4th of July

Collin looking all cute with his hat we got from NYC

This 4th of July kinda had lost its thunder for me before it had even begun, I was just not looking forward to celebrating when I didn't have my husband by my side, I know he is fighting for why we celebrate the 4th and all, but I just really was craving him, I just wanted him close on that day.  All in all, it turned out to be a fantastic day, thanks to friends and family.   First off, Amber had signed the boys up to march in the YMCA float for a parade over in Columbus (Karl Rd parade), which is not what I usually do, which is go to the Westerville parade, so I went with a bad attitude but ended up having a blast and enjoying the community feeling from the neighborhood and churches in the area serving cotton candy and popsicles (sugar does it for me apparently) afterward Amber and the kids and I jetted over to Westerville parade, getting our usual spot by Favoli's, we have claimed it for about 5 years now with the exception of last year when the parade was re-routed and we had to go to a new location, it was good to be back in my old spot with Amber and Rachael and my cute neice and nephews and then I had them and the Christoff's (minus Sophie who was sick) and the Laugheads over for a grill out and just playing games.  Most of the games were inside since it was so stinking hot (what a year not to open the pool...) anyway later in the evening we squeezed into a spot off at the side of a building and watched the fireworks which I don't usually do (1. because I hate the crowds of Red, White and Boom and 2. Josh usually does fireworks at the house for the kids and I) but it was a lot of fun and I loved the not so big crowds of the Westerville parade vs Columbus.  All in all, it was a good 4th, I just wished Josh was there to see it too.  It's one of my favorite holidays, especially with the pool and all the yummy summer food (watermelon...) and family and parades and fireworks, I mean really what's not to love.. 

Here's the boys the night before at Red, White and Boom with Amber 

 

Halloween

This year for Halloween we had a Green Lantern to protect us with his lantern ring, we had a Black Spiderman (not Venom and you would be corrected sternly by Spiderman too if you said that) and we had a Ninja that all of a sudden turned into an Army guy at the last moment. I felt well protected at the Boo at the Zoo

and at the trunk or treat at church



and at the Preserve, where I love to go each year because I have tons of friends that live in the subdivision and my kids always have to use the rest room at some point during trick or treating.

Cinco de Mayo

Cregan had a Cinco de Mayo party at school and had to give a presentation, well the whole class had to and Mrs. Dapoz told them to give them "with expression". That is NO problem for Cregan, he gave an outstanding and expressive presentation on the volcano in Mexico. Here is a copy of his talk

Paricutin Volcano

by Cregan Hughes

There was a farmer and his son working in the corn field.

When the farmer was almost done, the plow went into the earth.

The earth cracked.

The farmer and his son ran away.

A volcano was born. Lava and ash shot out of the volcano.

They call it "The Monster".

This happened in 1943.

Christmas cookies

This year, my friend Crystal invited me to her house to bake Christmas cookies. What a blast it was, we made Buckeyes, Peanut butter blossoms, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Toffee, dipped marshmallows, candy's and more candy's!!

We baked for about 6 hours, and I was sick of the smell of butter, but WOW, it made a lot of food!!

Turkey Trot update

Well, Thanksgiving was a cold, wet day and to be truthful I thought more than once of just rolling over in bed and pushing the snooze button. The boys wouldn't of allowed that though, they were SO pumped for the race. We got to the race and were all bundled up, me with my lightweight jacket, Sophie with 2 pairs of exercise pants and 4 shirts, plus gloves, hat and a jacket.... and we were all Benjayed (is that a word) up too, knees, and back were good to go..

The kids ran there race and then we ran (um, walked mostly) ours. We did pretty good time, Sophie came in right over 1 hour, and I was 1 hour 7 minutes. We both think we should take time off of that for the delayed starting that happens when you are in the back...

After the race, we went to Josh's mom and dad and had a fat laden, calorie extravagent meal with dessert's galore! It was a really fun day...

Because I am thrifty... some say cheap, but I say thrifty. I decided this year to run in the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot downtown instead of the Flying Feathers Four Miler that I ran in last year. Why you may ask?? Well let me tell you, the 4 miler is $40 per person, you get a shirt and a medal BUT in the Turkey trot you get the same for $35 PLUS your kids get to run for free and they get shirts and medals! Not isn't that a better deal, the only flaw with this plan was that I am going to have to run (let's face it walk) 5 miles.... YES, it's a 5 miler!!! I.am.going.to.DIE!!!

The pain will be worth it because I saved $35 - $5 for the difference of me, and the $10 registration per child for the 100 yard dash... again, I am so cheap, I mean thrifty!

Craft

Megan, Lexi and I made this really cute banner for Halloween this year. It was easier than expected and so fun. I love it! And can't wait to make a Give Thanks one for Thanksgiving!