Let the Christmas Season Begin..

Tonight we *finally* put up and decorated our Christmas tree.  It is my hope that I always see my kids having fun  and grabbing "their" ornaments. Plus the look of excitement when putting them on the tree. Thankfully tonight was no different.  One more thing would have made it perfect, my Dad. If only we lived by him or he moved here. He could be here with us. Okay, enough dreaming. 

Here are a few photos.. yes just a "few!"

Peter-Leo adds his key to the tree.

Fresh from a bath, Kody adds her red key, right next to Peter-Leo's.

Peter-Leo and Daddy adding more!!

One of my favorites!!

 Truly a wonderful shot, minus the belly, Kody asked Monty to lift her up so she could hang the ornament in the spot she couldn't reach. SO. CUTE.

All finished!

What a special time; that moment the tree instantly glows with magic! All bright and pretty, the ornaments shining. MAGIC!

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Michelle

Jacksonville Boat Parade and Fireworks Show

This was our second year going with the Prostrollos to the Jacksonville Boat Parade and Fireworks.  It was so much fun.  It takes place on the St. John's River and the boats are always fun to watch, plus the rise the middle section of the bridge for them to go under on the parade route.

Our view on the Jacksonville Landing of the bridge, that will have fireworks cascading down!

 Still amazing to see them raise the bridge up for the boats to pass through on the parade route!

 Peter-Leo and Kody waiting for the boats to pass by on the parade route!

This boat is one of my favorites, The Sons of Norway Viking Ship!

After the boat parade and before the fireworks, the kids were trying to be soo good!!

Kody and Erin waiting for the fireworks.

 Erin is like another daughter to us and Kody adores her!!

And the best part of the night... the fireworks cascading down from the bridge.

It is always incredibly beautiful to see them. It is amazing!

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Michelle

Thanksgiving Adventures

We had lots and lots of fun with the Prostrollo family over the Thanksgiving holiday. We spent Wednesday and Thursday at their house. We always have fun with them. We laugh and talk and laugh some more!!

Here are some photos from our 2 days at their place.

A view to the lake on the camp.

On the walking tour of the camp, here is the bridge that spans across the lake.

Erin and Kody busting a move to some game on the Wii

At the last minute Dana and I decided we should have smores!
Despite the look Kody loves them!

Climbing the dirt mountain.

Look Mom we made it to the top!!

A closer shot of them at the top of the dirt pile/mountain.

Down in the lake, you can see some of the remodeling they are
doing to create spawning areas and more depth for future wild life.

Later in the day we went back to the dirt mountain,
here is Peter-Leo laying in the hollow space caused by water erosion.

 That photo is important because while we were climbing it and playing... the kids were talking about the water erosion in the dirt and how it would take thousands of years for the water cause a rock to look like the dirt did. What smart kids I have!!

Peter-Leo's runway for his lego airplane.

 Another great story, Peter-Leo drew the runway and tried with no success to "fly" the lego plane.  He told me he needed more force and velocity underneath the wing span so it could life off. Uncle Everrett had a box fan, but it wasn't enough, and neither was the leaf blower or the air compessor. Oh well back to the drawing board for this Wright Brother!!

Monty on the bridge.

 While we were walking around the camp on Thanksgiving Day I was exploring one side of the dried up lake bed and discovered a bunch of animals bones.  So I called to the kids and Monty ""I found a bunch of bones on the other side of the lake, wanna go find more?" to which they answered "where? let's go!" (from Peter-Leo) and "Can we find a dinosaurs' bones too?" (from Kody.)  Sadly we did not find any dinosaur bones, however we did find gator, deer, and possibly beaver bones.

For me this trip was one of the best. The kids and I got to explore and learn about science and brought it to life, making it touchable and real.  Anytime my kids and I are learning; we are living and we love it!!

Plus we got to see and be with our bestest friends!!  I do not call many people friends but Dana & Everrett and Erin and Tia (even though she wasn't there) are.  I am so grateful to have them!!  I can't wait until we get to spend more time with them!

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Michelle

Kody's 5th Birthday Party!!

This afternoon Kody had her first "officially asking her classmates and friends to come over" birthday party. It was a fun. 

In her party clothes!

Yes, I am FIVE!!

Outside for the "nicer" photos.

Birthday Girl and party guests!!

Squishy face with Daddy

Playing "Pin the bow on Minnie Mouse."

This is Kody explaining how to whack the pinata.

One of her swings at the pinata.

All the loot to fill their goodie bags.

This boy is Kody's bestest friend and her "boyfriend."

Almost time to blow out the candle!!

A quick family shot and how funny
is it that "boyfriend" made into the photograph! LOL!

After this everyone (adults and kids) just ate cake and ice cream and relaxed.  It was a good experience for me as it was my first offical party for Kody. Kody had a great time with her friends from school... and honestly I can't wait until next year when I get to plan another one!!

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Michelle

Thanksgiving Feast at Kody's School

In remembrance of thanksgiving, when the pilgrims landed in America and made friends with the native americans.. before everything and anything went bad... sorry. Focus. Focus.

Kody wearing her native american paper headband.

Kody, Caiden, and James being goofy.

 James is a good friend, but Caiden is Kody's boyfriend. They play together alot these days although Kody corrects us by saying "he is not a boyfriend. he is a friend who is just a boy."
 Poor, poor Daddy.

Kody telling her classmate to "eat your real food first, then the sugar one last."

Kody and Momma

No, she isn't sticking her tongue out at you, she is doing the tooty ta. But the face is funny anyways!!

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Michelle

5 years of wonderful memories so far...

I can remember the day, the weather was cool, and I was more than ready to get that baby out!! It was weeks before her due date of December 10th (and I was "late" with Peter-Leo) so everyone figured we'd have time. Nope. November 16th a big bundle of joy arrived, a healthy baby weighing over 8 lb.. and those doctors wanted to wait?? SERIOUSLY!?

Day 1. What a cutie!!

She was a beautiful baby and as each day has pasted her beauty has increased both inside and out.
These are random photos for her first year or so.  

shhhh! be very, very quiet they are sleeping!!

Her smile is incredible!

From the beginning Peter-Leo has been a good big brother.

This is from her first birthday.
Together with my friend Amy (aka Mimi) we call this one the "smirk" 

This is at Easter time, what you can't see is the six pieces of chocolate that she is shoveling in her mouth!!

Her first Halloween, a little Lady bug.

Again that smirky smiley face.

Even at a young age she loved playing in the dirt.

Peter-Leo and Kody.

With Daddy, almost a year old.

Having good times in the pool with me and Peter-Leo.

There are many many more photos those are a few of my favorites from her first year.  However, she is now 5. FIVE!!   On Wednesday I took cupcakes to her class to celebrate. 

November 16th, 2011

Happy Birthday Kody Marie!! I can't wait to see what the rest of your long and healthy life will bring our family!!

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Michelle