Merry Christmas!  The children loved the unrushed morning of new presents and cinnamon rolls.  We stayed home and enjoyed the family time.  A few notable presents:  Ugly Doll from Santa to Katie, new orange bike from Santa to Caleb and a REAL bell from Santa's sleigh to Adam.  Tuck got a new drum throne and Beth received a beautiful jasper pendent in return!   Phone calls to family and bike rides later in the day got us moving.  The weather was a little too nice for Katie "Did December come too early?  There's no snow!"

Christmas tree from Wheelers

This was our day to pick out our tree together.  We went with a group of friends and shared some donuts and hot cocoa.  Katie found a lovely one the her brothers agreed on, a quick decision does leave more time for donuts and playing with friends!

Halloween at the New England

Teacher workshop today so there was no school.  But since we don't have power it made going to the aquarium all the better!  The

Old Sturbridge Village

We are meeting the Cassanos in MA at this museum.  It's our first trip there and the kids are excited, the older two seem very interested in history. 

Therapeutic Riding Program

Adam started a 6 week program at UNH to ride a horse with assistance. 
The goal of the program is increase core strength and body tone, plus increase oral motor skills.   They allow them to fully control the horse by the end if he wants to.   It needs to be prescribed by a doctor. 

Golden Dragons

After a fun but long day we all went to see the Chinese acrobats at UNH.   You would never have known my kids had so many big things all earlier, they were sooooo good and focused on the show.  (Belt graduation, birthday party, Durham Day, Mass)   we all had favorite parts but the handout was the man who stacked the chairs on top of another and kept doing hand stands on them.  He got 6 chairs high and we were pretty impressed.

Belt Graduation

Katies first belt advancement, she goes to yellow.  My big Adam goes to blue, WOW! 

First day of soccer

Tuck will be coaching Katies group and hoping to sneak in Caleb.  Since he's the coach he gets to influence day and location of practised amd of course picked the same as Adams practice.  So for the next fer weeks well have a fun sat morning soccer routine.  Everyone really loved playing and kept great focus!  At one point Adam head butter the ball, everyone was so impressed, the ball really traveled!  When ne came off the field I told him good job and he said "Mom, I didn't head the ball, it headed me"! 

Hike at Northwoods Meadows

Small state park nearby.  Beth and Adams favorite part was seeing turtles sunning themselves on the log in the middle of the pond.  Katie's favorite was all the friendly dogs we met.  Caleb liked climbing over the big boulders.  Tuck found a bright yellow mushroom that he had never seen before.  Fished at at nearby clam shack and ice cream place, Yum!

Adam's Last day of summer

Everyone starts back on a different day so everyone gets a last day!  Adam chose Moharimet play ground and whoppie pies for lunch.  He is being very nice to his Mommy because he knew there was an orientation for his class at 2 this afternoon.  Very efficient. 

Stay tuned for Katie and Caleb choices!

Hurricane Irene

Aside from having "come on Irene" song stuck in my head this has been an adventure without unconvince.  We lost power at 11am after filling what needed to be filled and cooking what needed to be cooked, so we were pretty happy.  We went to the neighbors, Stark, for pizza this evening.  Lots of play time with Owen (starting school with Katie) and Finn (Calebs age).  The weather is calm.  No wind and rain at this point but they say it'll upick up overnight.  Tuck gets the first day off school as UNH canceled already.  The best part for the kids was playing in the "tent city" from Grandmom Bernice!

Meeting Dr Wolff

We dropped the little two with friends so Beth and Tuck could take Adam to meet a new neurologist.  He is outside Boston.  There was not a lot he could add to our regimen for Adam.  He will take over care of his adhd including meds.  No changes, as I said.   The headaches will have to just be part of Adam for the time being.  Adams world doesnt change because of them, they are so mild.  Dr. Wolf's take is that his brain is still actively re-wiring not only because of the cyst but because of the compression of the cyst. 

