Thankful for Grandma

It's November and Thanksgiving is on the way.  Today I am Thankful for my Mom (who is such a wonderful Grandma!) and the cooler temperatures which makes it finally feel like Fall.

Happy Halloween - 2012

The above picture may be one of my all time favorites, 

with the flying whip and the block of gold.

Brody knew exactly who he wanted to dress up as 

this Halloween...  Indiana Jones!  

Caleb's Darth Mall had also been planned for months, 

but Asher chose to be a ninja on Halloween Day 

leaving his Captain America costume and shield at home.

Though once we arrived at our friends' home 

and found their two boys dressed as ninjas too, 

Caleb lost the mask and joined their Ninja ranks.

Photo Fundraisers

More Fall Photos - 2012

Pumpkin Patch 2012

Will these three boys ever tire of the Pumpkin Patch?

The only difference this year to years past is that Caleb (8)

finally admitted he was too big for the little pony ride.

However, I could see the disappointment 

in his eyes.

Seven and in Heaven

It is very difficult to not over-give our middle-est on his birthday.  His love language is toys... receiving them, playing with them, sharing them with his mom, dad, brothers, and Grandparents.  His brothers loving opening toys and maybe even playing with them, but Brody lives with his toys and loves them as friends and companions.  Add to that the incredible response good presents illicit and you've got yourself the perfect child to over-buy for!

Tonight I found him drifting off to sleep, with heavy eyelids not quite yet closed.  He was looking at the boxes of Lego sets stacked on his bedside table.  When he looked up at me he asked in a very happy yet sleepy voice, "Are both the Ninjago motorcycles from Daddy?"

"Yes."

It reminded me of these two pictures from his birthday last year.

I'm not sure he could have fit in his Daddy's arms this year, he's grown so much.  But at 7 he still delights in his Star Wars and Legos.  And he still delights in us.

Another similarity between this year and birthdays past is that Brody shared his birthday party with his best friend Everett again this year.  The last two years the boys had a joint birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese' and this year they both invited friends to our home.

This was the picture we used on their invitation.

And here's the picture of Brody and Everett yesterday as they both celebrated their 7th birthdays!