Flag football has begun! Today was the combine.....and then the draft!
Brae was drafted by Coach Cozzi, so he was THRILLED! (He's the 89'ers head coach during the regular tackle season).
February is going to be CRAZY BUSY.....double headers for both boys every Saturday!

So Connor actually had 4 points that day, but I actually got a picture of him making one of  his baskets! Way to go Connor!!!

One of my favorite memories as a child was going to this park in Bellevue. I don't know why I'd never taken my kids before, but it was long over due! It was fun to meet up with Natalie & her girls too!
Brae was hilarious.....this sheep came right up to the kids, so he decided to have a "chat" with him...doesn't everyone talk to sheep?

Always blurry at BLE....ugh.....but Brae sure does play hard!

Our Saturday's right now always include Connor's basketball games.. he is so cute! I promise we'll get him a hair cut soon - he has a shaggy mop at the moment!

This is what Brae looks like when he's ticked off......you will rarely see him like this. He takes his sports very seriously. He actually understands the game (both basketball & football) really well.  He's a natural born leader too.  We have found though, he also thinks he knows everything.....this night was no exception!  He was mad at his team mates....thinking they weren't working hard enough....

Turning 8 also means you get to start going to scouts! Brae was SO excited!!! (As I am posting this a month later....just want to mention that Brae has already COMPLETED the entire Wolf book....earning his Bobcat & Wolf! If he hasn't been at school or basketball, it's all he has been doing! I am exhausted....lol. If I don't hear about another scout requirement in the next few weeks, I'll be good!)

Sunday morning we gave Brae his birthday present from us.....his own new set of scriptures - he knew he was getting them - it's just what our kids get when they turn 8! He was so excited to bring them to Church!

VF held the 2nd & 3rd grade Concert at the Sumner PAC. What a treat for the kids to perform on such a big stage!

It is so hard to believe that 8 years ago today you were born. Where did the time go? I remember going to the hospital & no one but dad being there when you arrived - since you came so fast! I don't think anyone expected you to arrive so quickly - litterally 2 pushes & you were here!
 You are an amazing kid - loving, kind, & the biggest heart of anyone I've ever met! You tower over everyone your age, yet you are a gentle giant - you stick up for others & are a great brother. We know it can't be easy being the middle boy, but you sure know how to hold your own!

Brae, we are so proud of the boy you have become - and in just a few short weeks you will be baptized. What a special choice you have made, I'm sure that Heavenly Father is very happy with your choice. You are an example to all. We love you!

Once the friends all went home, we headed to Connor's first game, then onto Carly's game - finally one we were able to go to! She played great! We headed to Red Robin & invited along the family members who had been at Carly's game....it was a fun time!

Looking at our calendar, we didn't have a free friday all January....so we decided to have Brae's party start a little late on this day.....since both he & Zach had practice that night.  He wanted to have a Wii Tournament & Sleepover party, so that's what he got! :)
It was a long week, a good friend of our family passed away the Friday before, and his funeral was also this day. (We'll miss you Bro.May & love you May family!!!) Since we had so much going on, Brae being the awesome kids he was, he offered to have a sundae bar, instead of me having to make two cakes (one for the friend party, one for the family party).

So to keep it with his theme, I dipped oreo's in white chocolate & used fondant to make the Wii letters.  It was pretty easy - I dyed the fondant the appropriate Wii color, then used a set of fondant cutters to cut out the letters, then trimmed each letter to look more like the Wii logo.  It was really fun & I think they turned out really cute. They were a total hit with the boys too!
I think he had a great time! He was thoroughly spoiled by his friends - they were very generous! Now, for the family party on Sunday!