Snow Day

It is our annual small amount of snow here in the south.  Woohooo!   It snowed about an inch, very close to it.  The kids couldn't wait to get outside and have some fun.  Unfortunately this snow is very powdery, which means not good snow for snowball fights and snowmen.  So we went out and walked around.  The best part of a snow day is the hot chocolate.  We are currently enjoying our hot cocoa and watching tv.  We love snow days!!

Doggy School

This week at school has been pet week.  So, yesterday we got a chance to take Trapper to school for show-n-tell.  He actually did REALLY well.  I was so proud of him.  He didn't bark at all and he handled 13 4/5 year olds running at him to pet him like a champ.  I was really impressed.  Zack and Maddie loved having him there and showing him off. 

Exciting News

I have some VERY exciting news to share.  I'm going to be an auntie again!!  Dean and Crystal have been matched with a baby.  This is definitely the best news!!!!  Lots of prayers have been answered.  Please continue to lift them up in prayer and the birth mother as she prepares to give up her baby for a better opportunity.  Please read Crystal's blog below.  HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY!!!!

Sweatt Family Blog

Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

Saturday, Mike and I were hard at work making bacon and pancakes for Crystal and Dean's Pancake Fundraiser for their adoption.  It was actually a lot of fun.  I ended up smelling like bacon the rest of the day, which was not a bad thing!!  The fundraiser went really well and they were able to make a decent amount of money.  YAY!!  One step closer to bringing home baby!

Pajama day

Last week it was pajama day at school. The kids went to school in their pajamas, and were fed pancakes.  They also got to take your favorite bedtime story, stuffed animal, and blanket. 

First Pro Basketball Game

Since Monday was MLK day, daddy had off work. We treated the kids to their first pro basketball game.  We took them to a Bobcats game.  The kids had a blast!  It was a 2:30 game, which was perfect!  We had GREAT seats, right behind the goal.  We were so close we got to meet Rufus, the Bobcat.  Then in the 2nd half they handed us noise makers to try and distract the opposing team (Toronto Raptures).  I think the kids really enjoyed it!!  The first couple of pictures is of the kids putting the popcorn bucket on their head.  Silly!!

Chick-fil-a Family Time

To celebrate our fun Saturday, we took the kids to Chick-fil-A.  Here they are playing in the play area after they ate. Their favorite part of Chick-fil-A!

Hair Cut Time

After basketball Saturday, we headed out and received some MUCH needed haircuts.  Here they are getting their respective cuts.  Daddy also got his hair cut.  Mommy wanted one too, but we just didn't have time.  Next time!

Zack's First Basketball Game

Below there are two different videos.  The first is of the first half of Zack's first basketball game.  Notice he was on the blue team.  Then in the second video is a short video of Zack "dribbling" down and taking his first shot in the 2nd half of the game.  At half time, due to the shortage of players, Zack was switched to the white team.  This is why his jersey was different than the first video.

Zack's Basketball Practice

Last Saturday was Zack's first basketball practice of the new year.  This practice was much different than the clinics.  This time there were probably about forty 4 year olds instead of four or five.  So they split them up in four different groups and did four different drills.  One drill in particular was defense.  It was so funny.  They had them run down and stand on an X and then wave their hands in the air and yell, "Ball! Ball! Ball!".  So later in games this is what they do.  Too cute!  Enjoy!!

Crazy New Year

Well 2014 didn't quite start out as wonderful as I had hoped, but I'm going to look at the glass half full and think...well it is only going to get better.  On Thursday the 2nd, I awoke to find that my phone had deleted all my contacts and their numbers.  Then around noon we had a knock on our door.  It was our neighbor's kid in a panic and said that his mom was across the street and needed help.  Their oven was on fire.  Mike ran over there and sure enough it was ablaze.  She had called the fire dept, but couldn't find their extinguisher.  I ran downstairs and pulled out our extinguisher and handed it over to Mike to use.  He put out the fire just as the fire dept was showing up.  Our poor neighbor's had ash and smoke smell everywhere.  I have to say...our neighbor's, Cooper, was in awe of Mike.  He kept telling Maddie and Zack that he didn't know that their daddy was a fireman.  So cute!!

Then around 2pm Maddie started screaming about her ear.  Sure enough she had an ear infection.  This was her first infection.

Monday, our first day back at school and I received a text message from the kids' teacher.  Zack's face was completely broken out.  Yep, it's that time of year again.  So I immediately called the doctor and she believes that Zack has some kind of dermatitis, and that his skin is super dry.  The dry air mixes with the cold and makes his face break out.  So she suggested I apply Vaseline to his face before he goes outside and see if that helps.  Fingers crossed that this works!   

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

The 28th after family left we went over to our neighbor's house for an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party.  I embellished one of my sweaters, but went all out making Mike's.  I made a reindeer and then added all kinds of Christmas decor for his antlers.  In the picture below we had our sweet 4 year old son take the picture.  I am certain he will be a photographer when he grows up.  He loves to take pictures!

Nowell and Sanders Christmas

Friday we headed home and got blessed with company.  Grammy and Aunt Sue came to visit and then Grampy and Grandma came too.  We played games and had a blast.  Saturday the Rhymers joined us and we had another Christmas celebration!  More fun! 

Graves Family Christmas

The day after Christmas we were off to another Family Christmas dinner and fellowship.  I don't have any pictures, because I had left my camera and I enjoyed catching up with family.  We got to see family we haven't seen in years and we got to catch up with those that we are fortunate enough see more often.  The kids got even more gifts to open and enjoy.  Man we are so blessed!!

Mamaw and Papaw Christmas

After our little family Christmas, we packed up the car and headed to Mamaw and Papaw's house for more Christmas fun.  We opened gifts, had breakfast, and enjoyed spending time together!

See that hairbow?  That is Maddie hidden by presents, lol!

Christmas Day

Christmas Day we awoke to find that Santa had made a visit!  Then we tore into our gifts!  Maddie and Zack both received bicycles from Santa.  From mommy and daddy they received a Nabi, which is a kids tablet.  Mommy got a guitar and daddy received some suits.  It was a perfect Christmas morning!!