Haircuts

Handsome

Is that stacking not adorable?

Frustrated she's not getting a haircut

Haircuts for the tribe


Yeah, I realize this isn't really blog worthy. I don't know...what can I say? I'm a mom...and I thought they were cute. I LOVE getting my haircut, and I think I've passed the love down to my kids. Haircut days are exciting!

Locks of Love

That's some LONG hair!

Snip snip

Look at that excited face!

Pretty girl


Gracen has been growing her hair out for some time now. She liked that her hair was long like mommy's. However, she started talking about cutting it off...so we talked about Locks of Love. I showed her their website, explained what it was all about, and then told her about my best friend KC's sister-in-law who has cancer and has lost her hair. She was immediately moved to cut it off and give it away. I was so proud of her! She was brave and excited to tell everyone that she was donating her hair to someone who doesn't have hair anymore. She's getting so big, and I love the more grown up conversations we're starting to have.

Roomies

Reagan, Aiden, Grier, Evie, Gracen, Ava, Brooklyn, Liam

During my last 2 years of college, I had the privilege of living with 3 amazing ladies...Renee, Tiffany, and Marissa. We lived in apartment #1204...which we refer to often. It was a small 2 bedroom apartment. I roomed with Marissa, and Tiff and Ren (childhood friends) roomed together. We were all involved with Campus Crusade for Christ at Texas State...we all had break through moments in our faith, as all 4 of us began to get serious about our relationship with God while being there. We all had been raised in the church, and were church girls, but all were dealing with private sin. God really used our time with CCC, through discipleship, bible study, accountability, and evangelism to break us, and grow us. It was a pretty sweet time. So it goes without saying that God really knit our hearts together in this journey. We had so many great times together. Sure...we argued, and got frustrated with things like a dirty kitchen, or loud music, or some of us being really chipper in the morning and some of us not. But overall it was a really special 2 years.

We try to get together at least once a year to reconnect and catch up. Unfortunately Renee lives in New Mexico, so we don't get to see her as often...but the rest of us live within 3 hours of each other. So fast forward like a decade, and we have procreated with enthusiasm! As much as we have seen each other, our children have never met! So a few months back, Tiffany and Marissa came for a visit and brought their sweet children. It was so fun, and surreal to see our kids playing together. We missed Ren's 2 boys for sure though! So not pictured our Sam and Noah...and in a few short months, you can add 2 more babies to the group. Yep, we have enthusiasm.

I'm so thankful for these ladies, and the many many times God has used them in my life to humble me, teach me, and sharpen me! I love you ladies of #1204!

FX

Making sure he's doing it right.

Concentrating

Ms. Jada has LOTS of dance moves for the kids.

Once a quarter our church does something called FX. It stands for something catchy like Family Experience. Our kids love it. The families basically get to worship together in the "elementary world" setting. Every week our amazing elementary ministry team, headed up by my good friend Jada, lead the kids in their own worship. They hear a bible story, work on scripture memory, and sing together. It's during 2nd hour, and my kids flip out for it. Well during FX, the parents get to see what the kids are learning and experience worship with our kiddos with their fun music. It's so great. On Sunday mornings, Jada and her team pick kids to be on stage that have shown leadership. Aiden and Gracen both get to help lead worship on stage on certain Sundays...as well as FX. This particular time back in January, the theme was "Endurance", so they all had to dress up in sports attire. Gracen borrowed a soccer jersey from her big bro. I love to see my kids excited about worshiping the Lord! There is nothing sweeter. I love our church, and the desire they have to walk alongside parents in this journey.

Bringing in the New Year

First night in a hotel room

Sleeping crazy


We were invited to a fabulous New Year's Eve party, complete with fancy clothes and dancing. This was the 2nd year our friends have thrown this party...and it is a blast! We were all set to go, picking out our outfits, and arranging childcare...when our friends Keith and Barie invited our family to Six Flags Fiesta Texas. They had 6 free passes for our family to use. Feeling unusually spontaneous, we agreed to go, booked a hotel room, and loaded up the kids...well, minus Evan. We thought she might make the trip a little more hectic than it needed to be. :) We had so much fun. Keith and Barie have 4 children as well, and all of our kids are sweet friends. It was pretty chilly, but our kids were good sports. We kept them out until midnight, with few meltdowns. We only lost 2 kids that day....2 out of 7 isn't bad. :) They lost their youngest, and we lost our oldest....oh, the adventures we had. We brought in the new year together and after that the kids quickly sacked out. I neglected to take pictures at the park, and Barie's didn't turn out that well...so this is what I have...a few pictures from our hotel room. This was the first time we have stayed in a hotel room with our kids. I had to get tips from Barie on sleeping arrangements. But they all did great! We're ready for our next adventure!

