Smokin' Aces

 We had our volleyball team get together last weekend at the Reierson's and here are the big kids eating dinner.  Cullen, Breck, Hayden and Mia.  I told them to make funny faces so they would look at me.  

 Paul, and the little girls, Campbell and Paige.  

 The adults trying to get some conversation in over the kids.  Andy, Jen, Krissy, Paul, and Shawn.

 There were some intense games of hockey played in the basement.  Andy and Shawn took on the Bulldogs (aka Hayden and Breck) and I think the Bulldogs came out on top!!

 Paul was the Oilers, and he took on all the kids for a while and then Mia joined his team.  But this was also a very intense game.  

 Andi, Cassidy (driver), Campbell (trunk) and Jen hanging out.

 Future Smokin' Aces!!  But until then, our Cheering section.  From the left Cullen, Cassidy (Bakk's), Breck, Mia & Paige (Eberth's), Hayden & Campbell (Reierson's). 

Adult's and members of the team  Krissy & Paul, Shawn & I, Jen & Andy, and Andi & Mark.

Great Season Aces!  Hope we can do it again!!

Duluth Air Show

 Last Saturday we headed to the Duluth Air Show ( Thanks to our neighbor, Therese!) for some family fun!  Here the boys are getting ready to walk through a military cargo plane.

 Up close!  There were lots of planes, jets, helicopters, and military items to look at.  The boys thought it was pretty cool!  O.K., so did I!

 Dad and Breck cuddling.  It was a bit chilly with some rain mix throughout the day but it didn't stop us from enjoying the day.  We were there from 9:30am to 5pm.  Full day of fun!

 Breck and Cullen sitting in a helicopter.  This was actually one of the helicopters that St. Luke's used to use, so we have probably seen it land on daddy's work at one time or another.

 Culley and Mommy keeping warm.  We just happened to sit in the PERFECT spot.  All of the stunts happened right above our heads.  Really loud and super cool!

 The boys sitting in an airplane with the pilot showing them how to use the handles and what some of the levers and buttons were for. 

 I believe this is US Marine Harrier III.  I just hovered right above us for a long time.  Turning, and rotating without changing height in the sky.

 The Golden Knights parachuting from planes.  Reaching 90 mph and landing right in front of us!

 Shawn and my favorite parts were the loudest one, however, both boys needed to cover their ears!  Notice Breck ( watching intently, but both hands over ears) and Shawn watching a Mig or an F-16 zip past, can't remember which one.

 The Canadian Snowbirds playing "chicken"!  Ok, maybe not but it sure looked like it!  They got so close to each other and did some amazing tricks!

 The Snowbirds again doing more stunts.  There were 9 planes.  Doing some tricks together, and doing some   solo.  So you had to keep looking all over the sky cause they would come in from all directions.  Basically the Grand Finale! 

 This was a wrap around split.  All planes started together while one would do a full circle around the others, and when all 5 planes did their circle they split off.  You can see all the smoke from their circles behind them. 

 This was a Heritage Flight, for memorials and things like that.  There were 4 different planes ( an F16, F-4, P-51, and a viper....I believe (could be wrong though). Very moving!

One formation with all 9 Snowbirds!  Thanks again, Therese!  We had a great time!

G'parents Tea and Playdate with Mia

 We went to Breck's school for Grandparents Day Tea Party for fun.  Neither of his grandparents were able to make it, but we enjoyed it anyway.  Making a bead bracelet in the gym.

 Hanging out with Grey, one of Breck's new buddies.  He makes some of the funniest faces!

 My boys don't like taking pics very much right now, so it's a bit of a challenge to get a good one.  I guess I will take it.  Notice that I have to hold Cullen's hands because they are consistently inserted in his nostrils.  Boys!

 We have been doing Wednesday playdates with Mia (Paige and Krissy too) and it's been a lot of fun.  We were waiting for the cookies to come out of the oven and the kids were using Krissy as a hurdle.  Running in circles, jumping, falling, and doing it again!

Best Buddies!  Breck and Cullen love playing with Mia!  And we hope to play lots before the Eberth's move away...we are going to miss them very much!!

Family time

 Our weekends have finally slowed down and we have been able to enjoy some time in Duluth and hanging out around our house.  We had our first, maybe second bon fire of the year.  It was a beautiful night with lots of stars and lots of laughs.

