Christmas 2013

 There is something magical about Christmas morning.  The awe, the wonder, the magic. Even if it does begin at 4:30am :)

 I love my sweet boys.

 Santa WAS here!

 Charlie's favorite gifts: Skylanders, Pokemon and Mario Kart

 Tommy's favorites: DRUMS, Red Ranger Samaria Power Ranger costume

 Penny: Calico Critters car

 Look at that face.  We will endure all the Noise music for the joy that it brings this fella.

 Doctor Penny to the rescue.

After presents we put the turkey in and took a nap. A LONG nap and then ate, and ate.  It was perfect!

Halloween Fun 2013

If I had to sum up Halloween this year in 5 words it would be: BUSY, crazy, FUN, Family, kids.  I was a hard week, I won't lie.  There was just to much to do, to many projects that had to be completed, parties to plan, sweet treats to make, costumes to finish etc, etc, etc.  Halloween is a big event around here.  We love to help the kids come up with their costumes, often times making them.  But that takes a lot of work and planning and then some more work.  I also love to be involved with the boys' class parties.  This year I am the room mom for Tommy's class.  I volunteered to make not only Tommy's class but also Charlie's class their sweet treat for the class parties.  Let's just say that Trent and I were up to our elbows in rice krispie treats the night before the party. But the kids loved them, and THAT is why we do what we do. 

Kids, if you don't remember anything else about holidays and the traditions that we do each and every year.  I hope that you will remember that whatever we did we did for you.  To make you happy, to make you smile and to make you feel special. 

Charlie's Class Party 3rd Grade

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Charlie was the Red Knight Phantom from the Legend of Zelda

Tommy's Class Party 1st Grade

Tommy was the Golden Knight Phantom from the Legend of Zelda

Things to remember about Trick or Treating 2013:
* Penny demand to go home after about 30 minutes because she said she had "TOO MUCH candy".  What kid does that?!
*Charlie was just TOO cool to carry a plastic pumpkin to gather his candy. Sooooo, he choose to use his pillowcase like the "big" kids.  The funniest thing he said was "I can't WAIT to go to sleep tonight!!" Me: "Really?! Why?" Charlie: "Because then my pillow case will smell like candy" To funny!

Beautiful Fall Day

The children at Mulbery Farms 2013

Today was the most beautiful day.  The trees are all changing into their magnificent Fall colors, the sun was shining brightly with puffy white clouds against the most brilliant blue sky and the weather was cool and crisp.  It was stunning, really.

But the best part was that we were together as a family, all five of us.  The boys had the day off of school and Trent took the day off of work.  We had a flurry of activities but it wasn't rushed or hurried.  We set our own pace and really enjoyed being with each other.  Truth be told, Miss Penny set some of our schedule with her shrieking from the backseat of the car but we were late with naps so I can't really blame her ;)

We made our Fall rounds. Halloween decorations at the dollar store, homemade donuts from Patterson's bakery, pumpkins from Mulberry Farms and Halloween train ride and family fun at Magic Whooloween at Penitentiary Glenn.

This boy had just informed me that he would NOT be participating in some of the "fun".  It was far too embarrassing for him. I swear he turned into a teenager on the drive out :(

 Halloween train ride at Penitentiary Glenn is one of our all time favorite family activities.  We have been going for years and we all love it.  This was Penny's first time with us.  She loved it.  She said the train was "a little scary".