the spoils

The night wouldn't be complete without a thorough sorting and taste testing of the spoils.

 hmmmm - which lollipop is yummier?

my night photography has not improved...oh well.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

It wasn't too cold this year and we only had a slight breeze.  We were able to get around our neighborhood before it started to rain.  I hope you all had a great Halloween!  

Abby's original costume didn't work so we rolled with it (as we do).  

A big feathery mask was just the ticket!

Ninjago Farmer Damien.  I couldn't find the fireman costume and I'm not sure I could have convinced him to wear it.  His hat came in handy later when his candy bucket was totally full.  He just flipped his hat over and collected candy that way.  He walked all over our neighborhood (which is pretty spread out), by the end he was so tired he was stumbling...nothing a little post trick or treat candy rush couldn't fix.  I think his favorite part of the night was handing out candy.  He told everyone how cute they were (even the big kids) and gave out fist fulls of candy.  As one pair of girls left I heard one say "I TOLD you they are giving out fist fulls of candy!"

Michael was not thrilled with any of my suggestions of costume (my favorite was 'Daddy' where he'd wear athletic short, hockey jersey, ball cap, draw some stubble on his face and carry a big plastic cup - He said nobody would get it...I don't know - I would have laughed!).  We settled on soccer player.

Happy Halloween from Za Kids!

pumpkins

It's that time of year again!  Today we designed and carved our pumpkins!  Since Ben has had a crazy couple of weeks at work I made sure the pumpkins were cleaned out and ready to go when he got home.  

Damien designing his pumpkin.  Below you can see Daddy's translation of the drawing.

The finished product (lined up for the photo - we did not make kids jump over them to get to the door). 

Brilliant!

Oh look at my daughter reading...she is so smart!  She did this all.on.her.own.  Instead of watching TV or asking to play her DS she decided to climb into my bed and R.E.A.D.  Oooooo Amazing Mysteries of the World...wow...not even a schoolbook...this is educational reading FOR FUN FOLKS! 

THIS my friends, is an example of superior parenting.  If you model the desired behavior your children will learn and emulate you.  You will be setting them up for a lifetime of happiness and academic success!

***giving myself a great big pat on the back**

Let's peak in on my little book worm....

oh wait......

nevermind...carry on folks!

Happy Birthday to our Abigirl!

6th Birthday

5th Birthday

4th Birthday

3rd Birthday

2nd Birthday

1st Birthday

1st BDay Party

snow!

A couple weeks ago we had our first real snow fall this winter.  The kids were SO excited.  Abby (our outdoor girl) was the first to be ready and out the door.  The first day the kids had a two hour school delay.  Since we live too close to ride the bus and I couldn't get my van out of the driveway we were going to walk to school.  As the morning went on the snow was coming down harder and harder.  Ben made it about 3 miles from our house before he had to turn around and come home (and he was in 4 wheel drive).  I decided to keep the kids home and school ended up being cancelled the next two days (hello 5 day weekend!).  We ended up with about 8 inches.  Our neighbor hooked up a sled to his 4 wheeler and gave the kids rides around our neighborhood.  

 It was hard to get a picture off all three of them looking at the camera because D just wanted to eat snow....and yes we did talk about avoiding the yellow snow. :)

 My handsome eldest!  He is just like his mama - after the first day he preferred to stay inside where it was warm!

 D trying to drive his cozy coup...which does NOT have 4 wheel drive and didn't make it very far.

 When he first got into the snow D gave us all a demonstration on how to jump and catch snowflakes.  

 Abby spent all day/every day in the snow...she loves being outside!

 Trying to sled down our backyard hill.

Fuzzy picture but look at those cheeks and those sparkly blue eyes!  I die!  

JOY

We are still here!!  Life has been so crazy (don't I say that every time?) and I haven't been taking many pictures.

I can't believe that we have been here almost a year.  We are still settling in.  I have been very busy painting and continuing to unpack boxes.  Ben has been super busy at work and with three little ones and no family nearby I have been doing what I can in bits and pieces...someday it will all get done!

This picture was from our backyard Christmas card photo shoot last weekend.  I LOVE THIS PICTURE.  I wish it wasn't so blurry and a bit more centered but what can you do when an almost 3 year old is jumping toward you.  :)  Hopefully I will get the Christmas cards out tomorrow.

cousins!

We were lucky enough to have my SIL and her children visit us at the beginning of February while my brother was on a business trip. They were here overnight and there was much fun had by all!

Having a birthday dinner for Abby. Homemade Mac n Cheese and Ceaser salad with homemade dressing - complete with anchovies (shhh! don't tell the kids - they LOVED it).

My Anna Banana - She and Damien had a couple go arounds. Once I went to the bonus room and she was saying "No baby, no no baby" and Damien was sitting on her. He looked at me like "what?" She is an absolute delight! She is also my phone buddy. She calls me on her moms cell phone and we talk...her mom did NOT know she was doing that by the way...she thought Anna was playing 'calling Aunt Mimi."

Jack Attack! My Godson. Love him. He had so much fun playing with Michael (whom he worships). Being an only boy he needs that quality male cousin lego time!

