Wrapping up 2009 - Part 4

Whew - are you tired of reading and 

looking at all these pictures yet?

No?

Good, cuz there is oh so many more to include in my year end wrapping up.

The first weekend in November, Avery and Tessa came to stay at Gramma and Papa's while their Mom and Dad celebrated their 5th Anniversary.  Happy 5th  Anniversary to Rob and Abby!
While the girls were here we packed in as much fun and play time as possible.

Castaway Cafe

Gramma and Aunt Jean sit with the kids while they get some much needed refreshments after some hard running and playing.  MMmmmmm, pink lemonade hits the spot!

Tessa

Quent

Avery and Quent making some new friends

Avery is SAFE!

Jack and Tessa look a little trapped, huh?

Jack

Jack, a new friend and Avery walk over the bridge

Oh, we are so tired after all that fun!


**********

The next day was spent out in the beautiful sunshine, playing in the leaves.
Quite unseasonably warm for November, but we'll take it! 

Avery
(I just love this picture of her!)

All 4 of the kiddos

Gramma's raking them up just so the kids can play...

And throw all those leaves!

Jack was practicing his kicks

Avery

Quent

Tessa

Jack

Hey, we found some dirt to play in!

Gramma and her little Tessa

Tessa and I went in to make lunch for everyone and this is what Gramma and the big kids did. 
They played in the dirt and talked and sang.
Sweet.

Later, Uncle Len, Aunt Kyle, and Joel (Kyle's Dad) came over and we played out in the front yard.
After the kids had some time to marvel at Joel's motorcycle that is.

Tessa getting a high ride from Auntie Ky-Ky

First the kids were trying to pick Kyle up...

Then they just decided to run around her!

Just me...and my shadow
cute girl.

Ring around the rosie

Pocketful of posies

Ashes, ashes, we all fall down!
 

This is the happiest little girl I know!

Quent was showing off his forward roll skills!
(that's a somersault to you non-gymnasts :)

We can do it too!!

Jack had to show Aunt Kyle how to do it!

RUN!

On your mark, get set, GO!

Look at that beautifully bouncy hair!

Adorable

Adorable

If it isn't already obvious - 
Gosh I love these 4 kids!

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Tom and I took the boys to a Nutcracker : Behind the scenes event at the flint Institute of music one Saturday afternoon.  It was a really enjoyable family event where we got to listen to singers, watch the dancers rehearse, and do all sorts of fun behind the scenes activities.

Quent is getting painted like one of the mice.

Jack got  his mouse paint too, but he was not so sure about it.

They both made adorable little mice!

Here are some pictures from the dance class they participated in to learn how to do the dances of the mice and the soldiers in the nutcracker play. 

Quent: "Isn't this fun Jack?!"
Jack: "Yeah, sure Quent, will you let me go now."

The boys thought the best activity by far was the music room.  They could try all different kids of instruments and did they LOVE that!

(that's my lefty!)

Boy, he could make that trombone play!  It was amazing!

Lastly, we sat in the GIANT rocking chair that is used in the
Nutcracker play to have our pictures taken. 
that was pretty neat!

This one was used in our Christmas card this year.

**********

Santa came to town!

He was escorted by police cars and ambulances and arrived riding on a firetruck.

And was that ever cool!!

Can you see him yet?

Alex and Aunt Jean were looking for him too!

There he is!

Tom had to hold Jack back. 

Not because he wanted to see Santa,

he just wanted to see those emergency vehicles! 

Jack was much more taken with the Firefighters that were there than with Santa!

Santa says Hello!

(Quent in the orange/gray, Avery in the pink)

Santa shaking Quent's hand.  He was so excited!

All the kids getting a good look at Santa and some wanting to get a hug

Our turn to talk to Santa at the clock tower.
They all got a chance to talk to him and then Santa gave them candy and gift bags.
Very nice!

Our best attempt at a group pic, oh well.
They are all still cute!

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Tessa Turns 2!

With a party at our house with some family there to celebrate.

It was also our chance to celebrate Gramma (my Mom's) birthday too,

since their birthdays are a week apart. 

Tessa came over to pose wearing some new socks that she got in one of her presents!

She had to put them right on, you'll see that a theme that carried on throughout the evening :)

Jack and Papa cuddling up together.

No, he doesn't like to be the center of attention.

Not Quent!

Tessa modeling her pretty new dress and some of her new bling.

Awww, I love you GG!

Ooohhh, its the dress up trunk!

Aunt Barbie went all out making super cute outfits for this dress up trunk for Tessa.

They were adorable, and Tessa LOVED them!!

Her Daddy is helping her into her heels.

GORGEOUS!

Quent - can't let the birthday girl have all the fun in the spotlight...

Meanwhile, Avery and Jack (just out of frame) go on about playing with the other toys.

SUPERSTAR!

Quent is sitting with Gramma but look at his face -

inside he is dying to go over to get those dress up clothes!!

Aunt Kyle trying to get Avery interested in a package for her.

Gramma got a funny birthday card from Len and Kyle, must have been really funny!!

And she got a new Miche bag and shells from us all - lucky Gramma!!

Happy Birthday to you!

"Happy Birthday Dear Tessa!"

Blowing out her candles - isn't that face sweet?!

Elmo sings to her now.

Aunt Lisa's Butterfly Birthday Cupcakes

(not to toot my own horn, but I thought they turned out super cute!)

MMMmmmmm... Everyone likes them!

The Grand Babies (and everyone else too) 

sing Happy Birthday to Gramma!!