Trick-or-Treat!

Trick-or-Treat!
As you may know, we like to make or Halloween costumes each year. The kids and I have a great time getting creative and trying to figure out ways to make it all come together. With some ideas from Gramma, a little help from the internet, lots of cardboard, hotglue, tape, newspaper, flour and water, felt, and the kids favorite, paint, we made it happen. This year, they saw Toy Story 3 and that inspired our costumes. Jon is one of the little green alien dudes from the vending machine at Pizza Planet that says, "we are eternally grateful!" and "oooo!" and "Daddy!" Lizzie is Jessie the cowgirl and Jake is Buzz Lightyear, "to infinity and beyond!"

The Trio of Toys Buzz Lightyear

(we were in such a rush at "go time" that I forgot his purple hood...oh well!)

Jessie
Green Alien "Dude"

"Mr. Potato Head"

(he was going to go as "Andy" the boy in the story, but at the last minute he came up with this idea...I give him big points for creativity!!!)

Oh yes, I was Etch, the Etch-A-Sketch

We put so much time into the costumes, it broke my heart to have it all pass so quickly. They went around the block and that was about it. So, we sat on our front steps handing out candy to the remaining trick-or-treaters, ate some candy and took more pictures.

Lizzie enjoying a Reeces Peanut Butter Cup...yummmm!!!!

My "costume" became the welcome sign for the night

There's my Jonny's sweet face

"To Infinity and Beyond!"

Minus a few costume parts by this point, but that's okay.

Buzz's jetpack...Jake did almost all of the painting on his costume.

Ride 'em cowgirl! Yee Ha!

Yes, it was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun times with my kids.

Happy Halloween!!!

Rewind to Father's Day

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this picture of my sweet, sweet family!

We always try to do something special for Andy for Father's Day. The kids have painted their hands and feet and pressed them onto a t-shirt that I painted "World's Best Daddy" on, Jake did a shadow box with his plastered footprint in it, we did those stepping stones with the kids hand/foot prints on (I guess I've started a trend of hands and feet!!!).
This year, I saw a great idea in a magazine. We did a scrapbook for Andy. This picture was on the first page. The next spread was pictures of Jake , a picture he drew for Andy with a letter he wrote to his daddy about what he loves about him. This is what Jake wrote: "Dear Daddy, Happy Father's Day! I love you. I love you because you take care of me. Also because you play games and sports with me. I love you very very much!!!!! Love, Jake"
He drew a picture of them playing baseball together in the yard.
Jon drew a picture of himself in his green and orange t-ball uniform with Andy in his Phillies shirt playing ball with him in front of the swingset. Jon wrote, "I love you becuse you love me and you take care of me. I love you Daddy. Love, Jon"
Little Lizzie swirled some spectacular purple, blue and magenta lines and when I asked her, "Why do you love Daddy?," this is how the conversation went:
Lizzie: "I love Daddy because I love him! Ummm, hmmm...What Mommy?
We play tickle. Hmmm...Tickle!
Yogurt.
Ball.
I poopy! In my hiney!" (yes, she was pooping in her diaper)
Mommy: "Is Daddy nice?"
Lizzie: "Noooo..."
Mommy: "Is Daddy funny?"
Lizzie: "YES!" (big smile on her face)
"I go on Daddy's back.
He flies an airplane.
I love you!"
And that about wraps it up.

So, each year, the kids will add another page with a picture of themselves, a picture they draw and a letter to their Daddy. I think it will be a keepsake we'll all treasure for years and years.

Andy is an amazing daddy and we all love him so very much. We treasure every second we spend together. Love and hugs, baby! Happy Father's Day!

Darnel and David Visit

We had a wonderful time when Darnel and David came to visit this summer. We went to NJ for my dad's birthday and brought David home with us. It was the first time he had stayed with us by himself and he did great. David is 6, so right in between Jake and Jon and the three boys play so well together. A couple days later, Darnel came. He had to stay behind for an orthodontist appointment. He's 15 and so great with all the kids. They enjoyed playing baseball together in the backyard, going to the pool, to Killen's Pond waterpark, to the beach, and just hanging out and playing at our house. Darnel and David are such good kids and a pleasure to be around, so we always enjoy having them come visit. Unfortnately, my camera wasn't working right, so I was only able to get a couple pictures on their last day here..in their pjs at that because we were bringing them home right at bedtime. Oh well, such is life. It was a great visit, anyway. Love you, boys!

Catching Up...Well, Skipping Ahead

Maybe at some point I'll go back and fill in from March til now, but until then, here's just a taste of what we've been doing this summer. These are from a quick trip down to Williamsburg, VA back in June. We squeezed it in between t-ball games and end-of-season parties, but it was a lot of fun. The kids just love amusement parks (and so do I!!!) and you can't beat that Busch Gardens is free for military families. We really enjoyed our time there.

The traditional kids in a barrel picture

Just a little wet, but still happy enough to wave

hands up!

