Dolly

In March of 2019, we brought home a new family member.  Meet Dolly!  She is a Giant Schnoodle and has grown like a weed since we brought her home.  She is insanely smart, funny, and has totally stolen our hearts (when she's not being naughty).

Benjamin, year 5

Everyone, meet our kindergarten boy.  He is so funny, insanely smart, and gives the best hugs around.  Here is what our main man has been up to:

- Benjamin started kindergarten at Scotts Ridge on August 26, 2019.  He is in Mrs. Morgan's class and so far - he LOVES it!  He was beyond ready for this.

- He is still loving soccer.  He's playing on the Gray Wolves team this fall through Parrish Athletics.

- Benjamin loves sports - period.  He loves to play them and watch them!  

- He has started singing in the K-1 choir at church with Mrs. Cathy

- Special friends - Brenner Mickey, Hudson Buck, Sims Arant, Carter Liberto, Dane Spotz, Dillon Manganillo

- We celebrated his 5th birthday with a bowling party with several pals

- Benjamin lost his first tooth on September 7, 2019 (bottom right front)

- He caught his first fish at SML this summer with daddy and Grandbuddy!

Madeline, year 8

Madeline is 8 and in 3rd grade.  I'm not sure what happened, but I blinked and here we are.  She is the sweetest, sassiest, smartest gal we know.  

A few fun updates:

- She got her ears pierced on June 22, 2019 and had so much fun changing into a new pair of pearl earrings (her mom's when she was little!) after Labor Day.

- She is in Mrs. Behnke's 3rd grade class

- She made dance company again and will participate in a trio with two dance friends, Hannah and Claire.

- Madeline and mom went to Madeline's first concert over the summer - Kidz Bop.  Despite a little rain, we had a ball!

- Favorite songs:  Old Town Road

- Special friends:  Taylor Buck, Piper Overman, Parker Evans, Clarkson Arant, Mae Spotz

- We celebrated her 8th birthday with a sleepover with 8 friends...whew!  Mama & Daddy hired a company to come set up her room with individual tents for each girl

- She was the flower girl in cousin Allyson's wedding this past spring in Charleston 

- She started taking piano lessons this summer 

- Loves:  NC State, dance, swimming, make-up

Benjamin, 4 year update

Benjamin is a growing boy.  He is such a doll and is growing up so quickly.  It's hard to believe he'll be going to Kindergarten next year.  Here's what he has been up to:

- He is loving school.  He is in the Penguins class at Apex UMC Preschool and loves his teachers, Ms. Mary Lou and Ms. Pam.  He is even enjoying Lunch Bunch on Wednesdays.

- He tried tee-ball and liked it, but at the end of the day, he's a soccer STAR!  He loves the sport and enjoyed playing on Coach Alan Buck's team, the Yellow Jackets, this fall.  He scored several goals and was thrilled with his progress.

- Benjamin's favorite shows are Paw Patrol and Puppy Dog Pals - and really anything with cars, trains, or tractors in it!

- He LOVES transformers toys right now and we're in the phase of "I want that!" at every commercial he sees. 

- He is exploring boundaries to see what he can get away with.  And this includes using "potty" words (to him that's "stupid" and "fart" and those kinds of words).  Just the other day he called his sister a "Baby Fart Rat" - and while name calling is not a good thing...I did laugh a little.  I call him my little Sour Patch Kid because he can be really sour and then turn on the charm. 

- He adores our pastor, Pastor Tim, and looks for him every Sunday at church to get a high five.

- Special friends - Brenner Mickey, Hudson Buck, Hudson Steeves, Sims Arant, Carter Liberto

- Started swimming over the summer (7/20/18)

Beavers update - summer 2018

We have had an eventful few months in the Beavers house and have taken some fun trips as a family.  Over Easter, we went to Washington DC and participated in the White House Easter Egg Roll (thanks, Uncle Ben!).  We had a blast and it was extremely cool to be on the White House lawn and to explore our Nation's capitol with our kids.  The first weekend of summer break, we took the kids to Grandfather Mountain and spent the weekend exploring Blowing Rock, and visiting Tweetsie Railroad.

Madeline 7 year update

Our precious 2nd grader is thriving and continues to blow us away every single day.  

- She is loving school this year.  2nd grade has brought joy back to reading and writing and her teacher, Mrs. Noonan, has given her such good praise and reports.  She is thrilled to be in class with her friend, Taylor Buck, and enjoys YMCA After School 3 days a week.  

- Madeline tried out for, and made it into the Mini Dance Company at APA this year.  She is such a great little dancer and is excelling at ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop and tech (gymnastics).  We'll go to three competitions in the new year so this is a whole new experience for Madeline....and mom!  Cousin Avery is in the company with her, so that will make travel fun with Avery and Aunt Rachelle in tow!  She has also enjoyed participating in the NC State Dance Team's dance clinics, where she has performed at Pack-a-Palooza and a women's basketball game.

- She has become an avid NCSU fan.  She'll still pull for ol' Wake every now and again, but it's NCSU (and boo Tar Heels) most of the time.

- She loves Taylor Swift and JoJo Siwa. Favorite TV shows are Bunk'd, KC Undercover and Hey Jessie.

- She is in Relay Exchange with mom and Y Guides with dad, which has given her some special time with us both individually, and a chance to learn new skills with friends. She even went on an overnight camping trip with daddy and her Y Guides group (the Karate Kittens).

- She is in choir at church and loves singing under Mr. Todd's leadership (Mr. Todd's son, Clarkson, is her little "boyfriend").

- Special friends are Clarkson Arant, Taylor Buck, Mae Spotz, Piper Overman, Zoe Ripper (and she has a crush on Sam Hakooz :) ).

Madeline is 7!

We celebrated our precious Madeline with a gymnastics birthday party on her actual birthday - May 19.  Madeline and some friends from school and church played hard at Sonshine Gymnastics and enjoyed juice and cake together.  After the party, we headed to Kanki for a birthday dinner with her grandparents.  It was a special celebration for a mighty special girl.  Madeline continues to amaze us with her cheerful spirit and kind heart.  She is smart as a whip and makes us laugh all the time!  We are beyond grateful that this beautiful angel made us parents.  How lucky are we?!  We love you, Madeline.  To the moon and back!