Thanksgiving - Destin 2014

We had a great time in Destin, FL this past week spending the week with friends of ours from Dallas.  We did this in 2011 and were looking forward to doing it again.

We left Saturday morning for the 9 hour drive with a VERY loaded car. Because we did this before, we were prepared and knew better what to bring this time.  Plus, we needed to include snacks and lot of entertainment for Collin during the drive.  He actually did really well on the way there not asking too many times (until the last hour) "how much longer?"  We stopped a few times to get gas, to eat and to stretch our legs.  Because Collin was interested in knowing what state we were in, we did also  stop to take pictures in front of the state line sign. 

Collin is set for the ride with cards, colored pencils and paper, games and iPad to watch movies

Trying to get a good picture of us on the way.  Fine......

......this is what I think of him messing the picture up

Collin was excited to be in another state

He liked MS because of all of the S's in the state name

We did finally arrive at 9pm Saturday night.  Collin immediately wanted to know when we could go to the beach.

The next day, it rained on and off most of the day.  Collin did not care and wanted to go to the beach with Justin.  I went when them for a little while but thought they were crazy because it was COLD (55 degrees) and I could not believe they wanted to get in the water.  For the 45 minutes we were outside Sunday, they had a great time. 

The next day, we spent the entire day on the beach.  Collin and Justin barely came out of the water - only to get a snack or use the bathroom.  The rest of the time, they were surfing and playing on the waves.  Collin did great learning to ride the waves.  I loved watching him and especially seeing the huge smile on his face.  The other days on the beach were about the same except the boys did spend more time playing in the sand.  We also played a lot of beach volleyball and soccer.  I sure did get a leg work out every day doing that with the kids. 

Doesn't he look like he is up to no good?  He just finished burying my feet under the beautiful white sand.

One of the few times he was still enough for a picture in the water

Focused on the next wave



"Get out of my chair!"

He loved being buried in the sand

Showing me what I looked like...copying me reading a book

I wonder what he is thinking.  He did ask what was on the other side of the water.  Maybe he was trying to look for it.

On the rainy day during the week, we went to lunch.  Then, the boys went to see two movies while the girls went...shopping!  I really did try to find some things to buy but did not end up with much but enjoyed the time out with the girls.

We did have our Thanksgiving meal at the condo.  I cooked the turkey using Grandma H's recipe and turkey roasting pan I brought with us.  I am sure she was happy to see that she was part of our Thanksgiving celebration even though she was not there.  Can't beat the view during the breaks from cooking.

I did get to relax and read three books (from Grandma H's collection) during the trip.  I also ran along the beach either in the morning or evening several times.  I ran slower than I wanted to because of a recent groin injury.  I was not disappointed though because I could not beat the view. 

One evening right before sunset, Collin and I ran out to catch the sunset.  It was BEAUTIFUL most of the nights so I wanted to get a few pictures to remember it.

On the morning we were packed and ready to go, we ran to the beach to get a few family pictures.

Here is the entire crew!

Thunder Soccer - Championship Week

 The Thunder made it to the playoffs.  The games are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evening and then Saturday morning.  Because the Thunder is undefeated so far, we assume that the boys will make it through the first two games or so.

Tonight, they played the Bull Dogs.  They were also undefeated so we thought it was going to be a close game.  Because the temperature was 48 degrees (which is REALLY cold for November), I was bundled up and ready for a good game.  The Thunder scored three goals within the first quarter.  Well, maybe this will not be as close of a game as I thought.  Our boys were passing and talking to each other...playing really well as a team.  Collin played defender and was responsible for the left side of the field.  He really waned to run all over and be near the ball.  The coach kept reminding him of his responsibility and he did finally get it.  He blocked the ball from getting in the goal and few times and was key in blocking the ball during a goal kick.  Maybe it was the time of the night, but he did get distracted a few times and was talking to his team members.  The coach saw this and had him sit out more than he usually does.  We thought this was good for him and talked to him about it after the game was over.

The Thunder did win 7-0.  Fantastic game.  They are ready for Thursday night.  I am too,  The weather should be warmer at 65 degrees.  That makes me happy.  :)

Farmer Collin?

Collin has been in a drawing mood lately.  After homework or when he comes home from school, he asks for his markers and paper to draw.  He draws the same thing every time....a barn with mountains the background, a feed silo and animals.  I ask him why he is really interested in drawing the barns so many times.  He said he likes to draw them but could not explain it further.  He has drawn at least 6-7 of these in the last two weeks.

Here is a sample:

I love the details of the horse peeking out of the barn and the variety of the mountains, the barn door and even the window above the door.

Aunt Nancy... and Lots of Food

Aunt Nancy is in town for the week. She came over to our house Friday afternoon to join the extended family for dinner and spend the night. Other than Paul, all of us met at a local steakhouse restaurant. Most of us had never been before and were very impressed with the place. The kids were delighted to see all of the Christmas decorations. I thought we had stepped into a ski lodge during Christmas.  There were large nutcrackers, Christmas lights, and holly all around. Timmy squealed when he saw the fireplace lit. The kids sat in front of it while we waited for our table. Everyone really enjoyed their meal including Collin with his massive hamburger. Afterwards, Mimi and Aunt Nancy came back to our house to spend the night.  Collin was so excited to have both of his favorite "grandma's" at our house. He slept with Aunt Nancy in the guestroom while Mimi slept in one of the bunkbeds.

