There's no Season like Basketball Season

I didn't grow up playing basketball, I don't watch NBA or college hoops, but I have to admit I love watching the kids play basketball...their intensity, their smiles, their teams.

First Snow Day of the Season

The first snow day of the year is always the best snow day right!  

The idea of snow hasn't been around for a while so the kids are totally thrilled to be outside all day.  Later in the season we still get a day off school for the snow, but the kids don't last outside as long which means for a loud, messy house. 

 But for now, I love watching the big kids play with the littles.  I love watching them sled down the hill and when they fall off the sled at the bottom they seem to just lay in the snow an extra little while just taking it all in, then grab a scoop of snow as they get up to munch on while they hike back up the hill.

 I love the beauty of the snow, how it reminds us that Jesus washed us white as snow.

Oh Christmas Tree...

Here we go, on our yearly quest to get a Christmas Tree!!

 He looks like he belongs on "Earnest goes to Camp"

 This little saw has been used to "cut" the tree down since Jack was little

Max turns 8!

Happy Birthday to our Max!!  

Well, what can I say about Max?

He graduates from having to ride in a booster seat!  In his mind that officially makes him a big kid.  In my mind I'll always have 3 bigs and 3 littles.

He's playing on a basketball team and is going to try his hand at baseball in the spring.

He still loves to do anything Bob does outside.

He loves school even though it's quite a challenge for him.

  

He's still the kid that's able to wiggle his way into the hearts of so many.  This year it seems to be the basketball teams at the kids' school.  Several of the boys came to him on his birthday bearing gifts and candy.  It just made Max's day.  You would've thought an NBA player gave him the gifts! Before the game he gives them a dab, cheers his heart out the entire game (you always know when Max is in the gym!), and gives the guys a fist bump afterwards.  The girls and guys argue over who Max likes more.  He's the unofficial NCS mascot (without any type of uniform).

Not sure what was up with my camera when I took this picture, but it's the only one good one I ended up with.

Happy Birthday Max!!

Lets Go Stillers!!!!