Josh's Special Day

Summer birthdays don't get birthday parties in school...but they do get a special day! Today was Josh's Special Day and we enjoyed spending the morning with him at school. It was pretty remarkable to see the change in the children from the fall until now. More talking, more interacting, and more noise!

Daddy was a fun addition to the playground

Katelyn enjoyed the playground

Jumping on the bridge

Preschool girl hazing - "No coloring on Katelyn!"

Hey - this preschool thing could work for me!

Josh told the class as soon as he got there this morning that we brought in cupcakes. Everyone was very excited and snacktime was highly anticipated.

The Special Boy with his Special Crown. Grandma decorated this for Josh during Back-to-School night - thank you!!

Mommy and her boy!

Singing time!

Looking at everyone's pictures after art class. They made it around one table with their hands behind their back...but then started running around the room!

Our Week

Cooking eggs with Pop-Pop

Watching a movie with Grandma

Going somewhere?

Painting during breakfast?

Hat Exchange

Big Muscles

Really Cute Outfit

New clothes are so much fun - especially for little girls! This was a new shirt that Katelyn received for Christmas from Natalie. It is so cute - as soon as it's clean again, she'll be wearing it! :)

Lunch with Nana and Jean

Today we had a treat. Nana was visiting Jean for the holiday weekend, so were able to meet for lunch. Nana delivered the blanket that she made for Katelyn - it's beautiful! Thank you, Nana!!

Nice day to play

I forgot the camera for most of the day - no pictures of playing in the mud, no pictures of Josh and Madison making pizza, and no pictures of the impromptu birthday party for Aiden and Brady. But I did manage to remember to grab the camera for our walk with Bailey...and Josh giving her a ride!

Ready for School?

Or at least maybe a haircut!

It may not be the Marlyand Science Center...

...but it did keep Josh occupied for an hour. However, just like at the Science Center, I had to:

1. Change his clothes afterwards because they were soaked. And 2. Tell him not to drink the water :)

Someone got a hold of the camera...

Guess Who?!

Highlights from Orlando

We had a great time in Orlando the week before Christmas. Enjoy this highlight reel!

Our family at ICE!

Katelyn, Betsy, Jeff, Josh, Nana, Grant, Grace, Jackson, Grandma, Cassi, Uncie and Unco

While celebrating Uncie's birthday at Ohana's, Grace, Jeff and Cassi parade with the kids

At the giant gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian

Nana and the Grandkids! :)

Happy Birthday, Uncie!

Grace made these great shirts for Grant (Woody and Buzz), Josh (Lightning McQueen), herself (Belle), Katelyn (Tinkerbell), and Jackson (Mickey)

The sunglasses that Grandma got for Katelyn - they barely stay on her little nose, but she kept putting them back on! As you can see, Josh is sound asleep - he slept through the parade and the Beauty and the Beast show!

Katelyn LOVED the shows and parades. Here she is at the Beauty and the Beast show.

Our family with Lightning McQueen and Mater

(Josh really WAS excited!)

On the Safari ride at the Animal Kingdom

Josh and Grant on a dinosaur ride - they went on it twice with Betsy, Cassi and Grandma

On the carousel with Granddad

Katelyn with her Minnie ears

We had a magical time in Disney and can't wait to visit again!

Morningstar Celebration PowWow

Today we went with Grandma and Pop-Pop to the Morningstar Celebration PowWow in Bel Air, MD. The PowWow gathers members from various tribes from across the country to celebrate American Indian culture, dance, music and food. The PowWow benefits the St. Labre Indian School in Montana. The Crossmans have been supporting St. Labre for many years. In graduate school, Betsy had the opportunity to spend two weeks on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation and do a fieldwork internship at St. Labre. The PowWow was really interesting. Lots of drumming, chanting, dancing and amazing costumes. And Indian Tacos complete with frybread!

The Grand Entrance where all the dancers were on the floor

Katelyn was clapping and bouncing to the beat the drums

Josh was on the edge of his seat!

There were dancers of all ages

A new annual event for our family!

Snow Mow?

We love Bailey

Josh, Bailey and Katelyn pose in front of the Lightners new fireplace