2013-Year in Review

January:

 Home Remodeling was in full swing!  As a result we spent the first 2 weeks of 2013 living with the Braddocks.

 During that time, Mandy decided to get her hair cut short since she really doesn't like to spend much time on her hair.  You know, brushing takes waaay too much time.

February: Mandy had her class Valentine's party.

 Grace got glasses!

 And, Mandy was the "smart pig" from the 3 Little Pigs for her Fairytale Parade!

March: We began the month celebrating Ranger's first birthday….with a party.

 We went to Winter Park, Colorado for Spring Break.  The Bassett boys joined us and we had a great week skiing till the point of exhaustion every day!

 For Easter, we went to the annual Legislative Ladies Egg Hunt at the Governor's Mansion.

April: School Pictures

 And, Mandy day at Culver's!!

May:

May was, as usual, a very busy month. Grace celebrated her 12th birthday with friends at Northpark Mall doing a scavenger hunt.

 Mandy had her 2nd grade field trip to the Dallas Arboreteum

 Thomas wrapped up his first successful year in middle school.

 Grace completed her elementary school years.  First, with a class party...

 Then, with 6th grade graduation.

Mandy finished 2nd grade with Mrs. Lee

 We all attended the WMS production of the Wizard of Oz with Hunter as the Cowardly Lion!

June: We kicked off summer with a bang. Lots of swimming at Grandma's (Janes mom) with all of our favorites.

 Then, a week of VBS.  Red ROCKS!

 Father's Day...

 And, volunteering at Sports Camp at church.

July: ROAD TRIP 2013

and then, we needed a vacation, so we all went to Padre Island! We got to share our 9th summer at the beach with friends.

August:  Another crazy month.  I worked as soon as we came home from the beach until the first day of school speaking across Texas.  I did get to tour the Toyota plant with one district though!

 Also, spoke at "home" in Mesquite twice this year.  Always fun to see past students and colleagues.

 Grace had a big "Back to School" sleepover to end the summer!

 Mandy monkey started 3rd Grade!

 Grace started 7th grade and girls athletics.

 All the 'bigs" on the first day of school!

September:  This month was all about getting back in the groove and adjusting to our new normal of having two kids in middle school.  Jane and I were also speaking all over the place!

 It's even included several trips to Paris!!

 Mandy would frequently stay after school with Mrs. Scamp and go home with her to play with the boys.

October:  We enjoyed the State Fair several times...

 Grace had her first school dance…

 Mandy played fall soccer...

 For Halloween Mandy was Abby from NCIS!!

 And, Grace went as the crayon box with all her colorful friends.

November: We rented a LARGE motor coach and spent the weekend camping with friends at Beaver's Bend State Park.

 We also celebrated Luke & Monte's 3rd birthday!

 And spent a low key Thanksgiving at home with family.

December: Lots of fun church traditions

 Scott ran the Jingle Bell run with Mandy at school this year.

 Mandy with her teacher Mrs. Samples.

 We decorated gingerbread houses with friends again this year.  Mandy takes hers very seriously!

 We attended Christmas Eve services at church!

Christmas day Santa brought Thomas some gymnastics equipment, Mandy lots and lots of legos and clothes and shoes for Grace!

 The weekend after Christmas we hosted the annual Rollins Family Christmas at our house.

New Year's Eve was spent with friends that feel like family.  Even though 2013 was a year full of changes and new challenges for most of us, we continue to feel beyond blessed by this life the Lord has blessed us with.  Here's to a wonderful 2014!