Thanksgiving parties galore

This last week and a half has been very busy for our family.  With school wrapping up all the thanksgiving fun I got to enjoy going to all the boys classes for their fall/thanksgiving parties.  After wrapping up our last week of swimming last week I joined both the boys on Friday for their parties.  Unfortunately the school does them at the same time so I had to split my time between each one.  Carter was sad to learn that I would not be at this party the whole time and I had to explain to him that he has been very lucky to have me the whole time for the last two years and that he should be happy that I am with him even if it is just for a little while.  The parties go by pretty fast but the kids get to play a game or do a craft and then have a snack provided by the school.  I went to Camden's first where they made some pine cone turkeys and ate cookies and grape juice.  Then I popped over to Carters where they played a game where they rolled an acorn with their head across a line in a race. Then they played a rendition of 4 corners.  His class had a lot of fun with the games. All in all they had a great time changing up their normal school routine for a little party.

Camden making his pine cone turkey

all finished!

obligatory picture with mom

ready to leave for the day

camden's class ready to go home

carter pushing the acorn with his head

his class cheering on the last person to go

playing a turkey version of 4 corners

playing turkey memory

his pencil prize

another obligatory picture with mom

All School Skate

Monday night was our annual all school skate night.  We had to try and fit it in after a night of swim lessons which lead to a decently stressful night, but the kids we happy we went.  We even heard music to our ears as we were driving home.  Carter out of no where says "thanks for letting us go to skate night, it was fun!"  I was so happy in that moment.  All the talks of telling the kids that these things we do for them are special and that they should appreciate them has finally paid off!
Chad came with us, along with Callan, and we made it a family affair.  Chad and I did not skate since we would need to help the younger two.  Carter has only been skating about 3 times and he now has the hang of it.  He loves it and takes the falls in stride.  I was afraid of how Camden would do since the last time involved a lot of tears, but after a few tears and a few falls he was going around with our assistance doing pretty well.  He eventually was able to let go of our hands and do it on his own.  Callan still needed quite a bit of assistance but he was just happy he didn't have to wear the baby skates.  The kids all met up with some friends and we had a long but good night.

emma and carter over the years

ready to attempt to skate

he was rolling along but stopped for a picture

this guy is proud of his real skates

Camden and Jackson

Harrison and Carter

Carter, Harrison and Sammy

the boys sitting out during the all girls skate

zipping on by

the wall board, his best friend

mastering skating with dad by his side

I bet there is a picture of Chad by these same machines as a kid. 

the skating rink hasn't changed a bit since we were kids. same video games and all

callan loved daddy's help out on the rink

love him

all done, ready to go home and hit the sack

Halloween 2014

We had a busy Halloween again this year.  We started off the day with Callan going to his friend, Brooks, birthday party around lunch.  It was fun seeing him playing with his friends and being at his first friend party that didn't include his brothers.  Then we headed home to get ready for all the evening festivities that I got so side tracked that I forgot to pick up the kids from school. Thankfully I look at the clock at 3 and rushed over and was only a few minutes late.  But we dropped off the kids stuff and then headed out in costumes to Chad's work where the kids paraded through each department and got some treats.  Then we stopped home for a potty break and to have everything ready for trick or treating when we got home.  We then headed back out to Oma's place in costume so she could see the kids, picked up a quick dinner, ate in the car and headed to my parents house for a few minutes so they can see the costumes and show a few neighbors.  The kids love the house by my parents that go all out on Halloween with decorations and they hand out full size candy bars.  They also got special treats from their neighbors George and Kathy.  After a quick visit we headed back to our house to meet up with the neighbors.  It was pretty cold out so we had to do some extra bundling up.  I wore a hat a mittens it was that cold.  We got some pictures with our neighbors and then headed out.  Our poor washer and dryer only made it to a few houses in costume before we let them take it off and go in something more conducive to running. Camden was a Ninja that we got from his preschool teacher (and he really loved it) and Callan was a football player like Carter.  The kids we super troopers and made it pretty far with it being as cold as it was.  It was so dark and so busy on our streets that it was hard to keep track of the kids.  It was a great night with a lot of candy!

Callan with the Royals pinata 

Callan and Reid

eating some fruit before lunch

playing with his new imaginext toys

eating lunch. mummy wrapped hotdogs, macaroni, fruit and orange soda

visiting Oma

all the neighbors ready to trick or treat

the first attempts to get up steps while avoiding other kids

it was pretty crowded on the porches

my little washer was ready to take off his box and go as a football player

kenny bell getting some loot

Ethan, Camden, Carter and Jackson

posing with all their candy

look at all that

The night before Al and Karen stopped by to give the kids some Halloween treats

Carter playing in the ninja costume we got from Callan's preschool teacher

Boo at the Zoo

Last night we went to the annual Boo at the Zoo at the Lincoln Children's zoo.  Part of the fun of this night is that we get to ride a city bus.  I think that was Callan's favorite part of the night. At one point he looked at me while riding the bus and said I love that we don't have to wear seat belts in here!  It was a pretty good night for it but a little chilly.  The boys had a good time but were so distracted by all the decorations and people that they ended up running into things.  We got a lot of compliments on the costumes and had several people stop us to get their picture taken with them. We entered the KFRX photo contest to try and win $50 to hobby town.  If we get the most likes on our picture on facebook we will win.  I will try and post the link below the picture if you want to go and like it.  (I am sure all 5 of you that read this blog wouldn't mind)

with some husker cheerleaders

ready to get some candy

one of the sponsor's tent  (firespring, chad's company was also there handing out treats)

stopping for a quick photo op

they wanted their  picture taken with chuck e cheese too!

at a quick bathroom break i was able to snap a picture of this guy

this was a photo the zoo staff took while we were walking through. they posted it to their facebook and we got a lot of love from the community.  at one point we got over 1,200 likes!  crazy! but we don't think that photo counts for the contest, which is totally fine. we just can't believe how many people liked them!  it sure made the night a lot of fun

here is the KFRX picture you are "liking" on facebook. if you got to Lincoln Children's zoo on facebook and find the KFRX costume contest for day 3 (tuesday October 28th) and look for the washer and dryer picture and like it. I will try and post a link below that may take you to it as well.

https://www.facebook.com/lincolnchildrenszoo/photos/a.10152364876121160.1073741850.57153231159/10152364889071160/?type=3&theater

you can also vote for this handsome looking Kenny Bell as well!