Rainy Sunday

I was in the kitchen making homemade spaghetti sauce and meatballs which took a good amount of time. Came upstairs to find Luke asleep in my bed. Sweet boy gave up naps over a year ago but I guess the quiet steady rain lulled him to sleep on this rainy Sunday. 

Boys

Gabe sharing his show 'n tell at school.  He took a book about trucks to share.

 Luke watching intently.

 A visit to the Disney Store on a day off of school.

 Fun in the mall.  Throwing coins in the fountain.

 Begging for a sword and shield for himself and his brother.  Did he get it?

Our big boys are 3.5 and so much fun.  They're funny, smart, and love one another and their sisters.  Love these boys.

Winter

Kids are getting older and busier, I've become more involved in volunteering, the snow won't stop falling, blogging has become non-existent, yet I long to slow down and remember all of the small moments that happen each and every day.

This has been one snowy winter.  So many snow days and delayed openings.

 Ella is a big girl and learning to read and write.

 Because life isn't crazy enough we added Charlie and he's growing rapidly...

 The boys were invited to their very first real birthday party.

 Charlie likes to eat Oliver's food.

 Valentine's Day came and went.

 More snow.

 Coming home from a long school day and being welcomed by your best friend feels great.

 Weight was lost.

 Picking dresses for a funeral (Jackie's dad).

 Glasses and patching daily.

 Fun hairdos.

 Going to friend's talent show.

Life is flying by.  I don't want to miss a minute.  I can't wait for spring and warmer weather and less TV and more time to connect with nature and the blog.

Behind!

I need to catch up!  

Until then...

Happy Thursday!

Halloween 2013

Halloween was great this year.  The kids had a nice warm day to trick-or-treat.  Lilly was a witch that she created herself (she pieced together the costume).

 Andy and I took the kids to our friend's haunted house.  We took the 3 little ones to the "no scare" version.  Ella didn't even make it past this fence.  She walked one step and screamed and freaked out so she sat with our friends while we took the boys through.

 Ella couldn't handle this guy.  The boys were fine!  I'm laughing right now thinking about Ella's reaction.

 Lilly was at a party while we had the little ones there so when we got home I took her back.  She was pumped and excited and insisted we go through the scare version.  We waited in line for a very long time.  We went through one room and she lost her mind sobbing and screaming and I had to carry her while she buried her head.  I laughed so hard I couldn't walk which scared her more as she punched me and screamed, "GET ME OUT OF HERE!"  Maybe I'm evil but I thought it was soooo funny!  And no, she wasn't scarred in any way nor did she have nightmares.  Here she is after the incident...

 The boys and Ella had a Halloween party and parade at their preschool.  Gabe was a trash man, Luke a fire man, and Ella was a fairy.

 Ella with her friend Bianca.

 We then headed to my old school and Lilly's school for the annual Halloween parade.  Lilly's teacher was a minion and can be seen in yellow behind her here.

 This here may be my most favorite picture I've ever taken.  Gabe loves everything garbage.  He's been following these garbage men since he could walk.  Halloween fell on trash day so they stopped and posed with Gabe.  My heart melted.

 And this...

 Our misfits.

 The trick-or-treating crew.

 Gabe got tired.  Andy ran home to get the stroller.  This was about 8 houses in...

I know it's now December but better late than never.  Happy Halloween!

Random

Life is flying by.  So many little things happening that add up to one big fast paced awesomely happy life.

Ella is deathly afraid of anyone dressed up (Easter Bunny, characters, etc.).  She was at a birthday party last year when Hello Kitty appeared and she had a nervous breakdown and we had to leave.  She still asks at every.single.party, "Is Hello Kitty coming?" 

At this party I almost fainted when they announced princess Aurora was here!  Holy cow!  Ella went into sheer panic and started to lunge as I mouthed to my friend Jillian GET HER and Jillian caught Ella mid-flight and I was able to protect her as Aurora arrived.  After the initial shaking, crying, and trying to exit the party, Ella checked out the princess cautiously and eventually warmed up to her!!!  I was so proud.  It's the little things in life...

 Andy's been working on our new master bathroom.  It's beautiful.  He's so talented.

 Lilly's been winter swimming every Monday, Wednesday and every other Sunday.  She's doing a great job and sort of enjoys it.

 Luke is lovey and sweet and caring and likes to make funny faces and pretend he's mad at me.  Little lover...

 Oliver loves his friend Scooby, also a St. Berdoodle.  Oliver loves everyone.  He's an awesome dog and turned 2 on Nov. 1st. 

Loving life!