New School Year - New Blog!

So... it's been a while. And, I'm talking about a '9 months while' since I last posted. With the start of school - I thought today was a good day to begin again! Initially, I was just going to post about the first day of first grade for Patrick... then... I kept adding more photos. So, this is probably the longest post of all time. My apologies for any readers or viewers! For me, it has made my day looking at these photos and remembering what a wonderful year and summer we've had!

A quick update (and for posterity's sake), here's what my boys are up to these days:

Patrick - starting first grade at Amy Beverland Elementary today! He has Mrs. Pennal, and was excited to meet her last night! He skipped to the bus stop this morning (at 6:50 am) with such excitement. I'm so proud of who he is becoming. Patrick turns 7 on Thursday and will celebrate on Saturday with a laser tag party (that sounds so old! I remember when he loved Thomas!) He likes...football, baseball, soccer, (any thing with balls), swimming (jumping & flipping off the diving board), bikes, racing, Big Time Rush, I-Carly, Phineas and Ferb, playing games like Uno, Chess, Checkers & "War," reading Jack & Annie books, Curious George books, and playing Star Wars, Pokemon & being outside.

Nathaniel - turned 5 in July! He is still my silly and loveable, huggable baby. He likes...(much of the same as Patrick, since he still ADORES his big bro), Cat in the Hat, How to Train a Dragon, Star Wars, Superheroes, Army guys, Knights (you get the idea), Jack & Annie books, Batman & Friends books, etc. And, if he doesn't have a toy - no problem. Nate is our little stand-up comedian. His hands have been known to "fight" one another and his belly sometimes "talks." H-y-ster-i-cal!

Ethan - our baby! He turned 2 in March. As we say, he came out smiling and never stopped. While Nate is our easy going kiddo, Ethan must be the "happiest" kid alive. He is a BUSY boy. We get a kick out of watching him go from "tough and rough" boy (we all flinch when he starts swinging) to our sweet E caring for his baby doll. He loves...nursery rhymes, Curious George, Thomas, books books books, puzzles, army guys (very funny to hear him going 'psh, psh'), play-do, and anything that involves running, jumping, kicking and especially SWIMMING. The minute we pull into Memom's driveway, he says over and over again "I go swimming!"

As for Brian and I - we are blessed with our boys and a supportive extended family & awesome friends. We ran another half marathon in May (wow) and will celebrate 10 years of marriage this October (Whoa). As we say farewell to summer - we are looking forward to another season of loving, living & laughing!

Ok - here are the pics (starting with Ethan turning 2 and ending with Patrick awaiting the bus - which this year, actually showed up!)

BASEBALL - The Bees had a fun season (Patrick & Nate were on the same team, along with friend Sam Foulke!) Coach Brian (aka daddy) and Coach Mike were fantastic. BUZZZZZ

HILTON HEAD - this annual trip with Brian's family jump-starts our summer. For the boys - it's about playing with their cousins. Everyone loves the beach & ocean!

NATE'S 5TH BIRTHDAY! - Ahoy, it was a pirate party. He invited his pre-k class and special friends. The best was a "balloon launch" game, where they all got the "evil Pirate Daddy" with water balloons. And, who doesn't love a pinata?

FOOTBALL! After Nate's party, his grandparents came over for dinner. Papop gave Nate a Michigan jersey - which prompted Ethan & Patrick to put on their gear. The three had a fun time playing, and we have fun watching!

BROWN COUNTY / HOLIDAY WORLD - The boys LOVE Brown County. We stayed in a cabin at the park this year and had a great time hiking, swimming, relaxing and going to Holiday World. Of course, this was the HOTTEST weekend in July - but we had an awesome time anyway and enjoyed the water park especially!

THE ZOO - This is always one of my favorite places to go with the kids. We were able to see the tiger close-up & the new baby elephant (only a few weeks old). Nate & Ethan also had fun splashing around...

BIG TIME RUSH - We took Patrick, Nate and cousins Evan & Ryan to see their first concert at the fair - Big Time Rush. It was Big Time FUN.

