Family Pictures

Last weekend, we met up with Miranda, a college roommate of Elizabeth's.  She has started taking photo's on the side, so I asked her if she would take ours.  After figuring out a time that would work the best, we had to agree on a location.  She was willing to come all the way down by us, but on a whim, asked if we would like to meet at Mount Mary.  Without hesitation, I said YES!

 The weather was cool, but very windy.  She did a great job capturing us a family.

 One of my favorites is the boys laying down in the archway of the college.

I knew that my Mom had a brick donated to Mount Mary in memory of Elizabeth, but I had never seen it in person. 

Thanksgiving Feast

Extended Love held its annual Thanksgiving Feast on Thursday, November 14th.  Daddy came as Brewer's special guest.

Brewer and his classmates are getting ready to sign to their guests the songs that they have been busy practicing.

Brewer has been singing his songs to us each and every night.  He loved making his costume in class.

It was a bittersweet Thanksgiving Feast for us though, it is our last year to attend as Brewer goes off to Kindergarten next year!

First Official Snow

We had our first official snow today.  The weather started off with a light rain that slowly changed over to snow.  It is very pretty outside, but most of the leaves have not even fallen off the trees yet.

Cooper was pretty excited coming out of school tonight, but then reminded me that if he is going to play outside at school, he needs snow pants and boots.

50th Day of School

Today was Brewer's 50th Day of Preschool, so his teachers had a 50's party to celebrate.  They encouraged the kids to dress for the 50's and this is what he picked out.

 He dressed the part and had a blast doing so.  Daddy even slicked back his hair with LOTS of hair gel!

After school, he was quick to ask if he could take a bath to get all of the gel out of his hair because it was itching!

Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

I've been finding lots of pins to pin on Pintrest lately, but never actually make them.  Honestly, this habit needs to stop and we need to try some new things.  I found this one for Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies, made with fresh Cranberries. 

 I followed the directions for the first batch, 1/3 cupful's patted out to 1/2 inch circles.  Bake for 20 minutes.

They came out beautifully, however, the first six cookies out didn't even dent the amount of dough inside the bowl, so I opted to make bars instead.  Very tasty and will try again.  http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/cranberry-oatmeal-cookies-10000000346610/

Friday Night Forts

Friday night after school, the boys made a fort on the bottom bunk.  Amazingly, they worked together to get it made.  After they were finished, they asked if they could sleep in it, and we said yes, why not!

Moments later, this is what we found.

Honor Flight Return

On Saturday, November 2nd Grandpa/Papa and Uncle Nello participated on the Honor Flight to Washington DC.  This was a one day event where they flew in early in the morning, went to three sites, boarded a plane and came home the same evening. 

While there were in Washington DC, they went to the World War II Memorial and to the Korean Memorial, as well as the Iwo Jima Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.  Papa served in the Korean War at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada from December 1950 to December 1953; he was in charge of the Orderly Room.  Uncle Nello served in World War II; together they were one of two sets of brothers who attended this Honor Flight.

Unknown to them we were all waiting for them at Milwaukee General Mitchell Airport to return home. In just our family, we had 35 members waiting.  On the flight in, ALL Veterans were given a mail bag of letters, notes, and thank you's from family and friends. Papa was given two bags of letters from classmates of Cooper, Brewer, Steven, and Rebecca, along with the students of Tiffany, not to mention notes and thank you's from family.  He was truly surprised and in awe of the gift.

Here we are waiting for them to come around the corner.  A parade of drummers marched by us bringing the Veterans into the room.  Uncle Tony was Papa's chaperon, and Linda was with Uncle Nello.  The parade of Veterans lasted for about an hour and a half.

A video of their return.  Fortunately the Z's were the first ones off!  Unfortunately we needed to wait for the bag pipes to go past before we could go.

 Some interesting facts about the Honor Flight today

 There were two women representing the World War II Vets

 Papa was 83

Across from us was Wisconsin State Senator Johnson waiting for the Veterans to come home.  The man in the red scarf was a POW in Battle of the Bulge.

After the bag pipes came through, Brewer bumped fists with a Lieutenant Colonel; a picture that was captured by the Stars and Stripes Photographer.

