The end...

Friday was the last day of the 2013/2014 school year. It marked the end of sixth, fifth and first grade for these three awesome boys. Look at how much they have changed in nine short months. I love how Liam was full of smiles on the first day of school and tries to be macho guy looking so grown up in the last day picture. 

The last week of school is filled with many fun activities. There are two talent shows, sixth grade graduation and honors ceremonies. (Tristan, Colin and Liam did their own little skit for the talent show however, for some reason I cannot find those pictures. I will add them once I find them.)

Colin singing with his class at the 3-6 grade talent show. 

Liam getting ready to dance with his class. 

Tristan shaking the hands of all his 6th grade teachers during graduation. 

Mr. A and Tristan (his main teacher)

Liam had such a great time in first grade he was not totally excited for the last day of school. I love that he loves school so much. By the end of the day he was ready to end first grade and head off to a wonderful summer before being a second grader. 

On to middle school for this guy! Oh my!

Grayson, Liam, Declan, Colin and Tristan nicely posed for one last group photo at their amazing elementary school. 

Liam

Liam is so excited this year to have moved up to the next level of baseball. He is now in farmers league. It is more like playing a real game rather than t-ball where everyone is on the field at once and it's a free for all. This year each child has a designated position every time they take the field. They do not play any specific spot rather they are given the chance to try them all. They also switch each inning between coach pitch and kid pitch. They get three strikes and they are out however, there are no balls or walks yet. His team is the UNO Mavericks. (all the teams are named after college teams in the league we play) So far Liam has pretty much played all over the field.

He has been a second baseman

A catcher (just like his big brother Tristan)

He has great form when he is at bat. 

Has been hitting the ball and running fast. 

Getting set up to lead off. 

And he pitched his first game this past week. 

Seven years of going to games is paying off. Liam is focused and determined to be an amazing player. He tries so hard every time. We are so proud of him and cannot wait to see how he develops this year. 

Easter

Egg Dyeing

The Friday before Easter we spent the evening dyeing eggs. I hard boiled seven dozen eggs by baking them this year. A little tip I saw on Alton Brown and it worked amazing. Only one egg had a little hole but no others were cracked pre-Declan. Seven dozen seems a bit crazy but with five boys, a Mama, and a Gramma they go really fast but it is so much fun. 

Tristan, Declan, Gramma, Colin and Liam 

Declan amazed by the process. It took him a little while to understand we were not using paint brushes and painting the eggs. Once he got the hang of it he had blast.

Grayson dyeing his first egg. He did not want to leave it in very long. 

Easter Sunday

We went to Gramma and Papa's church with them for a very nice service. Then headed over to their house where Great Grandpa Schulz, Aunt Connie, Uncle Jim, and Aunt Joni came down to celebrate. 

Liam (with his new stuffed panda) and Grandpa Schulz

Grayson exploring his basket with Uncle Jim.

Liam waiting to hunt for eggs. 

Waiting for everyone before hunting for eggs. 

Tristan found an egg missing its top. 

A baby bunny enjoying the days festivities. 

Declan and his eggs. 

Grayson running off with an egg that was hidden between Grandpa Schulz's feet. 

Grayson finding an egg that was laying in the open grass. 

Colin on the hunt.

Ever since Tristan and Colin were little they would spend forever hunting eggs as Papa would walk around behind them and grab an egg or two at a time and re-hide them. They have now become the re-hiders and have so much fun hunting and hiding still. I am not sure if other families have such long egg hunts but ours can go on over an hour and everyone has a blast. 

After the egg hunt the big boys, Uncle Brendan and Grandpa Schulz spent a couple hours playing cards. Grandpa had a great afternoon. As did we all. 

And Now He is

12

My first son. You have grown into such an amazing boy. Yes, I said boy you will always be my boy.
You love to read, play baseball and of course create in Minecraft. Legos are still a passion for you. Your room is decked out with bionciles climbing the walls. Which I find pretty fun. You have become a great power player in baseball this year knocking the ball into outfield. I am so impressed with your ability to be a superb catcher. That is one of the hardest positions to play and you do it well.
You are a great big brother to all your brothers they will follow you anywhere.
 I love you and look forward to seeing you grow this year.

Good Night Eleven

The last moments of Tristan as an 11 year old for tomorrow he wakes as a 12 year old! 

A waterfall of balloons wait his awakening. 

Happy Birthday Tristan!! We love you!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Grayson!!

Mr. Grayson is two years old!

 Of course I cannot believe he is so old already. Where did my little baby go? He has turned into a big boy and getting bigger every day. Grayson is a, silly, cuddly, determined, stubborn little guy who climbs and gets into everything! He makes so many funny faces and is always trying to get you to laugh.

So proud of himself

He loves playing with Declan and is so excited when the big boys get home from school. Tristan is still is go to guy. Especially if Mommy has said no or taken something away. 

 Grayson loves riding around the house on his little cars, helping make meals, loves to sweep and running around with Declan. He climbs up shelves, on top of tables, but has not climbed out of his bed yet.

 I love watching him figure out how things work, and the excitement he gets from new things.

It was a beautiful day yesterday so for his birthday day Declan, Grayson and I went to the zoo.

Grayson and Declan at the zoo. 

 Now today as I am writing this it is snowing. Pretty crazy. For the special day we ate at the tree top cafe (the restaurant where you can see into the jungle).  Declan was a little more excited than Grayson at first then, he started seeing the monkeys swinging by and he got very excited. It was a perfect day. They both took great naps:)

Grayson looking for sharks

Grayson and Declan 

Grayson and his new "friend"

 Later for dinner we had Grayson's favorite, spaghetti. Gramma came over and we all enjoyed cupcakes and a fun little evening. 

Grayson was not so happy about the candles.

Make a wish.

Peek-A-Boo

Silly guy riding his new toy from Gramma

Happy Birthday sweet boy we love you!