Monday, December 31, 2018

End of Fall and Christmas 2018

I got to go on a field trip with Sam and his class to Schuster's. Our group was Sam, Darrion, Makayla and Vanessa. 


They each got to pick out a pumpkin. Here is Sam's choice!


Selfie on the bus...


For Halloween we had a Skull Trooper (from Fortnite) and Captain Rex (from Star Wars). The bottom part of Joey's costume was John's when he was little. They also used the same top of the weapon that John had and just had to put a new handle on it. They both looked great! It was a really nice night for trick or treating. The boys went about an hour and their buckets filled up and then they were done. 


Time for Sam's birthday! He had LOGOS that night so we opened some presents when they got home. 


Nerf vest and glasses from "Aunt" Kate and then trekking poles and mittens from us. 




We had a family party that Friday night. Opening his giant Nerf Gun from Uncle Jay, Aunt Amanda, Maebel and Linus.




Maebel and Linus were very interested in the puppy care set that Sam got. 



Cake time! Sam picked a Dairy Queen cake this year. 


The boys got to get cake pops at Starbucks one day. They had penguins so we couldn't resist!



Opening season of deer gun, we went to stay at a motel closer to where they hunt so it was easier for John to swap out boys. Sam got to go on Saturday, and he and John got a doe. They came and met Joey and I at Pizza Hut for dinner. 



Sunday was Joey's turn. Sam and I were playing in the waterpark, and found out that Joey and John had already each gotten a deer and they were on their way back to the hotel. Joey got 2 days in the waterpark instead of the one we thought because he finished so early. 

It was a fun and successful weekend!



We got upgraded to a suite which the boys thought was awesome. Sam couldn't believe the size of this tub, and I couldn't resist taking a picture of how crazy he was. 


Next up is the Christmas season. We started it off with the Sun Prairie Optimist pancake breakfast. 



Joey wasn't going to go see them because he said he was too old, but then he saw that they were giving out flavored candy canes so he got over that quickly. He came back from talking with them and said, "Mom, I think Santa is Sam's Sunday School teacher." He was right! The boys know that the real Santa can't possibly go to all of the events so there are helpers and you never know when you will get the real Santa!

Next up was Brunch with Santa in Monroe! Sam got his face painted while we waited in line.


Maebel and Linus weren't too sure what to think...


Sam was so excited to see Santa walking down the aisles.



This was as close as Maebel and Linus would get.


We had to celebrate Grandpa's birthday when we got back! 

Singing Happy Birthday TO YOU...




Joey and Sam had speaking parts in the Christmas program at church. Joey was a Townsperson and a Shepherd and Sam was Caesar Augustus. I took a video of Sam's speaking part and he wasn't on the stage other than that (he was sitting back behind in the choir loft). They both spoke loudly and slowly and did great!


G&G Hyland Christmas was a great time! Linus enjoyed opening the presents.





Joey LOVED his new Fortnite sweatshirt and had to be silly putting his new pants on his head.


The annual chair picture of each grandkid...







Sam got the game Where's Mr. Wolf from G&G. He has played it a lot since he got it.


I don't think we did cutout cookies last year, but we did this year. Sam got a little too into it :)


Last year Sam had asked for a giant bear from Santa and didn't get it. This year Santa delivered. Sam was so impressed that he remembered, and was so excited and not bummed about not getting the (real) puppy that he asked Santa for this year. The bear has been named Munchie, and he goes everywhere in the house with Sam. Here's Grandma showing the size!


He has become a cushion, bed, playmate, etc...






Looking forward to 2019!

Sunday, November 4, 2018

Fall 2018

Sweet Maebel turned 3 so we went to her Dinosaur birthday party.


Love how Sam and Maebel automatically go to goofy for the picture.


Linus is getting so big!




Grandma and Grandpa stayed at La Quinta so we got to go swimming with them. Our group took over the pool!



We went to dinner at IHOP and I tried to get a picture of all of us....key word is tried!


First day of 4th grade and 1st grade came. New shirt and shoes for Joey!


New outfit for Sam


It was a nice sunny day, and the sign wasn't in the best spot for a picture, but I had to!



Joey and John went hunting and Joey got his first deer. He shot it with a crossbow since it was bow season. He was very happy! John got one too while they were waiting till they could go get Joey's. Sam was ready for bed, but wasn't going to go to bed till he got to see the deer!




Next up was Cheese Days! Here is our crew walking to our parade spot (except Grandpa who was picking up Uncle Mickey).


Sam really liked this thumbs up that he got from one of the floats. He would hold it up to the entries he liked!


They had a huge Kermit balloon which was pretty cool!


The walk back: Joey was doing some crazy stroller driving which Linus thought was hilarious!


Great Aunt Mary came to visit us! It was a short visit, but a fun one!! 



I had to go to Grayling Michigan for work and got to drive a company car back home. It was a beautiful drive! I wish I would have gotten a picture of the Mackinaw Bridge, but I was pretty nervous driving over that, and then it was raining when I came off the other side so it didn't really work. It was very odd weather because it would rain and then be sunny and then pour and then sunny again!



The boys spent more time this Fall selling popcorn for Scouts since both are in it now. Joey is getting more confident each year, and when Sam was into it he was great, but he had trouble keeping that going during our whole shifts. 


We did not make it to nearly as many pumpkin/apple places as we normally do. It seemed like every Fall weekend was rainy. We did get to Schuster's and had fun there!



Sam rode in the animal train. Joey was a little too big for those!





We did Family Lego time again this Fall.


Sam's turn to go hunting. He is ready!!


We celebrated Joey's 10th birthday. How has it been a decade? He got the presents from us and G&G Rikli on his birthday and then the Hylands came over on the weekend :)



They had Star Wars Reads at the library again, which is always a blast! Joey still fit into his Kylo Ren costume, and Sam was Captain Rex for Halloween so it worked out perfectly that he got to wear that. 





Opening presents from the Hylands...





Linus would give Sam random hugs. It was so cute. 


Joey's new outfit and basketball. He is starting a basketball league after school with his teacher from last year and is really excited for it. His dream is to be in the NBA someday and live in a house with Sam, and Matthew and Allie (who used to live next door to us but are still in school with Joey).


Had to put the Sam photo bomb on here...



Joey chose treatza pizzas from Dairy Queen instead of cake. 



We had a great time celebrating Joey...next up, Sam turns 7!