Differences...

Grace and Tyler are so different.  They always have been!  I have realized lately that they have grown up so fast already, so I have started to try to take my camera with me most places so I can capture their moments.  The two pictures below were taken at Matt and Alicia's house.  It describes their differences perfectly :)

Grace has always loved to read!!  Even when she was a toddler, she would sit there and listen to books for hours.  She loves school and is really focused on getting good grades!  She is actually harder on herself than we are.  She sets very high expectations on herself and does all she can to achieve her goals. 

Then there is Tyler :)  So, he could really care less about school and reading right now.  When I ask him what his favorite thing at school is, his usual response is play areas or lunch :)  However, he is full of personality, not incredibly shy (compared to Grace :)), loves to try new things, and is much more athletic.

We are blessed and we love them dearly, differences and all!!!

Another Fabulous Date Night and State Wrestling

Thanks to John and Jessica and Matt and Alicia for watching the kids...we had an incredible date night!  We kicked it off using a gift card at Outback and filling up there :)  Amos tried rack of lamb and it was delicious!  Then we headed to Club Soda for drinks and dessert!  Yum!  We will definitely go back!  Their desserts are made from scratch and they were DELICIOUS!  We had a great time together and it was so nice!

 We both tried the creamsicle martini!

 Amos said it was the best cheesecake he has EVER had.  It was pretty awesome!

 I loved my oatmeal cream pie!!!!

Then, we headed down to Indy for the State Wrestling tournament.  Scott was able to get us suite tickets again so that was super nice.  We had a great day watching some incredible high school wrestling and the kids had a great time too!  Free food and free tickets...so nice!

Not that many people really care, but I had to get a picture of this guy!  His name is Jason Tsirtsis.  He is a senior and I believe will be wrestling at Northwestern.  In his high school career, he won four sectionals, 4 regionals, 4 semi states, and now 4 state titles!  His high school record is 178 wins and just 2 losses!  He won the championship by the "Mercy Rule"...getting ahead by 15 points on his opponent.  He got a standing ovation by the entire audience at conseco at the end of his match, and then again when he was on the podium!  He was really incredible to watch!

 It was really an impressive year!  Out of the first 12 champions, there was a combined season total of just 2 losses all season.  Wow!!!!

It was a long day and the kids totally fell asleep at the end :)

Special time!

Even though it is crazy hard to get all our schedules to align, it is so worth it when we finally get together!  Dina and Ang are incredible women and I am so blessed to know them and have them part of our lives and family!  We struck out with our first night out due to snow...hence the post a while back with the leg lamp :)  But when we finally had a night to meet up, all the resturaunts that we wanted to go to were closed.  Apparently, resturaunts in small towns close on Mondays :)  So, we ended up being the youngest people at the resturaunt we finally saw that was open!  It didn't matter, we had a great time, great conversation, and of course great laughs!!!

Because we are close, naturally our kids are as well :)

 What is it about little kids in glasses...SO ADORABLE!!!

 We gathered around the table for the perfect dinner!!!  It was definitely loud, but so much fun!

 We always try to get a group picture.  Take 1: Ethan I believe ran up and punched a couple people in the leg right before this one :)

 Take 2: Much better....what a great looking group!!!

Too funny, I am not sure why this picture is so small :)  But it was great to be able to interact with each other's families!

Things I LOVE....

FAMILY TIME!!!  We went bowling!  Tyler's first time...Gracie's second.  We had a blast!  And Amos got FIVE STRIKES IN A ROW!  He is awesome!

ACTS OF LOVE!!!  Friday, Grace had a snow make up day and with this year's winter it meant she had a day off.  So Amos stayed home with Grace and Tyler.  Amos and the kids cleaned (picked up/dusted/swept) the entire house and went grocery shopping.  And when I came home, Amos bought me this orchid!  I am so BLESSED!!!