These "baby rides" aren't too exciting for the boys, as they are all about the roller coasters, but they were really excited to take Lizzie on them.

Aunt Kristen even got to join us, so that was fun.

Art Show 2010

Every year, the Little School, which is Jon's preschool, hosts a huge art show. Every class participates and turns their classroom into a themed art gallery. Families come in the evening to view the fabulous exhibits throughout the school. I'm amazed every year (well, the two times I've been, once for Jake, once for Jon) at how wonderful the projects are that these teachers do with such young kids. Very clever...and VERY PATIENT!!! This year, Ms. Nicki's class did an enchanted garden theme. Cute.

Flowers made from mini cupcake papers and egg cartons

Drew and Jon with their flowerpot frogs

oops, forgot to turn this guy right side up, but here's Jon with "Jon flying a kite"

After spending months doing all these art projects, Jon has decided he'd like to become an artist someday. We're so proud ;-).

Good job, Jon. You'll make an amazing artist someday, I'm sure!

Our Baby is 2!!

It's hard to believe that Lizzie is now 2. And she's quick to tell you when you ask her. She's a smart one, cute as can be...and T.R.O.U.B.L.E.!!! I say that with more love than you can imagine...
Happy Birthday, Sweet Lizzie! We love you, baby!

Mickey Mouse Pancakes for her birthday breakfast, shrimp and risotto with broccoli for her birthday dinner (yes, the expensive taste continues with her, too!) and chocolate peanut butter cupcakes for dessert. She is all about Minnie, as you can see...
Lizzie's friend, Grace (yes, Grace is MUCH older, but Lizzie absolutely ADORES Grace and Grace's sister, Georgia who is Jake's age. They are her best buds!!!)
The Gebhart kids, Anna, Evan and Drew playing in the sandbox

Is this not the cutest picture? Brooklyn came dressed for the party in none-other-than the most adorable Minnie Mouse dress!

The Justices: Krista, Cale, Caden and Kevin

God made a beautiful rainbow for Lizzie's birthday

I'm not sure what it was, but something was HILARIOUS!!!!

The hula hoop was quite popular!

This was my favorite birthday party yet...because of the simplicity of it. It turned out to be such a gorgeous day, rare for my cold-weather babies, so we moved the party outside. The kids just played on the playset, in the sandbox, and with the outside toys and we adults just hung out around the patio table, had some drinks, ate some food and just enjoyed each other's company. And this was the thanks I got...a smooch from my sweet girl. Makes it all so worthwhile...

We spent so much time decorating the basement, we did go down there for cake, ice cream and presents. Here's Lizzie's 2nd birthday cake, with Mickey and Minnie on top and "polka dots just like Minnie Mouse!" as Lizzie always says whenever she sees polka dots on anything. It was a yummy white cake with fresh strawberry filling...yummy!

The kids also enjoyed playing the "red gooey fishing game". You have to watch as much Mickey Mouse Clubhouse as we do to understand the relevance of this one. Evan caught a big one!! Can you see in the background the Lizzie Park sign, too?

Donald and Drew fishing together. I love Melissa's face on the side, too! she was so excited Drew caught one! Love that family.

Can you say ornery? Love this kid!

My favorite part of the party (aside from the relaxing aspect of it all) was dancing the hotdog dance with everyone in the basement. Here's Lizzie strutting her stuff. Too cute, little one!

The party continued with a fun Minnie Mouse swimsuit cover-up from Aunt Kristen and Uncle Bean a couple days later.

That's my girl...she found these swim goggles in the toy box and thought they were great fun and kept them on the whole time she "read" her new Mickey Mouse book. Piece of work that one is...

Love ya, Liz! Happy Birthday baby girl!

Jon Turns 5!

I know, I know, this was back in the middle of February, but cut a girl some slack. I'm trying here...
Anyway, the pictures speak for themselves (except for the huge mess on the back of the cake plate where my volcano COLLAPSED!!! Oops! I literally was holding it in my hands and just plopped the pieces back on top, slopped some extra red/orange frosting lava on and called it good!!!) The kids loved that the dinosaur growled and popped its head out at them when they waved their hands in front of it! Who cares what the rest of the cake looked like, right? A fun time was had by all at this dinosaur blowout. Don't you just love Kyle's face (the kid with the ice cream scoop!!!)

Jon playing with his favorite gift of the night...a rubber snake from his bud, Ryan. I love how nicely Jake, Jon and L izzie all play together. Melts a mama's heart.

My Jonny's the big 5!!! LOVE this kid!!!

More Snow Pics

Somehow these didn't make the first post...I'll try again.

We had such huge icicles, we were afraid they would fall and hurt someone, so Andy threw a soccer ball up to try to knock them down.

Here, you can see how deep the snow was...all the way up to the seat of the Air Rider!

The boys had so much fun though!

From inside, you can see the snow up against the slider out to the deck. Amazing. And the drifts were much taller than that!

Lizzie having fun, too. She actually preferred to eat the snow rather than try to walk in it.

Our snow mountain. They actually sledded down this!