Birthdays, Trick or Treating, Basket Ball and More

Nathan's 3 year photos.  I took him the other day, just the two of us, we made a morning out of it.  I bribed him with a couple Hot Wheels cars, which he really didnt need since he did such a great job on his own.  This outfit he is wearing is one that my sister bought for Justin 6 years ago now.  Both Justin and Nathan wore it for their 3 year pictures.  I can hardly believe that Nathan will be 3 years old this month.  Where has the time gone?  He certainly isn't a baby anymore.  

Speaking of birthdays, Justin turned 9 years old and we celebrated with a presents and a cake on his actual birthday.  He had to go to school on his birthday and "its a holy day of obligation" he told me, and he had to also attend Mass.  But, cake and presents made up for school and church.  His party with friends is this coming weekend.  He got a couple Star Wars Lego sets that he was hoping for!  He is such a pro at Lego building, he had both done that night.

 A picture of our family, cat included :)

 Justin announced before blowing out his candles that everyone had to wait so he could count them.

 Counting....

 Okay, there are enough, now time to blow....

 Being silly.

 My parents came over for the celebration too.  Nathan with my dad.

 We went trick or treating TWICE this year.  Being that trick or treating was cancelled on October 31st due to the hurricane, we had our choice of days in the area, and we decided to choose two days!  The first night was a really warm and mild night.  We went out with my cousins, Scott and Kevin, and their wives and wonderful kids.  Nathan and Evan dressed as Mario and Luigi and Justin was a Ninja of some sort.

 The kids were all about posing in character in their costumes this year!  Quite amusing!

 Nate with his lit up candy bucket running down the street.  He was very excited for trick or treating this year.

 After trick or treating the kids all examined their loot and made some trades.  It was fun to watch them together, I remember my cousin Kevin and I walking the same streets as kids collecting loot that we would trade eachother for afterwards in the same house!  Very nostalgic.

 The kids snuck in some iPad time too.  Something I definitely didnt have as a kid :)

 I signed the boys up for a basket ball instructional class at the Y.  Its a once a week class, nothing too intense, not a huge commitment.  Last weekend was their first class.  The boys really seemed to enjoy themselves learning how to shoot and dribble and playing a little scrimmage at the end of the class.

Evan shooting.

 Justin and Evan going head to head for the ball.

 Justin dribbling.

 Evan passing.

 Did I mention we have the absolute best cat?  Well, we do.  She is so snuggly with the kids.  She is content to sit in Justin and Evan's lap for hours (if they stay still that long) and just purr and snooze away.  Here is Justin getting some love.

 And here is how I found Justin the other morning watching tv.  That cant be comfortable.

G's parents came to visit this past weekend.  It was a nice treat, the boys got to see their grandparents before the winter weather and terrible road conditions make the drive difficult in the winter.  Nathan got the world's best birthday present from his grandpa.  A handmade dump truck that really dumps!  It is amazing and already a cherished favorite!!!  Thank you Grandpa for putting all your time into such a special gift.  I know Nathan will keep it forever!!!

Our piano continues to get lots of attention.  The boys sit down and pick out notes and the beginnings of simple songs on it all the time.  I love having music in our home.  Here is Nathan playing away one day.

 More proof we have the best cat around.  Nathan carries her around the house.  And she doesnt mind!

 Amazing.

 I've never met a more tolerant cat.

 Round two of trick or treating was in our actual town.  This time the weather was much much much colder and Nathan dressed as a dragon because the costume was alot warmer than Luigi.  G and I took the boys alone to a well populated area where the houses are all very close together and the kids scored big time in the candy department.

 Justin and Evan, independently, decided to combine their candy and take turns picking what they wanted from the loot.

 It was nice to see them work together.

 Nathan showing me his yellow tongue from his lollipop.

 I have finally had a little time to start cleaning and organizing my craft room.  To make way for the piano we moved my giant desk from the living room to the basement in my craft area.  I have a great table for the kids to do arts and crafts on.  On this day Nathan wanted to paint while I cleaned and organized.

 We woke up yesterday to quite a bit of snow!  Nathan saw it and lost his little mind, insisting that he go out and make snowballs at 7 o'clock in the morning.  I dressed him up and sent him out while I got the other kids ready for school.  He played happily out there until it was time to drive Justin to school.  He is such an outdoors kid.

 The other day Nathan decided that we needed a "really fast" race track.  Down our basement stairs.  So, we set one up and he played and played sending all his Hot Wheels down the track and then going down collecting them all and doing it all over again.

 Another of his favorite toys of the moment are these two race tracks that he likes to set up 8 cars on and send down simultaneously, cheering for the winner!  Nathan is just lots of fun to spend time with and play with now that he is headed to three years old.  He is so interactive and verbal, its a delight to spend time with him.  Im so lucky.