Conference Champs

Todd's exact text to me:
"Winner, winner, chicken dinner!! Conference champs!! Scored 200 points to second place at 137. 

I am so proud of Todd and the other coaches at Hillsboro. They are the 2013 conference champs! Alex Rouggly was the new head coach this year and called Todd his "right hand man". I think those two have texted more this season than Todd and I do in a year! But in all seriousness, I am glad he enjoys coaching and am grateful for the extra money it provides for our little family. I must say my man looks good in BLUE!

Baby Chicks

Every year, the kindergarten classes at Pevely watch eggs hatch into baby chicks in the spring. Today, Camden came to school and got to see the ones in Mrs. Coleman's room. He loved them, especially this little black one even if it did poop a little on his pants. (Honestly, Camden probably scared the poop right out of the poor thing!) :)

Celebrating in Grafton

This weekend, we headed back up to our my favorite winery in Grafton with the Bates'. The weather was a little chilly when we first arrived, but it warmed up nicely for the afternoon. The funny thing about going with the Bates to Grafton is that Renee and I like the Grafton Winery and the boys like Piasa Winery which is conveniently right across the street. But it works out well for us.
Todd has always been curious to try the Piasa Challenge (which is to eat their Ultimate Bacon Cheeseburger times three in less than an hour) and decided this was the weekend! If you eat the burger in less than an hour, you get your name on the wall. If you eat the burger in less than 30 minutes, you get a free t-shirt and if you can eat it in less than 15 minutes, it's free. Well, he got all three! Matt was his official time keeper and he did it in 12 minutes and 40 seconds. I think I am supposed to be proud? Personally, I feel it's kinda gross-maybe it's a guy thing. But hey, the burger was free and he got his name on the wall and a free tshirt. So, he was happy and here are the pictures to prove it. U

After the winery, we ate dinner in St. Charles and had a little fun at Ameristar. Renee was able to get a free room at the Crowne Plaza Hotel for the night. It was a fun way to celebrate 9 years of being married with our best friends. (They are celebrating 18 years of wedded bliss this year!) 

Look, Mom!

Camden is so proud of himself! He can finally buckle himself in his carseat. I love how excited he gets over the little things.

Oh, How I love this kid!

There are moments when my heart is so full-I can hardly stand it! Last night was one of those moments. Camden did not get a nap yesterday and that caused a few issues at bedtime. When I was tucking him in after singing and praying, he looked up at me and said, "Mommy, I am sorry that I didn't get in bed for you." I couldn't believe it. I was so proud of him and I told him that. Then, he says," And I made God happy too." I almost cried! He is such a sweet boy!

Little Runner

Visiting Daddy at the track meet

I had to add this picture I found on Todd's phone last night. This was taken in 2011 at a track practice when we visited Daddy. I love his face and check out that dimple! He was just beyond excited that he got to use the starting blocks.

Eating as a family

I was so happy to have all of us eating together tonight. Now, I know this might not seem like much, but this has been one of the hardest things for us, especially during football and track seasons. Camden is always hungry when he and I get home. But I have found if I feed him a snack, he fills up on that and is not hungry for dinner. So, I usually end up feeding him while I am cooking dinner. Well, then, he wants to play with Todd and be entertained while we are trying to eat dinner and talk. A while back, we implemented "Mommy/Daddy talk time." This has worked pretty well, at least to give us a few uninterrupted minutes to eat and talk about our day. But I am always happen when Camden can hold off or at least be satisfied with a small snack and joins us at the table for dinner. Now, on the flipside, he pretty much monopolized the conversation tonight...which didn't leave Todd and I much interaction, but you have take the good with the bad, right?

Love his brown eyes in the picture, but clearly, we need a little work on manners....

Movie Play Date

Camden was invited to Harlyn's house for a movie/play date on Saturday night. I was a little nervous since it was just him, Brooke and Harlyn, but he held his own with the girls. He did ask Lindsay, Harlyn's mom, if she had any boy toys. Ha! They watched a little bit of Rise of the Guardians and then, Wreck-It Ralph, but they mainly just wanted to play! When I came back to pick him up, he told me he didn't want to leave yet. (And I was worried he wouldn't stay...) Lindsay is very creative-I snapped these pictures, so I could harvest her ideas sometime. :)

Feeling like Spring

Friday afternoon, Camden and I picked up Emily and we headed to the park. The weather was beautiful and I was determined to take advantage of it! I enjoyed reading a few chapters while those two played together.

So glad it is feeling a bit more like spring around here!

Little Salesman

Victory only does one fundraiser a year and it is completely voluntary. They sell candy bars each spring. We are so blessed to have a daycare where Camden is taught God's Word and loved on by Christians each day. So, I felt that selling a box of candy bars is the least we can do. Camden sold one to Todd as soon as we got home and somehow, he ended up with one to eat as well. I think he is going to be a natural at this! I mean who can resist this cute face?

Happy Easter

We had a fun filled Easter this year. The weather was amazing and that made the day even better! While it is fun to make Easter baskets, wear new clothes and have eggs hunts (and yes, we did all those things),we want to make sure that Camden knows the reason we celebrate Easter.  None of those things, the egg hunts, the baskets, the clothes will last or satisfy us for long. Jesus died for you and me and rose again. He is the reason why we have hope. That is what Easter is about! 

Camden loved his surprises in his Easter basket, so much so, that he did not want to look for hidden eggs. Much to the dismay of Mr. and Mrs. Bunny who might have had small disagreement while hiding those said eggs the night before....:) 

I have always loved having matching family outfits. Gamma got Camden his new outfit and I loved the bright blue, so it was decided to do blue this year. Just imagine the three of us together because we really did try to get a picture at church, but Little Man was having an out of sorts morning-as you can tell from his grimaces in the above pictures. 

Todd and I have made a very exciting discovery in our deviled eggs making...putting the mixture into a ziploc bag, cutting a small hole and voila-easy peasy filling! 

We had a great time as usual at the Marberry's. Camden just made himself right at home in Homer's chair and said, Cover me up, Mom? Homer and Maybull were all decked out in their Easter finery. It cracks me up that they are completely content to leave all that nonsense on. And yes, you do see an almost life-size chocolate Grand Bunny that Papa Richard thought Camden would just love! Thanks, Papa! 

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Our last stop of the day was Papa and Gamma's. Camden hunted for eggs with Emily and Nick and he found all three of the eggs with dollars! Many thanks to Aunt Beth for the noise putty in his Easter basket. Above you do see the ever serious, John Melton, trying his hand at making the sounds-that may have been the funniest thing I have seen in a while! I am thankful for a fun day with family, but most of all, I am thankful for the sacrifice my Savior made for me and that He is alive!