Darth Days

Nate lost interest in Star Wars for a few months, but I found a Darth Vader shirt at Gap on clearance and bought it. It revived his interest and he couldn't wait to get home from school to put the cape on the back and wear his mask.

 Nate and Kate shooting at each other.

 Big brother probably bossing her around.

 Yep, she looks mad.

My Date with Nate

Nate and I went out for the day. Just the two of us. By request, we went to Fuddpucker's to play on the playground after we ate.

 He signed his name.

 Nate Dogg. You can't see it very good. I didn't have a marker.

 Back to climbing.

After we left we went to the beach playground. When we walked up this is what we saw. I wish I would have waited on my Christmas card picture now.

 We spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out at the beach.

 The water was a little chilly, but it felt so good up to our ankles.

We haven't been to the beach for a while so it was nice to get out there. It was perfect weather for just hanging out.

Of course, Nate didn't stay dry for long. He never does. He couldn't resist sitting down and playing in the sand.

 That just meant we had to stay and play for the rest of the day while his pants dried.

 He's come a long way from being that shy little kid who wouldn't dare try anything dangerous!

 I had to promise to bring him back next weekend to get him to leave.

 And a promise for an ice cream sundae afterwards, too!

Chaotic Christmas Card

Again this year, it was our intention to get a good family shot for Paw-Paw and Lady's Christmas card. Just remember when you receive their card we had the best of intentions. It's not easy getting four little ones, two dogs and not to mention six adults to cooperate for pictures. Part of the fun of the card, though, is remembering how fun and crazy the actual portrait taking was. At least for us it is. Recipients of the card are probably wondering what's wrong with us!

Joe and Ali.

Just hanging out.

Short term Florida family.

I like this one, but it's kind of dark.

Laura is instructed to just take pictures no matter what because we aren't capable of all standing still and looking at the camera. And someone pulled out their own camera and started taking pictures of the photographer? 

 This year I think we can place most of the blame on Nate for not coopering for pictures.

 There goes Allison. Not to mention Nate looks like a rodeo cowboy.

 Nate is about to break Mace's back.

Yep, it's a lost cause.

 I'm dangling Kathryn off the pier.

Steve had been drinking red wine all day long and I told him to go brush his teeth before we went out to take pictures, but he didn't. Now you know why even Mace's teeth look cleaner than Steve's.

 
Wrong side of Mace.

Nate is making a mean face because he hates pictures more than anything.

I finally noticed Nate was making a mean face from the beginning and I was caught yelling at him.

Then instead of a mean face, Nate is looking down because he's mad at me. This one ended up being the best one. Now you see all that went into getting this one shot!

A Very Thankful Thanksgiving

We celebrated another Florida style Thanksgiving this year. I've decided that's the best kind. Steve smoked a turkey, we baked a turkey and just hung out while we prepared the meal.

Nate with the bare minimum. Turkey, rolls and ketchup.

Nate and Kate saved this seat for Paw-Paw. They seriously would not allow anyone to even think about sitting there.

Allison was one of the biggest eaters of the day. She's a big fan of Thanksgiving.

With this beautiful weather you have to sit outside and enjoy Thanksgiving meal.

Mace waits patiently these kids to drop something.

It was so festive with the falling leaves.

The night before Thanksgiving, Paw-Paw and Steve put the trampoline up. We took it down in Alabama and never put it back up until now. Glad we did because that was a huge hit with everyone, young and "not as young."

Of course Joe gets on there and bounces the kids all over the place. He scared the girls off, but Nate decided to stay. Here he is flying though the air.

 Lexi was more child friendly.

 Lady was extremely child friendly. :-)

 Nate doesn't allow for any excuses. Even Paw-Paw had to take his turn bouncing Nate.

  Then Joe finally got his chance to go nuts on the trampoline without any kids.

I think it was his plan all along to scare the kids into rushing off the trampoline when they see him coming.

 He's just a big kid. Always has been.

Nate played 3DS while Allison hung out with him.

First Thanksgiving with Little Mack

 He stole Mace's bed. He definitely does not respect his doggie elders.

 Brothers.

Hope everyone else had a Thanksgiving filled with as much fun and excitement as this one! We have a lot to be thankful for!