Washington's Headquarters

NPS historic site in Morristown.  GW spent 6 months in this mansion 1779-80 while leading the war.  Troops were stationed a few miles away at Jockey Park.  Mrs. Ford and her four kids stayed in a small part of the house while GW and his 18 people took the rest.   Ranger Andy gave us the tour and was very good.   We were with the Cassanos and the kids asked great questions and got to wear his hat. 

Cassanos

We are having a fun filled three days with Maggie, Mia, Violet and those big people that live with them.  Bubble chasing outside, lots of toys inside and soon we are off to the play ground. 

Sleepover with the Magnusens

We stopped in for a quick visit to see the Norwalk Neatos.  It was a late arrival, just in time for ice cream!  The kids stayed up way to late and giggled in bed even later.  Katie was sooooo excited to sleep in bed between Audrey and Layla.  Adams favorite game with his cousins The Bunny game, it involved a boy, going to California, an ambulance...very complex.  Everyone is doing well and getting ready for the fall.

First Camp Trip!

Waterest camp ground about 10 miles from Flume Gorge.  We are so excited to finally try tent camping as a family!  This family campground is really nice, beautiful stream to wade in, pond to fish in, clean bathrooms and close to lots of fun things.  Next summer, maybe a whole week?  We are keeping it really easy and not cooking.  Just sandwiches and chips and fruit.  Then of course marshmallows! 

Flume Gorge

In the White Mountains, near Lincoln.  This is in Fraconian Notch state park that has a beautiful hike.  About 2 miles with lots of waterfalls and two covered bridges!  Adam's favorite part was the waterfalls but Katie found out they were too loud for her.  In fact she said they were on her "I don't like this" list.  Caleb had tons of energy and said he wasn't scared at all.  Dad thought the Flame Gorge was bee-u-tiful!   Mom was brave and did the wolf den! 

Messy twins

Katie and Caleb are cooking' up a mess in the kitchen!  Katie got a book of science experiment in the kitchen and this was supposed to be home made play dough.

Katie

Bowling with max and Judy

Baking dinosaurs!

Katie chose a bake-your-own-dino science experiment.  Here they are mixing the plaster and pouring in the molds. 

SEE Museum

Gma Judy and Gpa Max are with us for a few days and we are at the science museum in Manchester.  There is a ginormous Legos exhibit about textile mills at the turn of the century.  3million pieces! 

Visit from Grandmom and Grandad

Bill and Bernice are staying with us for the week.  We had a nice time relaxing and eating yummy food.  We hosted Sean and Barbara Kenny for a cook-out one night.  They watched the kids for us so we could have a date night, which was very appreciated!  Adam was constantly shoing them his LEGO creations and Katie was all about the dance and dress - up!  Caleb just sat back and wow'd them with his eyebrows!

Katie Salon!

Oh la la, Grandmom is getting all done up at Katie salon.  Thus is full service folks!  Over the day we added optional features such as tulip bouquets and lemonade. 

Three butterflies on the way!

Katie went to Rileys house today while Beth and the boys "fixed" the washing machine at Riverview.  We also trimmed bushes and weeded while we played around the old backyard!  Now at home, we have made food for the baby butterflies when they hatch.  (Sugar water in a real flower.)  Tuck and Beth get to see Harry Potter tonight so we are waiting for Liz to arrive, the kids always appreciate her so much!

NE Aquarium

Just finished seeing Dr Warf for a yearly Neurosurgical check for Adam.  His most recent MRI was improved when measured against the last one.  He's aloud to skip an MRI in 2012!  Now we are at the New England Aquarium.

Fort Upgrade

Tuck painted a side of the backyard fort while we were visiting in Ohio and now the kids are getting creative!

Adam's new Army guys

I got these new Army guys from the swap shop and now I'm setting them up.  Woody is their leader.  Right now they are having a party.  Because they new guys are getting to know the toys already living in my room.

Hanging out

Watched a fire truck parade to celebrate Durham Fire 100th birthday.  Then went to UNH to feed the horses.