Happy Thanksgiving!

Neil, Jessie, and Riley made the trek across the US to come visit us for Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful visit and Aeden actually interacted with Riley...on occasion.

Playing Roll-the-Bat

Making silly faces
There were some birds talking quite loudly for an extended period of time. Riley decided they were going on too long, so she shh'd them. Too adorable! The boys got out the nerf ball shooters and spent some time running around outside.

The middle group (not the youngest or oldest in the house) got together and played Band Hero.

There was a 3 person pile-up in the living room. I am not sure Neil's back will ever be the same!

Basketball was a fun activity, both indoors and out. If you look closely you will see Aeden's arm, he was actually playing with Riley!

Friday we decided to go out exploring. Unfortunately, even though it was past noon, there was a ton of fog! We managed to explore the Peace Pagoda but pictures were limited.

Neil, Jessie and Riley brought some gingerbread kits to share. The girls made the train and the boys made the village. The train was the most awesomest!

(sidenote: Riley purposefully smeared that green icing on her face!)

The morning before they left, Riley, Neil and Jessie competed with Aeden to make monsters out of playdough.

Chilling out before leaving our house.

Thanks for coming to visit us! We had a lot of fun. :)

November Happenings

Being an overachieving family, Aeden worked hard to complete all the requirements for is Bear badge over the summer. For the first time (since Aeden was in scouts) the pack decided to award the badge now instead of waiting until the Blue and Gold Dinner!

I found this sign posted on the living room wall one morning when I was leaving early for work. (The image was cropped to avoid posting our address (!) on the Internet.)

I was amused by the similarity between this picture of Aeden eating a piece of chocolate and the one taken in December 2003.

Although this is the same decoration we have had for years, this year Aeden has put a new twist on it. Instead of being part of Santa and Mrs. Clause at the North Pole, it represents a popular Christmas song...can you guess which one?

Trick or Treat

It has been a very busy month between soccer, school, scouts, the boys being sick and some cold, rainy, dreary weather we haven't had time for much excitement.

Aeden picking out his pumpkin at the farm store.

Aeden's official Halloween costume


Aeden's 'scary' Halloween costume for the scout Haunted House fundraiser. Someone actually came to tell us he managed to scare her.

We went to get apple cider doughnuts at the local farm today. Aeden saw the cut-outs and insisted I take his picture.

Skater Dude

Two years ago Aeden got a skateboard from Santa. Last weekend we started re-decluttering the basement and it was put in the pile to be given away...unopened. Aeden decided he still wanted it and would learn to ride it. Here are some pictures from today.

Click to the blog to view a video of Aeden attempting to skateboard

Soccer Pictures

It is cold, very cold. This is the last soccer game we are going to take pictures at this year, it might even be the last one Aeden plays at. The reasons are it is cold, and the last game is on the 1st of November, aka Daylight Savings Time. So what would have been a 4pm game will still be at 4pm, but it will be as if it is 5pm. I anticipate a tired, grumpy, cold child who might not want to play in the dark. Therefore we took pictures today, and boy are we glad that we did as he was AWESOME to photograph:

Bored while the teams were at the other end of the field.

Finally getting some action
Kicking the ball away from the goal box

Doing a goalie dance while the teams were on the other end of the field...it is important to both stay warm and clear of boredom.

Good catch

Ack! The ball is coming this way...

Playing defense

Singing on the field.

Ah, being defense has its perks...a moment to relax

A mid-field spin was needed

Aeden really played hard and well today, but it was more fun to share the pictures of him being silly.

One Fall Day

Driving around we found a park next to the river. The boys practiced skipping stones.