Feeding the Ducks

Since this past weekend was so beautiful, Brook and I decided to get out with the kids and feed the ducks one last time before winter. The kids love feeding the ducks and Baine was even saying "duckies". Another new word for him!

Bowling Night

We had Louden's birthday party last weekend, so we decided to take the kids bowling at the Fish Bowl while we ate supper after the party. Baine had never been bowling before, and Beau really enjoys it, so we thought we would give it a shot. I have never seen Baine so happy in his entire life so far. He was perfectly content, loved picking up his ball and throwing it down the lane (yes he is strong, he was picking up his balls all by himself). He was jumping, laughing, and smiling the entire night. We are going to have to make this a regular family outing. It was so much fun to see the boys happy and enjoying an activity we don't normally do.

Trick or Treating 2016

Beau was all about his Batman costume this year for Halloween. He wore it for a solid week before Trick or Treat night. Baine, however, wanted NOTHING to do with dressing up. Every time we put a costume on him, he immediately took it off. It was not worth the fight :) So we told him he had to wear a cape at least if he wanted candy. That word "candy" is golden in his mind! The boys had a great time collecting candy and trick or treating at the Rielly's neighborhood. I can't believe next Halloween we will have three little ones trick or treating :)

Halloween Party 2016

Brook and Austin had a Halloween party at their house, so Joe and I decided we had to go and dress up. Joe dressed up as Prince, and his costume was priceless. It was even better that I had to put makeup on him to match Prince and to fill in for a mustache since he couldn't quite grow one in time ;) I didn't want to be a debbie downer and not dress up just because I'm pregnant, but I also didn't want to waste money and buy a costume. So, with a little help from Pinterest, I went as Miley Cyrus "Wrecking Ball". It was quite the hit. Thanks Banx for letting Aunt PP borrow your Barbie doll and cut her hair off. :)

Loving my 2016-2017 School Year So Far

This year has been such an amazing school year already. My volleyball girls were phenomenal and we went undefeated, and most importantly, my students at school are so amazing this year! We have hardly had any bad days, and they make me smile and laugh every single class period of every day. I am so blessed to have such great students. It is going to be hard leaving them on maternity leave this winter, but I know they will do awesome even if I'm not here :)

These girls love coming to visit me and are such goofballs. I am going to miss them terribly next year!

Beau's 5th Birthday Party

     Since the boys' birthdays are so close together, we really want to make sure they always have their own birthday celebration and don't have to grow up sharing their birthday party---that is not fair to either of them. So for Beau's birthday, we were going to have just a family night at home. However, he told Ms. Deb and everyone at school that he was going to Chuck E Cheese for his birthday. So we had to make his birthday wish come true :) Joe and I took all four kids, Beau Baine Banx and Bond, to Chuck E Cheese and then out to eat. It was Bond and Baine's first experience, and they didn't know what to do with themselves! Beau and Banx were all about getting as many tickets as possible, and the younger two just wanted to "drive the car" the whole night :)  Joe and I loved seeing how happy and excite the kids were to be there. It definitely made Beau's day too by going and having his cousins join him.

     After Chuck E Cheese, we kept Banx and Bond overnight for a sleepover. But first, Beau insisted on having a Bingo night since that was one of his birthday toys. He LOVES Bingo. And, he is able to call out the letters and numbers and knows all of his numbers. I am so incredibly proud of him and what a smarty pants he is :)

Beau and Baine's Family Birthday Party

     We had a joint birthday party for the boys that we invited friends and family over for. It was the perfect day to have a party and the weather was amazing. We decided we are done getting the boys toys for presents since they have so many, and we wanted them to have something that we could do as a family or an activity. So, we thought a trampoline was the perfect idea. Turns out, we were actually right about something :) Both boys LOVE their trampoline, and have been on it daily since we set it up. Even the adults had fun on it Sunday at their party. I am so excited to see how anxious the boys are to go out and jump everyday when we get home from school. Well worth the money:)
     We are so happy to see all of our friends and family love on our boys at their birthday. We are certainly blessed with all of our loved ones and I hope Beau and Baine never take that for granted and appreciate it.

As good as a family photo was going to get :)

Of course a game of Bingo for Beau-man :)

Baine HATES it when you sing to him, so naturally he cried the entire time during "Happy Birthday"

Who doesn't need to eat their cake with two forks?! :)

Baine's 2nd Birthday Party

For Baine's birthday, we took him to Happy Joe's to celebrate. This was his first experience, and I think he loved it to say the least. Brook, Banx and Bond joined us and it was the perfect family evening. The kids loved having the arcade to themselves and I'm pretty sure Joe enjoyed it just as much :). I cannot believe you are 2 Baine Joe!