Colton

This morning as we were up early and getting ready for school, Colton exclaimed, "Mom, some of the kids in my class don't get to pack their own lunches!" I grinned and told him that those must be some mean moms. I'm so glad that he sees it as a privilege that he gets to pack his own lunch for school.

Reading at bedtime

Love, love, love this! Holden is so cute as his vocabulary develops. When we read a princess book - at Collins's request - Holden points to the princess and says, "Blah!"

Getting ready for baseball season

Collins and Holden were helping Colton pick out a new helmet for baseball season.

if: gathering

I spent a weekend in Austin with some of my dearest friends at the if: gathering. It was an amazing time to worship God, hear great speakers, be challenged in my faith and catch up with friends. We stayed up way too late, but I left the weekending wishing that we had more time together.

I drove to Austin and picked up these four gals at the airport - Ashley, Cat, Rachel and Melissa. Jennifer and Callie joined us a bit later.

I saw old friends from Kanakuk like...Allen Befort,

Lindsey Wheeler,

and Kari Bratvold Sowers.

We ate yummy Mexican food. The food was fun, the shopping was fun, but most of all I loved time with friends like this one! They are good for my heart. They just know me because we have shared life together.

While I was away, Todd had extra help from Grandad and Baba. Holden got a ride in the wagon - apparently he was concerned for his safety.

Fun times playing outside.

Hooray for all that this picture captures!

Pictures of life

Colton - and all the kids - are experts at climbing to the top of the playground at church.

Bubble baths are the best.

Our friend Clara loves Collins and Holden.

This big kid is no longer sleeping in a crib. He has graduated to a big boy bed and is doing great. The first few nights he had some adventures...but now he is staying in bed most of the time.

Daddy Daughter Dance

The first weekend in February was the annual GBC Daddy Daughter Dance. I'm not exaggerating when I say that Collins had been talking about this night for at least three months. She was so excited! She did have some specific requests for her big date and they were:
1. She wanted to ride in the van.
2. She wanted to ride in a booster seat instead of her regular car seat.

I was out of town this weekend, but Collins was in good hands. Grandad and Baba came to Houston to help Todd with the kids. Baba made sure Collins looked beautiful for her dance.

We realized late that I was taking the van to Austin so Collins got to ride in Grandad's car with her booster seat. What a princess she is!

Ready for the dance.

She looks a little uncertain...but I know she was excited. Todd sent me a video of Collins twirling, dancing and bouncing to the Taylor Swift song "Shake It Off."

Collins and her friend AnnaKate.

GBC hired a food truck to cater the dance. It was called the Waffle Bus. So dads and daughters enjoyed savory and dessert waffle treats.

Yum! Can't wait for next year's dance.

In February

Man I am behind on my blog, but here are a few pictures from last month. Holden decided to get a job at IKEA - he wanted to work in the kitchen.

Amy Engram found this AWESOME picture from years ago. Look at these little Engram and Rapp boys!

A Chick-fil-a opened up right near our house - so Todd took Collins and Holden the morning of the grand opening so that they could play in the playground. Todd said it was germ free!

Collins loved it!