Trick or Treat 2012

Sorry so late folks!! Is it almost the middle of November already?!!! The kids had a blast as always. Rachel and Jacob, being the experts they are in the trick or treating game,  ran ahead of the pack. Drew was timid at first but quickly learned the right words : ) Matty just kept wondering why he couldn't go home and go to bed!!

Happy Halloween!!!

Tom Brady, "Snow White Fairy", Turtle, and Lion showed up on our doorstep ready for candy!!!

Not Polly!!!!! Noooooooo!

I love my kids' sense of humor.....this is what I found in our bathtub this morning.....yes, that is Polly Pocket being eaten by Megalodon. Don't think she made it out alive. 

Cutie Cutie

 Just adding a little cuteness to you day!!!  Matty MacGoo says Happy Monday!!!!

The New "Do"

We have been waiting....and waiting.....and waiting but the time finally arrived. Rachel's hair was long enough to donate to Locks of Love! She was so patient!!! Much more patient than a certain mama would have been. We are so proud of her!


Here is the before shot.....

and drum roll................

Ta Da!!

Yay! Doesn't it look good on her?  She's got great hair.......jealous mama. 

Grandparent's Breakfast

One of the things I love about the elementary school Rachel and Jacob attend is the Grandparent's Breakfast they do every year. The kids get sooooooo excited about bringing someone special to school. Thank you Grammy for making the day so special!!!! We love you!!!!

Holden Beach

Our summer came to a close at Holden Beach this year. We had a wonderful week with Papa, Grams, and Meghan! The weather was perfect, the beach beautiful, and we all had a blast!! 

Matthew LOVING the pool!

Relaxing with some TV time

Best Buddies

What's up?!

Despite a fever, Jacob was a trooper!

Rachel sunbathes as Andrew keeps the sharks away with his super duper water squirter!

Amazingly, no one fell into the shark tank!

Sandcastle contest----girls team with "Sea Turtle"

Boy's Team with their "Megalodon"

The Family minus Matthew who was keeping cool under the tent

Mama and Matty

Grams and Papa

Princess Rachel

Matty enjoying some time with his Daddy

Lounging by the pool

Happy 9th Anniversary!!

Andrew Olympics

The kids have really enjoyed watching the Olympics.....here Andrew does his own event......we call it the "100 meter Underwear Sprint"

Ready, Set

Go!

After a late night celebration for winning gold in his Underwear Sprint.....
Side note.....sleeping on your parent's couch in your underwear is cute when your two......not so much when you're in college ok Andrew? 

New Haircuts......

Oh how cute you say....the boys got new haircuts....until you find out why. Head lice, that's why. Lovely little critters that Rachel brought home. After two shampoo treatments and picking out nits for 2 weeks, I think we're lice free (is your head itching yet?) So needless to say, the boys got a buzz.

Best Buddies

 Matthew has a new favorite gal.....these two adore each other. It's actually quite awesome to see. Matty smiles at everything Rachel says and Rachel carries him around like a doll baby.  It is amazing to see Rachel so "grown up" with him. She's been a huge help from the beginning. I hope she feels the same way in 2 years when he's messing with her things!!!

Kure Beach 2012

Fourth of July week was filled with sun, sand, and fun for us this year. We had a great time at Kure beach along with our cousins, Uncles, Aunts, and even Grammy! The weather in Cary topped 106 degrees but we kept cool by the beach. The best part? Everyone actually slept! When you have 4 kids, that makes you do the happy dance.  We had such a good time, we think we'll go back next year! 

Thank you James, Jess, and Hayden for making the big trip!!!

Gracie, Jacob, and Rachel, ready for some fun!

Wow Daddy! Look at all that sand!!!

Hayden and her Daddy dodging some waves

The big men of the family

Goddess of the Sea

Surfin' Safari!

Emmy and the gals

This girl was made for the beach!

Daddy and Rachel watching 4th of July fireworks

Cheesy Grins

See, the kids haven't tied us up yet!

More Cheese

Gracie and Jacob looking for crabs

Boogie Boarding with Daddy

First Days of School

We had a great time at the beach this last week (which I will post about soon) but alas it is time to get back to "real life".  For us, that means the kids back to school. The kids had their first day today. Rachel had a great first day in second grade and Jacob marched off to kindergarten like a pro.  Poor little Andrew is very sad to have "Jajob" off to school, but at least he has Matty McGoo or  "Mannie Goo" as Andrew likes to call him. 

Rachel had a ton to chat about when she got home but this was the conversation I had with Jacob....

Me: Jacob, how was school? What did you do?...Million other questions... Did you make any friends?"

Jacob: Yep, a best friend

Me: What was his name?

Jacob: Ummmm, I forget

Me: ask ask ask another million questions.....

Jacob: Ummm mom, can I go play basketball? 

Rachel is ready to show Jake "the ropes"

Andrew is a little unsure of what it means for Jacob to "go to school"

"It's ok Andrew, I'll be back"

Did you notice we added a kid? We were lucky enough to have our cousin Hayden here for the first day of school!!!

Rachel,Jacob,Hayden, and Andrew all in their backpacks headed to the bus

I've never seen a kid get on the bus faster than Jacob did!