Day at the Beach

Last weekend while I was working on the garlic, Randy took the boys down to the beach by Carole Beach neighborhood.  The air was crisp, but all in all it was a nice day to be down  there.

They took with them the metal detector to search out for some! treasures.  It's always an interesting find down at the beach

Banana Bread

Last year I got a recipe for the most amazing banana bread, and since we had an abundant of ripe banana's I found it and made it.  The house smelled so yummy as it was baking and after it came out, the boys topped it with peanut butter and chocolate sauce.  Making a really good thing even better!

Happy Halloween

This year the boys tossed around a couple of ideas of what they wanted to be for Halloween.  However, after a trip to Target, it was decided that they would be Ninja's!

 Brewer was a big help this year helping us decorate the front yard.  Each weekend something new would go up and out.  Bummed though that the mummy door didn't get into the picture as I was hoping to get.

 Cooper is the Dragon Ninja and Brewer is the Muscle Ninja!

 In taking pictures of the boys, we have learned that you need to let them have there fun in order to get a good one or two :)

 Brewer's pumpkin...the Jack-O-Lantern

Cooper's Angry Bird and Cartoon Eagle

Weekend Up North

We headed Up North for one last weekend for this year.  Cooper had Friday off, so we were able to make a long weekend out of it. 

 Saturday morning Randy got up early enough to see the moon go down over the lake and for the sun to rise.  It was cool and brisk and yes it even snowed for a little bit.

Randy and Dad finished up closing the cabin for the season, bringing the water in and making sure everything was ready for the winter.  Now we just have to wait until spring to go back up.

Birthday Boy

Happy5th Birthday Brewer!  He is our Boo, our cowboy, our camo lov'n boy!  He keeps us on our toes and there is never a dull moment when he is in the room.  Happy Birthday Boo!

Celebration #1 was here at home.  We had Grandma Maria, Grandpa and Nana, Uncle Fred, Aunt Sue, and Nicole, and Great Grandma over for a Mexican Fiesta with one of your favorites...TACO'S!

Topped off with a Honey Cupcake made just for you!

Celebration #2 was at school with your friends.  You brought in mummy brownies for your special treat.

The highlight of your day was being able to pour your own milk!

Celebration #3 was Up North with Grandma and Grandpa, Great Grandma Beck, and Auntie Kris, Uncle Tom, Gabby, and Sophie.  We feasted on another favorite meal of yours...Chili with Noodles.

Topped off with a John Deere Camo cake just for you!  Happy 5th Birthday!  Hope your birthday was a fun one to boot!

Star of the Week

Brewer was the first Star of the Week for his Preschool class a Roadrunner.  We made a poster of all his favorite things to share with his friends...Jake and the Neverland Pirates, John Deere, Captain the Fish, Cooper and Buster.  He also brought in the movie The Croods, and the CD Luke Bryan.

Star of the Week 2013

Apple Farm

We headed out to Brightonwoods Orchard for an afternoon drive to check out the orchard. Our hopes were to find more Zester apples, our new found crisp and crunchy apple. 

 However, the tree house won out in popularity.  The boys had fun climbing up to the top and scoping out the view, until the family kids started coming out to play.  At this time, it was time for us to leave.

We did manage to take this picture before we headed out for the afternoon.  It was a great afternoon, a great drive, but next year, we are going to search for an apple orchard that we can pick the apples!

Cooper's First Belt Test

Cooper started going to Tae Kwon Do in July this summer at S & S Martial Arts, and on September 21st, he had his first belt test.

The whole group warmed up with the Black Belts, while Master Salem and Mr. Sherrick observed their form and techniques.  Cooper did amazing and tried his best.  He had to perform his Basic Form 5/6 times before moving on to the next portion of the test.  

Part of the test included breaking a board by doing a front kick.  Cooper is standing in front of the flags with his board in hand at the completion of the test.  We did not find out if he passed until the following week.



Good News!  They all passed their belt test!!!  Cooper is now a high white (white with a yellow stripe).  Here he is with Mr. Sherrick and Master Salem when he was awarded his belt!  Congratulations to all!