MN Zoo Homme Style

We met Jim and Kirsten and their kiddos and Peter and Serena and the girls at the MN Zoo for a fun day.

BRRRR!  It was VERY windy and cold (one of the only cold days of the winter this year- so we opted for all indoor activities.

 Emily loving all the tortoises and turtles!  There were so many to see.  

  Thank You Grandma and Grandpa Homme for the Family Passes for Christmas!!  We had so much fun together!

 My beautiful girls- they helped us corral all the younger kiddos and loved all the family time!

 Ashley thought the flamingos were pretty awesome!

 So did Andrew!

I think THEY are pretty awesome!!

 The kids got to "pet" the star fish in the aquarium area- so cool

 A lovely bundle of love- Miss Savannah (Em is in heaven cuddling her cuz)

 And our Sweet Miss Veronica- what fun to spend the day with you girls!

 Major Buds!!

 Sweet friends!!

 We got to see the dolphins being fed and doing a couple of tricks.

 Andrew and Sarah loved all the hiding spots and tunnels - Spunky and Monkey!!

 Kirsten and the boys(Best Buds too) - watching the dolphin show.  (And baby Rainbow of course- we can't wait to hold you!)  

 I love this picture of Jay with Liz and Natalie!!  I love every smile!!

We can't wait to arrange another day at the zoo (explore the outdoor exhibits) and spend some good Homme family time together!   

My Ashley

 My Ashley- she is so beautiful and spunky and smart!  It's fun to watch her grow and her fun personality brings a smile every time! The Lord blessed me with this cutie to keep me laughing and trusting that He will direct her steps.   I never know what she will say or do next.


A sampling:  


On the way to her throat culture:  "Mom I think I want to be either a nail person or a vet or a hair cutter when I grow up."


On the way home:  "Mom- I really want to work here at Mayo and analyze people's spit when I grow up!. . . that or be the first girl President!  I could maybe be the President and analyze spit on the weekends!"

 Here she is with her buddy Madeline - they seem to really "get" each other.  It is such a kick listening to these ladies chat on the phone in the evenings.

  

Justin TKD Testing for Green Belt

Justin tested for his Green Belt in Tae Kwon Do on Monday night.  Jay watched him test and I arrived in time for the ceremony.  Here he is sitting at attention waiting to hear if he advances.

HOORAY!  You did a great job buddy!  Justin moves from a Camo belt to a Green belt!!

 A happy crew!  Holding his new belt proudly!

 Showing off his new belt and some of his favorite moves

 POW

Nice block

HIYAH!!


We are so proud of you Justin- keep up the good work!

Schaeffer Homecoming 2011

Schaeffer Academy Homecoming 2011

Elizabeth had a ton of fun cheering for the Varsity Boys BB for Homecoming. (Lauren T this picture is for you)

After our Tea we rushed over to the RAC for Justin's Tae Kwon Do testing- then it was rush over to Schaeffer for Homecoming.

Here's Ashley showing off her spirit!

And of course Andrew had to get some spirit paint too- (2 days later- he is still wearing it!  "NO don't take off my Schaeffer blue mommy!")

Emily played her flute in the Pep Band- How fun!!!  Here she is showing off her new band shirt.

My beautiful girl!

Showing off the uniform

GO LIONS!

It was an awesome game and both the girls team and the boys team won!

We made it through a hectic but FUN night- WHEW!!

AHG Tea Party

Ashley and I had a very special night at AHG (American Heritage Girls).  Ashley finished her etiquette patch  with a Mom and Me tea party.  It was a lot of fun and Ashley loved having mommy all to herself for the night!  She informed me I WOULD be wearing a dress NO MATTER WHAT!  and it would be just the two of us- NO MATTER WHAT!  

 We ate chocolate cake and drank either tea or hot chocolate.  Ashley added about 8 cubes of "straight sugar" into her hot chocolate- as she says- ka-pow- that really makes it taste good!

 We had a relay race and did a word find too.  

 My Ashley- My beautiful, spunky, wonderful girl!

 Ashley and Katie showing off their toothlessly wonderful smiles!  They are so pretty!  

Elizabeth Turns 14!

Good Morning to our beautiful 14 year old!  It is a Homme Clan tradition to wake up the birthday girl or boy with breakfast in bed.  This year it's an omelet, bacon, and a precious pomegranate,

 This is one sleepy teen!

 A candy cane theme for our sweet girl.  However- my cake was a flop!  It looks more like a barbershop quartet shirt.  Oh well- I'm no Cake Boss and Liz thought it was cute so that's all that matters. 

 We had a "Polaroid" party for her- clues for each spot and activities for the girls- leading up to a special surprise.  First stop:  a snowball fight at Schaeffer. (thankfully we had a fresh inch of snow just in the nick of time!)  Much to OUR surprise we had to tell them to stop the fun to hear the next clue.

 Time for a warm up:  Hot Chocolate at Flapdoodles- YUMMY!

 Time to make a decision- too many options!

 Go find an ornament at Hobby Lobby - candy canes girls

 Off to Target to try on some FABULOUS shoes- so funny!  Gotta love Emmy's duck slippers in the midst of all these divas

 At long last- to Petsmart to pick out a HAMSTER!!!  Liz has been begging for years and we finally caved in :0)-- How can you argue with her when she points out how responsible she is and how much she helps us and cares for her siblings whenever we ask her to - and that she would be able to take good care of her hamster- she's right!  This reward is well earned and well deserved!

 14 candles- oh my!

 Sorry Liz- no boyfriends yet- phew!

 Gotta have a "craft"- cookie decorating fun!

 Emmy, Kristen and Elle

 Abby and Kaitlin

So Cute