First Snow of the Season

We ain't afraid of no stinkin' flu shots!!! The kids were so brave and so big (even though they did just get the flu mist and not the flu shot!)

First significant snow fall of the season.  Kids helped me shovel and we managed to take a few sled rides.  We've already made the record books for the season, coldest Tuesday since 1885.

Gator Gala

As I type these posts, I've come to realize that they are not as interesting as they once were.  We're not pregnant, we don't have babies that are meeting all their 1 year milestones that we're documenting with each new smile and step, and there is no difficult challenge or grave illness we are currently facing (thank God).  At this point, I feel our blog serves as a paper trail of pictures and memories that one day, I hope, our children will look forward to reading. I also know that my mother and father are one of about 100 people who do not have a Facebook account and this is a very easy way to communicate with them about their beloved grandchildren.  And as a side note, I hate having to check my grammar knowing that someone, somewhere is laughing at all my 6th grade grammatical errors.  

Our days now revolve around the school routine.  Helaina had her very first after school function last Friday, "The Gator Gala."  It is sponsored by the PTA and it was fantastic.  Basically it was as an indoor school carnival with a bounce house, games, face painting, nail painting, a live animal show and various fundraisers to raise money for the PTA.  I vividly remember a similar carnival held in Morgan's "small gym" when I was in elementary school and I had just as much fun as I did last Friday night with the kids!

The following day we celebrated our cousin Caden's 3rd birthday with a carnival themed birthday party!

The handsome birthday boy and the popcorn that he was very proud to make!

No carnival is complete without a clown!  Balloons and MORE face painting for the kids :)

Pinata fun followed by a late night sugar high!

A photo of a quiet moment of the two kids sitting together in Sunday school in the atrium.  We have had the best time together this year.  The kids and I arrive each Sunday about 9 am as I teach the class the kids attend.  We have class from 9:30 am to 10:30 am and then the kids and I hurry upstairs to find Dad for Liturgy.  Some Sundays we stay after Liturgy to host the bake sale and other Sundays we head home to spend quality family time together.  I certainly love our little family.    

Last Sunday, we celebrated the Baptism of Aiden Issa Rizkallah.  This handsome little cutie didn't even cry when he was put in the water.  And just a few days later, I had the pleasure of babysitting him too!

Spooktacular Halloween

The kids had a fantastic Halloween season.  The holiday fun lasted a few weeks and we enjoyed several activities together as a family.  The kids picked their own costumes this year as Randy and I enjoyed the buy one, get one free costume sale at Target :).  

The weekend prior to Halloween, Randy was out of town in Ohio at an implant CE course.  The kids and I attended a Halloween play, called Halloween soup.  The Marquis Theater is located in downtown Northville and is a theater especially designed for kids 3 and over.  Helaina and I have been enjoying their shows for a couple years and this was Zach's first trip.  Obviously, they liked the candy too!

 

The next evening, our friends hosted their annual Fall Fest, complete with pumpkin carving and a bonfire.

This year's version of Captain Hook.

Captain Hook and Princess Helaina at our church's annual trunk-n-treat.

After the trunk-n-treat, we stopped at Amo Basil's for a little more pumpkin carving fun.

Helaina's first Halloween party at school!  My parents were in town so I was able to volunteer.  It was a fun morning spent together with her teacher, friends, and other parents.

We had a busy weekend that consisted of basketball games, trick or treating in the snow, and our Grand Banquet at the church (which Randy did a fabulous job of emceeing)!  Sunday morning we had class in the atrium.  Just a few pictures of the kids learning about the Liturgical Colors and the Land of Palestine.

Pumpkins, Hay Rides, Corn Mazes-Oh My!

A few weeks ago, Helaina finished her soccer season.  Thank Goodness because it was cold out there!  Guess I'm not a true soccer mom after all :).  She received a medal and definitely improved each week.  She's not always excited about running, but she's starting to understand more of the game and she's already asking when she can sign up again.  

A few weeks ago, we had beautiful weather for painting pumpkins.  The little artist is hard at work!

A beautiful Saturday for Three Cedars Farm.

A night time hayride out to the corn maze.

Shaun and Whitney came to visit last weekend.  The four of us attended the Pearl Jam concert at Joe Louis Arena.  This was Randy and I's first concert in 7 years.  Pearl Jam puts on a fantastic show, three plus hours of music, no breaks, no opening act.  Just a night with Pearl Jam.

After work on Saturday, the kids and I drove out to Troy Gymnastics to celebrate Alina's 5th birthday.  Cannot believe how fast these kids are growing.  They are turning into little ladies and are the best of friends.

On Monday, Helaina started basketball.  She has one practice during the week and games on Saturdays.  Oh how good it felt to be back in a gym again.  Brings back so many memories.  Here's to making some more.

Poor Helaina learned what it meant when coach yells, "on the line!"

Our neighborhood started a tradition of "Booing" each other.  We got "booed" by a phantom friendly ghost that left a bucket full of goodies.  The next day it was our turn to "boo" a neighbor.  We put the basket of goodies on their doorstep, rang their doorbell, and ran as fast as we could back home, all the while hoping no one would see us.  The kids thought it was so much fun!

Our night of fun :)