Pumpkin Patch & Halloween 2016

The kids were off on Columbus Day so we took them & two friends to the pumpkin patch. 

Halloween fell on a Monday. We carved our pumpkins the Sunday before.  Ben had picked a little pumpkin that was too small to carve, so we let him paint his.  Isn't it cute? Isn't he cute? :)

 It must have been Lily who took this pic, but I liked that it documents me carving the kids' pumpkins. Peter drew me a picture that he wanted it to look like. Mattie, our neighbor, came out and carved Lily's pumpkin. Woohoo.  I didn't actually get pictures of our finished products.  But read previous years here:  2014, 2013, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010

Ben was Benjamin Bunny.  It was a day of decision.  We'd talked about him being a puppy but when I bought home the puppy ears, he got cold feet and Lily decided she liked them.  So I spend one afternoon sewing spots on a sweatshirt outfit for Lily.  I ran out on Halloween to just buy a costume for B, but I was just too cheap.  So sewed these rabbit ears for him about an hour before the kids got home.  He also had a little yarn pom pom cotton tail.  I attempted to dye a sweater brown with Rit Dye but it came out silver.  So as he woke up from his nap, I opened his closet brainstorming brown sweater options, and found this one that one of my mom's friends knitted for Lily! I finished up the "headband" minutes before we walked out the door.  Mike was cutting carrotts for the neighborhood gathering so we handed him one. :)  Whew.  A close one.

 Our neighborhood has pizza beforehand. :)

 Our only pic of the crew.  

We went super simple this year after a family star wars theme last year.

A ninja- bought a black shirt and red duct tape. :)

A CUTE puppy- did her own face paint

Benjamin Bunny

Memorial Day Weekend 2015

My parents were preparing for a wedding at their house so couldn't be at the river but convinced us to go anyway.  I was hesitant without the service staff there (being honest- our parents serve us well & I appreciate, enjoy every minute of it) but it turned out to be such a nice weekend.  

It was soo sooo nice to have a long weekend with just the 5 of us in a different location.

I know for all of us normal life certainly doesn't seem to allow much quality time together- with the older two away at school for nearly 8 hours a day and Mike away at work for 11 a day.  

We stopped on the way down at a playground they love.

(these pics can serve as a 'before' for Ben's hair trimming. There are almost always haircuts at the river.)

 We enjoyed leisurely days on the dock & a ride on Paw's boat.  It was also a good playpen for Ben.  There has been a little grumpiness- with teething, and reaching the stage of desiring something but not having the speech to match it.

 his cuteness makes up for it!

 

Lily's thoughts on the weekend-

We are also very thankful for the men & women who serve & have served our country. 

Easter 2015

We spent Easter at my parents house with family.  

It was a lovely weekend to be in the country.  We had a sunshine sitting circle out back- it was so nice to just sit with them in the sunshine.

 It was so good to get time with my Holly.

 This guy caught a few winks.

 This girl (& all 3 kids) got gifts from NeeNee.

 Our wedding tulips were in bloom.

 Lily and I got some QT together on the hammock.

This is how Ben feels about any one other than Mommy or Daddy.  Uncle John tried hard.

 It was a windy day so my dad went into town and bought kites for everyone to fly.

 My niece, Audrey!

 Her momma & my sis in love, Jess and baby SK- so pretty!

 Uncle John picked up his elk antlers from Maw & Paw's house- I guess Maw was ready to get rid of those??

 And our family on Easter!

More on Spring Break to come...

Blacksburg or Bust

We had a slow- maybe too slow- few days early in the second week of break, and some fun dinners with friends.  The kids stayed a night with Goo & Pop.  :)
Then we all headed to Blacksburg.  In 2010 & 2011, we went to hotels with pools over break for a little family getaway.  In 2012, we did a trial membership at the JCC pool.  This year, we realized we needed to reinstate that get away.  It happened that our niece in Blacksburg was turning one and we realized we could combine the two into one!  Woohoo!  

We headed out on Thursday and stopped at Natural Bridge.  

The baby-wearing I mentioned earlier.

 My handsome, compassionate, & silly firstborn.

 My pretty, sweet, & thoughtful secondborn.

 We enjoyed getting to see John & Jessica & their girls at the hotel. 

Boots, tights, & swimsuits- yes, please!

 Family Foto

 Group Foto (minus Jess, the photographer)

It was nice to be away together and to get time with family, still around Christmas.

Christmas & After

Waiting at the top of the stairs for the "go".  There is a definite 7am or later rule here.

 real camera "selfie" with Daddy

(I never thought Peter & Lily look especially alike.  

But this baby looks like both of them- especially Lily through the eyes.)

 P&L ran right past their piles to look under the tree but nothing- haha.

 I think we are all OK with this guy stealing the show.

Its still surprising to me how much Peter (esp) & Lily adore him.

We enjoyed a nice family walk and then all napped that afternoon. 

Our kind neighbors gave Peter & Lily a cookie decorating kit.  So Mike got to it with them.

I am not a cookie making mama.  Its too much, I can't handle it (& we've never had an overly great set up for it).  So this kit was so perfect!!

Benny is now over the moon for his Daddy.  Over Thanksgiving break, Mike ended up taking the three kids over to his parents house while I finished up getting ready.  Ben definately has some separation anxiety and looooves his mama. Because Mike was the most familiar person there (his siblings families), he only wanted Mike and has loved him ever since.  He has a definite groan (ugh) that he does when Mike is nearby to signal (ugh, why aren't you holding me?!) & reaches his arms out.  He is quite taken to be this close to Mike in the backpack (& babywearing pics to come-first time for Mike!).  I think Mike equally enjoyed the extended time over break to hang out with Ben & cuddle our last/bonus baby. :)

 Does that look amazing or what?! Its Winter Break. Eat your heart out!

 They each decorated one for themselves then it was on to more of a production line.

 My parents came and stayed with us on Christmas night.  It was fun to have extras in the house.

The next day Mom and I went shopping (just for fun) and the men took the older kids to the science museum.  Loved these pics Mike took.  I think this is a social media thing. :) 

 That weekend, the baby and I were both a little under the weather with a fever, so Mike and the older kids ended up with a day at the Farm House.  I think they had fun!  :)