Halloween. . .

I'm breaking all the rules and going out of order, but these Halloween pictures have been begging for attention! 

Zach designed his own costume and Rob helped him build it:

Zach knew exactly what he wanted and Rob (mostly) saw his vision and helped him create it:

It turned out great but we didn't anticipate the time it would take to get him ready to haunt the neighborhood. . .

In the meantime, the other Trick-or-Treaters waited (mostly) patiently. . .

It was a LONG wait. . .

The others finally gave up and headed out to gather candy knowing that we would catch up with them eventually. . .

 

Finally, the monster was created. . .

They were proud of the finished product.  Well worth the effort. . .

Unfortunately, Max was not quite as impressed.  He was skeered.  With good reason.  The girls knew exactly who was inside this scary mask but they were still a little bit freaked out by it. . .

 

Zach ended up taking the costume back off roughly 30 minutes after putting it on but then he had the opportunity to walk through Megan's neighborhood in the dark later in the evening. . .

 

In the short amount of time he was in costume, his work was rewarded with screams, camera phone photos, frightened children and, best of all, this comment from a 30-something dad: "That is the most awesome costume I have EVER seen."  It was a Halloween to remember. . . . .

Baker Thanksgiving. . .

So many pictures, so little time.  I miss blogging.  With the holidays and birthdays all coming at once, I'm hoping to at least put up the pictures.  This first set is from our Thanksgiving celebration with the Bakers. . . . .

 

For some reason, most of my pictures are of Max and Gloria. . .

 

Here's proof that there were other people at the party!!!

Gloria and McKenna have such a sweet friendship!!

(Gloria had fun editing these photos of her on the tramp. . . )

Zach and Max are pretty sweet together, too. . .

Love this one:

It's tradition to set up Grandma's and Grandpa's Christmas tree on the day we celebrate Thanksgiving which is usually the Saturday before Thanksgiving. . .

 All of the kids pitch in. . .

This is a VERY important photo.  It has always been Tony's responsibility to teach the cousins how to tie their shoes.  He has a bunny-through-the-hole story that REALLY works.  Zach would probably still need velcro on his tennis shoes if it weren't for Tony all those years ago . . .

Good reminders that I have MUCH to be thankful for. . .

Bieber Birthday. . .

In case it hasn't been obvious, Gloria has a bit of a crush on Justin Bieber.  Our birthdays are just 6 days apart and December is busy. . . so. . . We shared a birthday party!  A Bieber Birthday Party. . .

Bieber doesn't do much for me but the LOTR action figure set I received from Dick and Jeanie made up for it!!

  

And, of course, it wouldn't be my birthday if someone didn't get me a few rolls of TP.  I'm just practical that way.  I also received TIDE Pods.  VERY exciting.  Seriously.

Max was a big help with opening our gifts. . .

And he's pretty lucky to have two uncles who love him. . .

Rob gave him a piggy back ride which is just what Uncles do, right?

The funny thing is, Max insisted on Rob taking a turn, too. . .

He's pretty much the sweetest little boy.  Ever. . .

 

 

I'll end this post with a riddle:  What's better than getting Justin Bieber for your birthday?? 

 

Wait for it. . .

 

 

 

 

 

Getting TWO Justin Biebers for your birthday, of course!!!!

 

HA!

 

Max and McKenna. . .

I snapped a few quick shots of these two cute kiddos a couple of weeks before Christmas.  They are just so darn photogenic!!

I'm thankful for the times I get to spend with these sweet kids and for the friendship they have with my sweet kids!!