Family Picture Day

We haven't had a family photo in 2 years so we thought it was time. We usually try to do one every year but since I was at the end of my pregnancy last year it just didn't happen (nor did I want it to). Plus, photography places like Portrait Innovations and Sears are pretty much non-existent in England. It went pretty well. Sawyer is definitely going through an awkward stage with having his picture taken. He would do much better with a photographer in a non-structured type setting. I just have to realize that it is hard to get 4 kids all looking perfect in the same photo. We had some pics. done with the in-laws as well. It had been since Sawyer was a baby that we had photos done with them. Here are a few we did today. The one of Bex alone I cropped because he looks so cute in it and you can see his teeth. The one where he is crying was the last photo taken and he had had ENOUGH!! Pretty funny.

Faith and Sawyer earn straight A's!!!

Okay, I don't normally like to overly brag about my kids but I am so EXTREMELY proud of them that I had to share!! Faith earned straight A's on her first report card back in the U.S.A. She did get a B in P.E. but in all her subjects that count ALL A'S!! I have to note that her P.E. teacher only gives A's to kids who can do all the Presidential Physical Fitness testing (this includes pull-ups)!! Her teacher wrote that she loves having Faith in class and that she is always prepared and very helpful. I was worried about Sawyer since his first year in England was so rough but he got all "3's" which is the highest you can get in all his classroom subjects. His teacher wrote that he is a "mathematician" and that he is "sweet" and a "hard worker." I want to always remember this because who knows what is coming in the higher grades when hours and hours of homework kicks in. I am telling you all that 4th grade math is a lot harder than back in the old days. They have some money coming their way and they are very excited!! They have earned it!

Also, Faith and Sawyer had their music programs at school within the last couple of weeks so I put some pics. on of that. We could hardly see Sawyer in his so that is why there isn't any pics. of him performing. The one picture is of them holding their report cards. Next to Faith at her program are her friends Emma and Jaclyn.

Eden Gets Her Ears Pierced-Beckett is 10 mo.

So, we (myself, Bex and Eden)were at the mall today and Eden says "I want to get my ears pierced." I say "Are you sure?" She convinces me that she is sure. We went into a few more stores and wasted some time just to be positive and she never wavered. We head into Claire's and fortunately they had two people so they could do two ears at once. She is giddy with excitement during the whole preparation until each lady had a gun in each hand and was ready to go. She then covered her ears and started crying. We get her calmed down and she decides she wants to sit on my lap. She starts freaking out again so I told them to go for it. I had one arm wrapped around her holding her arms down and the other holding her forehead back against me. Are you getting the visual?? After it was over her crying went to euphoria and she was laughing and giggling and very happy. Whew!!!

Beckett turned 10 mo. on the 15th. He is all over the place. When he hears the basement, bathroom, dishwasher or dryer door open he crawls as fast as he can to investigate. I just started putting the gate on the steps last week. Although capable he just wasn't interested until last week. If he gets a chance to climb the steps with help he goes really fast and breaths heavy. He has four teeth. I just started him on Gerber 3 foods and am giving him a few pieces of what we are eating. He is so happy with baby food I hate to get him used to food with flavor. It is so easy to pack a couple of jars of baby food when we go places. He loves to stand by himself (note the photo) but no independent steps yet. He is still a "mamas boy" and still cries at the gym daycare (yes, I am still going to the gym). He loves to open and close the cabinet doors and pull everything out. He is still adored by his siblings and they still fight over him. He is a very happy boy.

GAS!!

No, I'm not talking about THAT kind of gas-people need to get their minds out of the gutter. I am talking about gasoline. It is $1.79!!! Yes, you read correctly. In my part of the U.S. this is the current price. This summer it was around $4.15. I thought this was blog worthy information. I thought my friends in the UK might be interested in this info. as well since they are paying roughly $8 a gallon. It was costing me close to $70 this summer to fill up my minivan and now it is around $30.

Hockey Game

On Saturday after Eden's b-day party I took the girls shopping. Faith had a gift card to use and Eden needed a new winter coat. I don't dare buy her anything now without her approval. Fortunately, she and I were on the same page with the winter coat. Anyways, after that we decided to take in an ice hockey game at the coliseum here in town. Kyle LOVES hockey and we thought the kids would really enjoy it. Plus, Debby Ryan was there signing autographs. Are you asking "Who the heck is Debby Ryan?" Well, Debby Ryan is on the Disney show "Zack and Cody-The Suite Life on Deck." This is a spin-off show from "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody." Debby Ryan (can't think of her name on the show) has pretty much replaced the part of Ashley Tisdale (Maddie on the original show and "Sharpay" on HSM). So, being that we have a 9 1/2 year old daughter who is very into this show we thought we better get her there for an autograph. I have put a picture on. She was very sweet and VERY cute and petite. Faith, the shy child she can be didn't utter a word. We got an autographed picture. So, the hockey game was very fun. Beckett cried some in the beginning due to all the noise but got used to it. Our local team won by one goal, which was exciting. Faith and Eden really enjoyed the whole thing-Sawyer mostly enjoyed the food and was then ready to go home.

Eden turns "5" and Halloween

Make a Smilebox photobook

We have had a very busy week celebrating Eden's birthday and Halloween. Eden celebrated her b-day at pre-school on Mon. Thurs. the 30th was her official b-day and we went out to eat (her choice) and then opened gifts (from us). Fri. was Halloween class parties, another b-day celebration with the grandparents and trick-or-treating. Saturday was Eden's b-day party at a place called "Make a Mess". We had 14 or so kids and it was a great celebration. We love Eden so much. She was born at lunch time on Oct. 30th 2003. Kyle and I had decided to not to find out during my pregnancy whether the baby was a boy or girl and I was SOOOO happy to have another girl. Let me tell you-she is ALL girl. She is boy crazy, a diva, drama queen, opinionated and wonderful!! She is the family comedian and loves to play. She has been my best "self-entertainer." I will be sad when she goes to kindergarten next year. She is my lunch companion and shopping partner.

Trick or treating was great this year too. We live in a large subdivision so we did lots of walking and also got lots of trick or treaters. The weather was amazing-no coats!