WILL AND NOAH ARE 4 TODAY!!! We celebrated with ANOTHER cake last night since Grandma Pat and Pop-Pop Bob would not be here for their real birthday evening. They also took some cookies to school to celebrate with their class. They really dig their Ninja Turtle sword and bo staff! The sound effects are a big hit. Tonight they are watching Polar Express since the weather is just clearing up after two days of rain!

SATURDAY...
After leaving Valrico, we stopped at Downtown Disney. The boys had fun playing in all the cool stores (Lego store and the toy store). We ate outside at the Rainforest Cafe and enjoyed a view of the water along with the perfect weather. Will met his new best friend, Snakey Verdi. He is currently wrapped around Will keeping him cozy and warm in bed. Don't worry, it's a stuffed snake.

We were all pretty much exhausted after the long day. Chris, his dad, Will, and Ethan hung out at home. Chris' mom, my mom, Noah, and I went to the Canal Street Holiday Stroll. Canal Street is a street with locally owned speciality shops. Noah insisted on going but wanted to leave just as soon as we got there. I suppose he wasn't into the antique shops, furniture shops, and boutiques. He was happy with the few candy canes, cookies, candy, and hot chocolate that he got treated to during the stroll! He also liked the harpist that was playing on the street.

Here are a few pictures from Disney and a picture of Noah and Grandma at the Canal Street Holiday stroll.

FRIDAY...

We met Chris for lunch at Panera. Poor Chris had to work! After Chris got home we immediately left for Brandon, FL (Tampa). We spent the night at a hotel so we could wake up early to bring the boys to meet their Great Grandparents for the first time. They were also able to visit with Jennifer again. Grandma and Grandpa Covney looked great and seemed to be in good spirits. Jennifer looked incredible! We all enjoyed our visit to Valrico even though it was all too short. I don't have any pictures of the boys with their great grandparents but will post some soon. The pictures posted are of the boys at the hotel.

THANKSGIVING DAY...

Well, I'm a little behind. We have been so busy I have been neglecting the blog. Grandma Ann woke up early and cooked a very delicious dinner! I think it may have been her best yet. The boys watched the parade and watched Grandma cook. They actually were really into the parade this year.

At noonish Grandma Pat and Pop-Pop Bob arrived. Shortly after they arrived we went on a little hike at Spruce Creek Park. They boys also worked in a little playground time.

When we got home it was time to eat! The weather was perfect so we ate outside by the pool. The boys had made a pumpkin pie the day before so we ate that for dessert.

The boys celebrated Thanksgiving at school today. Grandma Ann went to both celebrations! Ethan was very excited that Grandma visited his classroom. Ethan's teacher, Mrs. Walton, made Grandma feel very welcome. They sang several Thanksgiving songs as well as I'm Proud to be an American. Will and Noah had a Thankgiving feast at their school. Will was dancing and singing songs with his friend Hanah and Noah looks a bit overwhelmed by his plate!

Ethan got his new karate belt today. He was so tired during class that he kept rubbing his eyes. Will and Noah didn't have a nap at school today so they were exhausted as well. They all were fast asleep by 7:30 tonight. Ethan's last words were, "Woohoo, tomorrow is like Friday!" I share the same enthusiasm!!

More pics from the party...

Will and Noah had a blast at their birthday party. The kids seemed to have fun dressing like pirates. They are currently filtering through all of their new toys. Their friends Emma, Paige, Sophia, Aaron, Kalley, John & Christian came. Of course their were some parents here as well, Mike, Melissa, Bobbie, Katie, Tony, Jodie, and the parents-to-be, Christie and RJ. I'm sure Christie and RJ will have more fun at these events when they are chasing one of their own around next year! I know it means a lot to Will and Noah that they suffered through it though.

The boys are excited about Grandma Pat and Pop-Pop Bob's visit. They leave for Florida tonight but won't arrive to our house until later in the week. We still have two school days to make it through.

Big excitement... Grandma Ann arrives tonight! I'll be leaving in a few minutes to go pick her up. We are hitting the Orlando outlets before coming home so the boys won't actually get to see her until they wake up in the morning. I'm sure they won't be happy since they'll have to rush out the door for school right after seeing her!

Ethan's belt graduation is on Monday. He tested for it yesterday and did awesome. Monday he'll break his board and get the belt. He's very excited about that. Will & Noah are obviously ecstatic that their birthday party is on Saturday. When I picked them up today they were telling all the kids that they were going to be four soon! Big men on campus I suppose!

More dressing up...

Today Ethan went to his friend Pamela's 6th birthday party. Her party was at the bowling alley and he loads of fun. He even got a strike! Chris set up the moon bounce for Will and Noah so they could have some fun while we were gone. After dinner and a walk the boys relaxed in the spa with Chris.

