More Cousins

We traveled to see our family for Thanksgiving and the kids got to play with their other cousins. We are so lucky that the cousins are so close in age. They really are like best friends all over again, for that we are thankful.

The foursome playing video games.

Sam and Hayden Kiana and Josie

Our newest cousin, baby David.

Ana, Sam, David & Josie

While visiting family Grandma wanted to take her granddaughters to see the Rockettes at the Grand Ole Opry House. We had super close seats and everyone enjoyed the show.

Josie at the sign outside.

In anticipation

What a cute photo of Josie and cousin Ana.

Cousins

Tonight cousins Daisy and Jack came over for a visit!

Jack, Sam, Josie and Daisy.

The Gang.

Awwww, how sweet.

Last Game

Today was the last soccer game for the season which also meant trophy day!

Sam getting his trophy from coach Matt.

This is what happens when Mommy tries to juggle too much in her arms at one time.

On to state!

The results are in from the PTA Reflections art contest. After winning at his school level for visual arts, music and photography we we to a local arts center to find see how he did at the county level. Sam won 1st place for his sunset photograph and he will move on to compete at the state level! Woohoo, we are so proud.

Sam and Josie at the big robot.

Josie and Sam.

There it is. We are so proud.

Sam next to his first place picture. A Blazing Sunset.

Guppy Butterfly

Josie had a Thanksgiving feast at school and her teacher made really cute costumes for the kids to wear. They also had to pick their own Indian name, Josie decided her name would be Guppy Butterfly.

Gathering for the feast.

One of Guppy Butterfly's many talents.

Loving on big brother, flying fish.

Her teacher also made this hilarious Josie Pilgrim.

We broke our camping record- 14 Hours!

We set off on a camping adventure with the boy scouts in the Mountains. After getting lost and a 3 hour drive we finally arrived around 12:30...just as they were cleaning up lunch. Now to make a 14 hour story short- Activities: baseball, obstacle course, hike, eat dinner, another hike to the Bonn fire, skits, walk back, marshmallow roasting, (lots of smiles, laughter, screaming, threatening, talking under our breathe) then bed. Then Bed...Now 40 degrees didn't sound that cold, but we did not plan well for our sleeping conditions. One of the air mattresses had a hole and basically we were freezing and hurting. Around 1 a.m. we decided we had 3 choices: stick it out, go to a motel or go home. We decided to stick it out, until 45 minutes later when we both were still awake and miserable. We decided to go home, 45 minutes later the car was packed, 2 hours later we were in our warm beds...aahhhhh. I love my warm bed! The Hot shower later felt especially good too. Eric and I had a bit of a parenting first while camping. Sam didn't want to hang with us, he actual told us not to hang around. I thought we had a few more years until this day came. I guess we are officially old and not cool.

Are we there yet? Becoming giddy with excitement!

The tent is up and Josie and friend claim their seat.

Josie pulling a bug from a spider web.

Barb and Jo down by the lake before dinner.

Eric jamming one before the "walk."

Josie and Ausha having a blast!

Josie, Ausha, Miles and Sam waiting to head out.

One sip of hot chocolate first.

Sam performing his skit- he is the 2nd kid from the left.

Hockey Night

If was family hockey night! I miss going to hockey games, but after going with the kids I don't need to go back for a long while. Josie gets a little clingy in large crowds and she was a little nervous. Once in our seats she loved the cheering and lights and excitement during the game for about 10 minutes...then she was ready to go.

Sam torturing Josie with the finger.

Meeting the Mascot, Josie wasn't so sure about the Lion.

1st Place

Sam entered the reflections contest this year for Photography, Visual Arts and Music and has won first place in all categories for his school! On November 21, we will find out if he won at the county level and if so, he will be going on for the state competition.

Here is the Photograph he took!

I can't figure out how to upload a mp3 file on here so you can here the music, but it was Sam singing.

Chuck E.

Sam had a birthday party to attend at Chuck E. Cheese and since Josie had never been we decided we stay and play. We sat on the other side of the place so Sam could have his private time with his buddies, but he sure didn't mind coming to find us when he ran out of tokens. While I brought my own hand sanitier into this germ infested playscape, Josie thought this was the greatest place ever! I wonder what she will think of Disney, if we ever make it there.

Sam seeking us out for more, more, more.

Daddy excited that he has to put all these tickets into a counter machine.

Josie and Chuck E go for a ride.

Here we go.

Josie riding the horse. We both look so happy to be at this place.

Extraction

Sam has been complaining of tooth pain off and on for the past 2 weeks and I finally made an appointment with the dentist. When I had the discussion with him that we needed to have it looked at he reassured me it was fine as long as he chewed on one side of his mouth. Turns out he had an old filling come out and he cracked the tooth next to that one. The dentist blamed it on Halloween candy, but I knew this problem existed prior to then. They said they weren't sure how bad it was until they got in and took a look, but the worst case would be a root canal. MY 7 YEAR OLD NEEDS A ROOT CANAL! Instant Mom panic took over knowing my baby would be terrified and in pain. I spent the next 30 minutes wanting to throw up scared for him. However they decided to pull the tooth instead since it was a 6 year old molar.

See how deep the crack was all the way down to the root.

This came as a bit of a shock to Sam and he was a little shaken up about it because there was a lot of blood. I calmed him down when I told him that the tooth fairy gives extra money for teeth that have been pulled. The good news didn't stop there when both Grandma and Daddy had the same great idea although they didn't tell each other....and they both bought him a video game to help him feel better. So in the end Sam came out got rid of his pain, didn't have to go to school, got 2 video games, lots of love and attention...and the tooth fairy gave him $10.

Star Wars in Concert

Eric and Sam had a father and son night as they went to see Star Wars in concert. Which was a live orchestra with clips of the movie all narrated by the actor who played C-3PO. They had lots of costumes and props from all the movies and apparently it was spectacular. Par with all Star Wars related events several people were in full costume so it was quite an adventure for Sam.

Since Camera's weren't allowed here is a snap shot from Eric's cell phone.