April Fool's Day

Even though we were busy painting (and did you notice the gorgeous backsplash that Chris put up?) we decided to pull an April Fool's Day prank on the kids.  They helped me mix up some brownies and they put chocolate chips and peanut butter chips in them.  After they were done baking I sneaked them down to the basement and replaced them with a pan of brown "E"'s.

Winter Wonders



Our second attempt at an upside-down snowman.  Our first snowman was complete but fell over while I was getting the camera to take a picture.




Our new bird feeder was quite the attraction!  We loved watching the different kinds of birds eating our bird food.  We were always shooing the squirrels away.  They would knock down the feeder and scare the birds away.  Unfortunately, Chris' homemade contraption to shock the squirrels if they got on the feeder didn't work.



Happy 37th Birthday, Chris!



 It seemed fitting to have a golf-themed birthday party to celebrate another year for my wonderful partner!  Chris's party food included a "hole-in-one" cake, a "bucket of balls" (doughnut holes), a bowl of "chip-it" (chips), and some iced herbal "tee" to drink.  I couldn't have asked for a better husband or father to our kids!  My eternal companion, happy birthday!

Christmas 2012

We had a great Christmas this year!  We are still getting settled into our new house but we are loving all the space!  We spent Christmas morning at home and there was a fresh blanket of snow to make it a very festive day.  Garren and Calvin were very excited to follow the clues to an air hockey table in the basement.  Garren was surprised when a last minute request to Santa resulted in a real stunt man sending him a personalized package of fake blood.


Calvin and his spoils




Garren and his spoils




Calvin's new train set





Garren made a gingerbread train and Calvin made a gingerbread house.  They were so proud!







Christmas 2012 Performances



Garren and his class sang "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."





Garren waiting with his classmates to take the stage.





Calvin made the cutest angel!



A special visitor came to give the kids a book after Calvin's performance!

 

Fall Leaves

Our new house has tons of trees!  It didn't take me long to rake up this huge pile of leaves that the kids jumped and played in.  Ahhh, to be a kid again!  Who needs expensive toys?  Not these kiddos!

Crazy Hair and Dress Day

Garren's school, New Creek Primary School, recently had their "spirit week."  I thought that the crazy hair and dress day was picture worthy.  Garren was especially excited about his red spiked hair (Should I brag that I couponed for the temporary hair dye and paid only $.50?  Yes, yes I should!)

Happy 5th Birthday, Calvin!

Calvin's chosen theme for his 5th birthday party was "Skylanders" (specifically, his two favorites--the orange fire/lava man and the green tree man).  He wanted a green cake with orange frosting so, per my mom's advice, I made a lime jello poke cake and tinted the cool whip icing orange.  His guests snacked on oranges, cheese curls, chips, pretzels, lime and orange sherbet, and green and orange Hawaiian punches.  All of the Keckley side of the family (except Shayne's family, of course) was in attendance.  My little boy is growing up too fast!



Ocean City 2012

We haven't been to Ocean City since Garren was a newborn.  We were so happy this year to re-start this yearly "Keckley Family Vacation."  As you can see from the photo, we go during the SunFest Kite Festival.  The weather was gorgeous and kites were amazing!  They boys loved playing with their cousins in the waves!

New Family Pics

We haven't had our family's picture taken since 2009, and before that, never.  So we were long overdue for a family photo shoot.  Our cousin, Airyele Rounds, is starting her photography business and she was gracious enough to photograph us for free for her portfolio.  Here are my four favorite pics!  She did a fabulous job!  Don't you agree?