Happy Birthday, Ben!

We celebrated Ben's 40th Birthday this past Saturday at the Hayes Carll concert at the Statler Ballroom in Dallas. What a fun night! We had about 25 people join us for the event; it was memorable and Ben had a great time! We all did. :) Happy 40th, Ben! As we tell you often...we're thankful that you are alive!!

Ben and I with Hayes Carll...I look very short. ;)

And these last few pictures are from Sunday evening, when we celebrated Ben, Brooke, and Chris' birthdays at Yiyia and Bud's house and the cousins had a gingerbread house decorating contest. :) 

Happy Birthday, Ben, Chris, and Brooke!

NUVO Dance Convention / Competition

Lainey had another very busy weekend competing and taking classes at NUVO in Dallas! We love you and your work ethic, Lainey Lou. :) We are always so very proud of you for the person you are. :)

photo taken during Lainey's Musical Theater solo, "Gotta Move"

(This picture is her favorite one.)

She got third place overall!

It was a huge accomplishment! 

with friends Lucy, Reese, Eva, Emerson, and Camilla

and Finley, from Oklahoma City

Lainey is third from (our) left on the front row

"Stand by Me"

in the middle, in a black wig, during "Say Liza"

"Only One"

"Your Own Way"

"Bright Star"

"Girl's Nite"

on Sunday, with friends Crystal (left) and Finley (right)

Lainey looks so tall!

And here is Lainey with her friend Jocelyn - again, Lainey looks so tall!

Back at home...where she continued to dance. Sometimes I'm not sure that she has an "off" button. ;) 

Character Awards, Paper Airplanes, and Belle

Last Friday, BOTH KIDS were awarded Character Awards at school! Lainey's was for "Gratitude: Appreciating what Others Have Done for Us and Feeling Moved to Reciprocate" and Walker's was for "Social Intelligence: Understanding Other People and Acting Wisely in Response." :) Lainey wasn't there to receive her (she was competing in Dallas) but Walker was! :) 

Walker also continues to be obsessed with building and flying paper airplanes! He's gotten quite good! The librarian at school took this picture for me! :)

Belle attacks our vacuum on a daily basis. She thinks it's alive, and she does NOT like it invading her space. Poor thing...too bad I'm her primary caregiver. I enjoy vacuuming!