Holiday Parade 2012

Yesterday morning I loaded up the kiddos and headed downtown for the Holiday Parade. My parents have taken the kids almost every year but this year they had other stuff going on, so I figured why not?? It was actually a very easy set-up. There was plenty of parking and we found a spot right on the curb where the kids had a great view of everything. Not to mention the weather was perfect for this time of year.

Chairs all set up, ready for the parade to start.

Group Shot

Just us GIRLS

Me and my ROCKET

Still waiting ~ it's not till I look at pictures like these that I realize how big my kids are really getting.

Yeah ~ Finally, it's starting.

Enjoying a candy cane.

"What are those things called again?"

"That's a really big Nutcracker!"

"RUDOLPH!!"

Peyton and I had to break out in song.

It's him, Santa's coming, Santa's coming!!

"HI SANTA!!!"

Flash Forward.....

To Fall!!!

Don't worry there is still more to share from the beginning of the school year but wanted to share some more recent pics.

About a month ago I took the kids to Oak Openings Metro Park to get a few fall pics of the kids.  Joey wasn't really in the photo shoot kind of mood so there are more of Peyton than him but all in all it was a good time and the kids were really agreeable.  Always a good thing when taking pictures.

For those of you that are really observant, you may recognize this wall from one of Joey's 3 year photo  sessions (Hint ~ it had a guitar in it).

The lighting isn't the best in this one but I still had to include it.

Probably recognize this from above.

Liked this one too.  Use it for my timeline on FB.

Just my Fall Princess.

One last shot of my cuties together.

Wrapping up Family Time

After camping we got to head to Grandma and Grandpa Bill's house for some more family time and fun.

Time with Great Grandma Jean

Quading Grandma Bill

Pictures with Grandma Bill

Riding the Tractor with Grandpa Bill

CAMPING

My kids have never been in the great outdoors.  I knew we were getting out of there comfort zone when we were headed to the campground and Joey said "Wow, we are in the middle of nowhere".  The campground itself is like it's own little town.  Everything you could imagine doing is there.  Unfortunately I didn't have my camera for much of it but there was some good pics worth sharing.

 The main project while we were there was the construction of a tree fort.  

A really BIG tree fort.

~LOVE~

~Playing~

~Football~

Family Time ~ Belvidere Style

In June we got to make a road trip out to Illinois. First stop, Grandma Kim, Tyler and Bob's house.

Time at the Park

~Family Pictures~

Princess Peytie's 4th Birthday

For Peyton's 4th Birthday we just kept it nice and low key. Her requests were Ariel, a Pinata and Birthday cake. Check, Check and Check!!!

~Pinata Time~

Ready for PRESENTS

Peyton's Birthday Cake

Look at that smile...Daddy's Girl

Our Princess

Yummmm

School's out for Summer

As far as last days go, Peyton was up first. It's hard to believe how quickly the school year went by and especially how much Peyton grew up throughout the year. She didn't quite understand why she didn't get to go to school anymore when Joey still was but there was lots of stuff that she got to get dragged along to so she had lots of fun. Thank goodness for great friends once again so I was able to be with one kid or the other when needed.

Peyton posing for her last day with her best friend Uh-Oh.

You'll notice a wardrobe change in later pictures.  Apparently this dress bugged her.

Honestly I don't remember what the flower was for (shame on me) but it still made a cute picture.

The actual dress she wore for her last day of school with flowers from Mommy's friend Jodi.

Posing in front of the Zoo sign.

(have to have for comparison shots ~ too bad the first day of school is stuck on my other computer)

Joey ready for his last day.

Broken arm and all ;)

We love Joey's bus driver.

She has the patience of a saint.

Last Day of School = FIELD DAY!

Class Picture

The Parachute used to be my FAVORITE!

Best Buds

Saying Good-Bye

Praying that the school breaks it's rules and Peyton gets Mrs Hohlbein for Kindergarten too.