For the past 8 1/2 months Madeline has been cheering with Texas Cheer Academy. She has come such a long way from where she started. I enrolled her in tumbling first and she excelled quickly. Last summer I enrolled her in a cheer class. And...once again she excelled quickly and fell in love with the sport! I was approached by her coaches several times asking if I wanted to place her on a competitive team. I said no thinking she was too young...she was only 7! Needless to say, after a few months of me saying no (and Madeline's relentless begging) I finally gave in. It was a commitment not only on our behalf...but on hers. We teach our children that when you start something...you need to finish it. Well, it ended up being a good decision! She has flourished and LOVES being in the spot light...imagine that!! The fact that she loves to perform in front of 100's of people blows my mind! She is a "flyer!" She cannot get enough. Meanwhile, I sit there and hold my breath!! We are looking forward to a little break during the summer....and then starting back up again in the Fall! We cannot wait to see what all she will be doing next!
Ryan is working very hard on his masterpiece!! Notice his tongue hanging out! Pretty much every picture I have of Ryan...his tongue is out!
Ryan is going through a phase where he does NOT want his picture taken. This is as close as it gets. I will say, that Ryan does adore my Dad. He loves his Pappy time! I hope these two remain this close forever. 
Pappy's favorite cake: chocolate on chocolate! Easy enough!! I only had 4 candles...!
Kollman also adores his Pappy!
Silly! Silly! Madeline made Pappy a birthday hat to wear on her digital art studio! (We were out of colored ink so he got stuck w/ black and white...Madeline said it matched his hair nicely!) As soon as Pappy walked through the door Madeline gave him strict instructions that he HAD to wear it his hat. Needless to say, he was a good sport and put it on....even though it was on the "snug" side! I made Daddy his favorite dinner....roast beef, mashed potatoes, glazed carrots and rolls. 
We enjoyed many celebrations over the holidays! One of my fondest memories of Christmas 2009 was when I took the older 2 kids Christmas caroling with other members of our church. We visited the nursing home where my Grandmother resides and the Veterans home followed by some shut ins and one very special lady at the end stages of ALS. Kollman and Madeline walked up to each individual and shook their hand and said "Merry Christmas." For those individuals who were no longer in "their right mind" they would just touch their shoulder very gently and would whisper "Merry Christmas." It was such a joy to witness the smiles on their faces. My Grandmother cried tears of joy as we worshiped in song the birthday of the Christ child. Our last stop of the evening was the most touching. The lady we went to visit was at the end stages of ALS. I was not sure how my children were going to react. When we arrived her sweet husband turned her head so that she could see all of us as we each took turns speaking to her. When it was Kollmans turn he touched her shoulder ever so gently and again whispered "Merry Christmas." As he did this their eyes met and hers filled with tears. I must admit...so did mine. I was reminded ...again... of his sweet, tender heart. A heart filled with the love of Jesus. After all, isn't that why we celebrate Christmas?
