Traditions for the season

This will be our first year doing a advent calendar and I think I am more excited than the kids. I wanted to do an advent to celebrate the coming of Christmas but I didn't want it to just be filled with treats for them. It is quite hard to show Ethan and Gracie how they can be of service to other people especially since they are still dependent of me. Their age and skill level kind of inhibits them from being able to help in ways adults can. Therefore, half of our advent list is treats or activities that they will be able to do and the other half are things that we can do to help other people. I think Christmas is a great starting off point to show them how they can be of help to others throughout the rest of the new year.

Also, one of our activities including introducing our new Elf to the kiddos.
His name is Benny Elmer. He has been very mischievous while we have been asleep. The kids absolutely adore him and LOVE his little antics. They can't get over the fact that he is here to spy on them to make sure the are being good, yet he does crazy things while we are sleeping.

Here are a few pictures of the recent activities that we have done.
If you would like my full list, please email me.

Ethan opening the 1st door on our advent calendar

Write a letter to Santa

North Pole Breakfast to welcome our Elf!
(Yes, my kiddos love Tattoos! Ethan's chest looks like he has been in the Navy for 20 years)

Yummy Donuts!

Powdered Face

Our Elf taking Barbie to a drive in movie.
Gracie was giggling and loved that her Barbie had a friend.

Here he is switching our stockings for the kids underwear.
Mischievous little guy!

Thankful Memories

Last week Eric's parents, brother and grandparents joined us for Thanksgiving. We were even lucky enough to have his grandparents visit with us for one whole week. The kids absolutely adore all of them and loved having everyone here to celebrate Thanksgiving. The food was delicious but the company was divine!

Lapiz and Gracie during snuggle time.

Germ and Ethan doing a puzzle together.

I ♥ this picture of Lexie giving Lapiz a hug.

Grandpa Dan and Gracie swinging

Ethan and Grandma Teresa

Gracie with Uncle David

I loved seeing all of the wonderful things my babies have created over the past Thanksgivings.
It won't be long before that fridge is completely filled and my heart will feel heavy.

Steps away from walking!

Lexie's physical therapist brought a walker today for Lexie to practice on. Lexie is really good at alternating her feet but her main issue seems to be balance. However, after a couple dry runs with her walker she has been doing so well. We will need to work on turning and not running into walls, but other than that I think it is going to work out nicely. At the end of the day she actually took one step towards Eric without the walker. Who knows? Maybe the walker is just what she needs to boost her confidence.

Lexie's helper

This video is about 2 months old but I realized that I have never posted a video of Lexie in her walker. She can do more damage and get around quicker so I refer to it as her "helper". She is super fast so you really have to watch your ankles and she has no problem getting around doorways or going on the carpet. I think she enjoys the independence.

Pot Banging

Lexie helping me cook!

Happy Halloween

What does a daredevil archaeologist, a kidnapped princess, and a nocturnal bird have in common?

They make the cutest Halloween costumes!!

This year Ethan chose to be Indiana Jones, Gracie chose to be Rapunzel, and Lexie was nice enough to allow me to choose her costume so she was an owl. I made her costume.

It was a great day/night full of Halloween fun!

Oh Rapunzel! Rapunzel! Let down your hair!

I love her chesser!

Seriously! Just one picture?

About ready to go haunt!

Whip has been tested all week so it is ready to go!

Ethan helping Lexie stand up! Little stinker was not in the Halloween spirit.

Ethan walking into our neighbors haunted porch!

We meet up with Gabrielle and Gavin (our Godson) for pictures

CANDY!!!!

Award Ceremony

We are very proud of our Ethan for how well he has taken to school! He is absolutely in love with it. His teacher has told us before how wonderful he has been in class and we are totally those parents who ask "My child? Are you sure??? Maybe you got the wrong kid" Well, to be fair we know he is a really great kid and loves to learn so it is not that much of a surprise. While Gracie throws a fit during any activity, Ethan is always ready and waiting to learn something new. However, to know that your baby is doing well makes any mommy happy!

Ethan was able to get all 4 ribbons!
He even got the Pillar of Character which is only given to one student in each class!

Ethan standing by his teacher after getting his award.

With his entire class.

Small video of Ethan accepting his award!


Gracie standing in front of the Wall of Honor! If you look close you can see Ethan's picture right above her head! To get on the wall of honor you have to be caught doing something above and beyond for your fellow classmates. Ethan shared his jacket to a friend who was cold.

Pumpkin Patch

Hay Maze

Barrel Ride

Hay ride

Family Bond

Me: Hey guys, today is Friday so that means dad will be home for two days!

Gracie: YEAH!!!! We will be a family again!

Ethan: Gracie, even when mom and dad die we will still be a family.

Me: A little morbid, but you are right. You guys will always be family!

Halloween Ghost Craft

Below are some pictures of me painting the kids feet, which they thought was hilarious!

This picture cracks us up because you can see Gracie
posing for the camera in the background.

Another one of Gracie that makes us laugh.

To go along with the great weather we have been having.
I made some chocolate drizzled trail mix for us to snack on.
It is really easy and such a great snack.
The kids liked it so much, I will be packing some in their lunch boxes to take to school this week.

T-ball Highlights

Ethan (catcher) tagging someone out before they made it to home plate.

Ethan (6) running for the ball

Running to home plate

Weather Craziness

This is what happens when your children hijack your phone.

I couldn't stop laughing when they showed it to me. They even gave each other fake names. We were having a little party that day so that is why so much attention was being placed on the weather.

Cruising Along

Lexie has officially started cruising along the furniture.
We are really keeping our fingers crossed that she will be walking by her second birthday.

Halloween Treat Bags

We are getting so excited for Halloween!!

Here are our Halloween trick or treat bags.
They were really easy thanks to this great tutorial.
Here is the link- Candy Corn Halloween Bags