Halloween and Christmas

I'd love use the excuse that I was just too busy to post something over the last few months, but honestly, I just didn't make it a priority. I have been extremely busy. (I know that's a weak excuse.) It seems when I had a free moment I felt like just sitting. So today I will post what I should have done months ago.

Halloween:
The kids were characters from the animated show LEGO Ninjago. I made the costumes myself. I used duct tape to make the tops. Yep, duct tape and yes 100% w.t. Hey, for one night it worked. The kids LOVED them. Mission accomplished.







Christmas:

We started celebrating Christmas 10 days before Christmas by having "our" family Christmas. We took the kids to Kobe Steakhouse for dinner. It was the first time the younger two have been to a Japanese restaurant. They had no idea the tables lit on fire. They were terrified. It was somewhat funny to the rest of us.

After dinner we came home to open presents. It was a fun night. From the parental point of view my kids made me very proud. It was nice to hear all four kids say an unprompted thank you when opening gifts. They were truly grateful for the gifts they received.

A few days later we headed to Nebraska to celebrate Christmas with our extended families. It was a lot of fun. Santa managed to find us even though we were miles and miles from home. We got to spend a lot of time with family, which unfortunately meant a lot of hours in the good ole minivan. We were kind of sick of being in the van, but our hearts were happy.

Coloring new Christmas t-shirts.


Christmas at Papa's and Mimi's house.


Sledding behind the golf cart is definitely at the top of the fun list of things to do.


Papa and Mimi with all their grandkids.


The tradition of decorating Christmas Cookies and swimming in the "round and round."



Cousins.


Great Grandma Porter with her "greats and grands."

Fall Weekends

In case you were wondering how and where we spend our time on the weekends…


  




 




Her brothers' #1 cheerleader.

We Shall Play

While their brothers are at school the Littles will play. The days have been perfect. It's been so hard to be inside with weather like this. So, while the older boys are at school the Littles play all day long. The swings have been a huge hit. It's not uncommon to find Stella and Isaac swinging and talking for more than 30 minutes straight. They truly are best buddies.



  

ABC 123

So, I've finally accepted the fact that my kids are back in school. The older boys started first grade. I had no idea sending them to school this year was going to be as hard as it was when I sent them to Kindergarten. I of course had a harder time with it than they did. This is the first time the boys have ever been separated. EVER! With that said, they are fine with it.

Having two different teachers has been an adjustment. I think the hardest thing is explaining to one child why he has more homework than his brother. I cannot say it's because you are older or use excuses like that. They are the same age. It's hard.

Carson and Owen love being in different classes. They have lunch recess together. It sounds like a whole group of boys always play together at recess. Carson and Owen seem to gravitate towards the same friends. They all seem to play well together.
  


This is Stella's and Isaac's last year of preschool. This also makes me very sad. I swear they are growing before my eyes. The twins are in the same class (yay!) They are so very different. Stella is extremely shy. Isaac is… well he's his own person. I understand he's a good boy while at school so that is good as long as he can behave himself. Both kids love preschool!



I cannot wait to see all that the 2012-2013 school year brings us.

Family Gathering

My dad's side of the family realized that trying to have Christmas together with all the aunts, uncles, cousins, and etc. was a bit crazy and harder to do each year. So to fix the" problem" Christmas has been moved to July… or August (this year). It is always such a fun time hanging out with the family members that we don't get to see very often. I love seeing my kids interact with their cousins. I love reconnecting with everybody. The weather was perfect this year and the beaches were beautiful. The water was warm and the company was awesome!

The four siblings.


The little kids loved climbing this cliff. They even got adventurous and knee boarded down the hill.




This game was the hit of the weekend.

And this one was pretty fun, too.
  


These three were inseparable! Isaac, Colbyn, and Stella.


Jet skiing with Papa.


A day at the beach can wear a honey badger out.


The "Patterson" Clan.

Slip N Slide Action

It wouldn't be summer at the Wright house if we didn't get in some slip n sliding in. It did not come out as much as we would have liked, but when it did we made a splash!



Carson's favorite pose. Flying like Superman down the slip in slide makes you go faster.



Little man Ike.
  


Drink break.


Owen cruising down the slide.