Spring Break

     We were able to spend part of Spring Break in San Antonio and Austin. We love getting together with my cousin Trent and his family (Linda, Max and Mason).  They are good and usually come our way to be with the whole Vore group.  It was our turn to make the five hour plus trek out there and spend time in their neck of the woods!.
     Trent and Linda were very sweet and a bit crazy to insist on taking the group to Sea World alone.  Linda wanted Brian and I to have some time to just do whatever we wanted.  How is that for kind?!  It worked out perfectly because it was our 16th anniversary.  It was so fun to have 30 hours to just hang out together.  I did feel a bit guilty as we were strolling down the San Antonio River walk, eating out at delicious restaurants and napping in our hotel room to think of Trent and Linda with six children...four of whom weren't theirs.  Everyone knows there is nothing relaxing about six children and a packed amusement park during spring break! 
     It sounds like the kids were spoiled rotten with the Vore group.  They ate out, picked up Shamrock Shakes, had donuts for breakfast, went on a hike, played badminton tournaments, and even went to the pool.  (Gotta love spring in Texas! And Aunt Linda spoiled the girls with new swim suits.)  Max and Mason will be twelve in May, and they are chameleons.  They just blend in well with any age group.  All of our kids love being with them because they are fun, athletic, sweet and inclusive with everyone. 
       Brian and I hooked up with them the next afternoon and enjoyed a yummy homemade dinner and an evening of visiting with Trent and Linda before heading back to the "Big O."  Thanks Trent, Linda, Max and Mason for a wonderful mini-vacation!!

I had several pictures I wanted to add...but the computer is not cooperating.  Grrrr
Here is a cute one of the group stacked up on Trent and Linda's bed watching a show.  (Aubrey was already in bed.) 

Ummm...only two separate shots of Brian and I celebrating our anniversary...and of course I can't get them to work.  I guess this picture of our delicious dinner at Papacito's is all I have to share!

     On the way home from Austin, we saw a sign for Marble Falls, the town were our good friends the Hemonds moved.  We made a quick call and ten minutes later showed up on their front porch.  It was so cute to see the Gwilliam and Hemond children reunited.  We were able to see the lot were they will be building soon.  I loved visiting with Melissa for a few minutes.  And again, I don't think I have one picture to show from the last minute gathering....but it was a perfect ending to or fun Austin trip!

Britney and Charlotte

     I love these two girls.  I don't get to see either of them enough.  Britney and I only live 4 blocks from each other but our schedules are opposite!  She is in the busy "hands on, Mommy is always on call and pretty much always needed" stage.  I am in the "get slammed every morning, have a few hours during the day to get anything/everything done, and then get slammed once again from 3:00pm on" stage. We hook up when we can (usually with at least three if not seven kids in tow) and spend at least a little bit of each day on the phone or texting.  I need to see this little, bitty angel more often though!  Isn't she a doll?

 

Yea for Grandpa Vore who takes the cutest pictures too!
 

 

The Annual Star Wars Competition

     We had the annual Star Wars competition at school.  This is were you use hoola hoops as light sabers and attack while you hoop.  All of the kids made the team.  Aubrey was so cute, "Mom, this is the first team I've ever made!"  The funny part about the "team" thing is they are actually all against each other.  It just means they get to participate at the school competition.
      Brian always has the Star Wars theme music playing loud and clear as the kids get ready for school.  They are already so excited and the music gets them pumped!  They plan their outfits: something that is comfortable and won't inhibit the hoop.  Parker and Tanner wore two different colored socks to complete their power look. (?)  Parker also "loaned" some of his socks to a friend so they could match!  Crazy kids.
     We did have a bit of a fail this year.  Aubrey's size 6 slim jeans were not staying up too well....and she was hooping away!  Bri, Chris, Angelique and I were sure she was going to lose those pants at any second and just keep hooping.  Luckily, one of the coaches noticed, and she had Aubrey do a quick pull up.  Let's just say we had a plumber in our family for a good five minutes!
     Tanner and Parker did not make the top ten boys this year.  Darn!  I think they have every other year, and they were a bit disappointed.  They did get to watch all of the battle though, and they enjoyed that.  (If you win, you have to go back to the other gym were you can't see the action and wait while the other grades compete.)  Brinley made 7th in her grade level but just missed placing in the 3-6th overall girl's competition.  I competed in the parent/teacher competition.  I did get first, but mostly the adults are just trying to keep their hoops up!  All of my kids can easily beat me.
     And here is the big news:  Aubrey tied for 1st out of the Kindergarten girl's competition!  When the coach finally called it a tie, she just looked so grateful to be able to quit hooping.  There was no victory arm pump or smile.  Poor baby!  She was exhausted!
     I am going to include a link to show Star Wars in action.  This was from a local news station.  (Just an aside, the news anchor is a friend of mine and her kids go to Reagan.  She is also our current PTA president.)  Click Here to See the Action!!:  CBS7 News Link  (The video is on the right side of the linked page.)  Aubrey was shown hooping on the 5:30 teaser segment, but it is not up on their website.



Aubrey is so happy to have her first trophy!!  We took a lot of video of all the kids hooping but none on our regular camera....so no pictures of the Bryn or the boys.

 




Stevie, our cousin, won first for third grade girls!




Lauron, another cousin, placed in the top ten out of first grade girls!
We have a cousin or a child in every grade level this year at Reagan.  Benjamin and Joseph came back for the alumni competition and Benja won it.  I guess you can say we have some hoopers in the Vore/Gwilliam bunch!
 

    
    

This Makes My Heart Happy!

     I love to read.  It is relaxing and interesting and exciting all rolled into a small package.  So the other night when I walked by the living room and saw this...I had to snap a couple of pictures. 

Tanner has been doing great at reading in The Book of Mormon almost every night.  He doesn't like to read on his own a ton but is always interested if Brian or I will read with him.
Parker has turned into quite the reader and quickly finishes one series and jumps to the next.  LOVE IT!

Brinley as always loved reading.  Between her friends, teachers, librarian and myself, it is hard to keep her supplied with something she hasn't read.  Aubrey was in bed at this point, but she is turning into quite the little reader herself.

Seriously, this makes me so happy!

Baseball

     It's that time of the year.  Baseball season.  The boys are so excited.  This will be Tanner's first year to play.  He is on the Astros, and Parker is on the Royals.  Of course, they are in different divisions and practicing at different fields.  Baseball seems to be practice almost every week night you don't have a game scheduled...and on those nights, you play your 1.5 hour game. 

     Then add piano, homework,  Brinley and Aubrey's Tuesday/Thursday gymnastics class that takes place at the same time, and Brian's "Bishop"ing duties, and I am really not sure how this is going to work out?!  I am sure it will be crazy though.  

     Look at these two joyful faces!  How can one not be excited for this spring time adventure!

Love how they are decked out.  I was teasing them and saying I liked their costumes.  But aren't they set!   Gloves in their back pockets, new sun glasses, cleats, baseball pants.... heading out to practice.

Tanner, 8 and Parker, 10

Charlotte Ann

 

We have been a sick lot at our house.  Colds, viruses, stomach bugs....we had to wait and wait to be able to see our new little niece/cousin Charlotte.  It was torture, I tell you!  Finally, at twelve days old, they took the four block walk to our house and everyone was able to hold and snuggle her.  She is so sweet and cuddly and quiet and fluffy headed and adorable.  We love you so much already Charlotte Ann!