Lexi is such sweetness. Damien adores her. There is a picture of her on my phone and Damien likes to find it and smile at it and talk to it and then show it to anyone that is around...including strangers at the store.
Kaitlyn...is 10...how on EARTH did that happen? Her mom was pregnant with her at our wedding! It was nice to spend time with her and listen to all the wonderful things rolling around in her head.

mmmmmmm cake

The birthday girl - she was so excited to share it with cousins.

The kids thought it was awesome that it is so windy here. They were pretending they were going to blow over (or not pretending...it was pretty windy that night).

We all went back inside and someone was upset he wasn't in the picture. So we went back out....can you guess who it was?

There was much playing with cell phones. It was quickly determined that Aunt Susan's iphone was WAY cooler than mommy's LG phone...I agree...I agree...

The 4 older kids had a camp out on the floor of the bonus room. We really can't wait for them to come back to visit. :)

Our Baby Girl is 6!

New School

We are very lucky to have a beautiful school within walking distance from our house. It just opened this year and is amazing. The kids LOVE it. This was taken on their first day of school. See all that yummy morning sun on their faces? It is sunny 6 out of 7 days here...LOVE IT!

...I will also note that it can be insanely windy here too...

secret rooms and hiding places

When we arrived at the new house the kids had fun exploring it without any furniture. They found a secret room under the stairs (that is finished!) and lots of nooks and crannies.

The room under the stairs. It is shaped like a big 'U'. When it is not being used for storage it is going to be a secret hide out for Michael with a little couch and bookshelf. He is very excited!

Everyone loves the new pantry. Just right to fit little people. Damien likes to 'hide' in there and play peek-a-boo.

The cats were pretty freaked out by all the hubbub from the last couple months. They pretty much hid all the time. It became a game to find out where they were. Damien found them in the cupboard in the laundry room. He liked to sit in there with them and shut the doors. He even brought some of his hot wheels in there so he could play.

Goodbye Franklin

The kids had their last day of school at Franklin on Friday, January 21st. Michael's class had a friendship circle at the end of the day to say goodbye. Each kid said something they liked about Michael and a wish for his future. Michael asked me not to come but I heard that the kids had just wonderful things to say about him and a couple kids cried. We loved our time at Franklin and will really miss our family (real family - that is where their cousins attend and the music teacher is my aunt and our Franklin family).

Mrs. W (Kindergarten teacher) and Abby

Mrs. Free (2nd grade teacher) and Michael

(Mrs. Free had a hard time letting go - she really loved him)

Owen wanted to get into the picture too.

Owen and Abby are best friends. Owen has declared that he will marry Abby and they are going to live across the street from his parents. His mom told me that when Abby would come over to play and Owen would get in trouble Abby would defend him "Well Miss Katie...Owen didn't really mean to do that." :) Owen asked his mom sadly "But who will be my best friend when Abby leaves?" :( Good thing we will still be able to visit!

Big Kids

We have this GREAT table grandma and grandpa got me for my birthday a couple of years ago. This is where we eat, color, craft, etc. It is the best table ever! So Damien was tired of being in his high chair and so far away from the action that he kept trying to climb out. Mommy was a little afraid a trip to the ER was in his future so she decide to let him eat at the table with the big kids. He LOVES it - he can get up and down by himself and jabbers and prays with us. hmmmmm...one empty seat at the table...I think Mommy and Daddy should have another baby...a girl...to even the odds...just sayin'.

...life...

I can't believe we are already into March. Spring is everywhere...the grass is growing like crazy...the daffodils are peeking their heads out...and the Zoladz Family are shielding their blue eyes from the bright sun!

Life has been so crazy (wonderfully full and busy) that many things have fallen by the wayside - like updating the blog. Just know that I'm still here and hope to get at least one post a week up (it's good to have goals! lol).

Ben is halfway done with grad school and is starting to interview for jobs. Hopefully one will pop up before he graduates next winter. The kids are thriving. Michael is doing very well in school and loves to curl up with his daddy at night and look through Ben's chemical engineering books. Abby is a whirlwind of spunk. She loves to take care of everyone and do art projects with me. Damien is walking/running everywhere and is starting to "talk" - mama, pup pup, hi - and understands when you give him a simple direction "Damien, go get daddy a beer."... hahaha j/k..."Damien, go get pup pup."

the picture is from Thanksgiving...I just love my boys!

Happy 5th Birthday Abigirl!

Best of 2009

A few of my favorite posts from 2009.

Oh those eyes!

Swimming

Stuck!

My Boys

Auntie Jenney's Surprise Wedding

Michael builds an iTouch

Spike!

You Talking to Me?

Brothers

Abby Singing

Our sweet 1 week old

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the Zoladz Family

We hope this season is full of peace and lasting memories for all of you. We are so thankful for all that we have and pray for all of our friends daily.

Abigirl

swim lessons

This summer we went up the hill to take swim lessons at the Country Club. We improved SO much this summer. We are totally ready for Nana and Dzia's pool!

Since Mommy and Daddy like to make kids with transparent skin sun protection is a must. Shhhh this isn't a girls hat...what?...it is?...oh....

Michael went from not wanting to let go of the side to swimming the width of the pool without stopping.

At the beginning of the summer Abby would scream and refuse to lay on her back...now she pushes her tummy up and has a strong kick.

Abby and her teacher, Laura, Abby LOVED LOVED LOVED Laura!

....and the coup de gras....

Just a week ago I was still too nervous to jump into the pool by myself. Now I'm not scared and I know how FUN it is to jump in!