FIRST GRADE! First day of first grade... what else can I say? I love this kid.

I will try not to go 9 months before my next post:) Happy days to all!

Giving Thanks for a Fabulous Fall!

We find ourselves at the beginning of this holiday season feeling especially thankful... for our beautiful boys, who bring us so much joy; for our family and friends, who give us support and love; and for the opportunities God's given.


Our Fabulous Fall began with soccer! Both Patrick & Nate played NYSL in Lawrence. Patrick was coached again by Uncle Marc, and his team called themselves the "Black Knights." Nate LOVED playing on a team, wearing uniform and getting a trophy of his very own! His team called themselves the "Volcanoes!" Here are some pics of the boys in action!


Here's Nate, #5, throwing the ball in and below, waiting to receive the kick!

He loved the end of the game or practice, when they would put their hands in to say "go Volcanoes!"

Patrick, #2, enjoyed his second season with Uncle Marc and learned a lot!

I love this photo, where he knows I'm taking his picture!

The boys had a good time, and enjoyed playing in the backyard, using the swingset as a goal. Ethan got in on the action and randomly will hold up his hands and yell "goal!" He's definitely got a future in soccer:)

Then came the Pumpkin Patch! Brian and I enjoy our trip to Stonycreek as much as the boys do. It was fun to watch Ethan explore this year.

We have a very similar photo of Patrick doing exactly the same thing! Ethan loved the donkey. We even got to hear him "yee-haw."

The fam on the hayride...Ethan was not sure what to think - he looked a bit dazed the entire ride to the patch and back! Next year, he's going to love it!

Here are Nate & Patrick enjoying Jasper... by Halloween, it was as if Jasper had always been a part of our family.

The boys love to cover Jasper with his blanket. Jasper loves this bed...it's funny to watch him drag it around the room!

Halloween was great again! We enjoyed the Beam Reach parade, ham & beans, and lots of friends to help us celebrate.

Patrick was a ninja!

Nate was FLASH!

Ethan was a lion! At first, Ethan screamed at the crowds and yanked at his lion's mane. But, by the second house, Ethan was walking up on his own to the door, taking candy and saying thank you....then he'd march onto the next house, hardly aware that Brian and I were even there. He is so funny!! We love watching his independent spirit lead him.

Some day I will get a photo of all the kids, but here's a sampling!

Officer Eli & Emily!

Madam Knight Megan

Ninja Patrick with Skeleton Max!

Flash (aka Nate) with his buddy Sam, the Wolverine, & Princess Abby to the right! Funny story with Nate...just before the "parade" began, I asked Nate what he was going to say at the houses (tryingt to prompt him again to say thank you,) he replied..."Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat. If you don't, I don't care, I'll pull down your underwear!" Who wouldn't laugh...he had a sparkle in his eye that told me he was teasing me. So, I laughed, then reminded him that NO, that's not what you say... so we settled on trick or treat, smell my feet and thank you. Then, we said to the boys that they need to stay with a buddy and not run off alone....Nate put his arm around Sam (aka Wolverine), and said..."I choose this buddy." Sweet fella.

A few weeks later (after the Election, of course), we took the family to Brown County for a weekend of swimming at the Abe Martin Lodge, hiking in the park and browsing in the stores of Nashville. We had a BLAST! Brian said later...."Having all 5 of us in the hotel room went very well. But we came home to Jasper, who woke up at 6...hmmm" Then, he reminded me that Jasper was my idea. Oh well! Here are a few pics of our family in the park - we went to the two lookout points in the park to watch the sunset... it was wonderful.

On Saturday, we went on the "Discovery Trail" after checking out the nature center. Poor Nate quickly became scared that a bear or mountain lion would find us, but Patrick and Ethan loved it! There were 27 places, where we stopped and read a short blurb about the nature around us. Patrick, with notepad and pencil in hand, did an observational drawing of at least half of the spots. Needless to say, we did not move very quickly along this trail - but all in all, we had a great time.

Ahhh...my cup runneth over. Happy Holidays.