Christmas Eve 2011

 Peedee, our elf, stuffed our stockings the last day he was with us!

 Hmmm...a light sabre with M&M's stuffed in it.  Life is good.

 Bath foam!

 Enjoying some tea after Christmas Eve service at church.

 Nanee helps Jack complete his new puzzle.

Papa helps Sam with packaging.

We went to a beautiful, candlelight Christmas Eve service at church (Nanee and Papa joined us).  Then, after dinner, we let the boys open their stockings Peedee brought for us.  A little Christmas morning preview--got us all excited!

Making Treats

 Sam, rolling the white chocolate pretzels.

 Jack proud of his M&M rolled milk chocolate pretzel!

 The loud (and most fun) part--hammering the toppings to smithereens!

Serious, focused work going on here.

Well, I think we rolled close to 15 dozen pretzels into all sorts of good toppings.  The finished product went to friends, neighbors, our dentist's office, family, and we may have kept a few for ourselves:)

Decorating the Christmas Tree

 Sam wanted to hook everything.  Here he is digging in the  bag of hooks.

 Whoa!  Standing on the ottoman to decorate the tree.

 Admiring his handiwork:)

Kids' tree done!  What a hot mess;)  They are excited to show Daddy when he gets home!

Jack's Trait Tag

Jack, with his Trait Tag for Perseverance.

Proud Mama, proud Brother, proud Daddy (not pictured:(), and Jack.

Jack's school honors one child a week from each grade level for an admirable character trait. Jack was this week's honoree. I received a note home last week telling me that he was going to be recognized, but we had to keep it a secret! Sammy and I got to attend the chapel service conducted by first graders (!)--what a treat! Jack jumped out of his chair and ran up to the stage so fast that I barely got any pics or video. Luckily, the nice lady next to me offered to take some for us. So proud of you, Jack!

After I texted Rick the pictures, he texted back, "Proud. What was the tag?"

Me: Perseverance

Rick: Is that like stubborn-ness?

Me: Yes.

Me: Using his power for good instead of evil. Again, very proud.

Ode to a Gecko

Little lizard, out in nature

you are my little friend

I like to see you on my deck

or on a leaf around the bend

my kids think you are very cool

They want to watch you move

quickly darting to and fro

until you find a groove

but when you come inside my house

the pleasantries will end

little lizard, green gecko

INSIDE you are not my friend!

Sam's First Day of Preschool 2011

Sam's first day of preschool for the 2011-2012 school year, and his first year at school without big brother Jack. The best part, according to Sam? He finally gets to play on the "Big-Kid" playground. Ahhhh, life at 3 is good!

First Day of Kindergarten

Sooooooo excited!

Waiting in the cafeteria with all the other nervous kids and parents:)

Almost time to head in to his classroom!





 

Sam, the supportive brother:)

 

Well, the first day of kindergarten was great!  Jack's teachers are very nice and very structured--which bodes well for us on both ends.  We knew Jack would do great, and he readily joined his classmates when his teacher came to call them into the classroom.  No tears from any of us--yea!

Coast Guard Festival Fun!

 Ahhh...the annual early-August trip to Southwest Michigan for the Coast Guard Festival--so much fun packed into one week.  Here we are--half way (in Kentucky)--visiting Gary and Mary and their kids Peyton and Brady.  The Wortz clan is so nice to take us in for one very quick overnight stay every year. 

The Wortz and Wilcox kids--thanks to Brady for introducing Jack to Beyblades--our new obsession:)

Road-weary parents--gearing up for day two!

Saturday morning after the Coast Guard run (I ran, which I guess is why there are no photos???).  Jack spit out his first lost tooth before winning his heat of the kids' Tot Trot, and when I finished the 10k, he held out his palm, tooth inside:)  Here are Branko, Averi, and Lucas preparing to ride the Lions float in the kids' parade.

My newest neice, Grace! So sweet, but just wait 'til that hat comes off--she's got some crazy hair!

The whole crew (minus me--forever behind the camera:()

Nearing the finish--it's HOT!

Lukie won "Best Waver."  I don't think he stopped the entire time we were "floating."

Back at Grandma's and Grampo's.  I caught Jack and Averi on the deck, sitting out there like an old married couple.  So, I said, "Jack, put your arm around her."  Well, this is what I got:)

Pepa and Grandma Julie's going away party!  Aunt Traci has the best toys!

Working up a sweat!

Rick is teaching Averi and Jack how to surf.  Too fun!

What up?  Sam prefers to hang out by the buffet:)

Pepa takes Gracie out for a swim.  What four-month-old spends hours, yes HOURS in a pool?  This one does!

My water-logged hubby:)

Rick takes Sam out on Jacob's skateboard.  Amazingly, not one of those naked, pruny toes got scuffed after hours of skating.

Aunt Angie gets in on the lawn races for the 5 and under set:)



 Auto Show!  This is where Jack was introduced to Mustangs...now, he can spit out all the details about each one he sees on the road in about 5 seconds--including decals, engine size, type, spoiler, etc...

"I'm fast, but I'm human."  Jack takes a break from racing.

Lego Experience Tour!

Sam, building away!

Ready to race!



Free Lego play?  Can't beat it!

 

Having fun with Legos at the waterfront.

Anniversary Get-a-block-away

I booked a night at the Inn we stayed at on our wedding night.  Ironically enough, Mom now lives a block away, so we actually walked down with our luggage to check in!  We got to stay in the same room we stayed in 11 years ago, and I found the journal entry I wrote on our wedding night.  Very nostalgic to read about getting ready for an 11-day honeymoon to Hawaii!  Alas, this time we had one night, and then we hiked back a block to Mom's to our kids and reality:)  But, not before we got some good walks in on the Boardwalk, a nice dinner at the restaurant where we had our first date, and a glorious full-fat breakfast downtown!  Back in 2012 for sure!

 

Ummmm....It was a little humid.  Can you tell?

Farewell Party for Dad & Julie

 Aunt Traci's new toy;)  Thanks for sharing!

 Rick teaches Averi and Jack to surf!

 Pepa and Gracie snuggle after she spent four hours in the pool!

 What up, Dogg?

 He gets really excited about being on vacation...

 Sam likes this big "scooter"

 Preparing for the races across Uncle PP's front yard.

 Aunt Angie's soooooo fast! (Lukie and Sam get a little help)

 I'm so cute without my front tooth.

Ready? Set? Go!

 

Day two in Michigan:  Farewell party for Dad & Julie.  I always knew Dad had the soul of a beach bum...glad he's able to indulge it now:)