 LOTS OF LAUGHS!  We also did s'mores but we were all too sticky to take any pictures!  It was so nice out that after we put the boys to bed Shawn and I went back out and enjoyed the peaceful evening!

 Cullen and I headed to the Library on one of the days that Breck as at school.  He was listening to a story on tape.  He thought it was pretty funny to have the earphones on.  

 We also went to the Aquarium and I believe spent about 4 hours there.  The boys were trying to find the otters in this picture.  No luck, they really only come out after lunch.

 We spent a good amount of time in the play area.  The boys did the slide a bunch.

 Also playing in the boat doing some fishing, feeding the fish, driving the boats through the great lakes, and going up and down the escalator.  

They also have a "drawbridge" like walkway that is an open floor concept to go out and watch boats going under the bridge.  So here we are watching the Vista Fleet heading out on it's tour.  I was trying not to look down as it's really high up and kinda freaked me out!

Skate with the Bulldogs

 Breck had an open skate the other weekend with the Bulldogs.  Here he is skating around the rink with a player (don't ask me who?)  They were going to race around the rink.  This was the start...

 Here they are rounding the 3rd corner!

 All the kids and the Bulldogs.  Breck is on the far left

Breck, Ben, Hayden, Campbell, and Leighton watching and waiting for the Zamboni to clean the ice after their skate.  Breck will play hockey on a team this year and this is where we got info on Glen Avon (where he will play) and met some of the families and kids that already play!  Breck is pretty excited :) 

Movie in the Park

 Back in the beginning of September was the last movie in the park and we finally made it down there to watch.  It was Happy Feet and the boys had a good time.  They didn't watch much of it as there were so many other things to look at.  But it was fun.  Here are the boys checking out their surroundings...

 This was the view from our spot.  There were lots of people there and it was a nice cool evening to watch with sweatshirts and blankets!  

 The Kerfeld's joined us and here is Amara, Breck, and Cullen all lined up eating their popcorn and watching the movie (note..this was early on because none of them stayed in this position for long !)

 Amara's Uncle Dane came down too and he was "the favorite".  All the kiddos wanted to sit by him!

And by the end of the movie the kids were out of treats, tired of sitting, and ready to burn off a little more energy so they started a dance party!  The penguin's did a lot of dancing in the movie.  I guess the kids were inspired:)  Cullen is doing a summersault in this pic.

Cullen's Time

 Now that Breck is at school 2 full days a week that gives Cullen a little extra Mommy time.  His favorite thing to do right now is "go park" or "go walk".  So here he is soaking up Mom's attention and showing off his skills.  Crawling through the tunnel, using Mazie as a foot rest.

 

Riding the turtle

And getting as sandy as possible.  There is nothing like digging in the sand!!  He has still been asking for Breck and wanting to play with him.  I think it's really sweet and I'm sure it's hard for him to not have his playing buddy.  But, I'm enjoying my Culley time and I hope he does too!

 The other day I was trying to pick up the house a bit and when I came in the kitchen this is what I found!  My monkey climbed up on the counter, found some chips, opened them and started eating :)  When I came in to get him down he said in his sweet voice "Look Mommy, I did it!  Want chip? They're yummy in my tummy"  and proceeded to take a bite!  He cracks me up!

1st Day of Preschool

 Breck is now entering his second and last year of preschool.  He will be going 2 full days a week this year.  And so far he seems pretty excited about it!  

Eating his breakfast in his new yellow shirt!  He is in the yellow group this year.  Cullen also had to bring a lunch to school just like his big brother.  Off we go!

  Entering the school.  All by himself...where did my baby go?  He is becoming more independent and it is so much fun to watch him "grow up" and face new challenges with less assistance from me.  Here he is with his new teacher Mrs. Jakki. 

"Hey Mom, Look, Grey has the same shirt as me!"

With Mrs. Patti :)

 When we picked him up after school he was still all smiles!  So the first day was a success!  I do know that Cullen was a little lonely with only his Mom to play with.  All day he kept saying,  "Where Breck", "with Breck", "Go get Breck".  Hopefully he will start to enjoy his alone time with Mom once he realizes that he's in charge!  Either way, I think it's going to be a great year!