Winter 2016

Well it's the end of February already! It was an amazingly warm weekend! Got to play outside and even hit golf balls today. Here are some pics since the beginning of the year. Sam has had a great basketball season, playing with the Upward organization. Only 1 game left for the bulls - think Sam is going to miss it when it's over. He really seems to love basketball. We surprised the boys in late January with a night at Great Wolf Lodge - oh how I wish I had their reaction on video when we told them we were going!! Ben said his favorites were the "red and orange" slides and the family raft ride. Sam's favorite was the "toilet bowl" and going across the lily pads. The pic of the boys with Joe was on Superbowl night - boys were totally into the game and might love football already as much as Dad! While we've had a pretty mild winter, we did have one decent snow so far which was fun to play in! We are all missing our Bunk very very much!! Including Jax who seems to be a little lost, but I do believe he is enjoying the extra love, attention and treats.

December 2015

We had a wonderful month of December and Christmas! We had fun with our annual traditions - going to Smith Park to see Light Up Middletown, going to the Zoo for the Festival of Lights, going to Prasco for the annual Christmas weekend, going to Neiderman Farm for the Christmas Walk and we made it down to the Museum Center for the Holiday Train display! But the best part was all of the family time!

Superman and Dusty Crophopper Fire and Rescue

 First and foremost, Sammy and Ben got their #9 cousin - Tyler! Below are some fall pics - boys had fun carving a 3 eyed pumpkin with Dad and raking a huge leaf pile with Mom and jumping into it. Of course they had fun trick-or-treating with their neighbor friends. Sam sprinted house to house for an hour and a half - loving every second of it. Ben loved it too, but got a little tired after a few houses and decided it would be more fun to sit in the wagon with Scarlet and start eating the candy. He said he was tired and "it was too much work". =-) The close up of the boys in the leaves is my new favorite picture!

Rest of Summer and Back to School

July: Here are a few pics from 4th of July weekend and our fun neighborhood party! Then in the middle of July we visited our Hulen friends in Knoxville. Had so much fun going to Dollywood - and just hanging out. Wish we could see them more often.  Our new cousin, Archie arrived in July! August: The Borgerding's came up to visit and celebrate Emie's birthday - played at a fun park all day. Our family was extremely fortunate and got the opportunity to throw out the first pitch at a Red's game! Wow - was it cool! Sammy and Mom took to the mound, while Ben and Daddy caught the ball at the plate. It was a beautiful day - something we'll never forget! August also marked the beginning of Kindergarten for Sam! Our baby is in K! How in the world? It was a rough start - he got really scared/upset at the bus stop. Mom had to carry him on the bus and then drive to the school to make sure he still wasn't crying when he got off the bus. He got in the classroom and was fine. Then I cried the rest of the day. Since day 1, Sam has been a champ and says he loves school now (and the bus). He has Mrs. Allsup this year - gets picked up at 9am and gets home around 4:30! He's doing great! He also started his first organized soccer - plays as a "Green Monster". Just scored his first goal last week! September: Big Snug started preschool! Walked right in with no fear! Going 3 days a week to Liberty Heights and has Ms. Becky and Ms. Julie. He seems to also love school! He likes to talk about his friend Greyson in class. Had to include the last few pics of the boys with their buddy Addy, Sam and his stuffed animals and Ben trying to throw the ball for Bunk, who very sadly cannot chase a ball anymore (but Ben was trying because he knows how much Bunk loves his tennis ball). Sad how fast the summer went, but it was certainly a great one!