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

End of Season Soccer Party

As I said in the previous post, what a great soccer season it has been!! I loved to watch Peter-Leo grow with his teammates.  He learned more skills this season and continued to get better at working as a team. He had two really great coaches this year and we are happy that they are both coming back for Spring soccer!!

In honor of our team name this season, The Chicago Fire, Coach Gene arranged for us to have our party at the St. Mary's Fire Station #2.  That was fun. They even got a call while we were there!!

Peter-Leo getting his trophy and award for
"outstanding performance and team contribution in the areas of Team Morale and Ball Surveillance."

 Coach Gene told everyone that Peter was the one who was always making jokes, cheering team mates on and just making sure everyone was having a good time-even when we were losing."

Peter-Leo and his trophy.

Asst Coach Galen and Coach Gene

 We were very lucky this year to have Coach Galen, yes, he is young.. he is 15! Because they only had enough teenagers to fill 1.5 teams for his age group they didn't have a season for them. Sad. But he was offered a chance to coach and he was great!!

One last team chant- GO FIRE!!

The end of Fall Soccer

It was a very chilly morning for soccer!! Thankfully the sun came out and warmed us up!!

now, granted it isn't snow..
but icing over doesn't happen much in these parts!

It is that bittersweet time of year, when we must end another season of soccer.  Yes, the Fall Soccer Season is over! Peter-Leo played his last game this morning.  While we were pretty even with the wins and losses, it has been a great season of growth for Peter-Leo. 

Peter-Leo heading up field during the first half.

For years I have struggled to find a sport (and good program) for him, one that he likes enough to play another season.  We struck gold when soccer and our local soccer club were introduced to us.  The fall season marked his second season of soccer. A second season!!  I am thrilled to announce he wants to play soccer in the spring! A third season!! 

We have been blessed with good coaches this season. Coach Gene (assistant coach from his first season) moved up to head coach.  He is a wonderful man with patience beyond measure!! Between Peter-Leo and a few other players (with similar amounts of “energy”) he did a remarkable job.  He has done more than teach soccer skills he has instilled a love of the sport in Peter-Leo.   New this year, was our assistant coach Galen.  He brought a fresh and youthful approach to the team and shared his passion for soccer with the team.  I don’t know if Peter-Leo will have either of these great coaches in the spring season, but they were just the right coaches for him! 

Much love to all of you,

Michelle

A few words from Peter-Leo:

Peter-Leo and teammate Alex.

Soccer is really fun with the team. I like the running around and just having fun.  This year I played offense which is where you are always running trying to get the ball and get a goal.  I can’t wait til next season!! GO FIRE!!

Peter-Leo

Halloween: trick or treating

Halloween. We are very blessed to live in a town where, generally speaking, it is safe to actually go trick or treating in our neighborhood.  Since I wasn't feeling well, Monty took the kids around and I stayed home to hand out candy. 

Kody and Peter-Leo on the front porch; all ready to trick or treat!

 I made Monty take the camera out with him. He wasn't too happy about it, but he came back with nice pictures anyways.

in the neighborhood trick or treating

Sorting their candy and starting to trade with each other.

Peter-Leo sorting his candy

Kody copied Peter-Leo by sorting all her candy.

At the end of the night the kids were happy and thankfully Halloween is over.. at least for this year.

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Michelle