Happy Birthday Preteen!!!

 It is truly hard to believe Jesse is now a 12 year old young man! I'm really having trouble wrapping my brain around this one because I can remember clearly my own 12th Birthday!  He is just growing up so very fast!  We celebrated with family yesterday out to dinner and then afterwards here with cupcakes, ice cream, and presents!

 Jesse's Birthday breakfast before heading to Claire's game and then Taekwando!

 And of course, what Jesse was looking forward to most of all....his Paintball Party!  Jesse and 9 others had an absolute blast on this very beautiful day!

 Claire and I played it safe and watched from afar...and yes, that is a picture of Lance surrendering!

 Jesse and crew before their first game!

 After a few games, time for a cupcake, ice cream, and present break!!

Jesse was exhausted but had the best time.....unfortunately, he and Lance had to go directly to baseball practice afterwards!  I know of 2 who will sleep well tonight!

We are all truly blessed to have such wonderful family and friends to make Jesse's 12th Birthday so very special and memorable!

Love, Gretchen

He Has Risen!

 What a truly wonderful time of year Easter is.  Spring has arrived, Jesus has risen, Jesse & Claire both have upcoming birthdays, and the school year is coming to a close!!!  We had a great Easter trip once again to Jackson, MS to visit Lance's very large family.  We were busy with 2 family reunions, and The Hollingsworth Annual Golf Tournament!  The kids were exhausted after it was all done, but loved every minute of it!!

 A very sleepy Jesse on Easter morning!

 Of course Jesse is getting a tad old for the Easter Egg hunts, but Claire loves every second of it! 

 The girl at the end of a long reunion still had a ton of energy!

 Jesse sorting his goodies!

 All Aboard!  Cousins Keri and George with Jesse and Claire

 The kids all dying Easter Eggs at Cousin Keri, Patrick, and Dylan's house

 Easter Morning Goodies!

 Claire ready for another hunt, this time at The Hare Family Reunion

 Keri and Jesse ready to hunt for "the money egg"!  They were motivated because there was $34.00 in that egg!

 Claire with yet more cousins!

 The kids especially loved taking a swing at the Easter Pinata, Claire got the first swing and Jesse was able to crack it open after the little ones took their turns.

 Lance and Mr. Hollingsworth after the Golf Tourney.  Tired and hungry!

Sweet cousin Gracie after hunting lots of eggs!!!

We are so truly blessed to have such a large family to make such great memories for us and our children...we hope everyone's Easter was just as memorable!

Jesse's 1st Belt Testing

 Well, Jesse decided to start Taekwando in January because he was doing no other activities during the winter, and thought it might be fun....Turns out, Jesse is enjoying it a lot and had his 1st belt testing last night.  He did great and also received an award for outstanding effort and attitude among his peers and instructors. He will keep on until he receives his yellow belt....and then we shall see if Jesse decides to pursue Taekwando further.

 One of the student instructors awarding Jesse with his orange belt.

Way to go Jesse!!!!

Happy Adoption Day!!

 I woke up this morning not able to believe that Claire has been our daughter for 6 years now.  Truly amazing how time does fly. I often forget that she is even adopted.  She really just wanted to spend the evening eating shrimp and sushi,  so we went to a local Chinese Restaurant, and she had her fill of both!  She wanted grits this morning (yes, a true Southern Girl) and of course every drink tastes better in a fancy glass!! I joined her for lunch, and she loved when all the teachers and students sang her "Happy Adoption Day To You" in class!  They all signed a card, which Claire now wants to frame!!

Adoption Day 2013! 

Claire's Basketball Debut......

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Well, our little Claire made her basketball debut this past weekend.  A few months ago when they had signups Claire came home and said "I want to play basketball!"  We were like.....um.....are you sure?  Well, needless to say, what she lacks in size she makes up for it in her attitude and willpower.  That girl tried her best out there, and by the 2nd game she had 3 steals and one basket. She really started to figure out the game. She just loves being out there with her friends and we just have a blast!!!  Also, her team has won 2 of their 2 games.....should be a blast of a season!

A much desrved mini- vacay!

 Well, Lance had a conference in Hollywood, Fla.  over the span of 4 days, so I decided to tag along for some much needed sunshine and time with my best friend Margaret.  We, we had a blast!  I love my kids, but I could've stayed a few more days!!  We were treated to some great food, and a visit to the shooting range, which was so fun!  What girl doesn't love letting off some steam with a Glock 45.

 Lance getting ready to shoot some stuff up!

 View from our balcony....86 and sunny most of the trip!

 Sticking our feet on the Atlantic Ocean sand....a little different than what we are used to...

This is where I spent my days....poor Lance was stuck in a basement with other financial minds.....he did come out every once and a while to catch a little vitamin D! Lots coming up with the kids, so promise to post again very soon!