NINE!

They just keep growing up and getting older.  Hans celebrated his 9th birthday this year.  

A Red Sox Jersey and to finish it off a Lid to go with it.  He's a kid that likes to be against the grain.

Anyone who knows Hans, knows he loves the racecars and working with his dad so Josh found him this motor that they recently built together.  

Grandma Sally put together a photo book of Hans life.  

and the birthday was ended with cake and ice cream.  What a good day for a kid who turned 9!

A field trip to the Apple Orchard

Alyee and all her classmates in the Kindergarden got to take a field trip to the Apple Orchard.  What fun they all had. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  It's a beautiful day

Fall Family Session

We welcomed the fall colors this year with a little family photo session.  Having pictures of my family is something very important to me.  I want my kids to have family pictures for generations to come.  Every family picture session has left us with more memories and hopefully those memories will be some of which my kids will remember forever.  

We truly are blessed to have such a healthy and loving family.  Something I will never take for granted.

Josh and I have very few pictures together just him and I.  Something we are trying to do more of.  I am one very lucky lady to Josh as my partner in life.  We have built a beautiful family together.  Love you babe!!  Thanks for the amazing life adventure we have shared and will continue to share together.  

Fall Sports!

Fall was busy as usual but what great memories each made.  

Winston moved up into the 5th-6th grade Grid Kids program.  What a great job he did!  He has become a GREAT blocker for his team and they can always count on him to get the job done!

Winston also did some running this year!  That he LOVED!

Alyee participated in her first team sport this fall.  

Her and buddy Caiden started out dominating the team together.

They really are best buddies

 She at least looked like she knew how to play the game.

and this pictures tells you all why she probably won't play soccer AGAIN!  Cartwheels during a game isn't usually what ever coach wants to see.  LOL  

Hans "Hollywood" got his first taste at pads this year.  

Hans learned a lot this year about the football game and the correct fundamentals of playing the game.  He's already talking about next season.

He had a great team and what a huge improvement they made start to finish.

Student of the Month!

What a VERY overwhelming first month of school Winston had.  He started a new school, away from all his buddies, now had a dress code, and on top of it all had Friday Mass and knew NONE of the Catholic Prayers.  Perhaps Josh and I didn't prepare him enough for what this new journey had in store for him, but he managed to take it all in and make the best of it as he went.  He has a REMARKABLE teacher this year and a lot of Winston's accomplishments come from her as well.  

After only being at his new school for a month, his classmates and peers nominated him as Student of the Month.  It truly was one of the best moments as a mom to hear what his teacher had to say about him.  Something I will remember for the rest of my life and a moment I'm so GLAD I didn't miss.  Josh and I couldn't be more proud of Winston and the young man he is becoming.  

You have NO idea what a relief it is to hear your child tell you how much they like school and the school you chose for them.  It wasn't the easiest decision for Josh and I to move Winston from public school to private school but I can honestly say it was the best decision we have ever made for Winston.

These words are from Winston's teacher and what she had to say about him when he received his award.  

Good-Bye Summer

With the cold weather moving in and us taking the boat out of the water, it makes me think of all the good times we had this summer out on the lake.  There was a lot of improvement made from the kids and their water activities.  Tons of very proud moments and lots of memories made.  

Hans became a pro at both Kneeboarding and Skiing.  He can now do 360's on the kneeboard like he is a pro at it.  I believe 5 was his record for the summer.

Skiing was also a HUGE success for Hans this summer.  Skiing the lake became super easy for him along with cutting back and forth.  So proud of him!!  He says next summer it's onto Wake Boarding.  

We had several BBQ's on the lake.  Made my life super easy and when we got home I didn't have to even think about what was for dinner.  So much fun!!

Winston gave 110% to learning how to Single Ski.  It's such a hard thing to learn, but he got up at the end of the summer.  And of course it was when I didn't have my camera.  Next summer!!!

Even got to have the cousin's on the boat with us a few times.

Oh Miss Alyee Jo

She got pretty darn good at riding the single tube.  She even experienced falling off a few times and LOVED it even more.  I guess you could call her somewhat of a daredevil.... or she simply hates being left out and seeing her brothers do something.

Daddy showed no mercy on her this summer.  The middle tube is my baby!  And yes she landed it!

These 3 make our lives complete!  We truly are blessed to have such wonderful kids and we love each and every moment we spend with them building and making memories as a family together.

Perhaps the Sunsets will be missed most!  There is nothing better than enjoying a sunset on the water.  Can't wait for next summer and more memories to be made.

The final pumpkin patch

  This year it was finally Alyee's turn to come with her classmates and friends.

These 2 are best friends already!

 The Crew!

Alyee and her class

This girl LOVES her daddy and she's got him wrapped around her little pinky to the fullest.  What a great job you do Josh for our kids and for all other kids.  The pumpkin Patch will be missed but what great memories our kids have with it as do you and I.

Mary Poppins and Bert

Last year I got a sewing machine for Christmas, something I've wanted for some time.  So this year when Alyee said she wanted to be Mary Poppins I made it my first real project.  Hans was such an awesome big brother that he said he would be Bert even.  I think he just wanted the jacket to be honest.  By far my favorite Halloween costumes EVER!!

Winston and his friends handed candy out this year.

and then they took Hans and Alyee around the neighborhood and did some trick or treating of there own.

School has begun!

Another school year has begun and this year is much different from last year...... all 3 of my babies are in school ALL DAY LONG!  Crazy how fast time goes.  

Winston started is 5th grade year at St. Rose of Lima.  He is 1 of 11 students in his class and his teacher is beyond amazing!  Lots of anxiety and change for Winston but he truly is loving his new school and new friends that he has made.

Hans is loving his 3rd grade year!  He was lucky enough to get Mr. Vasquez as his teacher.  He is shining and growing each day.

And our baby girl is officially a Kindergardener.  I'm pretty sure she was beyond ready and excited to finally be on the same schedule as her brothers.  She truly loves school and her teacher Mrs. Sheneman.  

And they are all off and going.  Now time is really going to go fast because there is no going back and no slowing them down at all.

Another year to celebrate

For the past 2 years, Josh and I have loaded the kids up and taking them camping with a group of close friends.  We go, we relax, we laugh and we celebrate another year of marriage.  I can't think of a better way to celebrate.  Being surrounded with friends and seeing our kids love life and make memories.  Truly is a blessed life we have built together.  "Love you more than Joshua".

These guys just kicked back and watched all the action on the beach.  It truly is a very relaxing vacation.

Alyee loved being able to have 3 full days to hang out with her girls as she calls them.

Josh tried to ride Flipper

The dad's took the kids cliff jumping and of course Alyee was first and never stopped!  She is such a dare devil.

15 kids.... not counting all the friends they made while camping.

  

And the awesome people that make it all happen!  Can't wait for next year!

12 years filled with amazing memories and still so many more ahead of us.