Annual Gingerbread House Decorating Party

We decorated Gingerbread houses with our friends for the 3rd consecutive year. The Reynolds were kind enough to host everyone this year. As ususal, the kids did a great job & the houses are our decoration for the Dining Room table.

Saint Augustine Nights of Lights

Well, it's not the Toledo Zoo, but it is the next best thing. We spent an evening riding around St. Augustine on the trolley to see all of the Christmas lights. It was even cold, by FL standards anyway, only about 48 degrees. Then went to Harry's for Clam Chowder while in the historic district.

More Awards!

I'm telling you what, our kids are pretty awesome. Zoe was the recipient of the of the Citizenship Character award. She represented her whole class. Woo-hoooooo Zoe!!!

And then she was 9!

Sam & Zoe had their 1st Reconciliation on Sam's Ninth Birthday. We tried to explain to Sam that being expunged of all of her sins seemed to be gift enough....she didn't agree. So, after church, it was all about the gifts & the Gingerbread cookie/cake that Sammy wanted for her Birthday cake!

And then he was 4.

Our little boy is 4! We had gifts, cupcakes....with Car's Candles, went out for pizza & to the Julington Creek Holiday Boat Parade. It was an awesome day!

Preschool Christmas Program

The whole Preschool class performed a couple of Christmas songs in sign language. Ryan was a little shy on the stage....luckily he had Shelby for moral support!

How to Cook a Turkey, by Ryan, age 3.

Go Jaguars!

A little tailgating before the Jags game!

DISNEY!!!...enough said.

Papa & Mema's 40th Wedding Anniversary was on October 17. In celebratation of this, we all went to Disney for a couple of fun filled days in early November. We stayed at The Old Key West Resort, went to Magic Kingdom & ate breakfast at Chef Mickey's. We even squeezed in some swimming time!

1st Day of Preschool!

Mommy tried to keep the little boy home for another year, but he wanted (needed?!) to go to school. Ryan & his BFF Shelby enrolled in a 3 year old class in November & haven't looked back since!

The Cowboy & The Spa girls.

Ryan's costume was courtsey of Mema who saved it from Uncle Steve for the past 30 years! Zoe & Sam had many many comments on how original their costumes were!

Awards, Awards, Awards

Sam received the Character Award for Responsibility in October, she represented her whole class. Way to go Sam!!!

Let's Play Ball!

Ryan & Craig spend many, many hours doing this.....Neither of them ever get bored!

Zoe the Soccer Star!

We are SOOOOO behind on our blog. Please forgive me, it was giving me grief with the pictures & I haven't sat down to work it out until now. I'm starting with Zoe from September. She played her heart out this season!

3rd Grader & 2nd Grader!

We returned from our trip with exactly 14 1/2 hours to spare before starting the new school year. We were glad to be back home with Daddy & ready to jump back into school!

Don't rain on my parade!!!

Last day of our trip....Day 7 was the Maumee Summer Fair. We were looking so forward to this all week, but the weather had other things in mind for the day. We did make it to the parade & did a little shopping, but we'll have to get our Maumee Summer Fair fix in another time. A big bummer, but in light of the great weather we had all week, we won't complain....much.

The Rolf Park Pool

Day 5 of our vacation was spent at Monclova Park with Papa, Mema, The Duckett's & The Bobek's dining on Marco's Pizza. Apparently I was giving my camera a break that day, because I don't have any pictures from that day. These are from Day 6 of our trip when we met our friends Julie & Nicole at The Rolf Park Pool. We have been friends for over 25 years....our kiddies are friends too....pretty awesome!