Will & Noah got their birthday present early. Their party is this coming Saturday and we didn't want them opening all of their dress-up stuff at the party. We knew that everyone would then want to dress-up instead of party! The boys go to the Eagney's and dress-up in the girls dress-up stuff so I thought we'd make them a boy's dress-up trunk. They love it.

The boys had a blast at their friend Christian's birthday party. Chris will have to step it up a notch in the game department for next week (Will & Noah's party). Tony, Christian's dad, had tons of fun games for the kids to play.

I had fun watching Emma and Paige at the Princess Club. They had a spa set up so they got manicures, pedicures, facials, and make-up. Paige wasn't quite sure what to think but Emma had a blast. Paige was more interested in the marshmallows than the spa treatments. She did let me paint her nails and toes as promised!

Last night we went to Chris' soccer game. The boys had fun cheering Chris on. Ethan finally saw Chris score a goal. Not that this is Chris' first goal of the season, but he was finally paying attention and caught it. He was running up to everyone, "My daddy got a goal, my daddy got a goal." It was rather funny. The boys had fun racing the Eagney girls. I enjoyed the trip home when we got to stop at Moe's for take-out. Yummy!

This afternoon Will and Noah have a birthday party. Their friend Christian is turning three. Ethan is friends with Christian's older brother so he was also invited. The weather is perfect so they should have a good time. The park the party is at is known for mosquitoes so hopefully it will be breezy enough. If not, we may become the buffet for them!

After that, I am going to the Princess Club with the Eagney girls. Since I don't have a princess of my own, I'm borrowing Paige for the evening. She has agreed to let me paint her nails!

Gotta love Tuesdays, no karate!!! This is the one day of the week that we get to come home- on time, and just chill out. Ethan's friend Emily came home with us since her mom wasn't feeling well. She ended up playing with Will and Noah the entire time. It kept them nice and occupied! I actually got to get some cleaning done and made dinner in peace.

Kate just bought her ticket to come and visit. Ethan is very excited that she will be here for his birthday party. My mom comes next Tuesday so the boys are geared up for that. Grandma Pat and Pop-Pop Bob come shortly after so the boys have a lot to look forward to.

On a funny note, we were reading about Thanksgiving, Pilgrims, the Mayflower, etc and Ethan said, "Mrs. Walton came to America from England, she must be a Pilgrim!" His teacher, Mrs. Walton, is from England. At least he was making some connections to the book. He is now reading his millionth Captain Underpants book with Chris.

Off to walk. Good night!

Ah...Sundays. So much for lazy Sundays for us, I felt like I was dashing around all day today. Melissa and I went biking first thing this morning. We rode our bikes over to the river and biked along Riverside Drive. It was a nice route to take. We biked up to school and back. After I got home I went grocery shopping. By the time I got home from grocery shopping and unloading everything it was time for Chris' soccer game.

The boys had a blast at the soccer game tonight. His game was at a different field that had an awesome playground. I had to drag the boys off the playground to get them to watch the game. I of course got stung by a bee twice while at the playground. I guess I shouldn't carry around a bright yellow blanket with a flower on it. I suppose that attracted them!

It was so late after the game that we stopped for dinner at Moe's. The boys love eating out so it was a nice treat for them. We ate outside. The weather was perfect, 70 degrees and breezy. The boys are finally tucked into bed after their nice relaxing bath. I'm ready for Desperate Housewives, Gray's Anatomy, and bed!

Ew, and we saw this on our walk too! We assume someone's pet got out.

Emma got an early present from her Aunt Sara for Christmas. She brought it over to cruise the neighborhood tonight. The boys loved it! Ethan rode his motorcycle which still goes scary fast for me!! At least he has all the right gear now (motorcycle helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and motorcycle gloves).

The weather was beautiful today. It was sunny and warm- in the low 80's. We went to the park and the boys had a blast. They run all around and pretend that they are being chased by bad guys. It's really quite funny to just sit there and watch them. One little girl was just trying to play with them and she became their real life bad guy. They just ran away from her whenever she approached and kept a look-out for her when she wasn't around. She finally caught on to them and became a willing participant.

The boys took a nice nap today and they are in the middle of watching Millions. I was sewing vests for the pirate party so I haven't seen any of it yet. I'll have to watch it tonight.

Today is Gavin's birthday- HAPPY BIRTHDAY GAVIN! I have been secretly putting together his present as he is getting the same thing that the twins are. Today they kept saying, "Well, what did we send him, you did send him something right??" I quickly changed the subject!