Taft's Birthday

 Taft turned 5 this year! Taft loves his birthday very much and looks forward to it every year.  The theme of his birthday this year was Robots! Taft loves robots and really wanted a robot for his birthday! Luckily, Dad pulled through and designed a fun robot with track wheels. Taft also got a robot shirt and had a robot cake! 

Here is a picture of Taft with his spotlight board! Taft likes to eat baked ziti, manicotti, and pizza. His favorite color is orange. He loves to listen to books. He enjoys playing outside and hanging on monkey bars. Taft is very strong. He can hang for 99 seconds, or longer, as long as you don't look at him or talk to him. Taft has a cute smile. He is fun to be with. He is a good brother. He likes Christmas! He also likes to be with Dad and help Dad. They share ideas and work on inventions together, usually involving robots.

Taft, Alyssa, and Joel all helped make the robot cake. Taft thinks he looks worried in this picture. I was worried, too. It was the great exercise of LETTING GO!

Taft was also lucky to have Gramma and Grandpa visiting on his birthday! We had a fun week together playing outside, going to Buc-cee's, visiting the Alamo, reading books, going for walks, seeing H-E-B's construction progress, and so much more!

The week before Taft's birthday, Taft celebrated his birthday with Vera and Archie because they also have December birthdays. We went to Sea World and also played at a park where the kids made bird feeders, played a balloon game, shot a turkey with darts, played on the playground, and we all ate pizza and cupcakes!

We are grateful Taft, for his birthday, for the enthusiasm and joy he brings to our family! We love Taft!

Thanksgiving 2020

Our Thanksgiving week was a little crazy, a lot of fun, and pretty restful.

We got to see Nana, Papa, and Maria on Wednesday night. We enjoyed some Rosa's Cafe at a little playground. The kids were pretty excited that we were there past dark and they even saw a bunny!

On Thanksgiving we went on a hike to Secret Beach. Even though it was a little chilly, we waded in the water. Kent pretty much went swimming so he his clothes were removed before they got too wet!

We hiked around after our swimming adventure. Erik thought maybe we could find an easier way to get back onto the trail from Secret beach and took us on a rather long walk through a sandy ravine until some guys with their dogs told us we had to scale the side of the ravine and get out that way. They helped Erik get the stroller out because Joel and I were about 1/4 a mile behind everyone, petting the sand! 

Our Thanksgiving dinner was grilled chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, asparagus, broccoli, and rolls. Erik and I had a marinade-off. Taft liked Erik's marinade, more of a barbeque flavor. Alyssa liked mine, more of an herb and lemon though maybe a little too herby.

We had a thankful jar around the house the week before Thanksgiving and we read our thankfuls during dinner. Here are a few:

I'm thankful for Alyssa, for her kindness and love. - Mom

I'm thankful for the freedom of this country. - Alyssa Mary Archibald

Nice running weather - Dad

Alyssa shared her cinnamon bagel at lunch. - Taft

I could play with Joel. - Taft

Longhorns. - Dad

H Two O. - Dad

Fajitas, Taft's strong muscles, decluttering. - Mom

Thankful for my friends, including my family. - Alyssa

I'm thankful for peace through Christ & His Spirit. - Mom

I'm thankful for Taft, for his smile and enthusiasm. - Mom

I'm thankful for Joel. - Mom

I'm thankful for Kent. - Mom

I'm grateful for Dad because he's so awesome, helpful, kind, encouraging and silly. - Mom

I'm thankful for Mom & Dad & "Hyssa". - Joel

PB, brownies, and ice cream! - Mom

I'm thankful for repentance, that I can become better every day! - Mom

I'm thankful for our home, even if we only have 1 bathroom. We have so much joy here! - Mom

I'm thankful Dad does not judge me or criticize me and that he is a good example to me. - Mom

Naps and resents. I'm thankful to spend time with my kids. - Mom

I'm thankful for Taft, Joel and Kent and 3V4^ (sensored until baby is born). - Alyssa

The rest of the weekend was relaxing and more creations and fun with Dad. The 3D printer was used abundantly making Taft's "Thanks" ornaments for the garbage man. The kids also made concrete creations, which they painted with fingernail polish and acrylic paint. Alyssa and Erik went on a rain hike. Taft and Joel splashed in puddles around here. I made ginger molasses cookies. And we also just breathed for a few days.