December 2013

The best part of December was getting to visit Nana and Papa in West Virginia. 

Owen got to play in the snow for the first time. His expression says it all. 

Papa made it even better by giving Owen the hillbillly version of a sleigh ride. 

This Lego set was Josh's own Christmas Day miracle. He looked and looked for this set, finally finding it on Christmas Eve. 

Thomas was our Christmas Day Santa Claus and was responsible for passing out all the presents. 

Thomas and Daddy took a trip to Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park. 

This beautiful tree and all its ornaments was in constant danger from Owen's curious and destructive hands. Mama took it down the day after Christmas. 

October 2013

After months of hard work and travel Thomas secured his position as the Texas State BMX  Champion for 11 year old intermediates. He won both the state race and the overall points championship. Mama just loves his smile. 

Josh took second place in the race for 41 year and over intermediates and second place in the points race overall. 

We took a trip to Dewberry Farms with our friends the Ross's. 

Thomas is helping his friends Kiel and Caleigh Ross figure out how to pan for treasure. 

September 2013

Owen and Daddy enjoy a father-son outing at IKEA.

Nana came to visit so we made sure she got to share in the fun of feeding the giraffes.

July 2013

Thomas and Josh had an awesome father-son trip to Woodward this year. They stopped on the way up enjoy some trail riding at Palo Duro Canyon. 

Josh managed to get injured before even arriving at Woodward. However, 22 stitches didn't stop him from fully participating in a week of intense, bike-jumping fun. 

Thomas had a rough start at the camp with a bout of serious elevation sickness. 

This is the view the boys got to enjoy all week. Mama was more than a little jealous when she saw this picture. 

Thomas was one of the youngest kids at the camp but he was the only kid his age that earned a spot in a promotional video Woodward later released featuring the slope-style camp. 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Owen learns how to wield a shovel...

and becomes King of the Track. 

Mama and Owen, with a new baby on board, decide to make the most of their zoo membership by feeding the giraffes. 

Thomas and Owen helped their friend Caylin Ross celebrate his first birthday at the zoo. 

June 2013

 

June involved spending some family days at the track as Josh and Thomas continued to work on their runs for the State Championship.

 

Owen gets his very own bike and so far it has been one of the happiest days of his life.

 

Thomas completed another great week long camp with his friend Tyler Schmidt at the Velodrome. He consistently came in either at or near the top of all the races. Coach Carl said Thomas had a "great sprint".

 

May 2013

Papa came down to help Aunt Jessica with the birth of her last little one, Ian, and we got to spend some quality time with him too.

 

 

Here is Owen with his brand new cousin Ian.

Owen had his adenoids removed and it was one of the happiest days of Mama and Daddy's life.

 

Josh begins his obsession with Crossfit.

Owen gets his first taste of how Texas kids spend the summer.

Thomas continues his run for the State Championship with a first place at the Beltway 8 Qualifier.

April 2013

April was a month of firsts for our family!

Mama and Owen stopped at Cabella's with Papa on their way to visit Uncle DJ.

Owen has his first dentist appointment with Uncle DJ. 

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Owen gets to see some animals in real life for the first time at Aunt Dell'as farm. 

Mama, Thomas, and Owen attended their first crawfish boil. Daddy had been to one before. 

Thomas and Josh competed in the Bayou City State Qualifier.

 

Owen got his first taste of Easter candy and loved it.

  

Thomas was a great sport about doing the Easter egg hunt so Mama could get some photos.

 

Our biggest first by far was getting our first family dog who we creatively named...April.

 

 

Thomas brought home a first place trophy from one of his State Qualifiers.