Adding to the Tribe

This is not my actual test, but it looked just like this...for those of you still buying expensive pregnancy tests...do yourselves a favor, and hit up Dollar Tree for $1 pregnancy tests. They are cheap and accurate. I found out I was pregnant with all 5 kids using Dollar Tree tests...just sayin.

For those of you that don't know yet, we got exciting news a few days before Christmas. We are adding a member to the tribe! Baby #5 is due at the end of August!! We are so thrilled and thankful. We told the kids on Christmas morning, and they were super excited. We didn't tell people we were pregnant until about week 10...and they found out at like 4 1/2 weeks. All four of them did such a great job of keeping our secret. They did not slip once. We told our families at Christmas and swore them to secrecy as well....however, they did not do such a great job keeping it quiet. Our 4 little munchkins might need to give some lessons in discretion to the older family members. :) The kids are pretty convinced it's a boy...but I think it's just wishful thinking. I, on the other hand have NO idea. I knew all 3 girls were girls...but this one, is tripping me up. We'll find out in a few weeks, and I can hardly wait. We have names just waiting to be used.

Merry Christmas from the Tribe

Christmas tree pictures are so much work....really. I had to take so many to get this shot...and they all look a little goofy. Grier's fake smile is too much in this picture. This group is a mess. We had a wonderful Christmas...sweet, simple, peaceful, focused on Jesus....well, as much as you can be with kids this age. :) It was so special.

Totally Backtracking

Little Bumblebee

Little Ladybug

3 Bugs and a Doctor

Love this little bunch


I totally recognize that it's the very end of February and I'm posting Halloween pictures....and for that I'm a little ashamed. I don't know how they slipped past me....but I couldn't go without ever documenting these cutie patooties. I tried my hand at making the girls costumes this year, a butterfly, a ladybug, and a bumblebee. Although, everybody thought they were all ladybugs. Oh well. Aiden wanted to be a doctor, and isn't he the cutest doctor you've ever seen?? I love these kiddos.

The Birthday Girl

Not loving the singing

Icing makes everything better

Happy 2nd Birthday my little Evie (In December)! It has been such a fun year watching you conquer so many firsts. You are a force to be reckoned with little lady. You are full of life, full of spunk and adventure, so friendly, and a blessing to be around. Your smile is infectious, and those dimples are impossible to resist. You make everyone feel special with your fun and outgoing personality. Daddy and I have so much fun with you. You have challenged us in a way that the other kids have not...you have climbed out of your crib...a first for the Magee household. You jump off of furniture as if you have wings...which is a no-no, by the way. You think you're 2 going on 15, with your incredible confidence in things that you obviously can't do. What would we do without you? We would laugh less...that's for sure. We love you so much and are so thankful you are a part of our family! Happy Birthday Monkey!

Salt Dough Ornaments

We made salt dough ornaments during the holidays. The kids love using cookie cutters. :) They decorated them and we attached them to their teacher's bags of cake pops. They were so sweet. We have about 15 left over and I can't figure out what to do with ALL of them. I put a few on the tree...but 15? Wow.

Family Pictures

***Lots of pictures!

My sweet friend Susan agreed to take pictures of our family for Christmas card pictures. She is so talented and was willing to give up some of her family time on a Saturday and travel out to our neck of the woods. She was great! She was patient and fun, and it helps that she knows and loves my kids. They felt comfortable with her, which was awesome. However, naps went badly that day. Grier did not take a nap at all, and Evan finally fell asleep 30 minutes before picture time. It was a rough start...not to mention this crazy windy cold front came in while we were taking pictures. Brrr! Overall the kids did great...but it was touch and go with Evan. :) Family pictures totally stress me out...which is probably why we don't have very many. These turned out great though! Thanks Susan!

Cake Pops

I made cake balls on sticks, "cake pops" for the kids teachers at their fine arts school, and for their teachers at church for Christmas. They were so fun to make and turned out so pretty. They were a big hit and I think they might just be my new "thing".

Right of Passage

Look at that big boy eating his first turkey leg. I was so proud.

Messiest Magee

Just a Saturday morning with a doughnut. What in the world?!


Let me just start out by saying that I love this little girl to pieces. She's pure sunshine...always ready to smile, laugh, and have a good time. However, she is by far the messiest, grossest baby that I have ever delivered. There is nothing lady like about this little lady. She shoves huge pieces of food in her mouth, runs her messy hands in her hair, and seems to stain clothes daily. Most of the clothes she wears have gone through AT LEAST 2 other girls, most of the time more...because of fabulous friends with "hand me downs"....BUT somehow Evan has managed to ruin clothes that others have not. I've actually had to throw things out that she has worn only a few times. I'm keeping "Shout" in business, I tell ya. She's a mess. We all tell her that daily, and she just laughs.