The next morning, we went to Collin's favorite donut place. He insisted we go. Mimi it Nancy were surprised to see him eat a chocolate glazed donut, a regular glazed donut, and two bags of donut holes. He did share the third bag of donut holes...which just meant he was not hungry anymore.  We then met Daddy at a local toy store to start our Christmas shopping. The store was going out of business and Daddy was there to help the owner out. Mimi then head home while Nancy, Collin and I went to his soccer practice. Because it was 45 degrees outside, Nancy and I sat in the car facing the fields while Collin was happy to be outside playing soccer.  He even wanted to play after practice was over.

That night, we met the family again, this time including Paul, at a French restaurant for Dustin's birthday. He really likes the place and was excited for all of us to be there. I was surprised to see how much Timmy ate because he didn't eat anything the night before. Collin enjoyed eating his chicken tenders and then playing with his cousins. Later, while the bill was being paid, I went next-door with the kids to get some ice cream. They had fun pouring the ice cream into the cup and then selecting toppings. Even though they didn't eat but half of it, they still had fun with each other.  There was no way I was going to eat the rest of any of their ice cream creation because the collection of toppings was unusual.

Nancy went back with Mimi to her house and we came home. 

Leah, Nancy and Collin.  I am surprised she was able to eat her dinner.  The kids wanted to be by her side most of the night.

Timmy and Collin are so bored.  This was right before I took them for ice cream.

Tyson LOVED chewing on Uncle Chris's finger.  It was hilarious to watch how he attacked the finger.

Cotton Candy anyone?  The restaurant brought this out while we sang to Dustin.

Never seen sparklers in a restaurant before.  Really fun!

The kids and some "scream"!

Teeth #4 and #5 - Gone!!!

During a break at school today, Collin's Pre-K teacher's aide, Ms Barnes, pulled one of Collin's front teeth. She was going to try today because she asked for him to come see her. It happened fast and at least one tooth was gone. He went again later, and she pulled the other tooth. One of his friends, Brody, went with him. Brody told Collin that Ms Barnes pulled at least two of his teeth.  Collin does not like being left out so I am sure hearing this encouraged him even more to go see her.

When he came home, he called me to ask where the tooth fairy pillow was and the book. He wanted the book to remember the rules for putting the teeth out for the fairy. He said he remembered one of them, "wash the blood off the teeth."  Figures he would remember that one!

Wonder how much money the fairy will leave tonight?

Excited about the tooth fairy coming tonight

See them?  His permanent teeth already coming in

Butler Collin

Colin still likes to clean and be helpful around the house only when it's not cleaning his room or putting his toys away. Before and after the football party Saturday, Collin helped us clean the house.  Well, is a version of helping and what he wanted to clean. He pulled out a duster and started dusting the table and all of the furniture. He then wanted to dust the kitchen island and counters. I tried to explain that wasn't necessary and he was fine with my exclamation. I turned around and saw him dusting each step of our stairs leading to his game room. He saw me and said, "it's like I'm a Butler for the family. I like being the Butler. Aren't I doing a good job?"  Daddy was in the room and heard his comments. Neither one of us have ever used the term Butler so we have no idea where he got it from. I did have to applaud him for using it correctly and his sentence. :). I just responded saying he was doing a great job and how helpful he was. He quit dusting and went outside to sweep the front porch area. What a difference it really made!  Other than needing help with the dustpan, he really did do a good job.

After he finished, he did let me know what cleaning supplies he needs in order to clean the rest of the house. We needed more "spray stuff for the windows" and "colored sponges".

Two Front Teeth...Get Ready Tooth Fairy!

Collin's two front teeth have been loose for at least the last month. We didn't think it would take so long to finally get to the stage to where they're barely hanging in there. The back part of the tooth is not touching the gum anymore and they're only hanging on by the front part. He is so excited about losing them but does not want us to help him pull them. It doesn't matter to him that he barely eats unless he's chewing on one side of his mouth because the loose teeth are in the way. He said he is okay with that.

Last night, we showed him different videos of kids getting their teeth pulled. He actually had said he was ready for us to help them do it until it got to the point of standing there with the dental floss ready to tied around his teeth. Actually don't blame him. I couldn't do that when I was a kid either. I really want them to fall out on their own, but Daddy is ready to pull them. I would rather Collin chew on some candy or something sticky and have them fall out that way.

Daddy posted a question about how to pull the teeth on Facebook. One of Collin's prior schoolteachers saw the post and said send him to see her during school today. Wonder if he will come home without his two front teeth?  Darn, I should have taken a picture last night before they are gone.

Last Football Game and .... Party!

The boys played hard during their last game of the season but still lost.  Collin did not end up getting any flags but did not seem disappointed in that.  He was more interested in knowing how many the other boys got.  They finished the season 1- 7. 

Even though the boys did not have a great record, we wanted to through a party anyway and give the coaches gifts for hanging with them the entire season.  Daddy thought it would be a great idea to have the party at our house.  Yes, 21 kids and 17 adults fit in the house and the backyard.  We heated the pool and the boys had a great time for two hours swimming and squirting the water guns at each other....and sometimes the parents.  We served pizza which they did not stop long for.  Most of the boys did not want to leave when it was time to go.  Towards the end, we handed each coach a football signed by all of the boys and a $50 gift card to a local restaurant.