Don't mess with Jenna!

Every girl should properly accessorize while shooting her gun.

Jacob's Preschool Graduation

Where has the time gone? Jacob's already graduating Preschool! He had a blast this year at the Seneca Valley Child Development preschool program. He excelled in everything he did. He made friends with all the children. Jacob is known as All Smiles or Smiles at school. He was always happy and always smiling. He loved going to school every day.

The school did an amazing job of putting it together. I, of course, as I always do with any event that involved my children growing up, cried. Jacob did a really great job up on that big stage in front of all those people! I was very impressed!



Sitting up as straight as he could. He was trying hard to keep that hat on perfect!



Hat adjustment




And there goes the hat...


One proud boy!




Jacob and Ms. Eckrich, the Child Development Director
Here's a few videos of them singing songs and Jacob getting his diploma. Jasmine took the video of Jacob getting his diploma so it's a bit shaky. I was taking pictures.

The African American Awards of Excellence

James had a very exciting day! He received an award for all of his hard work at school and being above grade level in his subjects. This was for all African American students in Montgomery County. It was held at the Comcast Center at the University of Maryland (where the Terps play!). It was a huge deal. James sat with the other kids from McAuliffe down on the floor. The stands were packed with family and friends. I'm so very proud of James' accomplishments.

James is in the blue plaid shirt.

James' cheering section!

Welcome Brandon Richard

Brandon Richard made his arrival on Friday, May 15th at 10:23 am. He weighed in at 6 lbs .4 oz and is 19 inches long.

He is doing pretty good. He is having some issues with his heart that they are working to figure out. We hope he's home by the end of the week. He's such a sweetheart. I got to go in the nursery and meet him on Sunday. Do you know how hard it was for me not to just pick him up and leave? I can't wait until he's home and we can all love on him.

Welcome to the family Mr. Brandon! Now come home soon!

Happy 8th Birthday Jasmine!

I have yet to convince one of my children to stop getting older and growing up. They just keep doing it to me. I can't believe our little Princess is now 8! EIGHT! That is way too close to 10 for me! I don't like this at all.

The Birthday Girl before leaving for school


Jasmine turned 8 on Friday, the 8th, which an old high school friend told me on Facebook is considered her GRAND BIRTHDAY! Have you ever heard of a grand birthday? It's when the age you are turning is the same as the day you were born. I was born June 29th so I still have a few years before my grand birthday (my 29th....wink wink nod nod).

While Jasmine was at school, I made her cake. The Princess' requirements? Brown and blue. She loves that combination, particularly with some kind of circle pattern. Not only that but she didn't want chocolate cake, just chocolate icing.

Inside of the cake


The finished product which she absolutely LOVED!


Jasmine got a new Nintendo DSi for her birthday. The newer version which features two cameras and the capability to use a memory card for the pictures or to store music, came out a month ago. We preordered it because it was rumored to be hot and going to sale out quickly. Now I could have waited to give it to her on her birthday but the biggest kid in the house, Daddy, couldn't and gave it to her early. Go figure! So today she got two games and a silicon case to protect her sweet game system.


Singing Happy Birthday to her. Now I wish I would have had this on video. Jamie started singing all goofy so everyone joined in so that's what she is cracking up about.


Make a Wish!




Birthday kisses from Daddy






Cake #2 ~ This cake is from Sunday when Oma, Opa, Uncle Boo, Aunt B, Uncle Carl and cousin Chad all came over to celebrate her birthday and Mother's Day.

Inside


Love that smile!





Happy 8th Birthday our sweet Princess Jasmine. You are a wonderful daughter, great sister and just beautiful inside and out. We are the most blessed family to have you in it.

Jenna's Drawings

Jasmine and Jenna were drawing pictures the other day. Jasmine had Jenna draw a picture of each of us. I can't believe how good these are ~ they are all so different and special in their own way. Jasmine then made it into a book for me. This is definitely a keeper!

You can click on the pictures to see them bigger and better!

Daddy


Mommy


Jordan


James


Jasmine


Jacob


Jenna


Bear

The funny faces of Jenna

We're sitting and waiting for the discharge paper work. They are ready to go! See what this place is doing to us!

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Poor Daddy

Jasmine cuddling with her Daddy while we wait to find out what's wrong with his ankle.

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The National Scrabble Championships are this weekend!!!

Back on February 13th (Opa's birthday, none the less and Friday the 13th), Jordan and his Scrabble partner, Courtney, won their spot to go to the National Scrabble Championships. Read the original post here.

This weekend is the Championships in Rhode Island. You can watch it online here! The tournament starts tomorrow! Look for Jordan and Courtney (Floyd T. Binns Middle School, Culpeper, VA) and cheer them on!

Weekend in the Mountains

Jamie's camera has been gone for a few weeks. One of us got dust on the actual camera lens inside and neither of us know how to clean it out properly. Luckily the Geek Squad takes care of that but has to send it off to get it done. It came back just in time for us to go to the mountains for a gorgeous weekend. All 5 kiddos were there (usually one of the big boys are missing ~ it's rare to have all 5 up there). Jamie had been up there all week turkey hunting and getting things done. It was a great weekend and just keeps reminding us how much we love it there and want to move there. Hopefully some day....



Since there are so many, I'm going to make the rest of these thumbnails so please click on them for the larger version.



The boys were playing football and told Jenna she couldn't play...