November Calm

A quite week at school and a low key weekend at the house: resting up for the non-stop activities during the holidays ahead!  We hope everyone is taking time to relax and enjoy time outside.  Our wish is for everyone to enjoy the holidays and to be kind and respectful to others - and to lead by example.

The sunset on Monday was gorgeous!



A ruthless game of UNO (that Amy won and then Addie smoked Adam;)


Adam made up for it by beating everyone at Candy Land :)


Friday evening Addie went to an Italian restaurant with Amy and Adam - we even had cheesecake for desert!


Meanwhile, Ayson was having a blast at a birthday party for Grady: bowling, laser tag, bumper cars!




We picked up Ayson on Saturday and he was useless ALL day as the boys stayed up until 2 am!!!!  Nevertheless, we got chores done around the house and went to bed early :)

The kiddos helping Adam paint the room next to the Boys Room on Sunday


Ayson requested "chicken wing hot sauce" for his chicken




Hahahaha...not even a year ago he would NOT have had this reaction :)


Ayson made homemade chocolate covered raisins.  Hmm, he may have been "sampling" the treat while he was making it!


We took the pumpkins off the front porch and had fun smashing them in the garden!


Milkweed seeds ready to fly!

Veteran's Day and a Short Week

Happy Veteran's Day to all of our family and friends that have served our Country - thank you! A quick week for the kids with Monday off and then half days on Thursday and Friday for Parent/Teacher conferences!  We hope everyone had a great week and weekend!

On Monday, Ayson was invited to participate in his friend, Parker's, birthday gift from his Grandmother: gemstone panning!  The boys had a ton of fun! Thanks Parker!!!


Amy gave Addie a spa day and straightened her hair


The kiddos were hoping for a snow day on Wednesday - no such luck :)




The view


On Wednesday night, Amy and Addie went to a neighbors house for a visit and the boys went to a cub scout event: deer processing!




Thursday was Parent/Teacher conferences and both kids are doing great!
Picture in front of Ayson's classroom


Addie's story


On Friday night, both kiddos attended a birthday party that had HUGE bounces houses!  The kids had so much fun bouncing!


Saturday night board game fun!





Working on a model truck set with Adam!

First Snow of the Season and a Surprise from the Kiddos

A quick week with Adam away for work, an evening work meeting for Amy on Monday, Ayson coming down with strep throat Tuesday night, snow on Friday, Adam home on Saturday, a walk at Pratts Falls on Sunday, AND a surprise from the kiddos :)

Thanks to Neighbor Denise for watching the kids while Amy was at a work meeting Monday night.  The kids and Denise played the game "Life" for almost 2 hours!!!!

Ayson using his robot arm to draw.


Ayson excited about his new toy


Friday morning we woke up to SNOW!!!  Ayson managed to stick a snowball in the freezer to "save" it :)




Addie using the back of Adam's poster to draw a huge picture




Addie and another of her gigantic creations


On Sunday we went back to Pratts Falls to walk the fields and scatter milkweed seeds


The kiddos running down the lane and not wiping out


After our walk, Amy and Adam were outside cleaning up the yard and the kiddos decided to surprise us and make chocolate chip cookies :)
They had to re-read the recipe multiple times and did ask many questions BUT they did it!!!!


TaDa!  Success and the cookies turned out perfect!  Thanks, kiddos!!!

Happy Halloween

Light on text but heavy on fun!  The kids spent plenty of time outdoors and indoors playing and we were all ready for bed on Sunday!  We hope everyone is happy and healthy!!

Amy's office on Monday - the upper Genesee River :)  A a stream restoration project to correct an eroding bank - the farmer has lost 40 feet of land in one section of the bank in just one year!


Monday evening shenanigans :)


Addie wanted a picture of her flip but the camera was not quick enough





The Halloween parade - Addie's class.


Ayson in his class after the parade - Halloween party time :)


A picture that Ayson wanted to share


We got totally soaked on Thursday evening but the temperature was warm and the kiddos had a blast with their friends :)





Addie and all of her loot!


Ayson's loot is already organized and put away :)


Friday night milkshakes




The kiddos built a lego city on Saturday morning


and then it was off to Pratts Falls


Addie, Ayson, Leena, and McKenzie :)


Ayson stated that "it sounds better" when he plays the trumpet and the piano at the same time...hahaha.


On Sunday, Ayson was invited to a birthday party at Destiny USA (the "big" mall), and activities included bowling, laser tag, and arcade.  Best. Birthday. PArty. EVER.
Ayson hoping for a good spin


Even Addie got in on the fun. 
While Ayson was at the party, Amy let Addie decided what activity we would do at the mall.  Addie settled on the Canyon Climb ropes course - three stories high!  Both Addie and Amy had a blast and conquered the "skinny" tight ropes :)