Birthday Boys

It was our turn to host the annual birthday party! This year along with the regulars, we had Richard's family and the Grandparents join us! We had a lot of fun. Swimming, skiing, talking, eating. It was the first year that we have had a themed party, and I think it turned out ok!

I wish I had taken pictures skiing but the sideways snow would have made it a bit difficult. We even got a crazy snow white out storm Saturday night so Richard & Janae and the girls got to stay for an unplanned over-nighter. We had fun playing games and watching movies. So far 2014 has been good to us. Lets keep our fingers crossed for a good year. (We missed you Julie & Missy's family!)

Christmas 2013

I love making my kids take a Christmas photo each year. Some years are better than others. This years photo turned out surprisingly good, even with the inevitable before church rush.

I love how alive my kids look. Ian cheeks are pink as he and Mike had just returned from a 7 mile walk in the snowy woods, Finn has a slight black eye from falling off a kitchen chair and Eliza's toothless grin is delightful. Merry Christmas to our Friends and Family. 

Halloween again...

I know most of you have seen some of these Halloween photos on Mike's facebook, but my blog wouldn't be complete without chronicling the kid's costumes each year!

 At the trunk or treat we had a ghost, a bat and a hobbit.

 But on Halloween we had a Ranger, a Bear that couldn't lift his arms because the costume was so tight, and a pirate girl. Eliza was determined to dress in different costumes each activity we went to! I was a bit disappointed as I actually made her ghost costume! It only got an hours worth of wear.

After the sugar rush of Halloween ended we took a Saturday and volunteered at an aide station for a half marathon! The kids loved filling up the hundreds of cups with Gatorade and water. Ian stood on the side of the road with cups calling "water water water water" to all the runners passing bye. It was really fun and we also scored some t-shirts and ski passes.

I will post a video of my darling baby. Only Grandmas are required to watch it, the others can just smile and nod and say how cute he is.  

Fall Harvest!

Today I harvest the last bit of the garden, all our lovely carrots. They are sweet and tasty. 

 This year we had more cucumbers than we knew what to do with! I had at least 15 in my fridge at one time. Sheesh. Next year I won't replant and replant thinking the seeds didn't work. We also ate 2 delicious canteloupes. We got enough tomatoes for some eating, and canning a batch of spaghetti sauce and salsa but we had way too many freeze on the vine. I think they need for sun next year.

We have been trying to get the kids outside before it really gets too cold. They are such good sports and Finn can't get enough of the great outdoors. I just have to say outside or bike and he will stop fussing and head to the door ready to play. His favorite thing is to walk out the front door, and race to the elementary school playground across the street with us chasing him. 

 This is Finn on his first day of nursery. I can't believe how big he is getting! He is so much fun and his vocabulary is growing so fast. His favorite words are no, mama, hot, hat, nose, yaya (eliza), cracker, juice, cheese, baby, diaper, puppy, door and more no no no no all day long!

The sad thing in writing this blog is knowing that a good friend of mine won't be reading and commenting on this post as she died this week. I will miss you Shamae! Hug your friends today.