Grace's Kindergarten Concert

Tonight, we had Grace's Spring Music Concert. The nursery rhyme theme was perfect for Grace. She loves to chant rhymes and her class even put "moves" to the words. It was really cute and Grace woke up so excited as she yelled "tonight is my concert". She even sang her songs to Brian the entire way to school. However, she wouldn't disclose the "moves" until the big debut. She wanted to suprise us.

Grace is in the stands. She was just a little buried toward the back. Her cousin; Addie is in the front row (bottom right), who is in Kindergarten too.

There she is a little closer. (The shots close up are a little fuzzy and had to be colored enhanced.)

Grace was able to wear her big cousin Cassie's outfit. Ava wore the matching, smaller version. Before the concert, she asked me "Can you curl every piece of my hair and leave no straight pieces".

Grace thinks Toby is her biggest fan. Here, he shows off his new haircut.

Papa and Gaga were able to come and watch. They joined us for dinner and ice cream.

The Kids-Just Hang'n Out

The kids enjoyed celebrating Grace's Music concert with going out to eat and having ice cream. It was a very special night for Grace. Here she is posing with Toby, Eli, and Ava. We are so proud of her! Eli loves to pose!
Grace wanted to have wacky hair day out our house. She created her own hair-do.
Ava loves to practice walking. However, I think we are a little while off before she does it on her own.
Grace loves our new climber. Brian was also quite excited when I brought home more "plastic" for the backyard.
What an angel...Need I say more?
Looking Good!

Grace preparing for Ava's Big Party!

All Ready for Church! What a cutie.

I found the kids holding each other one morning. (Of course, they were in my bed!!!!) So sweet. Eli's friend Sammy had a baseball themed party,and of course Eli was in full gear. When asked why he is a Cardinal Fan, he answered "...because Jesus made me". Brian and I couldn't argue.
Here is Grace with Bethany; my niece and Zachary; my nephew at a local park.
What a handsome fireman!

Here is little Ms. Ava dancing. She loves to dance when we chant "dance, dance, dance".

Eli recently turned "4". We had fun celebrating at the Pepsi Ice Centerwith the big, Hockey party.

Here is our little bowler. Perfect Form!
Here is Eli pretending to be a goalie. He stands in the goalie circle andeven tries to sneak in a few "spits" like the pros.
Here is Ms. Ava on Easter Sunday waving hello.

Gracie loves to ice skate. Once she starts her classes, we'll update our blog with her new moves.

Here is Gracie posing during the intermission of High School Musical on Ice.We had fun with our neighbors; Molly and Nicki.

Toby is taken care of well by Miss Grace. She runs to him every morning and first thing after school.
We had a fun trip to the American Girl Store in Chicago. We had lots of shopping time too! It was just the girls.

Toby Barack Hensley

Here is Toby. He is a Maltese and is quite the puppy. He was born December 30th and joined our family a couple of months ago. The kids adore him. He brings us laughter, cuddles, and the occasional "messy" floor.

Vacation Bible School for Children with Autism and their Siblings

I am on a team to coordinate the first Vacation Bible School for children with Autism and their siblings this year. If interested in helping, please let me know. Our team would love to have your help!

Teasing Brian!!

GO BEARS!! Brian always wanted to be a professional

football player. Looking back at his CHS days, I think he could

have done it!

Two wonderful things....1)Brian cannot take my picture because he has no clue how to work my camera , and 2) Brian doesn't know how to edit this blog.

Here we are goofing off and pretending to take senior pictures.We are weird...I know.

"The key to success is self-reflection"-Brian

(gotcha bri)

Ava Rae is "1"

Here are some pix of Ava's First Birthday pictures and her party. We celebrated with

her own cake to demolish, a pinata, presents, and fun!

All About Our Family! -Introduction

Our family has grown! Brian and I are proud of our 3 active and growing kiddos; as well as our newest journey of owning a puppy. Each day is a new adventure with this bunch; but we love it!

Brian continues to enjoy warping the young minds of adolescents at Chiddix; as he teaches 6th grade. He is entering his final lap of the school year and preparing to start softball and his summer "honey-do" list.

I spend my days playing with my kids and the children in my daycare. We have lots of daily activities planned; but have recently decided to enjoy the backyard and weather more than anything. I've started to find my time to relax with running and listening to my IPOD.

Grace (6 1/2) loves kindergarten; and recently was awarded a Young Author's Award for "The Beautiful Spotted Unicorn"; which is about a unicorn that looks different than other unicorns. She continues to enjoy gymnastics and swimming, and plans to trade in her leotard for figure skates and a soccer ball soon. She has really come "out of her shell" and is starting to become less shy.

Eli (4) started preschool this year and is quite the meticulous student. Eli is obsessed with sports and dressing in full uniform for each. His favorites are hockey and baseball. He too continues with swimming lessons (somewhat against his better wishes) and hockey. This summer he plans to continue with hockey, drop swimming for awhile, and play baseball.

Ava (1) just celebrated her big first birthday. She changes everyday! She walks around on furniture and jabbers so much now. Her favorite thing is playing outside with her little tykes car; while inside her mission is to master the stairs and to terrorize Toby; our puppy. Her most used words are "doggy", "daddy", and "mommy". Our favorite times with her are playing peek-a-boo , singing nursery rhymes, and giving hugs and kisses with an "awe".