Stacie R U ready for us?? Boston by storm

Columbus day weekend and NO soccer!!  Yeah our weekend is free.  My sister though of coming out to have a fun weekend together, but her girls had soccer.  So.....  

We decided to make it an adventure and go out to her.  My sister would LOVE to host us all - yet the home they have in N Attleboro might get a little crazy.  They bought it before they were married with the thought of remodeling it and moving on - but than life takes over and in 10 years you blink and have 3 kiddos and are still in the same house!!  Its a cute house that they share with their closest friends that truly are family - Woody and Michele. -They offered to let Chris and I stay on their side if we didn't want to tent camp (offer accepted!!)  My sister's one bathroom makes it tricky when you are about to have 10 people in it!!  Chris was up there 2 days prior to a Tyco Value class, so Friday afternoon I packed up the tent and headed to Massachusetts!

I know my sister would love having us and rather enjoys the chaos that we all seem to bring.    She is an amazing person!!  Friday we rolling in just as the rain started.  Bummer - no tent!  She had a wonderful Lasagna waiting for us and the kiddos enjoyed being together.  

Saturday morning they headed to their soccer game while we decided to hit Boston on an exploring adventure - first stop, totally unplanned, the home that Chris's father Wyland was raised it.  

WE got out to take photos and as luck would have it, they were currently renovating it.  I was DYING to get in, but the double parked streets and flurry of activity prevented that - so we settled for chatting with the contractor and snapping a quick photo.

I quick shot of Mass General too - 

Now onto the Freedom trail.  One step at a time.

The house of Paul Rever

Of course there is a Patriots flag hanging in about every view.

Boston is such a beautiful classic New England city with History at every turn.

A Patriot with a Patriot

We asked around for a great pizza spot and managed to find one with a kids table, TV

An adult table with Beer

And Darion!!

Our good friends from Stuttgart - their son is a Freshman at Berkley in Boston.  He is a VERY accomplished musician (already!)  and the first of our friends to be in College - I sent him a text saying we would buy him Pizza and Ice cream if he wanted to hang out with us for the afternoon.  Done - !  He managed to link up with us!

My sister even linked up with us after her soccer games!  Pizza in the park!

Yes, everything is a juggle gym. - even historic Anchors

We walked the freedom trail and even made it across the bridge to the US Constitution 

down to the belly of the ship

would someone please put their head in the cannon??

Impressive crew on the streets of Boston.

We ended the day on the new Green space that once was highway.  The kids tackled and ran while we soaked it in and got ready to head out.

World class dinner Stosh!

Drew and Shane even got to extend their birthday celebration with their cousins.

The boys slept in the tent that night after we had a campfire and s'mores - I opted for the coziness of Woody and Michele's spare room =)  Wise choice!  A motor cycle actually woke my crew at 6:30 in the mooning.  Crazy to wake up to the sounds of you kiddos running through the back yard. Oh the joys of camping.

Next step - to soak in the beautiful Fall day and a hike.  Jackson is so super cute as he follows his big cousins moves (not always his best idea)

Along the hike we ran into a BEAUTIFUL German Shepard named Max - Nick was thrilled to snag a photo with him.

The view of Boston from the top of the hike

2 peas in a pod - ah, the youngest

anyone for a family photo?

I feel like my sister and I hadn't had a photo of just us in a while - long over due - who cares if you haven't showered!  Oh Oh, the journey our lives, our relationships our families - sisters always and forever.

The hike went a little longer than originally anticipated, maybe our legs, maybe the direction, maybe we just aren't as fast as we once thought we were.  

This lovely lady opened her house to us that afternoon too.  She is a beautiful pregnant momma of twin boys!  Jill - a almost sister to us as we all kinds grew up together forever linked by some easter bunnies.  Love this photo of her as I would imagine she doesn't sit often, but clearly should!!

Mia is their daughter and an absolutely cutie - at the moment she is also an only child.  Imagine how her world gets rocked when we roll up with 6!!  Thanks to MIA for opening her house to us!

Thanks Jill of finishing off a beautiful weekend in the Boston Area - its about the friends, the relationships and the journey we are all on.

Now take care of those 2 little ones in there - rest while you still can!

Beautiful momma!!

A boy and his dog

Lately Nick has slowed down just a bit and starts to notice other things - for one, his dog.  Pauli has really always been there - always willing to play, like, love - but I can't say they always have time.  I love catching Nick making the time for his old dog.

I love how Pauli looks when you know she feels the love.

nothing sweeter

Drew Turns 4

So he does it, he turns 4

He got to wear Tate's 4 shirt (and even got a call from Tate that morning!)  Tate wore this shirt and I remember HIM being the big kid - since when did Drew turn into the big kid??  Well here is the little guy.

