Happy Holidays! (caution...secrets revealed, read at your own risk)

 Our holiday party was a lot of fun! So much fun that Peter decided that he needed to sleep right there..on the couch, all night long! Now that is a good party!

Holiday fun started and Gma Vans House! Do you think these kids were naughty or nice? They look pretty innocent here in this picture.

Cousins came from all around....watch out grandma!

Cousin pig pile!! there are 5 boys in that chair.

The sibling gift exchange was loads of fun, filled with steals and bartering. I think in the end everyone was happy with their gift.

The cousins were all routing for their respective parent.

Packer vs Steelers.....Patrick and I cheered out best....with little luck. We really needed a christmas miracle....almost had it, but lost at the last second. There is always next week against the Bears.

Back at home we stacked our new reading pillow, bean bag chairs and down blankets for our annual viewing of The Christmas Story.

We opened gifts that came from all around. Thanks L&L for our Zarts

And Thanks to the Texas Cullens for our shirts and sport bags! We are excited for the olympics!

Lutz and Christine's package came just in time!

and we gave the boys bows and arrows. (too bad it is too snow to shoot them. we will have to wait for spring)

Christmas Day came with more surprises from Santa

The largest Lego set Peter has ever had!

And a Nickel skateboard for Jamison! (just wait for the first trip to the ER)

Unfortunately Indy was on the naughty list for peeing on the tree. Santa knows everything!!

Now for the secret......Earlier this year Peter busted the tooth fairy. I was afraid that the boys would set a trap for the man in red. We found out later that the boys decided not to bust Santa because if they learned the truth they may never get presents again.  Well, no trap was set. So we decided to ask the boys if they still believed in Santa and they said yes, but because they know we would never spend that kind of money. We came clean....and assured the boys the presents would still come every year...as long as they were good. The boys were relieved.

New snow.....mean snow fun!

and Legos and more Legos mean more indoor fun. It should be a good break!

Thanksgiving Break

 We are in the off-season of soccer. BUT the boys signed up for an indoor futsal league.

 They are really enjoying it! Here are the three Mount Horeb kids on the team. The coach was trying to recruit the boys for another town's outdoor league...but the boys will stay true to MH.

We hosted Coach Chris, from England. He was here for a few months coaching the older soccer kids. He stopped on his was home to say goodbye.

Indy and Peter reading. I never knew cats li ked to read.

We dog sat Turbo for our friends. He was a good dog, except for the runner in him. He earned double lease privileges. I don't think Jamison wants to give him back.

Another birthday....with ears.

 Peter really has to learn how to comb his hair.

Thanksgiving break the boys learned a few new card games....King's Corners with gma Jill.

 and Cribbage with gpa Van.

mmmmm, turkey. He ate the whole leg!

 We love Turbo!

 The boys are sure getting older. This year they both had a crack at cutting down our Christmas tree. Peter made a lot of grunting noises, but did not make much progress.

Jamison got right in there...and got snow in his pants.

 It is going to be a nice one this year...if the boys can actually get it to the car.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Futsal

The boys started a Futsal League. It is a Portuguese version of an indoor soccer. We are the white shirt team and Jamison is the goalie with the red shirt. You should be able to pick out Peter...he makes a goal in the first few seconds of the game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwGzTKloB1c&list=HL1384235353

Enjoy

Halloween and the weekend after

Jamison found my old skateboard (thanks dad for saving it all these years)  and have been have a great time riding. Who needs a "retro" Penny board when you have a real "retro" skateboard.

Unfortunately it broke. Guess what is on his Christmas list!?

For Halloween the boys went as MineCraft Characters. Peter went as "Steve with a diamond sword" and Jamison went as a "creeper"

We went out with our friends Will, from the Ranger Apprentice and Liam, one of the Mouse Guards

The boys quickly learned that it was difficult to maneuver with a box on your head.

Jamison had an added challenge with the box around his body also. He designed a trap door so he can actually get his candy. The plan worked well except for those people that left a bowl of candy out and told them to pick one. He could not grab a piece of candy and his brother and friends were already at the next house!. The costumes were a hit with the kids in the neighborhood. You would hear "STEVE!" from across the street.

The boys could not wait for our next holiday tradition! Smashing pumpkins, not the band but the activity. The Patricks made sure it was "safe", we did not want a kid smashing with the pumpkins.

Peter's turn!

This year we had some buddies join us for some fun!

And added a target and "debris" to the mix. There was a concrete block, bowling ball, rake, sledgehammer and a spike. The carnage!

Nice shot Jamison! Now it is time to make some pie!

Jamison Day!

That's right, it is Jamison Day!

 The day where we celebrate Jamison! For dinner he picked pizza. Of all the things that he could pick, he picks pizza. I guess I should be grateful that he does not pick lobster and steak....although that would be pretty tasty!

Dessert....Culvers Mixers.

 Not sure what Peter was thinking... Anyway...for his special day present he gets to pick out a new lizard. Sadly, Speedy passed away. Jamison was very sad. Speedy is buried in out pet cemetery and marked with some bricks. Not sure why he passed away... We now have a call into the pet store for another one....stay tuned.

LaLaLaLa Lambeau! The ladies stormed Lambeau on some needed time away. The pack won! and it did not rain the whole time!

 More ladies!(the one in the bright blue rain poncho). Thanks ladies for a great day away! and yes Gayle, you are now off probation.

 I am glad we do not have a dorky helmet....these guys have real pumpkins on their head. We have classy fan gear....cheeseheads!

We had a lazy start to our past weekend. Donuts! Jamison could not control himself....had to sit and stare at them to make sure they did not run away.

A little bit more soccer...it is getting cold and dark very early. Jamison played some excellent defense...great foot skills and was able to read the ball.

Peter is quick and aggressive. Players from the other team asked if he was a girl...with strong  confidence he replied...no, I'm a boy!

All week he was practicing his goal shots using our garage doors as his goal. He had some awesome shots, sadly none of them went in.

 At one point the Cullen boys actually passed the ball to each other and work together! There is hope! One more game to go....

After the game Peter went home and practiced more...we will soon need new garage doors. Patrick is looking at building a real goal/net.

 "I love October, it is the month of pies and baked goods" says Jamison. mmmmm, tasty. Keiko-There are your pumpkin muffins.