First Day of School 2011!

I can't believe it is the end of summer already and I haven't even posted anything yet. I have a lot of pics to post but I will start with today. Why is it I can't wait for school to start but I always end up feeling a little sad to see them go? They were so excited! Mason is in 5th grade, and Ethan is in 1st. Of course I had to get a pic of Linc in his jams, he will start preschool next week.

Trip to Utah!

We had not been to Utah for over 2 years, so the kids and I (Lee had to work) made a trip back home to go to my brother's missionary farewell and see the rest of the fam. It was so good to see everyone. I hadn't realized how truly homesick I had been! We were amazed at the mountains and the big sky! It is so different from where we live now. I was so happy for my boys to play with all their cousins that they have missed so much! I had so much fun visiting and catching up. Ben and Nicki and their kids came up from Vegas and that was so amazing to get to spend time with them. It was sad to say goodbye to Daniel but I know he will be a good missionary and I am so proud of him. We went to see the rocket display at Thiokol, and the Golden Spike Historical Site. Grandpa Curtis even took us all to the circus! We got to go south to spend a week in Levan, it was so fun to visit with them. I loved getting everyone together and letting the kids play! Uncle Trent took the boys for rides on the 4-wheeler, and they got to shoot guns with Trent and Mike. They called it "man time". I just wish Lee could have been there. Grandma Wankier showed Mason how to play the organ and the accordian, he loved it! I had so much fun visiting with Ann. It was a long-needed trip, but we were so happy to get home to Lee!

The boys with Grandpa, Grandma, and uncle Trent:
Accordian lesson with Grandma (I love this picture):
Playing the organ:
Man time:

Ethan and Avia had so much fun! They were playing "mommy and daddy" and this is what I caught of thier conversation-

Avia- "Honey, I sure wish you had built a stronger fort. I'm mad at you!"

Ethan (glancing at his wrist) - "I have to go to a meeting now"

It was so funny, I love what they pick up from listening to mom and dad!

We love Uncle Daniel:
Rocket display with Gpa Curtis, Daniel, Jarrett and Isabelle:
Golden Spike:

So cute, they had fun with Isabelle:
These two are the best of friends:

Frozen Lake Erie

The bay here freezes completely over in the winter, it is so fun to play on!

On the beaches it is crazy, words cannot even describe. It looks as if the waves froze just as they were breaking. Lee and the boys wanted to climb a little too close to them... they caused me some anxiety. Mason turned to me and said, "Mom, you just have to let us be men. You are all about Barbie Dolls and lipstick, and we love dirt and worms." Where does he come up with this stuff?! I was cracking up, Barbie Dolls and lipstick!!!

Fun in the snow!

We had a pretty good snow storm come through resulting in some nice fresh fluffy snow to play in! I had to get a pic of Mason in his favorite winter hat. He has been given the name "the sasquatch" at school. He marches to the beat of his own drum, and I love him for it!

Piano Recital

Mason had a Christmas piano recital a few weeks ago. He did a great job, we are so proud of him!

Merry Christmas!!!

I can't believe I have not posted since Halloween! This time of year seems to fly by so quickly. We have had a great thanksgiving and Christmas. I'm not good at writing long posts.... there is too much to catch up on. Here are some pics of the boys with Santa. Ethan was terrified, I could feel his heart beating so hard, I thought he was going to pass out. I have never been one to make a big deal of sitting on Santa's lap, but he really wanted to tell Santa what he wanted! What a brave kid!

Halloween!

For Halloween this year Lincoln was a dragon, Ethan was "Swampfire" (his favorite Ben 10 alien) and Mason was a gondolier. Mason's mask was homemade (thanks grandma Jodi), it wasn't something they sold at the Halloween store. I think all the boys had a lot of fun, it seemed as if there was some sort of festivity every night of the week. And in all the chaos, I wasn't able to get a pic of them all together. We had fun decorating our trunk for the church party (as you can see in the background of Mason's pic), It was a fun week but I have to say I was excited to put away all the scary decorations and start planning Christmas!

My new favorite photo!

I love this photo, this was taken at Port Farms. The "boys" were having a tricycle race. I didn't think I would ever see Lee ride a tricycle!

Port Farms