Baseball Practice Playtime

Baseball practices are now in full swing with games beginning in just a couple of short weeks.  Calvin's practices were scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and being the smart man he is, my husband (and Oliver's coach) scheduled the younger boys' practice immediately following.  We have had some b-e-a-utiful spring evenings to play at the park while big brother(s) were at practice!  Violet's all-time favorite playground equipment is the tire swing.

She also loves the traditional swings, especially when Jackson is around to push her!

She's also getting much more brave with her climbing adventures.

And Li'l Miss Thang has pretty must mastered the entire playground, including the BIG slide.  She climbed her little body up all of those steps and fearlessly slid down.  And then she did it again and again and again!  My heart rate finally returned to normal after about the 100th trip down the slide.

She LOVES to slide!

She also decided she wasn't too little for the rock wall -- there she goes!

And back down she comes!

Yay for spring weather and gearing up for ball season!!

Jackson's Confirmation Day

After giving a wonderful and heartfelt testimony last night during his profession of faith, Jackson was confirmed today at church!

 We got to sit in front of the church with this handsome guy.

Jackson receiving the rite of confirmation from Pastor.

 Russ and I with the confirmand after church concluded.

 Jackson got to take LOTS of pictures today!

 We all headed back to Jackson's house to celebrate with him.  He opened some really special gifts to start things off.  He received this really cool basketball statue from Uncle Kyle and Aunt Sara with his confirmation verse wrapped around the base.

We got him an engraved dog tag with his name/date on one side and confirmation verse on the other side.

 

I also made him a plaque with his name incorporated into some of my favorite Bible verses.

His parents got him a beautifully-engraved wood plaque with his verse, as well as his Bible.

He got a devotional and mug from Grandma Cheryl & Grandpa Kermit and a wallet and keychain from Grandma Jo & Grandpa Denny.  My boys also got him a basketball sign with his verse on it.  One thing's for sure, Jackson won't be able to forget his confirmation verse!

 We enjoyed a delicious meal with the family.

The kids had plenty of time to play after dinner before it was time for cake!  Another beautiful cake, Grandma!

 Evelyn and Uncle John never miss out on cake!

Congratulations, Jackson!  We are so proud of the young man you are becoming!!

Heart Walk, T minus 1 month!

We are just over a month out from the 2015 Heart Walk!  This is an event our family has participated in since the birth of Oliver and obviously a cause that we hold very dear to our 'hearts'!

Click here to visit our family's page where you can donate and help cure congenital heart defects!  Thanks for your love and support!

Boys and Toys

The much-anticipated day the boys have waited YEARS for finally arrived: 4-wheeler day!  Russ has been talking about getting a 4-wheeler since the day we moved into our 'country' home and the boys have talked even more about it!  Finally, Russ told them that with our tax refund this year, we would make their dream a reality and now it is!  This evening, Daddy brought it home and some excited kids were eagerly awaiting!  I just love Oliver so much. He had his helmet on and was ready to go just the second the ride was available!

 Thankfully, we have the expertise and manpower of Uncle Scottie and Grandpa Denny so we could actually get it out of the truck. 

 Success!  Now let's see what this baby can do!

 Start 'er up!  And the first kiddo to ride goes to. . .

 . . . Princess Evie, of course.  Thankfully, the boys understand 'ladies first' manners and were willing to be patient just a bit longer.

 Next up, Oliver Man takes it for a spin.

 And finally, Calvin takes it all over the ENTIRE yard to get it nice and warmed up.

What about Miss Violet, you ask?  Well, she was quite happy to cheer for the others as they passed, but at first mention of her actually getting ON the ride, she ran quickly in the other direction.  She'll probably change her mind at some point, but at the moment she isn't a huge fan of the new toy in the garage.  I'm sure the boys will have many fun memories on this 4-wheeler in the coming years. . . but for now, as Oliver says, "It's time to figure out the rules."  Yes, it is.  And mommy has new leverage for getting the boys to behave. . .

Syd's Big Weekend!

Miss Sydney Nicole just finished a very fun and busy weekend, beginning with PROM on Saturday!  Yes, I said prom, and No, there's no way she should be old enough to be going to prom!  Cousin Laura came out early in the day to get her hair all beautiful.

The finished product was simply gorgeous!

Her date picked her up and they started the traditional "Prom Cruise" up and down the bricks of Main Street.

 I love this tradition.  All of the kids get their coolest ride to cruise the bricks, and you'll see everything from new sports cars to classic cars to grain trucks!

 Some of the cruise-watchers. . .

 My kids loved watching all of the high-schoolers pass in their cool rides!

 Once the cruise was over and the walk was ready to begin, Sydney joined our crew (as the walk is only for juniors and seniors).  The little girls definitely look up to their beautiful cousin!

 My goodness, she's beautiful.

 Some of the momma-razzi (and grama-razzi??) on hand to make sure the occasion is adequately documented. . .

 Oliver couldn't pass up the opportunity to get a picture with the prettiest girl at the prom!

The two Dwyers at prom, with Cousin Lucas looking handsome as ever!

 I love how prom is still done the same way as when I was in high school with the junior class decorating up the commons area.  The theme this year was the "Great Gatsby" and it all looked great!

 I also love that we live in a community where everyone still prays before a meal, even at a school function.

 What a fun night for Sydney!

And as if prom isn't enough excitement for one weekend, we also celebrated Syd's birthday on Sunday evening, with a Lady Eagles-themed cake. . .

 . . . made by none other than Grandma Cheryl, of course.

 It doesn't matter how old the birthday girl is, she still gets quite the audience when it's time to unwrap gifts.

 Grandma Jo made the birthday girl an extra-special photo book, documenting the fantastic season she had in basketball.

 The men spent some time lounging in the living room, while I'm sure we women were visiting in the kitchen.

These two always love a good birthday party! 

I can't believe my Sydney is already this grown up!  My kids are so lucky that she lives close and loves to spend time with them.

Happy birthday to you!!

 Uh-Oh, look who found Sydney's prom shoes!  I think we're going to be in trouble with this one!

What a fun weekend all around!  Thanks for letting us be a part of it, Syd!