Max's 3rd Birthday

Where has the time gone?  Max turned 3 on November 11!  My baby is no longer a baby and my heart broke slightly as I realized that he's only going to get bigger, older, and more independent.  He is such a sweet boy and has brought so much love into our house.  He still loves to play with my hair, he loves Mickey Mouse, Big Hero 6, and his best friend Josh.  He is a terrible eater and survives on cereal and ham sandwiches…he loves candy and apple cider…he is the best player ever, and will play independently for hours.  He loves trains, cars, puzzles, and play dough…and is a little OCD (thanks to me) he lines his cars up by color and character:) His favorite book is Thomas and the School Trip.  Max still ends up in bed with me most nights and I know that I will miss him when he grows out of that.

Due to the holiday all the kids were home to celebrate - so we opened present right after breakfast.  Max was a little overwhelmed by all the attention the older kids were giving him, but once he saw that there were gifts inside that wrapping paper - he loved it!

He wanted a Big Hero 6 cake so this is what we ended up with - simple and easy and I was good with that.

Max wanted to eat pizza for lunch but after getting his soda, drank his lunch instead - silly boy!

After Shawn got home we sang Happy Birthday and dove into the cake - Jack kind of stole Max's thunder by blowing out the candle before Max got a chance…Max couldn't figure out what had gone wrong!  We love you Max more than words or pictures could say!

Max loves music and this is a typical spot to find him - listening to "Booty Bus" or Budapest by George Ezra for the hundredth time!  (with a little bowl of candy)!

Veteran's Day Concert - Preview of Christmas Surprises

The 4th grade put on a concert to celebrate Veteran's Day.  They sang many patriotic songs recognizing each branch of the armed forces and had several veterans in the audience.  I don't know what it is about veteran's but I have a great love for men and women who have sacrificed so much for their country.  Everytime a new branch of the the armed forces would stand to be sang to and recognized tears rolled down my cheeks!  I'm a thankful for Veteran's Day where we are given a chance to recognize all those who fight to preserve freedom.

Sam got to post a picture of a veteran he knows - here he is with his great-grandpa Grant, who served in the Navy during WWII on a minesweeper.  We have heard many amazing stories and are grateful for his service.

Finally after much anticipation on my part - the Summers' family is going to put together a recreated moments calendar for their parents!  Here's a little practice session we had last night:)

Hard working Man

Sweet Sweet Shawn…bless his heart has been working so hard to finish up the yard!  He finally finished up this week; all the pipe is laid, now we just need to level and grade the dirt, and it will be primed for grass in the spring!  YAY! YAY! YAY!

It was a bigger project than he anticipated, but he did an amazing job, working into the night to get it done.  I'm so grateful for his hard work!

One of the reasons the lawn has been delayed was due to Shawn going to a surgical conference in Dallas. While he was gone Lyv found this leaf and wrote him this sweet note.  I think it was Cinderella inspired:)

Sweet Lyvie has become the receiver of Great Grandma Jeanne's affection!  Grandma sent her a special package in the mail a few weeks ago, so that she would have someone to play with as the only girl!  Grandma really has a spoiled Lyv the past year, and Lyv has a very special place in her heart for Grandma - which I'm so grateful for.  She'll remember her for the rest of her life, and hopefully grow to be like her wonderful namesake!

Halloween 2015

Oh Halloween!  Halloween is starting to tire me out!  This holiday feels like it is celebrated from 3 weeks!  Between school, church, dance, and friend parties we are officially Halloween-ed out!  Here's a little recap!

Jack and Lyv were my pumpkin carving troopers - we carved while Sam was at practice and each one designed and carved their own master pieces this year!

Jack - jack-o-latern; Mom - ghost

Lyv - spider; Max - "Max 2"; Sam - skull in flames

We had our traditional Halloween feast for family night - the menu this year served up Mummy Pizza, bloody fingers, Apple lips, witches brooms, Pumpkin veggie tray, and monster brain dip with Big Foot's toenails; and we washed it down with Sparkling Blood!!  Sounds delicious!

What would Halloween be without a sugar cookie decorating session?!! Not a Summers' family Halloween!  Our besties the Lancasters joined us for some sugary fun.

Last but not least the costumes:.. Lyv was a butterfly fairy princess,

Jack was Derek Jeter! Woot! Woot!

And Sam finished it off as Percy Jackson

4 children right?  I have four - but only three are pictured….Where is Max's costume you might ask??  Well the little goof ball picked out a Mario costume and then refused to wear it!  I begged him…please but this on and then people will give you candy!!  He called my bluff and wouldn't budge on the costume argument…and received a boat load of candy with just his sweet little face as encouragement enough!  Blast that boy!!

Lyv's Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

The Cottonwood Kindergartener's descended upon Thompson Farm in Naches for their fall field trip!  Pumpkins, Pumpkins, and more pumpkins!  What a fun, sunny day!  After bumping around on a tractor ride, they picked out their own pumpkin to take home, and then raced through a corn maze, watched a pig race, sat in awe at the pumpkin cannon, and played till they couldn't play anymore!  

Mr. Marshall's Kindergarten Class 2015-2016 - what a fun teacher Mr. Marshall is!  Lyv has had such a great experience in school and comes home laughing about something funny Mr. Marshall said or did that day!