Brennar and Brilee start basketball

I always have regretted that I didn't play any team sports growing up - I just don't think the friendships you make with your teammates really are ever broken - so I have tried and tried to get Brilee into something.  I have never pushed her but I don't stop asking and this year so EXCITEDLY said yes to trying basketball!

She really really had the defensive side down, but if she was passed the ball she got rid of it as quickly as possible! 

This was Brennar's 3rd year playing, there were 6 boys on the team and they were all kids he has played with either on his football team or his baseball team so he really had a blast this year

The program they go through is so darn great, they pray as teams before every game

Braylon, Kasen, Mason, Jackson, Brennar and Carter - with coach Kellen - who is also their football coach

Kayla, Abby, Hayden, Brilee, Bria and Carly - with their coaches Bob and Jason

I couldn't be more proud of Brilee, she learned so dang much and the last few games even scored a few baskets!! And best thing, she says she wants to do it next season too!!

Montana house update

Every few weeks we get some updated pictures on the Big Sky house - it is so crazy to see since we have never seen anything more than a hole in the ground in person!

The beams!! This was one of the 2 things I couldn't live without in the house, and I am so so glad they made it woek

Our main room view - it doesn't suck!

Every day were getting closer to  having our own little piece of paradise!  I mean they do say, "Heaven is a little closer in the mountains"

It's my birthday!!

I turned 35 on 2/1, what!!! My sweet kids got me a cake and even sang me Happy Birthday all on their own since Clint was working late - it was the best!

A couple night later we went out for dinner to my FAVORITE restaurant with some of my favorite people

It was pretty darn perfect! I really turned 35 but I drank like I was turning 21, oops!!

Each of my kids picked out an experience they wanted to do with just me - literally the absolute best gift ever

This cutie and I went to a movie

Bryden has an obsession with Texas Roadhouse, we really aren't entirely sure why, but we went to dinner there together

Brennar and I went on a breakfast date, I think he wanted to do that since Clint and I do weekly breakfast dates, and it was great!  Brilee and I went and got our nails done together and I somehow lost that picture:(  But we still had a wonderful time.  I couldn't have loved the time with each kiddo alone any more than I did, it was honestly such a good idea by Clint!

One of my best friends was out of town for my dinner so she took me to coffee and then to the spa - that was pretty darn great too!!

Bryden is 5!!

 Just one more picture of this sweet baby girl:)

Bryden turned 5 on January 21, I still am not sure it really happened, it literally just had him last week!

His sister made him a painting, wrapped it and put on bow on it - she was so excited to give it to him, and he honestly loved it!

 Brennar gave him a football - he wanted him to start practicing because he will be playing football in just a couple months!

 This boy and his smile and curls!!!

 We had a fun birthday party at Get Air, it was absolutely perfect.  It was on a Monday afternoon right after preschool but before the elementary kids got out of school.  The big kids were super bummed to miss it, but there was not a single other kid there besides his friends, it was amazing!

 Kaleb and Bryden became fast friends this year - and they will be going to the same elementary school for kindergarten too!

 Teagan is one of his best friends, I adore her and so does Bryden:)

 Lily is also another sweet friend of his - we will sure miss all of them next year - if only they stayed in preschool forever!!

Bryden Luke, Happy Happy Birthday!!! We can't believe you are 5, but we are so so proud of the little boy you are.  You always have a smile on your face and can make anyone smile just looking at you.  You are so kind and have the sweetest heart.  You love all things boy, but only if Brennar likes it too:)  We couldn't love you more!

Fun in January

We make the most of the days we have as a family, we jam pack them and really try to do anything and everything we can.  Even though we've been there dozens of times, the Aquarium is always fun for all of us - especially if we get there right away and beat the crowds - that's not a favorite for us:)

The first time we've been there that tie tigers were out on the lower level, they usually seem to be up farther and we can't see them this close, it was really neat for the kids

They always want to play with the sting rays - Clint thinks it's just gross so observes from afar, but I think it's pretty cool.  Most be the ocean lover in all of us!

On the way home from the aquarium we stopped at Krispy Kreme - it was the first time the kids have been to one, they loved being able to see all the donuts being made, and they didn't mind the taste of them either;)  I sent this picture of the kids to my cousins, it reminded me of all the times my Uncle Jeff would bring them on vacation when we were in MN!

We also took in a movie - now that Brexten is able to sit through them, we try to see as many as we can.  I think I really missed not seeing anything in theaters for so many years having little ones, or maybe I just missed the popcorn:)

Kiya

This sweet little lady got to come live with us on January 18th, it was a long 2 months waiting for her to be big enough to come home!  But she was so worth the wait!!  Her official name is Kiya Cupcake Marie Stapp:) 

She is absolutely gorgeous and you honestly would never know she hasn't lived with us forever, she was definitely "mothered" by Kula and picked up so much so so quickly

She's been a dream puppy

The kids are over-joyed to have her, especially Brilee, she can't get enough of her cute little face

Kula really, really loves her too, which we are so grateful for.  The transition from going from 2 to 3 dogs was virtually seamless

She has been such a wonderful addition to our family!