How Cute is She?!

Another Update

These are some random pictures of our adventures over the past couple months. We've been keeping busy and having fun.

Zander's month of wrestling came to an end. I think he really enjoyed himself and had fun getting to tackle and push people to the ground while getting tackled himself. He loved getting to play with new friends and learning new moves. At his last practice they all got medals and had a pizza party. We'll see if he wants to try again next year.

A while back we were all in the boys' room cleaning up and Lucas said, "Ewe Hannah is stanky!" I checked her diaper and it was clean so I replied, "She's not stinky it's just your upper lip." Next thing I know I see him trying to grab his lip to smell it. He said, "My lip doesn't stink!" Silly boy! Lucas is such a crack up. The other day at church a guy whom I didn't know was walking down the hallway as I was picking up Lucas from nursery. He stopped and told me that he subbed in nursery a few weeks prior and Lucas had him laughing the whole time. He was laughing well after church had ended. He loved getting to teach Lucas. Then on our way out the door to the car a woman passed by whom I didn't know either. she stopped and asked me if that was Lucas pointing to him. I said yes. She said, "I've heard a lot of things about Lucas." and walked away laughing to herself. Needless to say, Lucas is such a sweetheart and a light to everyone. He makes people smile and laugh all the time. 

Sweet Hannah. She's a girl after my own heart. I'm pretty sure I have pictures of me as a baby always on the counter or table eating food. She gets into EVERYTHING including the garbage can pulling out whatever she can reach and eating and licking it. Here she got into Lucas's bowl of soup and the other picture she got an empty yogurt cup out of the trash from lunch and decided to have a little snack. 

 Hannah is my little helper. She loves to help with all the chores, but emptying the dishwasher is one of her favorite things to do.

And Then there's this guy. He grew his facial hair out for "No Shave November" this is when he shaved it at the beginning of this month but left his stache. Ewe! He shaved it off though.

We got to rake leaves and make a leaf pile for the first time! Zander loved getting to help rake and then race and jump into the pile.

Hannah's first time in the snow! She loved it. This is her "say cheese" smile. This was the first snow of the season. The boys were eager to go play in it. Lucas was hauling a wagon around picking up snow to eat. Hannah soon joined him. Zander was so happy to stay with Hannah and help her out and play with her. I love how much they all love each other.

Writing letters to Santa. We have a special mailbox that the kids can write notes to Santa and one of his elves will collect the mail to give it to Santa. They were so excited to draw pictures for him and write notes letting Santa know how good they've been.

We went to Twin for craft day over the weekend. We had so much fun getting to spend time with all our family. We made brownies to take over to Brad's house for a game night. They were Lucas and Hannah approved!

Zander Turns 5!

We threw Zander his first birthday party this year....not just any birthday party--a Star Wars party! I have to admit I was probably a little too ambitious, but there is so much good stuff out there on how to throw an awesome Star Wars party. Zander ended up inviting 16 friends but we only ended up with about half of them. Stephen and I made pool noodle lightsabers for the kids' party favors and we made our own Death Star pinata. We played pin the lightsaber on Yoda and then the kids had to go through Jedi training that included crawling through the ventilation system (a play tunnel) and do a somersault to sneak past the storm troopers. As they made their way downstairs a lone trooper spotted them and started shooting at them so they had to dodge the laser beams. Then we went back upstairs and they had to get through the lava field to earn their lightsabers. It was was a good thing too because we felt a great disturbance in the force and Darth Vader appeared and attacked! But the newly trained jedis were too powerful and defeated him. After taking on Darth Vader they were ready to take on the Death Star and destroy it. They reaped their rewards after the deed was done.

After the pinata we went back inside to sing Happy Birthday, eat cake, and open presents. Zander was in Star Wars heaven! He had an epic party; kids and parents were talking about it at church the next day.

Zander, you are growing up to be such a great kid. I love your enthusiasm, your love, and your snuggles. You are such a good big brother and so smart! We love you so much!

Halloween

The Star Wars theme song is still being sung in our house all day every day, so of course, we had to be a Star Wars family this year. I was shocked when Zander chose to be Luke Skywalker instead of one of the bad guys, and Lucas begged to be Darth Maul. I just happened to find a Darth Vader outfit in Hannah's size on clearance, and Dad decided to join forces with the dark side and be a Sith Lord while I sided with Zander as Princess Leia.

We spotted the headless horseman riding through the neighborhood this year. The boys were captivated by him and tried looking for him every time he disappeared. I had to tell them the legend of Sleep Hollow so they understood who he was. We had a blast trick or treating and Hannah lasted a lot longer than I thought she would, although she was like a cat in a costume--she wouldn't walk she'd only fall over and not move. We got lots of loot including regular sized candy bars!

I Adore These Kids

Since Hannah has been walking she has been climbing onto and into anything and everything. Today she got stuck.

 Watching big brother at wrestling practice

These two boys are the best of frienemies. And I cannot, for the life of me, get Lucas to ever give me a nice smile AND look at the camera at the same time.

Girls Camp

These girls were So. Much. Fun. to hang out with over the weekend. I'm glad I got to participate in their girls camp this year. I taught them how to make apple pie for their activity while grandma and grandpa were out for the day.