Fun in the Snow!

A note on the main picture on the blog - I thought it would be nice to get a little blast from the past...they are getting so big and grown up already! This picture was taken when Beckett came home from the hospital. My parents tried to get a family photo. None of them turned out and then I noticed Grant and Beckett. So I cut Roger and I out and focused on them. Sigh...anyway...onto today's activities!

We have a bit of snow on the ground, temps in the low 30s and so we decided to hit a local park today for a little sledding. The saucer was a quick purchase at the grocery store and the toboggan was one from last year. We are definitely ready for 2 saucers. :-)

Riley had a great time too - unfortunately she kept biting the kids jackets...as you will see in the video. When she gets excited she nips. Not sure how to squash it. At least she's passed out for the night! :-)

We improved the little jump someone had built on the hill so every run was aimed at the jump. Most of the time we hit it, but there were a few misses.

The kids (and adults) had a great time. It's warming up this week so I am sure most of the snow will melt. But I am sure we will get another snowstorm before the end of winter!

 I parked myself right on the jump hoping to get shots like this. Classic!

 As you can see...there was very little snow. At least this patch of grass prevented us from going too far. :-)

 We tried to teach Grant to steer the sled...he got it sometimes. 

Beckett being pulled up the hill. 

To keep up with the blast from the past - here are pics from the only other time we have been sledding...January 2011

Goodness - Grant is wearing the same coat! Must have been really big then and it's a bit small now. New one next year!

Christmas Part 2

When we returned home we discovered that Santa definitely visited!! Mom and Dad also had a few things for the kids.

We arrived home at about 8:30. With the excitement of seeing Riley, opening stockings and one present each I didn't know if the kids would ever get to sleep. The present they chose to open was the huge bags filled with Rescue Heroes...really about 5 presents in one bag.

Luckily they were exhausted so they went down easily and woke up around 7 - not bad at all. This video is from the morning.

 It was a Star Wars Christmas thanks to some coordination between Mommy and Uncle Dave (Roger's brother). The kids were SUPER excited about the presents - Millenium Falcons, X-Wing Fighters, Ty Fighters and lots of figures.

 Trying to figure it all out.

 Beckett opening his pirate ship.

 Grant trying to show off his missing tooth along with the Glow Board

 Riley girl hasn't left our side since we got home. Her head was in my lap the whole morning. Don't worry...we aren't going anywhere for awhile.

 The kids made ornaments at school and gave them to me for Christmas. Beckett's is his fingerprints made into a snowman and Grant's is his handprint made into Santa. So cute!

Riley girl in my lap.

Various Pics from the trip

I was going to make a bunch of different posts for these various pictures...but then decided to just post them all at once. :-)

 Amy and Megan making welsh cookies.

 Grant leaping over the sand wall.

 Beckett ready to go down the slide.

 (left to right) Aileen, Lindsey and Megan

 Beckett and his truck!

 The whole crew - all 20 of us!

 Meg and Grant

 Ryan scooting Beckett...love his face in this one. :-)

 Relaxing and snacking - pretty much sums up the whole trip

 Conor splashing into the pool from the slide

 Oh yea! GRANT LOST HIS FIRST TOOTH! Can't really see it in this pic - bottom center. I can't believe it - he's so grown up!

 Grant bought dessert with his game winnings. 

 Conor was great with the kids - they had such a great time with him!

 This doesn't even really look like Beckett - weird.

 The whole group at the Riverside Bar and Grill - YUM!

 Morgan, Beckett and Drew in the hot tub

 Macie and Grant at dinner our last night.

 Beckett's big slash down

 His duct tape wallet is empty...but our bellies were full! :-)

 Uncle Randy with Grant

 Drew, Morgan and Megan at dinner

 Grant all ready to go on the slide...boxers and all. :-)

 Wish Beckett was smiling for this one.

 Beckett hiding from Morgan.

 Aileen and Beckett

 Amy and Morgan - love this pic!

 Beckett after another long day.

 Aileen and Grant on the beach

 Love this pic - Conor and Beckett in the hot tub

 All the cousins - Megan, Ryan, Lindsey, Aileen, Jen, Morgan, Conor and Drew all grown up!

 Nice one Grant!

 All the voluntary add ons to the Farrell family - love this pic! Something about height differences was floating around while this was being taken.

 Beckett and Imelda - these 2 had a great word battle going. Beckett called it ping pong and Imelda would respond with table tennis! It was really cute.

 Grant at the table in the pool

 Nice photo bomb Pete!

 Grant handing over the dessert money.

 The Farrell children - Connie, Dave, Barb, Pete and Amy

 Morgan and Beckett

 Grant playing Left/Right/Center with Drew and Morgan

 Grant and Beckett burying Amy's feet.

 Grant scooping up the foam for his castle

 Beckett scooping up more foam

 Uncle Randy and Beckett doing what else? Snacking. :-)

 Beckett ready for flag football...boxers and all.

 Beckett jumping off the table into the pool. Classic.

 Roger and I enjoying a bit of time away for our 6th wedding anniversary.

 The beautiful B&B Roger booked for our night out - it was amazing and perfect!

 Our room overlooking Manatee River

 Sunset outside our B&B

Our delicious breakfast - homemade yogurt, pumpkin bread, homemade croissants...so many yummy things. It was amazing!