Christmas Lights in a Carriage

This afternoon, Megan, Andy, and I brought our spouses and families to meet my parents for a horse carriage ride. We all were bundled up and rode through a park filled with lights. The kids enjoyed singing Christmas carols. Here are my parents with all of their grandchildren. What a crew! 

Playing in the Leaves

Today we met Aunt Megan, Olivia, Evelyn, and Preston at Grandpa Pat and Grandma Suzie's house to rake leaves and jump in them. What fun!

 

Gavin, Whittney, and Aleigha... 

 

The crew...minus Preston. 

 

Having fun! 

 

Whittney and Olivia...Notice Whittney's braces...

Wood Cutting

Today we took another family trip to the woods. Grandpa went too...It was warm enough we didn't need jackets or coats.

Family Canoe Trip

This fall we took a canoe trip locally with staff from my school. It was an enjoyable family trip. As you can see, Gavin was in a kayak...for his first time. He loved it!

Outer Banks, North Carolina 2012

We ventured the first week in August to OBX with another family...We arrived in Duck, North Carolina and had a splendid week. Wonderful memories were made to last a lifetime!

 The kids posed in front of a wild horse. We drove in hopes of seeing wild hores, but were surprised to learn we had to drive Nathan's new truck through sand many miles to see them... we decided against the idea. The kids were ok with ice cream instead from a local ice cream shop!

When we got home, the kids had a present for Max. Look at those tan bodies! 

The family on the beach one afternoon/evening looking for shells. I love the ocean and moon in the background!

 

Thanks to Andy, Serena, Hayden, Cadence, and Corbin for taking the family vacation with us. It was such a memorable week!

 

Some highlights were:

-Me driving Nathan to the local hospital at 6:30AM on a dreary rainy morning

-the girls spending the afternoon when we got back shopping

-eating crabs on our last night in Duck

-hanging out at the beach in the mornings

-wedgie girl

-seeing dolphins (or sharks)...our vision was never confirmed

-lounging every day at our pool

-playing board games together

-hunting crabs with glowsticks and flashlights on the beach

-building sand castles

-watching the kids boogie board

-watching Nathan chase crabs on the beach during the day with a sand bucket

-walks on the beach

Happy 10th Birthday, Gavin!

Today we had our families over for lunch for Gavin's birthday. It is amazing to think 10 years ago we were in the hospital with our first born little boy. Now he is wearing shoes the same size as his mother...honestly!

 Aubrey and Whittney pretending to be sleeping...

 Gavin opened Wits and Wagers from Uncle Andy and Aunt Holly. He found the card comical and called the game Wits and Waggers...we had a quick phonics lesson before continuing the gift opening. :~)

 Trying on a new jacket...

A snazzy new outfit from Grandma Great! 

Gavin found a brick from Grandma and Grandma Suzie in their gift bag...it was for Gavin to put on his head so he wouldn't grow any more. What silly grandmas we have! 

 Loving Buster...

Peeking around Buster... 

 Aubrey and Buster...

 Blowing out the candles...notice they are trying to relight. We found tricky candles.

The crew at the party... 

Whittney made Gavin's cake...yum!

Math Team

Gavin was asked to join the math team with fifth and sixth graders. He and one other fourth grader were on the team. Two mornings a week the team practiced at 7:00AM. All of their hard work paid off...The team came in third. Way to go!