A first movie

Over Christmas break we took the kids to the movies. It was special because for the younger 2 kids this was their first time to the movie theater. They LOVED it. We went to the earliest showing of "Rise of the guardians" and we had the whole theater to ourselves which was great because about 1 hour in Rory got to a scary part in the movie and decided he was done watching. No Matter, he just walked up and down each of the rows of empty seats for the last 20 min. Afterward he decied he really did like the movies, but wants to see a silly movie next time! As for Rebecca, she loved every last moment of it!

 

 

 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all of our friends and family! We hope you all got the chance to gather with loved ones and enjoy time together. We have been keeping the kids busy this week, doing crafts, watching movies and spending lots of time outside in the nice mild weather we are having lately. Christmas eve we spent with Mema and Grandpa Jack and enjoyed pizza, presents and laughs. We also got together with a neighbor and their family. Then Christmas morning we got up as usual, enjoyed the cinnamon roll breakfast, opened presents and just relaxed at home all day long!!! It was a wonderful Christmas for us all. We are grateful for our sweet family, those near and far, as well as our friends, and wish the best for you this season and always!

 

Winter break

I think they are enjoying themselves so far!

Happy Holidays 2012

 

 

'Tis the season to get silly

 Dakota has taught Rory how to play most of the wii games, and both the boys spend most Saturday mornings playing together!

Rory made himself a new best friend once he got fed up with his brother.

 

 

 Rebecca....need I say anything more?

 Smiley Rory

 Our kids coloring waiting for the Christmas parade to start

Rebecca saw the "young Miss" go by at the parade and said "wait for me, I am a princess too! " and she grabbed the blanket we sat on and yelled "see, I am Rapunzel!" This was her grump face that the car did not stop to wait for her.

Hope you enjoy all the silly and that everyone is dong well. We are taking it easy this season and just hanging out having fun. This is going to be a stress free Christmas season. We are determined to enjoy time with the kids and not worry about any other stuff. We will see how it goes!

Happy Thanksgiving

46

 

Fuad celebrated his 46th Birthday on November 4th. We spent the day together and spoiled Fuad with lots of yummy food. We have a Publix nearby now, so the 2 of us have really been going crazy with the subs and cakes we have missed for so long now! I love my husband very much, he is my best friend and partner in crime! Here's to another wonderful year!

Happy Halloween 2012

Another Halloween has come and gone! As usual Rory and Dakota had a blast. Fuad went on ahead with the boys and made the whole neighborhood. Rory said Happy Halloween and thank you, and Fuad told me it was the best Halloween so far! Rebecca and I went at our own pace and she had her friend Kennedy come over who lives nearby. we moms took the girls around about half the neighborhood. But they were so happy! It got pretty cold here I think it was in the low 40's by the time we made it back home. So afterward we all came in and had some hot chocolate and then wrapped up the evening. Since it was a school night we had to make sure that the kids got to bed at a decent time. I think everyone had lights out around 9:15pm. Not too bad and we all had a wonderful Halloween!

 

                    Our Halloweenies!

 

After the trick-or-treating was done. The kids were preoccupied with candy.

Sending love and pictures

 

First of all, to all of our family that are throughout WV, NJ, NY and in between, you are all in our thoughts and prayers. We love you and hope that the worst of the upcoming storm passes by without too much upheaval. With that said here are some pictures to brighten the day. I dragged everyone out for the dreaded Family pictures. we made it quick because it was somewhat cloudy and Fuad and I both have transition lens. So, we always look like we are sporting sunglasses. Oh well, such is life!

 

 

Random Fall shenanigans

Now that we have lots of beautiful cool Fall weather we have been spending alot more time outdoors, which also means alot more time of our kids trying out new and ridiculous ideas. Last weekend the boys along with a few of the neighbors decided it was time to try out bike riding down the hill at a neighbors house. they cleared out some of the large rocks and took off one by one. Rory LOVED it! The boys are now trying to think up what else the could try. Suggestions have been skateboards, scooters and rollerblades. So far it has been a no on every single idea!

 

 

 

This weekend we went to a fall festival near by. They had lots of free food for the kids, bounce houses, music and more. Rebecca and Dakota got their faces painted, and they all got some balloons. Rory still struggles to keep it together whenever we go to places with loud music. It is very hard for him with all the noises. But he hung in there long enough for everyone to try everything and that is all we can ask of him. It is so great to get out and do things as a family.

 After the festival we came home to let the kids burn off the excess energy they had from all the sweets they got. So we took them out in the backyard, raked up the leaves and let them have at it! I can honestly say, there is nothing better then to sit and watch our kids enjoy time with each other. Afterward we came in, cleaned everyone off, and had my parents over to celebrate my mom's Birthday. Lots of fun times, and lots more to come!

Simple joys...

 We went with Mema and Grandpa Jack to the riverwalk again. It is such a nice area to go and walk. And Rebecca has such happy giggly times with her grandparents. We all skipped some rocks, ran around, looked out for trains passing by the bridge, and enjoyed the wonderful Fall weather! Here are a few shots of Rebecca enjoying some quality time with her grandparents!

 

 

 

 

 

Halloween decorating

This fall I have opted to decorate the house a bit more, since the kids are not the scaredy cats they used to be. I did a few of the diy decorations so far, and they are turning out cute. Nothing huge, just little things. First of all I turned a few of my mom's old moving boxes into some candelabras. Just spray painted them black, added some black glitter,and done! My parents had a Halloween tree from years back that they gave us, and the kids all LOVE it! Lastly we hung some prints ( which I have yet to get pictures of) and made our own spider web clings out of just regular black puff paint! I have a few more things to do.... but this is a taste of what we have been up to.

 

 

 

A bed fit for our princess

Ok, So we got Rebecca a new bed. I know, it's like her 3rd bed frame.... but that was mostly due to Rory constantly harming himself on his frames. She just kept getting the ones he had that didn't work out. So we found this one for her. Best part, we paid $40.00. Yep, you heard right.... Forty bucks! It has a few spots that need touching up with paint, but all in all Rebecca loves it!

 

 

 View from the door

closeup

Holy 6th birthday Batman, it's a Batman birthday!

Good thing I took pictures of Rory's party, because I can't recall a moment of it! Rory had a great time. This evening when we were doing showers he turns and says "mommy, I love you and daddy so much for my batman party!" Translation= totally worth it! I froze batman and robin in blocks of ice and the kids had to "free them" they all seemed to love it, but in my head I saw it working much more orderly then how it really went down! I put little ikea bowls and water and before I could even say anything , 8 kids were all over the place pouring water everywhere!!! Next time I will work it out better ahead of time.

We are so grateful to everyone that came and really appreciate helping celebrate Rory's first big "kid" party. We adore each and every one of you!

 

the kids trying to unfreeze batman and robin

 Rory was on a mission to save robin.

 Singing Happy Birthday

You are an amazing child Rory. We all love you so,so much!