Sights and Sounds - It's back!

Sights and sounds is one of our favorite things over the holidays. It was cancelled last year because of Covid, so we were pumped to be back!

The whole crew joined in on the fun - Shorts, Gates, Devlins, Kasprzaks and Langs. 

The whole group - minus Emmy. They joined us a little later

When we got there, we went straight for Santa to stand our post because we didn't want to wait in a super long line. Turns out not many people line up an hour before Santa, so we were the first there! Stephen and I took turns riding the carousel with the boys and the guys went out to grab snacks while we waited.

Santa was a little late and the kids were getting pretty restless. They didn't eat much except for cotton candy so things were getting rowdy lol.

He's here! Santa's here! We had been talking with the boys about Santa for weeks. We practiced what we were going to tell Santa when he asks what they want for Christmas. They . were . pumped.

As our turn approached, Miles was ready to go. So ready he just pranced right up there and put on a huge smile for his photo with Santa. Carson? Well... Carson had change of heart. Like a cat being put in water... resisting with all his might. We didn't push it. He waived and told Santa (very softly) what he wanted for Christmas and we called it a win.

Total winner here. Such a cutie :)

After Santa, we played at the playground with the whole group, checked out the light displays, said a very quick hi and bye to the petting zoo (boys NOT a fan) and, of course, funnel cakes for the win. (You are correct - the kids had cotton candy and funnel cake for dinner). 

At this point, the boys were pooped. So we said bye to the big kids as they went to enjoy all the festival rides. We had a total blast and can't wait for next year when the boys will be big enough to ride a couple rides themselves. Movin on up!

ps. Don't worry. The boys ate apples and a PB&J on the way home. We're not THAT terrible. lol

Turkey Day!

Happy day from our turkeys! 

Chef Lia prepping some TGiving apps

"Caramel??? I want to help!!"

Loving this one. Such a great pic of all of them! My grandma just moved to Austin from Plano and is living just 5 minutes from my parents house. This was the first year in a long time that we spent Thanksgiving with her. Cheers to more holidays and family dinners to come.

The whole crew

Can't help but laugh

Miles:  "Mama, these are lizards. Poop lizards." [points to an object he made with his building toys]

Me:  "Oh, like dung beetles?" (he learned about those in a book and thought they were hilarious)

Miles:  "Yea! They eat bugs, then POOP, then eat flies, then POOP! Poop lizards." 

Carson:  "Yook! a EM!"  [pointing at his name]

Miles:  "No, you don't have a M in your name. IIII have a M in my name. Trust me. I 4"

Me:  "Hey Miles, who is your best friend?"

Miles:  "Carson... [smiles and gives a sweet hug to Carson]

*MELT*

[Me laying with Carson on the couch]

Carson:  "No Mama. Off me! You no baby. IIII baby. You too big."

Carson:  "My bai foooo!! See!" [pooches out belly and proceeds to pat it]  ('my belly full!')

                 "Mama - pu chits in my bai. CHITS IN MY BAI!" [runs to pantry]  ('Mama, put chips in my belly. CHIPS IN MY BELLY!')

I gave the boys pom poms to use on their crafts and instead of gluing them to their paper, they were playing with them. No big deal. But.... for the rest of the day all I hear Carson talking about is...

"No touch my BALLS!" "Oh no! My balls stuck!" "Yook at my baby balls Mama!" 

I'm sorry, but come on. You can't help but laugh...

Miles: "Mama - I don't like your dance. Turn it off!"

Carson:  "I eat my BRA-nana Mama!"

Carson:  *eating blueberries* "Tank you fo my BOOBIESSS!!"

Miles:  "Mama - these coconuts are HUGE!"

Me: "...... uh... those are acorns"

*Looking at a pic of a dinosaur*

Todd:  "Look it's a green turkey"

Carson:  "No Tata. No turkey. ROAR!"

Miles:  "Mama!!!!" *Comes to be all excited* "I have frenkles! I'm a BIG BOY with frennnnklllessss!"

Oh these boys. Gotta love em.

Jellystone 2021

We're BACK! After having to cancel last year, we were all so excited to return to Jellystone. 

Us and the Devlins combined efforts and rented the BIG house this time. 4 Beds, 3 Baths, a huge living area and a yard. It was a perfect hub since the Gates and Kasperzaks were in their campers. The dogs also enjoyed the space to run around without having to be on leash.

We were the first to arrive and scoped out the space before the Devlins got there. We set everything up and played outside until the rest of our crew arrived.

The Gates' camper was having trouble at their site. First they couldn't get over the preliminary hump so the ground crew had to bring boards. Just as we thought everything was okay, we realized the tree was too low and would hit their AC. So.... ground crew cut the tree. They finally made it in! 

Soon after, the Kasperzaks arrived. Pulled in with no trouble. Thought they were in the clear? Nope - later on in the weekend they realized there was a short in the plug and their camper was electrocuting them. I'd say our cabin choice was a good one here. ha!

Once everyone was in, we went off to the playground and played on the jumpy pillow. It was pretty dark so none of the photos turned out. But, the kids had a blast jumping and running with their glow necklaces.

The kids hit the sack and the adults enjoyed a nice night by the fire.

The next day we were all pumped to play! Started the day off with a group breakfast and then we were off.

Lia and Carson were buddies all weekend! Lia is an awesome big cousin and made sure he stayed safe the whole time. Thanks Lia!

Look at that tongue. lol

The scooter crew. So funny 

While the big kids played at the carnival, the youngsters took their turns decorating cookies compliments of Natalie. Delish

Miles' creation was... extra special...

I have a feeling this was the sugar crash we experienced later on

We all headed back, ate a quick dinner and got ready for the big event - trick or treating!

It was funny - none of the kids we saw knew who we were. But the adults? They loved it. Haha!

Beth was a stick man. So awesome!

The kids had a total ball running around collecting candy. The boys caught right on and went toe to toe with the bigger kids. Thank goodness for the glow sticks. 

Needless to say, all the kids were pooped and went right to bed. All of us adults relished in our last night.