Summer Break: The Fourth of July!

 It was so fun to be in South Carolina for the Fourth!  Mimi and Papa and Logan took Connor and Kylene to see Despicable Me 2 (which they are still quoting) and when the came out of the theater, a major storm was moving in.

 That changed our plans for the baseball game and fireworks in the evening so Bev and Theresa went to the store and came back with fixings for steak and pototoes, mac n cheese, salad, biscuits, ect.  It was an impressive spread when we came to the table and Connor and Kylene were excited to dig in!  (Actually, we all were.)

 We played games, watched some Duck Dynasty and called it a night. 

It was so low key and relaxing, I even got a long nap that day.  Now that's my idea of a good time!  I told Byron it was one of my best July 4th's ever. :)

Happy Father's Day!

 We started off our Father's Day Morning delivering doughnuts and chocolate milk to Daddy in bed and then closed the door to let him get some more luxurious sleep, special for Father's Day, while we went downstairs and gobbled up our own doughnuts and milk, yum.

And here's to our handsome, wonderful Daddy whom we all adore!

Christmas 2010

so many have wondered why i've been away from blogging so long. i would tell you now, but it would sound like complaining. you can call me if you'd like and ask, but all you'd hear is a long tale with a lot of complaining. i'd advise against it if i were you. so here we are, good attitude in hand, back and ready to share what we've been up to the past few months.

we had a really magical Christmas this year. this was the first year Connor was really THRILLED about Santa and all the wonder that brings to a child's mind. he woke me up every morning for a week before Christmas thinking that this just might be the morning Santa had come. when that morning finally arrived, i think it was just what he had been waiting for. Santa brought a lot of dinosaur toys, books and a new scooter. when we wouldn't hold Connor off any more from opening up presents under the tree, i went upstairs and woke up our sweetly sleeping Kylene. she was groggy and snuggled up into me as we came downstairs, but as soon as she caught a glimpse of her new baby and stroller she pushed away from me and said, "Down! Down!"

we had a breakfast of homemade cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate and skyped with Nana and Grandpa. then we loaded up the car and headed to S. Carolina to Mimi and Papa's house! it was so fun to arrive there on Christmas day and be there with Logan, Codi, Staci, Theresa, Bev and Maw Maw and Paw Paw. the kids couldn't believe there were even MORE presents to open and Connor got the thrill of his day when he opened up not one but TWO remote control dinosaurs from Mimi and Papa. he had asked Santa for some but Santa must have known that Mimi and Papa had that in store for him.

we got snowed in the next day (Christmas miracle!) and had a great time hanging out and playing Wii.

the best part to Byron and I was that we were all healthy this Christmas. to us that was the best present of all.

haLLoWeEn eXtrAvaGaNza 2010

a few days before Halloween this year, my neighbor and friend Jesica commented that Halloween was becoming just about as busy as Christmas...agreed!

the weekend before Halloween, my parents came and visited from Indiana for four days. We had SUCH a great time with them. We went to the Museum of Life and Science, to our ward's Fall Festival, to Southpoint where my Mom bought the kids beautiful new Sunday clothes, out to eat at a Mexican restaurant we had heard about, carved pumpkins, make apple pie, cinnamon rolls, hot chocolate and the kids played, played and played some more with Nana and Grandpa. They both wanted to ride in the car with them wherever we went and apparently came up with new games to play while on the road. One game involved the word "boogers" a lot. Guess who came up with that one. :)

{our little family at our old ward's Fall Festival. Byron and I were a couple from the '50's though most people thought i looked like myself and that Byron looked like a missionary.}

we decorated Halloween cookies with our friends Dana, Abby and Sydney.

Connor with his best buddy, Jaxton.

both the kids really enjoyed the pumpkin carving process and loved saying "ooh, gross" when pulling out the innards.

on Saturday we went to a free Halloween event put on by a local church. we think it's a great event with free food, and lots of activities for the kids. there was music pumping the whole time with who we think is the minister as the DJ stopping the music at questionable parts to pose some religious questions. Example: "Has anyone ever heard of me, myself and I?" What does that sound like? That's right the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost." continue with thumping music. It felt a little like brain washing. :)

{Kylene dancing to the music. that girl's got rhythm!}

{yep, we've practiced that stance A LOT at our home recently}

our little group ready to trick-or-treat.

our monkey can barely contain herself.

the first door!...no one home, boo.

trick-or-treating in our neighborhood was so fun. the neighborhood was alive with activity with lots of the adults dressed up as well. many neighbors had set up their trick-or-treat candy up outside waiting to great their little guests. we're now working our way through the candy...

happy fourth

we had such a great fourth of july weekend! we kicked off the day on Saturday going to Burlington City Park. Byron had been several times when he was a little boy living in Burlington, NC and had great memories being there. There were a rides for the kids and we all got a thrill from it all.

the cars,

the boats,

the airplanes,

(this is the only ride Kylene begged to get off)

the train,

the carosel.

after our thrill on the rides the kids each were treated to a snow cone (Kylene's first!)

that night we went to our ward's fourth of july picnic and had a great time.

the kids (Connor) were THRILLED to participate in the water balloon toss.

the next night we had some friends and Byron's parents over for dinner and the Byron's parents stayed the night and spent Monday with us. we hit up the Museum of Life and Science and our favorite local Chinese establishment, Stir King, for lunch. we sure were sad to see Mimi and Pap go but hope we can get together for another great weekend soon!

Happy Fourth!

thank you Aunt Tracey!!!

last Wednesday, i went over to the office to pick up a package the mailman said we had received. i was so surprised to find TWO packages, one addressed to Connor and the other to Kylene. I came home and told them they had packages to open and an exciting evening ensued.

Connor identifies his package and begins to move it to the floor;

Trying to figure out how to get in...;

"Mom! You're a genius! How did you know to use scissors?!?"

"Hey guys, me too!"

Dumping the loot,

sitting amongst the spoils,testing out the toys,

eating the candy,

and doing the happy dance.

Thanks for the GREAT surprise Aunt Tracey! You made out day! Love you!