Even superheroes need to rest

On the way to the park after his birthday party, to fly his new kite. He just couldn't quite make the 10 min drive

Kevin is 4

 Pirate cupcakes. Thanks to Jess who stayed until midnight the night before the party helping me make and decorate them.

 Food

 Taken from the trampoline.

 Blowing out the candle

 Balloon sword fight on the trampoline

Kevin has never really had a birthday. We have always been traveling. I guess that is what happens when you have a middle of July birthday. This year was his 1st friend birthday. We had all his friends and all of the Lonegan family come for the party. It was a pirate party complete with a sword fight, telescopes, eye patches and bandanas and a real treasure hunt and treasure chest at the end. Everyone had a great time, especially little man. Oh and he got some spectacular gifts!!

Play date

Kevin has a few friends that he does weekly play dates with. Kevin and F came up to me and said that they were playing knights and we didn't have any shields, so can we go to the store right now? Ummm, let me think for a minute, No.
So we did the next best thing. We made them. They were made out of the largest flat rate box the US Post Office offers. Thanks! I cut them out sewed about 5 inches of elastic on the back and told the boys to decorate them. 10 minutes later, they were knights for 2 hrs. Priceless!!

He did it!

It took him 3 1/2 years but he finally got rid of pappy! Goodbye pappy we will miss you!!! It was rough for a few weeks, he got up before dawn, but he is doing very well now. Kevin got a sticker chart and when the chart was full he got to go to Target and pick out whatever toy he wanted. Here is the chart and what he picked!
It is an iron man helmet that talks and lights up. I think the 30 was well spent, he'll still need braces but that is ok. Now if we could just get his sister to give up her thumb. We tried the chart but she gave up and said maybe when I'm 16. I want them to do it on their own. So when she is ready we'll try again.

Graduation

Why is it that there is a trophy and graduation for everything now?

Anyway Kevin "graduated" his Moms Morning Out program this year.

Here are the pictures. Ed took them, while we were both juggling Anya and G. So they are not awesome.
Can you tell he's into pirates right now?
Here is the 3 of them, I really should have brought candy!


Oh well, congratulations Kevin! Now you can go to preschool next year!!

Main street

Just had to share this little gem.

We live in a cute town with a main street.

I was talking to Ed about Main street for some reason.
Kevin: Do Monsters live on Main street?
Me: What?
Kevin: Repeat of past question.
Me: Why would monsters live on Main street?
Kevin: Well they are mean and they should live on Mean street!!

Haha! I just thought it was too cute. Now Main street is Mean street where all the bad guys and mean people live.

Snow day

Today was a snow day. Our last big snow we were out of town, we got stuck in Atlanta to prove it. The first picture is the back yard, the bottom is the front yard. The pine trees are across the street in front of the neighbors house. They haven't plowed and I took the picture around noon.

Today we were home, the kids were disappointed we had to cancel our play dates, but we made up for it by playing pirates, all possible thanks to my need to mop the kitchen floor!

Kevin and Anya fighting on the plankApparently Kevin lost and had to walk the plank.



We also blew bubbles, made bread, and traced our bodies and colored them. Yes people it's only 2:00 p.m.
The kids are headed to watch a movie while I do some more sewing. I love Snow days, when they are far apart.
Jammies all day, warm food, and warm home. Maybe later we'll play in the snow. I don't actually like to go out in it so maybe tomorrow when Papa has off!

Christmas pageant

The kids got to take part in the Primary Christmas pageant at the ward party this year.
Kevin is not officially a sunbeam until Jan, but because our Primary is so small he has already given a talk and has gotten to be a shepherd!
How do I flip pictures

When I was pregnant with Anya and people would ask what I was having I would joke and say, "Hopefully not a dog!"
Anya has just recently discovered she is human. She was a dog for 3 years and the animals change by the minute. She was THRILLED when she got to be a donkey for the show!
The children did great!! It was a fun night had by all!

The BEST prayer ever

Last night I asked Kevin to say the prayer for dinner.

Wait.... back up..... I always have my Pandora radio on while I make dinner, etc.

Kevin starts praying and a louder more fun song comes on my computer, it was Rascal Flatts, Summer Nights.

He says, "Thank thee.......... for this rockin' music!" Then starts to do a little dance while in the middle of the prayer.

We were all controlling our laughter as much as we could. He ended it there. We were all laughing too hard.

Ed's religious views (according to me)

My husband is a gearhead, gasoline runs in his veins, he loves the smell of diesel in the morning.
Every time I hear this I think of him.


He is trying to convert his kids, and so far he is doing a wonderful job. Good thing I like them in the garage!

Everyone loves a real cowboy/girl

Getting dressed and ready to go....




Howdy ya'll

So excited, he loves horses

I however am terrified, but they made me ride, oh and I think I look fat so don't say anything about this picture. ;p
I love the serenity in this picture, I also think it is amazingly awesome that Michelle and the horse have the same color hair!
Oh and are you wondering what happened to L in all this....... oh she wouldn't go near them!

My favorite place

Is right here. " Little cabin in the woods....." (Can you hear it?)
It is my Grandmother's family's cabin, confusing I know.
It is peaceful, and quiet and blissful.

I have to admit I was a little disappointed you can get cell phone service there now.

This is the favorite part of the cabin, at least from all the kids.
The twin bed that swings on chains. I used to think it was the best, we used to BEG to sleep there at night. Now it makes me a little sick, I ended up on the couch. It was fun to see that my kids love it as much as I used to.

The following pictures are all from the neighbors yard, they have been there since I was a kid and are still safe, I don't know how they do it?! A little preface on the first 2 pictures. Kevin was SO EXITED to go on the zip line, I was ok with him doing it until I got up on the platform. I couldn't let him go. I almost cried, I was letting my baby go. But maybe now that I got it out of my system Kindergarten will be easier. And besides look at the joy on his face!
I love that Mal got this picture!



Don't worry there is no baby in that carrier!



Drumroll please for my favorite picture of that day....................






It still makes me laugh out loud!!

Quiet moments

Sometimes it's nice to just relax and take in some t.v.

The grotto

One thing about NJ is our hikes here, well frankly, suck! They are gravel paths!! So it was nice to go on an easy hike in UT with Randy, Mom, and Natalie to "the grotto"

It all felt a little playboy but more family appropriate, and I am assuming cold!

Utah

Our flight to Utah went well, I usually get very airsick and am proud to say I did great. I think an afternoon flight helped a ton. So did DVD player and push pops!

Little Helper

I guess this is what happens when you ask you kids to help you clean.

I don't think this counts but the thought was nice, he also conveniently used his sisters, not his!

Happy Halloween

For the actual day of Halloween the kids had the flu so here are the pre-Halloween festivities.
MOMS club trunk or treat
Vivian the princess, Anya the skunk, Marian the tree, and Kevin the monster.
Pumpkin patch field trip with school
Hailey, Jessica, Julia, Anya, and Aspen
The perfect pumpkin
The giant Pumpkin, in the middle of the patch. I am not sure who most of the kids are.