Celebrating James

 I don't know how we did this, but all of our kids have birthdays during school holidays in Australia.  I think the best thing James got for his birthday was no school.  Faith had to go to school a week longer than the boys, so while she was in school, Hope, Spencer and I took James out to lunch for his birthday and then we got some Yogurtland.  

 We went to Hog's Breath for dinner with our friends the Mamouneys.

 James actually ate most of the huge sundae they brought him.

 After dinner he opened his presents.

 His Brumbies jersey.  They are the Rugby Union team in Canberra.

 He got a Kindle from us.

 A big thank you to grandmas and grandpas for James' gifts.  He loved them.

 The day after his birthday we had a party for his school friends at the mall.  We ate lunch in the food court.

 After lunch they went to see the X-Men movie.  He wanted an X on his cake…. X-men?  X-Box?  Who knows.

 He opened his presents before they went to the movie.

He was too embarrassed at the mall for us to sing to him and blow out candles so we did that when we got home.  Happy Birthday, James!!!  I can't believe it was eleven years ago that you were my newborn baby.  We love you heaps!

It Really Snows in the Snowy Mountains

 Today we traveled about 2 1/2 hours for James' rugby game in Jindabyne.  We froze our buns off!!!!  It was so cold and the boys were freezing.  They played their worst game ever against the Bush Pigs of Jindabyne.  I don't blame them; it was just so cold. 

 The other kids didn't get out of the van.  We had lots of hot chocolate, cup cakes and movies to keep them entertained.

 Since we were so close to the Snowy Mountains we had to go and see the snow. We drove about thirty minutes from Jindabyne to Thredbo to build a snowman.

 Our Olaf.

 I love these snow-covered gum trees.

Now we can say we have seen snow in Australia.  We had a great day and stopped to eat dinner in Cooma on our way home at the Cooma Cafe.  

It had to Happen Sometime

 I guess it's pretty miraculous that with four kids no one has ever cut their own hair.  Until now.  Hope found the scissors and the next thing I knew she was chopping off her bangs in the bathroom.

The same day our neighbor kids came over for some popcorn:  Cooper, Charlie and Ryley.  We sure have great neighbors :)

More Rugby

 Our Saturday mornings are spent watching rugby.

James and his best mates Max and Nick.

Good times.