Happy Thanksgiving!

While the big kids were off "hangin out" with friends ... the little girls and I made Turkey cookies! Apparantly, this is a new tradition for us ... we made them last year, and Evie reminded me that we needed to do them again this year!

Evie's Amazing Game

Evie is playing her first season of soccer. Tom's coaching his first soccer team ... team Sugar Rush! Saturday, Evie scored 2 of the team's 6 goals!

School's Back in Session!

I'm not sure how I missed an ENTIRE summer but, let me just say we were BUSY! June was filled with camps ... Dance camp at TU, Young Women's Girls' camp, Boy Scout camp, and EFY. July was MY month off. Even though I was taking 2 summer classes at RSU, I had ACL reconstructive surgery at the first of July and was nothing but LAZY for the rest of the month. August came, and another school year is here again!

TJ is in 10th grade, and starting the year off with Marching Band, and he'll finish the year with his favorite ... Jazz Band.Kaylee is in 9th grade, and beginning her high school experience with the Dance Team.Chelsea is in 8th grade, and is continuing her art and soccer explorations. Maddy is in 5th grade, and is at the Upper Elementary. She's learning the trumpet and playing soccer again.Evie is in all day kindergarten, and playing soccer. It's killing me ... but I'm enjoying the extra time with Claira.Claira is back in preschool 2 days a week, and is loving it! She didn't start until a week after her siblings, so she had a hard time waiting. Today was her first day ... as you can see she's proud to be one of Tidwell's Turtles.We started off with our tradition of breakfast at Braum's. This year was a bit strange because TJ drove his sisters to school, while Tom and I took the youngest three. Am I ready for this?

Maddy's Graduation

Maddy was the star at her 4th grade Graduation! This celebration is a tradition at our Elementary school because the students move on to the Upper-Elementary in the 5th grade. They had a great time with all the end of year field trips ... Bounce U, and the 4th grade Talent Show (pictures to come).

Maddy also tried out softball again after 3 years. She is a natural! So far she's played catcher, right field, left field and shortstop. Go Cowgirls!

Spring Concert

Last night we enjoyed music from Kaylee's 8th Grade Band ... they finished with a beautiful arrangement of Amazing Grace. It was very moving!

Next, we enjoyed TJ's High School Jazz band . . . who won National recognition in San Antonio, Texas last month!

Happy Mother's Day!

From Evie . . .

Congratulations Kaylee!

Kaylee made the High School Dance Team!!! She went through 3 days of clinics, learning new dances and killing herself physically. On that Friday she tried out with 22 other girls. We are so proud of her for trying out ... and making it! She is gonna have a great experience in high school, and she is gonna be a terrific leader for these girls. The next day we celebrated TJ's 16th Birthday! We had a video scavenger hunt with over 25 kids at our tiny house ... more on that to come ...

Spring has Sprung!

Ebble's preschool class had an Easter Egg hunt today. Claira brought her basket and joined in the fun! Comparing eggs ... After the hunt, the girls had snacks. Having an engaging conversation about how cool their houses are with the little boy across the table ... way cute.

Spring Break?

Last day of Spring Break and it SNOWS! Kaylee and TJ are bummed because the youth dance is cancelled ... but Maddy, Claira and Evie are loving it!

Evie turns 5

Evie turned 5 on February 25th!



She had a Princess party with a castle cake ...



She is our smiliest girl ... and she gives the
greatest "ear kisses" ever!

Update

Oh I've really neglected this blog lately! I have several updates to post because we have been a busy family ...
We'll start with Book Character Day! Our elementary school celebrated Dr. Seuss' Birthday this week, and today Maddy and Evie dressed up as Thing 1 and Thing 2. The Cat in the Hat (awesome librarian) was available for a photo op too!

... more to come ...

Christmas Bliss

Just a snapshot from our family Christmas celebration. As I always say ... "chaos is BLISS"!