Brock's 8th Birthday & January Dual Swim Meet

Brock had a low-key birthday celebration this year. He woke up to a few birthday decorations and a big number 8 balloon tied to his chair. We brought the balloon up to his room during his school day so all his classmates could see it too! 

Blueberry muffins for breakfast, Bojangles for lunch, and Pancakes with Cracker Barrel fried apples & Candy Apple bacon was the requested dinner menu! 

After dinner, we had a group video call with Papa & Phyllis and Grammy & Grandpa. They watched as he opened gifts and we all sang happy birthday around his Minecraft birthday cake. 

A special gift is coming for the birthday boy this year - Lifetime hunting and fishing license - jointly from Grandpa & Grammy and from us. (As Brent said, he won't realize just how special that gift is until he's in his teens/20's!)

We are so proud of all the Brock has tackled this year. He transitioned to virtual school, abided by the pandemic safety precautions all around, raced a few virtual swim meets, accompanied his dad on fishing & hunting trips, became proficient in Minecraft, and even though hates to admit it..... can be a really great big brother (when he wants to be). We know this has been a tough year and we've had some bumps in the road, but I'm so impressed by how well he's handled his responsibilities. Happy 8th Birthday Brock! We love you!

Made him interrupt his tv time to take this picture - see the remote still in his hand!! 

A few days after Brock's birthday, he swam in the January Dual Meet against Charlotte's Lifetime gym. He's the youngest boy on the Bronze team so they usually have him swim with the Under 8 girls. 

25 meter freestyle was Brock's first event - and yes, he swam it solo! (The other racers on the results are all from Charlotte) Again, our pool is a meter pool, but the times are adjusted for yards. (25 yards)

Breast stroke is his weakest event he partook this race. However, he did really well! He looked great!

Kade was relaxing and taking it all in! 

Get ready for Butterfly! Look at those arms outstretched as he dives in!!

Brock got to swim in FOUR races on Saturday! Ending in the 50m Freestyle - which we think he really liked! Just watch his underwater dolphin kick and how his body is just streamlined!

The team celebrated finishing the meet by opening the water slide and letting all the kids play for awhile. 

Brock improved on every single event he had completed in the past. He had one proud smile on his face all day! 40 points earned towards his team's win! (Team won with a score of 482-353!)

Reagan's Visit & January Shenanigans

Reagan popped in for a January visit! It was definitely a weird time as Brock, Kade and Reagan were all still attending virtual school and we could not go anywhere special like we usually do on her visits. We did have some quality weekend playground time with Reagan! 

(Negative COVID tests before anyone traveled)

Hunger pains moved lunch at home to lunch in the back of the 4Runner! Panda Express for the win!

On Reagan's last night with us, we opted for an early birthday celebration for Brock!

Homemade funfetti cake with vanilla frosting! It was good practice to sing happy birthday and to blow out candles!

Good picture of the boys during a rabbit hunting adventure!

Kade's favorite thing to do after showers - wrap up in a blanket like a burrito!

My sweet puppy needing some love!

Saturday, January 16th my two hunters traveled up to Bethel Hill (North of Roxboro) to go shoot some squirrels. 

After Brent already shot two squirrels, he let his buddy have a turn. 

It started snowing on the guys! I think Brock had fun playing in the snowy forest! 

Everyone else in the family had Martin Luther King Jr day off, so I opted to take the day as well. It was a fun COLD day out with the boys. We headed into Raleigh to the "Zip line park."

All the parents go to the same place on a holiday during a pandemic.... when more and more people started arriving, we opted to head out for some lunch! 

Char-Grill is right down the street! Cheeseburger, hot dog, French fries and milkshake picnic in the car! What more can you want?!? 

HUGE Deal for our family. We have been looking forward to January 20, 2021 for a very long time. We are so excited for the new President and just as thrilled for the very first female Vice President. 

I will remember this Inauguration for the rest of my life. I was crying tears of joy when Joe Biden took his oath to be our new President. 

Brock & Kade were watching too, but weren't as interested until Lady Gaga started singing. 

So many strong women present. Just amazing. 

And this sums it up.... beyond ready for an administration based on decency. 

Christmas 2020

Handsome Moose - you look so pretty with a big green bow for the holidays! :)

Kade asked me to draw Rudolph - amazing what you can find on YouTube!! "Easy Rudolph drawing tutorial" - Ha!

Brock's pet reindeer..... 

A few days before Christmas, we stopped by to bring gifts and see my Dad and Phyllis for a driveway holiday visit. 

Christmas Eve afternoon - time to decorate cookies for Santa!

Alas, no Christmas Eve church service in person this year, but I still asked everyone to get dressed up for dinner (and a little virtual church). Surprisingly, no complaints - everyone was happy to oblige!

Thank you iPhone auto-timer for this family photo! 

Let's get ready! Matching Christmas jammies just in time to set out the milk & cookies for Santa!

Oooh! Santa came!!!

Moose was delighted with his present..... I wasn't delighted that it lasted a whole 5 minutes before he ripped that candy cane in half.... 

My boys on Christmas morning!

We opened presents with Grammy & Grandpa and Papa & Phyllis watching via Zoom, so unfortunately I did not take any pictures of those gifts since they had the privilege of seeing them "live". ;) 

Thank you Uncle Brian & Aunt Nancy! Now he can start his Super Mario Lego journey!!

Thrilled with Thor! (Kade's current favorite Superhero)

Some awesome gifts from Uncle Brian & Aunt Nancy!

Thank you Great-Aunt Carol & Great-Uncle Jeff for the Marble run!

Look at that smile! :)

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone near and far! We hope next year our crazy and loud family can see you all a little more! :)