The Braxmeyer's

The first weekend of break, Adam went to the Big 12 tournament in KC and I took the kids to Lebo. We went through Council Grove and met Aunt Nancy, McKinley and Maggie at DQ for lunch.

The boys got their Easter gifts (early) from Grandma Jean.  Graham has been taking care of "Bob" since then.

We were in Manhattan for two days.  We took advantage of the amazing weather on Monday for a playdate with Cooper and Cameron.  Lots of outside time, including treats at Sonic.  An added bonus for Graham was finding $10 in the sand!

Tuesday's weather wasn't as great, so we opted for errands and Orange Leaf instead.  Graham bought the boys ice cream with the $10 he found at Sonic on Monday.  You can probably tell from the size of their bowls that $10 didn't cover it.

On Wednesday we headed to Atwood to help Adam's dad do some work at the store (which he is selling and retiring from).  We picked up Brody and Beau in Salina to ride back with us.  They had spent a few days in Wichita with their grandma.  Graham especially enjoyed the extra kids!

St. Patrick's Day fun with Atwood cousins.

The boys helped moved items from the store back to the house.  Even Graham got in on some of the action.

Graham's first school program.  Lots of cute songs such as, "I'm a Little Teapot" and "Mickey Mouse."
The Cannon family (4 of them) came for a KSU game and overnight stay.  The kids had a blast with the girls.  Here they are enjoying dinner at Coco Bolo's.
Quint and the girls came to visit/watch the boys play basketball in February.  We had exceptionally nice weather which allowed for a trip to the park in between games.

It's never too cold, too early, too late, etc. for some driveway basketball.

Owen is taking both baking and cooking this quarter.  Sometimes he has some homework assignments that require at home cooking.  He completed his "pancake" homework at Grandma Jean's house.  
The older Titans volunteered their services at Howie's landfill--picking up trash that had blown away.
Miles is enrolled in Tuesday sewing at BLAST this semester.  His first project was the pillowcase

Both Owen and Miles recently finished basketball season.  Miles played with the Warriors again, and Owen played pre and post junior high season with some version of the Wildcats, and played his first year of junior high basketball.  There's never enough basketball games and practices to satisfy them.

Miles' team traveled a bit more this year, going to Wichita and Lawrence in addition to all the tournaments in the area.  He had a great year--very aggressive and a good ball handler.  He really enjoys the boys on his team, as well as the coaches.  None of his teammates go to the same school as him, so it's fun for him to hang out with different kids.

Owen played 5-6 tournaments before and after junior high ball with coach Todd and kids that played together on the Wildcats--give or take a few others.  Adam helped out coaching and enjoyed his part-time role. For most of January and February, he played school ball which was a big change from travel ball.  He had fun playing with his classmates and for his school (and cheering girls at the home games).  His team finished about 500, including a couple of nail biter wins versus in-town rival, EMS.  Owen had a great season and can't wait for next year.

December tournament in KC.  The older the boys get, the BIGGER some of them get.  As a general rule, the kids use "armpit hair" as a measure of how big/tough they are.

This is what most Sundays look like on the way home from a fun, busy weekend of basketball.

One of Miles' favorite friends (Logan Funk) came to watch his Wamego tournament.  Miles also enjoyed getting to watch Logan play ball a couple of times.

Miles playing at Clay Center.
At our house we play basketball in ANY weather.

It was both fun and tough to play against one of your best friends.  I guess this is a good example of how nice it is to have boys--they go hard against one another for an hour on the court and five minutes later they are buddies again.
Some of the Manhattan boys went to watch their Wildcat teammates play for their home schools (Riley vs. Rock Creek).  So fun to watch their friendships extend beyond practices.

Graham has affirmed his friendship with Dillon (little brother of Jackson, who plays with Miles). Dillon's mom always has fun toys to play with during the games.

Miles hanging out with teammates between games at various tournaments.


Miles' team posing after winning the Manhattan tournament.  I think they won 3 tournaments this year??

We celebrated early Christmas with my family and then spent the actual holiday in Atwood with Adam's family.  There weren't any "dying to get this" gifts this year, but the kids were happy with their gifts from Santa and family.
Owen got a new bat, clothes, shoes and a paintball gun.  Miles got an electric scooter, clothes, shoes and paintball gun.  Graham got some building toys, clothes and shoes.

The assassins with their new weapons.

When we heard they weren't going to make Mike's favorite whiskey any longer, we bought out the local liquor store.  Perfect gift.  Lots of laughs.
Owen and Raly made Grandma Eunice a tie blanket.  They didn't realize exactly how many pieces they'd have to tie!

Trying out the paint guns behind the house.  We set up targets and went through A LOT of paintballs.
Amy and her family were back over Christmas break.  We were able to meet up in Topeka to play and eat lunch.  Owen is missing since he stayed back for basketball practice.  Graham, Ali, Hudson, Miles.
Little boys in matching PJ's.  Beau, Brody, Jack, Graham.

Family pictures with bad lighting.  Grandpa Mike, Grandma Rosie, Aunt Darlene and all 8 grandkids.

Post-church picture on Christmas Eve.  The one day of the year you'll find the boys in collared shirts and sweaters.  The nice clothes didn't last long.  As soon as pics were done, they were back in sweats.

Lots of rounds of Left, Center, Right--playing for a pile of nickels.

Graham in Lebo ready to open his gifts.

Our ugly tree at home.  Although I loved decorating the tree as a kid, neither me or my kids are into it now.  So we put one up in the basement and throw on some mismatched lights and all kinds of ornaments we've collected.

We hosted Thanksgiving at our house this year.  The weather didn't cooperate so not everyone was able to make it, but we did enjoy having my parents and my brother/family stay a couple of nights with us.  Aunt Nancy, Uncle Rolland and my cousin Scott were also able to come for the day.  Wyatt and his family were stuck in Wichita due to icy roads.
Festive Thanksgiving table.
Grandma Jean buying food from the "store."

The twins enjoying Thanksgiving supper since they slept through lunch.

 Miles as something???
We met up with friends in the state street neighborhood and enjoyed lots of good food and trick-or-treating.  There were enough kids that we were able to make age groups for easy trick-or-treating.
Would you give candy to these kids??  Owen with Xander and Cole.

 Miles had a run in with a neighbor's mailbox and had to get his first stitches.

Kelsie Funk made Graham a belated cake--rainbow layers, fancy frosting, candy, etc.  He really wanted a cake for his birthday, and since we were busy with baseball during his actual birthday, he had to wait until August.
 Owen's baseball team played a little fall baseball.  I think they won this tournament??
Graham started Kindergarten this year.  He loves everything about school, especially his teacher!  He has weekly homework to complete by Friday.
Adam went to battle with some field mice that wanted to make this window well their home.  In the end Adam won out (with the assistance of some poison and a golf club).
 We enjoyed the KSU vs. TCU football game--complete with friends and unlimited food!
 This is the only picture I have of Owen playing football--he's #7.
 Miles participated in flag football again this year.  He had three young, fun coaches that were great.

 Miles participating in "Neon Day" at school.
Miles with Logan Funk at the 4th grade music program.  They were supposed to wear white shirts and jeans  He picked his own white shirt in case you were wondering.