Snow Days . . .

So, last week the boys had 3 snow days. There was no snow but there was incredibly cold wind chills. So, since the boys couldn't enjoy the snow-we decided to enjoy one of their christmas presents. They got McDonald's gift cards, so they enjoyed milkshakes and time in the play place. We brought Lucas's friend to enjoy in the fun!

And I will leave you w/a writing assignment from Lucas.

I made a snowman.

Lucas threw a snowball at Dominic.

I catcht a snow forte.

My snow suit is black and red.

My snow shoes are black.

I have a snow house.

I think I have a snow plow.

The End

Babysitting the cousins!

On Saturday, the boys and I went to my brother's house and babysat my nephews/their cousins. They did a GREAT job! The only problem is that Lucas decided that there were not enough little cousins-since Noah was playing w/Trevor and Eli w/Ty-he thought that there should be just 1more little cousin for him to take care of. And it can't be Andrew and Jen's upcoming arrival-since she will have 2 older brothers to take care of her. So, I passed that message to Aunt Jules and Uncle Fred. We will see if they will make that happen for Lucas.

After completely trashing the playroom, eating, playing, and more playing. We cleaned up the playroom and the boys were ready to sleep. Ty fell asleep while Lucas and Eli took turns rocking him. And then Eli and Lucas put him to bed. Trevor layed down w/Noah and watched some TV and then as soon as I was sure that Ty was asleep. Noah layed him down. And from what I understand-they both slept well that night! The boys and I were glad to be able to help my brother/sis-in-law out. I am not sure if I should tell them-that most babysitters get paid!

Roller Skating . . . well,not really!

So, for New Years we went to the school skate day but Eli and Lucas didn't really skate. They played games and got vampire teeth! I tried several times to get a pic of Noah-but he just moves too fast around the rink!

How far can you go . . . .?

Here are some videos from our sledding day on "The Beast". I took my turn 1 time and I am still hurting! I am sure glad there is no video of that! Scott and Lucas decided it was too steep. So, they headed further down to a part that wasn't so steep or high. They called it "The Monster". We had such a good time and w/the exception of me - no one was hurt! Yeah! Then we spent the rest of New Year's Eve eating pizza and watching movies. Unfortunately, when we got home-we found a sick Tovi-so a low key New Year's Eve was the best thing!

Go Baby Go!

WWWOOOOOHOOOO!

Christmas Eve, Christmas-sledding, movies, and loads of FUN!

The boys came home on Monday-so that was our Christmas Eve! We still had a ton of snow from the "blizzard" on Dec 24th and the weather was perfect for sledding, snow ball fights, and more.
Noah trying to see how far he can go down standing up!

Eli up next.

Lucas bringing up the rear!

I buried Noah in the snow. We headed indoors to warm up with some hot cider. Then headed to the movies to see Alvin and the Chipmunks- The Squeakquel. Funny and cute! We came home to a crock pot of homemade chicken noodle soup. Yummy!

Cookies for Santa.

Santa Paws. Tovi didn't really like his Santa outfit. But he at least posed for his pic.

Presents!

Tovi took right to all his new toys!

I didn't take a lot of pics, just tried to enjoy the day. Santa was good to us this year, a new computer for the boys and a 14games in 1 table. Noah and Eli got solar powered building set and Lucas got a building set. Scooters for Noah and Eli and a skateboard for Lucas. Family games for everyone and of course more video games. My brother and his boys came up and we played w/all our new toys and of course went . . . . sledding! When my sis in law was done w/work we had a yummy dinner of roast chicken, loaded potatoes, veggies, salad and biscuits.

And peanut butter pie for dessert. YUM YUM! Then we head to my mom's so we could do christmas on Wed w/my family. I am so thankful that we all live close and everyone is so flexible about moving holidays-so we can all celebrate together.

Autumn was able to join us and we spent the day, enjoying each other's company and eating!

After presents, my sis in laws and I took Autumn shopping to spend one of her presents a gift card! It was fun girl time. The boys were at home playing wii sports resort or sledding.

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Enjoy your time together and remember the things that matter most! God Bless!

Check. . . .check. . . .check. . . . . .

So, I am checking off things on my To Do List. Christmas cards-check, christmas shopping - check, baking- check, and gifts for the neighbors- check! Started wrapping christmas presents last night. Here are some pics from last week.
Eli was a big help w/the english muffins for the neighbors.

Eli wrapping the muffins. All the boys delivered the muffins. I am so glad that they love giving at this time of year. They just LOVE going up and down the street being little Santa's!

Here are the sugar cookies that I made for the Bff's. Eli made peanut butter blossoms and Noah made praline bars. I also made some pfeffernusse cookies. They were a big hit especially Noah and Eli's cookies! They were calling me Martha Stewart. Hardly. LOL! If they saw my mom's cookie trays- I would have been put to shame! But I am glad they enjoyed the cookies. Well, the house is too quiet these days. No boys or Tovi. I have to work the next 4 nights and I will be glad when this week is over. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! God Bless!

