing. The other day Cullen was sitting on the floor and Hudson wanted to sit in his lap so badly, he would get in squatting position and right before he sat down Cullen would move. Cullen does not know what to think of Hudson. Cullen thinks he is 6 just like Ethan so he really does not think he has much in common with a 1.5 year old but never the less Hudson tries and tries and tries some more. Today he could not focus on what he was doing because he could not keep his eyes off Cullen.

Here is an example of what I am talking about. Wanted to get a picture of all the boys and see what Cullen is doing. He wants no part of it. I am sure when Hudson gets a little bit older Cullen won't mind him being his shadow but for now Cullen has his on agenda.

Now he knows how Ethan has felt for the past 2 years!

a charlie brown christmas....

nothing like watching a charlie brown Christmas in the laundry basket!

under the mistletoe

my sweet husband loves me so much. Every year I want mistletoe and with all the hussle and bussle I forget or he forgets but this year I got my MISTLETOE. Nathan was going to shoot some down the last time he went hunting but he did not see any so last week while driving downtown Clayton he saw some. He pulled over and asked the lady if he could get some of the mistletoe out of her tree and she did not mind. So he got out his ladder and his clippers and here's my mistletoe!

a note to Fletcher

Fletcher is what the kids named our Elf. Tonight she left him a note and it read: "Dear Elf on the shelf "Fletcher" When you leave tonight can you tell Santa me and Ethan have been good. Thank you Ava. We really have been good. P.s.s. Can you say hey to Santa for me." if you notice she left out Cullen- he has not been so good!

my new obsession

I have been introduced to Pinterest and I am in love. It is the neatest thing for me since I don't consider myself crafty. I read something today that I thought was wonderful-

"Before you act, listen,

Before you react, think.

Before you spend, earn.

Before you criticize,wait.

Before you pray, forgive.

Before you quit, try."

Ernest Hemigway

christmas picture

every year I stress and stress over this picture..... and this is why........

we have a visitor.....

The ELF has arrived at the Evans' house. This morning he was in the Christmas tree overlooking the kitchen checking things out. The kids named him Fletcher. They are so excited that he is here, Ava had a million questions and Cullen could care less- lets see what mischief Fletcher will get into......

it's the most .....

12-1-11

Is is already Christmas... Where has this year gone? I can not believe this. Decorations went up no problem, way ahead of schedule on gifts, getting Christmas card ready.... This is not a normal December for me- but I'm getting excited!

letter

tonight when ava went to sleep ethan had left this letter for her. "I am sorry for doing all the bad things to you Ava." I don't know what he was apologizing for but it warmed my heart b/c he loves her so.

Mexican Party

Ava had her Family Party at the house and we had a Mexican Party... Taco's Taco's for everyone!

Olivia made the cake and it was delicious.... After the party off to Ava's first piano recital.. she was wonderful playing jingle bells!

8

Ava at 8...

smart

funny

loves to read

loves to do crafts

loves her best friends Ashlynn Little and Ella Grace Bussemas

loves shiny things

loves to sing and put on a show

stage name "Wendy Sparks"

loves clip on earrings

loves painting her nails

wants to grow her hair long

loves to dot paint

loves to write in her journal

wants to visit Japan

wrote a joke book and going to sell it the money she gets she is donating to a charity

thoughtful

loving

kind

loves Taco's

wants to be a singer and a mommy when she grows up

Ava's sleepover

Ava turned 8 and wanted a sleepover... It was such a fun night! Ava had it all planned out from start to finish. Jayla Humble, Ashlynn Little, Brooklyn Davis and Ella Grace Bussemas all came tot the party. First, they ate pizza, had a cupcake competition, opened presents, got in the pj's, danced to just dance 3 wii, watched a movie and sometime around 3am fell alsleep... oh and a silly string fight- painted nails... What a happy little girl I have. I am so blessed.