Cleft Christmas '13

I love our little commune.

I really do.

I still, after 7 years, give myself a virtual pinch from time to time,

just to remind myself that we really do live here.

Amongst good friends.

With room to play.

Our traditional Cleft Christmas went off without a hitch.

We met here at our home and enjoyed the extra space the now-finished basement offered.

We had yummy breakfast for dinner (that's become part of the tradition too!)

and then Kip, in true Kip-fashion, came up with some fun minute-to-win-it games.

The kiddos ate in the basement.

Adults were upstairs.  

Gathering in the basement for games.

Dig The Mint Out of the Flour With Only Your Mouth …

hysterical!

Reindeer Antlers (with hose & balloons) … we laughed 'til we cried!

Look at our beloved Ms. Maggie and her granddaughter Tori …

did I say we laughed??!

Tree Tower of Cups … harder than it looks!

Then there was the gift giving … Grayson drew Jarrett's name.

Jarrett gave Graham a hat with headphones and a D on it.

Ethan drew Blaine's name.

The toboggan with the headphones was a hit!

Triplets!!

Love our time with our Cleft family!

First Day 2013

Here we go again.

Another school year.

And changes again this year ...

Jacob is in 3rd grade,

Blaine is back at Mulberry in 5th grade,

and Jarrett ... oh my goodness.

6th grade at Dacula Middle School.

Yep - the boys are split up.

Two different schools.

Sniff!

Most of the Cleft kiddos ... l to r:

Katie Beth (1st), Whitney (1st), Ty (2nd), Jacob & Will (3rd), Anna Beth (4th), 

Riley Catherine & Blaine (5th), Jarrett (6th), Will (7th) and Wesley (9th).

Not pictured:  Grayson (K), Graham (8th), and Ethan (10th)

These 2 ... could they be any cuter??!

Graham came down later & let me get shots ... 

can you tell they are middle schoolers??

Always love the new shoes ...

Nana & O came to see the boys off ...

Only walking in 2 this year ...

WAAAHHHH!

Jacob with his teacher, Mrs. Stephen.

Can you tell he's excited??!

This kid LOVES school!

Walking down the 5th grade hall.

Blaine with his teacher, Mrs. Tucker.

Back in a traditional setting, 

and its perfect for him.

No walking this kid in ... 

just had to let him out of the car and watch him walk in.

Love that sweet smile - he's ready.

Whether we are or not.

Love making dinner for the Blaine & Jacob's teachers ... 

the first day is exhausting on the teachers!

Picking up Jarrett after school ... 

it was a great first day.

Looking forward to a wonderful year!

BTSB '13

Time yet again for our 7th annual

Cleft Back to School Bash!

Always the highlight of back to school ...

I love how the kids ask when we're having it - seems like love traditions like we do!

This sign ... it's starting to show 7 years of wear and tear!

Lindsey ... last year of preschool!

Amber's last year too!

Grayson, the newest kindergartner in the 'hood ...

Katie Beth - first grader

Whitney - first grader

Ty - 2nd grader in an all out cartwheel!

Jacob - 3rd grader in all his cuteness

Will - 3rd grader in full effect!

Anna Beth 4th grader with style!

Riley Catherine -5th grade in hollywood model mode

Blaine-o 5th grade - full of energy!

Jarrett 6th grade - and in true Cleft fashion, he was peppered as he ran through ...

this time with little plastic balls!  Love his face here - he knows what's coming!

Running from the onslaught ...

Tackled!

Will 7th grade - coming through faceless (don't even try to understand a middle schooler!)

And tackled forthwith for the hat trick!

Graham 7th grade - calm and cool

And Wes - newest 9th grader!

Ethan had football practice ... he's the oldest of the crew in 10th grade.

And a dance party (to 80's music of course) ensued ...

Fun cupcakes I made for the festivities ... each one had a flag with a school name on it.

Oh my goodness ... seriously don't know why we are so blessed to live in this little community.

So many blessings of raising our kids together.

It makes my heart so full.

And humbled at His great grace to us.

Now on to a GREAT year!