Merry Christmas 2014

Merry Christmas 2014.  How lucky we are to have the health, family, and friends we do.  Not to mention I have a new nephew and Tessa and Nolan have a new cousin!  Bastien, we love you so much.  We couldn't be happier for Bry and Edie.  It's pretty crazy how life works.  This year we gained a perfect little addition to the family at the same time as saying goodbye to two very special people.  It was a bittersweet Christmas this year missing some of our favorite people but how lucky are we to have two more very special angels watching over us.  It was some crazy days with many get togethers, and what fun it was.  Spending time together it what it's all about.  That is the best Christmas present of all.  Merry Christmas.

 It's never easy saying goodbye to Millie on Christmas Eve.  See you next year Millie, T and N love you so much :)

And this was her reaction to an awesome Christmas present from Santa! 

Getting ready for the holidays!

We love Christmas time.  Starting around Thanksgiving we dance around signing Christmas carols acting like goofballs.  That's what it's all about.  We've had a fun time leading up to the holidays.  So far the kids have stayed healthy (knock on wood).  The only thing we are bummed about is not having much snow yet but we did get one day of snow and Nolan and I built a pretty fun snowman.  I anticipate many more snowmen and hopefully a lot of sledding in the near future.

Tessaroo was so excited to see she made the news clip from a Thanksgiving news story that was taking place during our dinner.  Tessaroo, Grandpa, and Uncle Mikers :)  Thanks to Aunt Nancy we were able to turn on the news and catch a picture!

 Oh boy, we all love our Millie.

 Someone is excited to take a limo to the Nutcracker to see cousin Ella!  What a fun idea J and B!

 We got four out the top but couldn't quite get Mas out there.  But his hand made it! :)

 Mitchell is such a good cousin.  He's always letting Nolan get his snuggle time.

Christmas Concerts 2014

Christmas concerts are always such a fun way to start the holidays.  The kids start singing their songs months in advance around the house to prepare for the big performance.  They were both so excited and loved every second of it.  So proud of them for getting up on that big stage for their performances!  Tessa - 2nd Grade and Nolan - 4K :)

Happy Halloween 2014

Happy Halloween from Spiderman and Spiderwoman.  Good thing that the kids were able to wear a lot of layers under their costumes because it was super chilly this year for trick-or-treating.  That didn't stop my superheroes though!  We cruised around for a few hours and then went to the high school playoff football game...Go Blue Devils!  It was another fun Halloween!

Such good little carvers!

Happy 5th Birthday Nolan!

This crazy man's birthday came and went and I never even put anything on here...yikes!  Nolan was so excited for his birthday.  I cannot believe that he is five already...5...wow!  He's such a fun little guy.  He is LOVING school this year and we just recently went to his first "parent/teacher conference" which was adorable.  He's doing great and loves it.  He is growing up into such a fun little guy and we love him so much.  Happy 5th Birthday Nolie (a little late) :)

Off to school we go!

For the first time ever all four of us had our first day of school today!  Derek and I are both entering our 10th year of teaching (yikes that's a lot!!), Tessaroo's heading into 2nd grade, and Nolie's heading off to 4K.  What an exciting morning around our house.  Everyone left the house with a smile on their face and came home with the same excited smiles.  All four of us are exhausted but we all came back from our busy days with happy stories to share.  The kids continue to just love life and make everyday so special.  Love those two so much.

Nolan had an extra exciting day because he started his new daycare.  He goes to 4K just in the morning and will be with his new daycare in the afternoon.  He's only one day in but he loved it!  I asked him on a scale from 1-10 how great was this day.  He said "ten hundred".  :)  So it sounds to me like he had a great day!

Here's to a great school year for all four of us.  I know we need to enjoy it while it's here because the year will go by just as quickly as the last ten!

Summer Fun

Summer fun, that pretty much summarizes the summer...fun!  We've been on the go nearly everyday just living and loving life.  Derek has been busy working so the kids and I have been venturing off on our own.  I think everyone would have to agree that everything is three times as fun when we are with the Lanes (which is often...thank goodness!) so luckily I captured many action shots of all five kiddos together.

Tessa's goal for the summer was to go across the monkey bars, something she hadn't quite mastered yet. After a lot of hard work we officially have a monkey.  She was so proud of herself.  Nolan's goal for the summer was to train to be an American Ninja Warrior (yes...just like the show).  He's not quite there yet but is still trying to convince Derek to build a really Ninja Warrior set in our backyard.  I think he has a little more convincing to do :)

It's been a great summer and are looking forward to some fun weeks ahead.  Derek and I head back to school next week and the kids will start the following week.  Tessa will be heading into 2nd grade and Nolan heading into 4K.  They are both so excited.  This year will be the first year they all four of us will officially have a first day of school :)

 We love our Stephie!  So proud of her and the kids LOVED visiting her at her station.

I love this picture.  The look on their faces makes me stop and enjoy life.  Mas and Nolan look like they are up to something and Mitchell and Tessa are laughing so hard.  They laugh makes me laugh.  That is what life is about.

Tessa had the idea to run to the capitol rotunda and take a picture with the five of them in the shape of a sun.  It turned out pretty cute :)

Tessa was giving away free back massages.  She started with Mitchell and quickly had two other clients that were waiting in line.

 Nolan tried to help too but I don't think they felt quite as good as Tessa's :)

The kids aren't the only ones having fun...so are we :)