Polar Express 2016

We rode the Polar Express again this year. We have tried it out at two other train stations, so this was our first time at the Adirondack Railroad in Utica, NY. It has been really fun and interesting to see the different train stations and the different interpretations of the Polar Express ride.

We were very lucky to have Grandma and Grandpa Marshall with us on the train. They made a special trip out to visit so they could go along with us. The kids were very happy about it!

While we waited for our turn to ride the train, the kids had fun running around the train station.

Grandma was a good sport and let the kids pop up repeatedly behind her and try to "scare" her.

We got the kids some matching Christmas Pajamas again this year. It might be challenging to get them all the same set as they get older. So far, they're all still in little kid sizes!

Before riding the train, the train station had fun activities for the kids to do, like coloring pictures and throwing stuffed snowballs through some cut-outs. It was nice that they made the wait more fun for them.

We boarded the train and the kids were super excited to get moving!

The folks on the train passed out some props to help us have fun and sing some Christmas songs. 

The kids waited patiently for their turn to see Santa. He was a friendly fellow and listened to the kids well. Then they got their special bells from the North Pole!

The kids were a little shy, except for Jack, but Santa knows what they want for Christmas- as long as they're good little children!

Luke's 3rd Birthday

Luke turned three years old on November 25th. He was very excited for his birthday, although he didn't really understand which day it was and that it only lasted one day!

His birthday fell on the day after Thanksgiving this year. We're still waiting for the year it will be directly on Thanksgiving day. We might have to put off the official celebration so he can have the day he wants!

Luke got some fun presents from Mom and Dad, and then later in the day, he got more from both sets of grandparents!

We were lucky to have Grandpa and Grandma Marshall visiting while we celebrated, which made it extra special. The kids loved it- especially Luke!

Everyone helped Luke play with his new toys.

For his birthday, Luke said he wanted a "heart cake." He might have meant a cake that is actually shaped like a heart, but he seemed satisfied with a cake with a heart made from M&Ms.

He blew out all the candles, so he got his wish!

Luke is such a sweet, happy boy. He is still receiving speech therapy and physical therapy to help him catch up and he is making a lot of progress. We love watching him grow and change every day. He'll always be our little guy, even when he's not so little!

Our Little Lions

This was the last year our little lion costume will be used. It was one of Jack's very first costumes and it made it through all three boys. Callie would have used it, too, but she had her heart set on a princess costume when she was the right size. Cute little guys!

 Jack- 2009

Jack- 2010

Ryan- 2014

Luke- 2016

Halloween 2016

This year for Halloween, Jack decided to dress as Pikachu, Callie wanted to be a dog, and Ryan was Superman again. They were all extremely excited to collect candy! We got to attend a church party a couple of days before halloween to Trunk-or-treat, and then on halloween night, they went around the neighborhood to trick-or-treat. 

Luke was sick, unfortunately, so he didn't get to go trick-or-treating with the kids, but he still made a really cute lion!

Callie's pumpkin. She designed it herself. 

Ryan wanted a surprised pumpkin.

Jack carved his all by himself this year. He was very proud.

And Luke got to use the cool kit that Grandma Marshall sent- it's like Mr. Potato head, but for a pumpkin! 

 The kids marched in a parade through the gym at church. Everyone go to to see their cool costumes.

Jack's Raingutter Regatta

Jack participated in the Raingutter Regatta at boy scouts last month. He and Dad worked on his design and Jack got to paint it himself. He named his boat "JSFB," which means, "Jack's Super Fast Boat."

Jack and Dad chose a non-traditional design because some websites showed that it would be faster. Apparently it's only faster if you blow on the sail with a straw, though. The boys didn't have straws at first, and Jack was losing race after race. He was pretty discouraged. After a while, though, they let the boys try blowing with straws and that helped. 

Also, we saw some Pikachu pajamas at Walmart and just couldn't resist. 

Pumpkins in the Park

The Marshalls and Robinsons ran a race on October 29th. It was the "Pumpkins in the Park" race, and we all had a lot of fun. The kids were very excited about it, especially about getting their medals at the end. They also got treat bags and they picked out pumpkins to take home. 

The weather was a bit chilly at first, but by the time the kids' races started, it was in the 50's. Mom's race was first, and then the kids got to hit the road!

First up was the littlest person race, just 1/4 mile, for Luke, Ryan, and his friend Caleb.

There are often photographers at the races to take pictures of the runners. One photographer got this picture of Mom and Luke running along!

The next race was the 1/2 mile, and then there was a 1-mile race. That's what Jack, Callie, and their friend Andy were planning to run. Unfortunately, Jack was pretty sick and struggled with the race. Callie did well, but we hadn't really trained the kids to run the mile, so it was difficult for both kids. 

Mom stayed along with the kids for support. 

The kids were supposed to do four laps, 1/4 mile each, but we were so far behind the rest of the kids that the volunteers guided us into the finish line after our 3rd lap. Oh, well! At least they got 3/4 mile done!

Done with the races! The kids all had matching t-shirts, since the race was a Halloween-themed race. Some people had quite elaborate costumes!

We added the kids' names on the back for that personalized touch! The kids had a lot of fun, but next time we'll train more so they won't have to struggle so much. And, of course, not being sick would help, too.