Charlie and Max

These two guys usually don't like each other very much (Young whippersnapper and grouchy old man.)  Nothing like a cold rainy day to make them want to cuddle.

Teacher work day...

A Teacher work day means the kids are home.  Its been a lovely few days so we decided to head out to our local waterfall to see how it was doing after all of our December rain...

Heading out(taken in a similar spot to our first trip to the waterfall two years ago)...

 

Balancing...

The start of getting really wet and muddy...

Sliding and jumping down the hill...

Wolverine came with us and posed for shots along the way...

 

Until he accidentally took a trip down the falls and got stuck halfway down...

Heading home...  (alas without Wolverine...)

Christmas!

Christmas Eve! Brand new Christmas PJs!

Stocking opening! We asked the to wait until 7:00 am to get up and they did!

One of Conner's favorite gifts.

Opening Gifts!

Happiness overload!

Ben's Yule Log.

Trying to get a family photo!  Didn't realize Ben was making faces in every single Shot!

Auntie Kim getting down with the new family toy. Xbox with Kinect.

Let's try one without Ben!

Mom and her girls!

A Very Harry Birthday...

This year the boys decided to have separate birthday parties.  They also wanted them before Christmas (Last year they had one together after Christmas.) So it's been extra hectic around here.

On Sunday, we threw a Harry Potter Birthday for Conner.  It was small. Just a few friends from school, his neighbor friend and of course, Aidan!

Aidan and Conner had Hogwarts Robes already, but I made some simple ones for the other guests.  I also made a ton of wands for them to choose from. 

Here is Conner wearing with wand and cauldron wearing the glasses from the "Pin the Glasses on Harry Game"...

 

Potions class...

The Cake that was decorated an hour before everyone arrived.  Conner wanted 3 dimensional characters on top but since we'd run out of time he settled for two dimensional.  Conner helped to decorate it (He was very specific about what their hair had to look like!) and he added the hands, mouths and Harry's Scar.

 

The Wizard Twins!

 

All the party guests (one boy was sick on the day and couldn't attend)...

  

It was a great party.  Conner loved having his own day.

Christmas tree shopping...

Hide and Seek in the trees!

This one looks good!

Euan looks lost...

The perfect tree!

Aidan and Conner secure the tree to the car!

Thanksgiving...

 Thanksgiving was very mellow this year.  Just me the kids, Auntie Kim, Uncle Dino and Ben (Euan is in England for business.) The table was set and centerpiece created by Conner and his friend S...

Lola enjoying a bit of sun...

Taking a break from a chess game to checkout a awesome football play...

Cocktails! Champagne for the grownups, sparkling cider for the kids...

 Aidan's and Ben's turn at chess...

 The Meal...

Thankful for dear family and sweet friends!

A Recital

The boys had there first music recital this weekend.

Conner on the Violin...

 And Aidan on the Guitar...

It was very sweet.  They were the newest players (a couple of months).  Conner was the very first to play and he had no problems.  Aidan was a little more nervous and played very quietly.  They were very inspired hearing the students that had been playing longer than they had!