DECEMBER

CHRISTMAS CARD PHOTO
Christmas was getting close and we didn't have a photo for a card. With a little snow and even less daylight we ran to the park, set up the camera on the automatic timer, and got a few shots that would work. These were the two best pics.

FAMILY PARTY

Waiting for a special guest

...and here he is.

Talking to Santa

That's a lot of kiddos!

Our Christmas tree this year- 2012.













CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY
Great Grandma and Grandpa Bird didn't do their usual party this year. Instead Aunt Sara and Aunt Susan planned a fun Christmas Eve dinner and activities. We had fun playing games, listening to music and eating. We also put our hands to work and did a little craft. Everyone made a snowman out of model magic for the Christmas village. Here is the results of our handy work.

It was a really nice day. Another tradition that we have is pajamas on Christmas Eve, but this year we made a slight change. The boys don't really wear P.J.'s to bed anymore-they prefer ball shorts. Knowing that they have more than enough ball shorts, I opted for warm-up pants and under armor shirts, and they work just fine for PJ's, too.

**Notice that S doesn't look that happy. He had a very upset tummy and didn't feel well at all. Not fun to be sick on Christmas!

Guess he's feeling better this morning!

Opening gifts

Happy boys with their gift from Santa and their very fun hats!

NOVEMBER

FIRST SNOW

First snow of the year. Hopefully it's a good sign and we will have more than last year.
















70 YEARS

Great Grandma and Great Grandpa celebrated their 90th birthday and 70th wedding anniversary this year. The whole Bird family celebrated with dinner at Chuckarama. They are a wonderful example of love and family and we are truly thankful for them.

DARE GRADUATION

One of the fun things about 5th grade is the DARE program.


Before the DARE graduation, T and the rest of the 5th graders got to show off their Indian pyramids. T researched the Iroquois tribe and did a great job on his project.

HUNTING FOR TREES

It was a beautiful day for our annual 'Sunday after Thanksgiving' tradition. The weather was perfect- no snow and not that cold. We found the tree quickly. The turkey soup and chocolate donuts were delicious. The kids all took a turn driving the Rhino. The guns were loud and the dogs were crazy. It was a pretty great day. The only downside- T spent the whole time puking his guts out.

Sadly, no pics of T- didn't want to take a picture of him being sick, and he didn't want to do anything else.

OCTOBER

ARROW OF LIGHT
T earned his Arrow of Light award for cub scouts this month. He loves scouting and works so hard to earn the pins and badges. He has really enjoyed being a Webelo. Going to Webelos Woods was one of his favorite activities, but he also enjoys the weekly meetings and being with friends. He is looking forward to 11 year old scouts this winter. We are so proud of him for all of his hard work and effort.

14

Wow! Hard to believe that Z has turned 14. He is so responsible and careful. He tries his best to make good choices and he works hard in school. He also likes to lay around and be lazy like a typical teenager. He has been so helpful to me as I've gone to school and work. I'm so grateful for his help and I'm thankful to be his mom. Z is a great kid- I think he looks pretty handsome, too!!

IF YOU BELIEVE THEN STAND UP ON YOUR FEET...
...and shout it loud- REAL! Because it was Shooters night, we went to another Real game. The boys got to walk on the field wearing their jerseys. This time, there was no rain but it was cold. We came prepared with hats and gloves and bought hot chocolate to keep us warm.

Yellow card!

Keeping warm.

HALLOWEEN
S was so excited about Halloween this year. He couldn't wait to carve pumpkins, dress up and go trick-or-treating. He had no doubt that he wanted to be a ninja this year. T really wanted to be something scary. Z didn't want to dress up- too old and all- but J found the whoopie cushion costume and thought Z had to have it. Here they are all with all the cousins on Grandma's porch- getting ready for trunk-r-treat.

SEPTEMBER

THANK YOU GIFT
We had such a long and boring summer. Because I had to go to school full time, the boys missed out on a lot of fun activities. I'm so thankful that they were willing to make that sacrifice. They never whined or complained, just happily did what had to be done. I never would have been able to get through the teaching program without the support of my family. They made it possible and are still supporting me to this day. I truly feel blessed.

As a 'thank you' for their summer sacrifice, and because the boys love soccer, we went to a Real game. The game was kind of boring, we had an hour lightning delay, and we got quite wet, but we had fun being together as a family. We bought the boys the jerseys as part of the 'thank you' gift, but also because we needed an excuse to go into the gift shop to get out of the rain for a minute.

Keeping the boys entertained while waiting for the lightning to stop-

Z- so thoughtful

T-trying to look serious

S-always having fun

Do you still see lightning?

Get out of the rain! What rain?

Family photo- wet but happy.

Not sure T is asleep but I know for sure that S is out. It was a late night and a long game, but really fun, too!








SOCCER SEASON
The typical September and October for us- lots and lots of soccer. Between all three boys, we have had soccer practices and games every day but Sunday.

J helped coach T's team this year and they were gone several days a week with games and practices. T played his typical position- goal keeper, but he also had the opportunity to play some different positions, too. He really wanted to score a goal but didn't get the chance-though he did block quite a few.

S had games twice a week with his team- the Whirlwinds. He was the star forward, scoring several goals and making great passes. S has become quite a good little soccer player.

Z's team changed division's this year which means that we had to travel a lot further for games. He had practices and games 4-5 times a week. Z had a pretty good season, scoring 5 goals. He also learned a lot and got very involved in training with I-soccer.

This was definitely a busy time for our family.