Birthday parties and field trips!

Jordan turned 11 last week. So, the weekend before last, we celebrated his birthday nerf gun style. While the older kids played at my brother's house- I took my younger boys and Scott to one of our fav parks. Tovi came with us, of course! We played until after dark and the kids had a blast!

Lucas had a field trip to Kaleidoscope. I was at the flower pot station-which wasn't very popular with boys. Although a few made a flower pot to take home to their mom. Lucas spent most of his time running around and looking at everything. I can't tell you how many times one of Lucas's friends came up to me and said "Where's Lucas?"

Well, I plan to hopefully get alot done on my Things to Do List this week. Eli helped me make peanut butter blossoms yesterday. But I still have a lot more baking to do. My christmas letter is done, just need to address and mail the christmas cards. Oh, finish christmas shopping and at some point wrap all of them. Well, I better get started!

Noah the clarinetist!

Noah also did a great job! In this song the teacher added to what the kids had in their music books because the clarinet players were showing they could do a more challenging piece.

Eli the cellist!

Eli's teacher says he has a natural talent and shows great promise. Lucas took the video-so its a little shaky. But we are ALL proud of our Eli!

Awesome musicians!

Noah and Eli had their music concert for strings/band. They both did a fantastic job! All their hard work over the last few months paid off!

I can't believe it's December!

I am in complete denial that it is almost Christmas! I haven't even begun my Christmas baking! And my BFF's at work will be looking for them soon. The boys and I have been busy with decorating, music programs, birthday parties, meetings at work, the school skate party, and family photos. I was thrilled to find out that the school wanted to donate a family photo session w/a local studio. I haven't had our family pic taken at a studio since the boys were 5yr, 3yr and 1yr old. And we got a ton of photos, Christmas cards, gift tags, and a huge composite. When I figure out how to use my new scanner/copier ( early Christmas present from Santa Mom and Dad)- I will try to post some of the pics. Here are pics of the decorating the Christmas tree:

I wasn't sure how Tovi would be w/the Christmas tree. He loves to get under it and for the most part doesn't bother anything other than the tree skirt. Although, today he took an ornament off and was chewing on it. Luckily it he didn't damage it.

Oops!

Well, I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. The boys and I did, but I didn't pull out the camera once! Hence the title of the post. The saturday before Thanksgiving- our family had the family Thanksgiving since one of my brother/wife/nephews were going out of town and the other brother had his in-laws in town for Thanksgiving. It was fun and LOUD. But what do you expect with 7 boys in the house. The boys last day was on Tues, so we packed up and went to Nana's. It felt like a mini VK and was fun! We bake cookies-chocolate crinkles, peanut butter bloosoms, 2 kinds of sugar cookies, wrapped fudge, lemon bars, molasses cookies, and more. I have been going to my mom's to help her w/her baking for the last few years and it is a good tradition. The boys love helping! Esp since only those who help can eat the cookies. They samples all to make sure they met the standard :)! LOL! On Thanksgiving, Andrew and his family came over after their dinner- and the boys did a little imprompto concert w/my brother and his wife who play cello and clarinet. It was great, but I had already loaded all my stuff in the car to include my camera sooooo they promise to do another at Christmas and I will get a video! We have a busy few weeks ahead and I plan to do better about taking pics to keep you updated!

Noah's music program

Noah had a music program the first week of Nov. It was a Veteran's Day celebration!

!st grade can be tough . . .

Lucas fell at recess yesterday. The pic doesn't do justice. His eye is swollen. And all the skin is raw. Poor guy! My baby :(!

Halloween fun!

This is going to be a long one. The boys parent teacher conferences were the week of Halloween, so Wed was there last day for the week and there parties.
Lucas's class needed sugar cookies. So, Chef Lucas and I made cats, ghosts, and pumpkins, oh my!

Here is a pic of Lucas's class. Lucas finally decided on wearing his karate uniform. It is tough to be just 1 thing :).

I was in charge of Noah's class party. Noah said that his friends wouldn't want to play games. It's hard when your baby grows up *sniff*sniff*.

Here's Eli's class. I have to breeze in and out to make sure I go to every one's party.

Eli and Lucas both had mummy wrapping-but I was only able to get a pic of Lucas wrapping up his friend.

The boys and I went w/a few neighbor kids to a Candy scramble in Shawnee.

Lots of games/fun. Pumpkin bowling.

Halloween twister.

Pumpkin painting.

On Thursday, we had plans to go to the pumpkin patch, but the rain forced us into an indoor activity. So, we went bowling and then went home for Halloween party and movie marathon.

Noah had some left over dry ice from his halloween/science project ( I am still trying to upload that video) so we had a little it.

The boys decorated a Halloween gingerbread house. But since they decorated it in their pj's, without shirts-I thought I would just post a pic of the final project.

Bubbling, drinks completed w/floating eyeballs were a big hit for the party.