I wanted to do photos for our Christmas card this year but it just didn’t happen. I refused to give up! Walter and I have been on a health kick, eating better and going to the gym, so I thought we should be in the photos instead of just using the kids.

This is “the” family photo. Too late for Christmas cards but perfect timing for a frame!

Here are a few other good ones from the day -

Kate loves like crazy! She’s the strongest hugger I know!

Here are the other family photos we liked, but they didn’t make the cut.

Santa brought the kids a gigantic bubble wand contraption. We had so much fun making kid-sized bubbles but there is definitely some skill to the process. Of course all I can think is – PHOTO SHOOT, but I’ll have to work on technique (and sharing) first!

This year we decided to do family photos.  Our last one was when Kate was an infant so we were long overdue!  To put it mildly, it was a train wreck.  I give a lot of credit to Stephan and Candace of Maloman Photographers for putting up with the kids’ antics and refusal to cooperate.  We still managed to get a few nice photos despite their insistence to sabotage our efforts.  Thankfully, a previous attempt by us to photograph the kids was a smashing success.  Our trip to Santa this year was also a highlight, given that both kids told him what they want and not a single tear was shed.  Those are the moments that led us to this year’s holiday card.

May you have a great celebration of family, festivites, and tradition this year!!!  Merry Christmas from us!

We’ve been taking the kids (and sometimes their friends) over to Volunteer Park in Boca to ride bikes.  It’s a relatively empty park with a nice loop to bike on and a playground for when the parents are tired but the kids are still full of energy!  A few weeks ago we headed out but we also brought our skates!  Walter’s needed surgery, as they haven’t been used in years, and mine needed some dusting.  We bought Noah training rollerblades when he was 2 and they thoroughly freaked him out.  Today would be much different!!

Although he wobbled a bit, he was pretty darn good!  We tried them on Kate too but the lack of photos is testament to the short time she was willing to use them (and let’s face it – she’s not the most graceful or coordinated kid).

Kate did much better on her bike and even managed to pull Walter a little.  I was classically me on my skates, which is why there are no photos.  My ego, and elbow, were too damaged.  Side note: it is impossible to skate over a rock at very low speeds!

No matter how much he wobbled….

…. or how much he fell, Noah was a trooper and appears to have his father’s athletic ability and perseverance… thankfully!

It really is so nice to get out and spend time with the kids.  The exercise and fresh air are a bonus.  The unplugged time is much needed!

Halloween has come and gone but somehow we still have POUNDS of candy left!  The kids did really well trick or treating this year.  It’s so nice that they’re finally at the ages where they can actually trick or treat – like you’re supposed to.  Noah and Ayla rang doorbells, said trick or treat, thank you… and Kate was on their heels with her bag wide open most the night.  It was awesome!

Noah was a shark again this year, his favorite costume yet!  Hopefully he’ll move on next year, especially since his arms “hulk out” of it every time!

Kate was a “scary, pink monster” despite most people calling her a chicken.  It wasn’t a character, just a cute costume, but she really animated it!!  She also loved how soft and fuzzy she was and constantly petted her belly.

Noah and Kate were very excited to carve a pumpkin this year!  I assumed they realized a pumpkin patch meant photo op.  Unfortunately it took them a bit to get used to the idea but they finally came around!  We went to the pumpkin patch and Lindy, Shane, and Natalie met us.  It was a great day!

These squeaky black mice were life savers!  The kids loved them!!

As usual, I took my opportunity to torture Shane.  Some day he will thank me for all these photos… right?!

This swamp was disgusting!  I took of my shoes and walked into it, carefully balancing a baby in a cauldron.  The gush between my toes was definitely Halloween inspired!  I’m hoping these photos are worth it!!

And though we loved the idea of a baby in a pumpkin, it wasn’t easy and Shane wasn’t a fan!!

And this is what got carved….

And how we went out…

Unfortunately Noah got sick in the car on the way home from school (I think it was too much candy during the day + the whole box of Nerds in his mouth + the balloon he was trying to blow up….oy), so he had to trick or treat in shorts.  He didn’t seem to care.

Hope you had as great of a Halloween as we did!!

Between Facebook and our photography blog, Yap Originals, it’s a given that you already know about our new nephew, Shane Matthew.  My sister, Lindy, wasn’t expecting such an incredible blessing but he has been an amazing addition to the family.  If you want the full blow-by-blow you can find it here.  If you want just one more sweet photo, here is …

Today is my parents’ 37th wedding anniversary!  They’ve been through so much and literally challenged and thrived through each of their vows – in good times and in bad, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health…

And while they may not be perfect (and, really, who is?), they are my parents and I love them – to the moon and back!

Happy anniversary mom and dad!  May you love and honor each other all the days of your lives!

We had a small birthday party for Kate last night.  It was a very last minute affair on Yom Kippur so unfortunately a lot of our close friends were unable to attend.  We still managed to have a BLAST though!  The kids played outside all night!  They came in every once in awhile to muddy up the house and swipe a snack but nothing could slow them down!

The bounce house was a huge hit with everyone young and old!

Sidewalk chalk was for the more reserved (as bouncing got embarrassing the bigger you got)

And the playset was even put to use!

As it turns out though, Kate doesn’t like to be the center of attention sometimes.  While she liked the idea of cake, being sung to was not her thing!

This was right before she BOLTED in tears!

But her brother is always willing to help out!

Thank you to all who could come!  We are blessed to have such great family and friends!  A special thanks to Walter and his dad who resoded and mulched our entire back yard in the weeks leading up to the party!

Happy Birthday sweet baby girl!  We’re so glad you had a fun time at your party!

Does that make sense?  I know it’s been, well, forever since I posted about his fourth birthday but between no internet (kill me!) and the hustle and bustle of life… well, I never showed you the other party he had.  So here it is.

We had this second party mostly for those that would rather have a root canal than hang out in a bounce house.  All of our child-free friends and family had a great time!

Noah and Kate actually ended up being the only kids there and they loved it!  They got all the attention and helped keep all the grown ups young!

Noah was very interested in the cake!

But then we lit it.  And while he still loves fire…

He still hates attention.  When everyone gathered to sing he took cover.

And refused to blow out the candles!

But Kate’s not shy.  And Grammy never says no!

After dessert the kids soaked up a little more attention…

from everyone they could…

It was a great night.  Everyone had fun and we are so grateful to everyone who made it! 

Thank you!