For his birthday I get to spend the morning in his classroom helping with life - THANKFULLY my mom helped by cooking the worlds most AMAZING banana break muffins.  The kiddos DEVOURED them.  Every single one.  Asking for MORE!  Thank you for OMA SUE.

See, just like that.  I am going to guess she used all the butter recommended in the recipe.  

Such a sweet morning in his class.

A little family dinner with some gift opening (and photo bombing)

IT was So warm outside we did a non traditional birthday dessert - SMORE's!

Nice choice Drew!

Happy Birthday you Q-T Pie!

Reading too?  Geresh, not yet!!

The next day he had his birthday party and seriously it was a BEAUTIFUL day.  I picked Charlie and Drew up from Children's Center and they were over the moon for their birthday date.

We went to the Matterhorn for a little golfing. - Looks organized right?!?

How about this photo - no i didn't ask them to pose, I was actually frightened to take my camera out for a photo.  I am VERY impressed they didn't hit each other.

Being Thursday at noon - we had the place to ourselves - THANKFULLY - but I kept encouraging them to SLOW down, play that hole again, take your time (all things I am sure I will say the REST of my life)  yet do they listen - does any kid listen - nope, they blew right through every hole, excited to see and experience what is next.

Look at those faces

posing with one of the many goats.

A favorite photo of 3 years ago...clearly he was in a rush to get UP the stairs.

and in a rush to open all his gifts.

It was master truck mania - 

clearly they know Drew all to well.

Thanks to his buddies for spending the afternoon with him.  Charlie is a sweet child and good buddy of Drew's at school - I say they share the same brain and have even worn the same shirt or pants on the same day without planning it (as if anything is planned in their wardrobe)   -  Jordan, Alex, Luke and Same all met Drew at a indoor soccer program - a program I signed Drew up for last year when I needed 'space' from him.  I ended up really liking the moms and how our different lives have come together through our kids.  Since than the facility is no longer offering those classes, but we have kept up truly to get together when we can.  Thankful for the friends that come into your life for reasons you just may not know.

Happy Birthday Drew - I too really enjoyed your day and the time with your buddies.  Love you

Boo - The mall =)

Getting into the 'booing' tradition.  We put some hats on and were total stealth as we walked down to our neighbors (who at 7pm on a Tuesday night were having a Bonfire!  Seriously?!?!)  Consider the Boo passed along!

Broken iPhone screen = trip to the Apple Store (in the MALL - yuck!)  filled with stuff they make you think you need, but I have to remind myself - I have NO NEED for any of it 

- except for this - 

the ride on the escalator with Drew - priceless.  He could have done this for hours!

Before he turns 4

Sometimes without me even realizing, this kid takes my breathe away.  He really is growing up fast.  Striving, learning, watching, growing.  There really is something to be said about who you are as a result of your birth order as I see it every day.  Drew will not be out done, he will not be told he is too young.  He will achieve. 

I walked up to grab him at the Children's Center and here is he literally SOARING on the swing set.  I was absolutely amazed.  Simple childhood skill - 

Done

That same day - he pulled out a learning coloring book during quiet time - cut all the squares, countered, and matched them.

Something about this one afternoon made me really sit and look at Drew - There really is a lot going on for this kiddo - he  is a keeper.

Love him

Sunday Sunday Sunday

The rain cleared and the birthday was over - it was time for a chill family Sunday.  Seeing these boys curled up on the couch tighter truly warmed my heart.  He really is one awesome dad.

He just needs a beer every now and than

We forget how awesome collinsville it - we need to get out there more.

Shane Turns 6

5 is literally my favorite age - they are so sweet, un-jaded and so willing to please.  That is my shane.  Lets see how 6 treats us.  Shane's first task was to make his own birthday cake!  Can you believe that.  Her loved every minute of filling it with marshmallows, grumpy worms, chocolate chips - yum!

Here he is - special day.  He chose a book (ninjago) for me to read in class.  Something about having his birthday on Friday made it extra special

look at all this loot.

Of the man sweet gifts - I loved the gift of Belle from Tate and Macy - 

Ready for some more swimming?

One mature looking guy.  We have always said Shane and my dad have some resemblance - agreed!

happy Birthday Shane Roo!! To a kind soul who is striving more than I imaged.  Keeping up, learning, writing, exposing, figuring out this game of life - and loving every bit along the way.

That night it poured and poured and poured.  I remember exactly one year ago it did the same thing and we had planned an out door wipe out course - RAINED OUT.  This year, we planned an indoor gymnastics - NAILED IT!  Rainy day - i see you and raise you some indoor fun.

Happy kiddo here!

Here are his buddies to celebrate with!

A little festive fun

And of course the yummy Shane made cake.

Nice hats nick

Questionable idea on the noise makers...

if you give them ice cream they put down the noise makers....  

Shane felt the love all day and came home literally exhausted!  happy birthday buddy!  Love you so very very very much.