The clock is ticking and the countdown has begun

The First Snow!!

 Riding the L.S. Ayres Train with Mommy

 State Museum trip with Grandma

Daddy and Grayson see The State Museum too. Rogan put your tongue in your mouth!

I'm still bigger than this toy soldier!

No Rogan, I am!

Watching the window display at The State Museum with Big Brother!


Like many of that are reading our December post, we have had a exciting but very busy month. Rogan and I went to The State Museum with Grandma to see Santa and eat at The L.S. Ayres Tea Room. We had a wonderful time. Rogan had the adventure all to himself this year with Grayson being in 1st grade. It was nice too for Rogan to share a special memory by himself for once, but we still missed big brother Grayson. That said we decided to make another trip to The State Museum so Marc and Grayson could come too and so Grayson wouldn't miss out on the special train ride. Also, can't forget that traditional Christmas photo with Santa at The State Museum. Grayson also had a special outing with Grandma attending The Yuletide Celebration. I even got to go this year too! It was just amazing, truly amazing! I think I was just as excited as Grayson.

We also enjoyed a wonderful family holiday at Aunt Shirley's. Lots of great food, great fun and joyous laughter filled the Snider Home. The boys enjoyed seeing their Aunt's and Uncle's and cousins too! Grayson is now enjoying Christmas break. He would wake up every morning counting down the days until break that has now changed to the countdown until Christmas! The boys are both so excited as all young kids are and adults too!

The boys and I have made many holiday cookies and are about to begin another batch for Santa. We also made and decorated ginger bread houses. The boys love eating all the small candies that decorate the ginger bread house! Who doesn't, right! Grayson had a class party on Friday I was able to attend. What fun! He has such sweet kids in his class! It made my day to be able to spend that time with Grayson and his class. Another exciting moment we had in the last few days... The First Snow of the Season!  Our boys were thrilled to see the first snow. They couldn't wait to get a chance to put on their snow boots and make snow angels.

 " Have you been good this year boys?"

Grayson catching up with Uncle Tony

 Smile Callaway Ladies. Callaway Family Christmas

Playing with cousin Lilly, "Lilly I said, not to stick my rock up your nose!"

 Grayson at The Yuletide Celebration hugging bear.

I got this Mommy, I'll shovel for you!

My masterpiece, a snow angel!

Rogan is equally excited that Santa is almost here along with a very special birthday... Jesus'. We have been reading many fun festive holiday books and talking about how very special Christmas is and what the 'true' meaning is. Only two more days until Christmas is finally here!

Thanksgiving, Trimming the Tree and getting ready for The Christmas Season

Thanksgiving at Grandpa and Grandma's was very nice and as always yummy! Grayson had a Thanksgiving short play in his class that his teacher put together for the parent's in his class during our luncheon. Grayson read his list of things he is thankful for, "The Feast, Family, Friends and Pie!".  I guess that sums it up right. At church we went through the ABC's and named something from each letter we were thankful for and can I say there is a lot to be thankful for! The boys wanted to put up our tree the night before Thanksgiving, they were so excited.

What can we say, our tree was up the night before Thanksgiving. It was fun but very busy. Grandma made yummy pies for Thanksgiving as well as Aunt Pam! We have a lot of yummy pie makers in our family. Thanksgiving weekend was relaxing around our house. We stayed away from the hustle and bustle and just enjoyed the long weekend of Thanks! To welcome in the season, we have gone to The Children's Museum to celebrate Jolly Days. We just love going down the Yule Slide. The boys have written letters to Santa and that Santa wrote them back so quickly even though it's his busiest time of the year. Rogan delivered their letters this year. We have already visited Reynold's light display, another tradition in our family after getting ice cream from Handle's. That same weekend the weather was so nice, we headed downtown to show the boys the Christmas Tree on the circle. They loved it and yes, we stopped in the candy shop too and got  reindeer noses! The boys were just amazed as we walked around the circle! We saw a real reindeer in front of the Yuletide. It was just a perfect night. Next week, we go to 'The Tea Room' at The State Museum and also to see Santa and ride the train. Grayson will be attending 'The Syphony Yuletide Celebration' with Grandpa and Grandma. That was always a tradition before the boys and now that Grayson is old enough, he will be going. He will get to experience the fun and magic, dancing Santa's and their story of  "The Night Before Christmas."

 Circle of Lights with Daddy!

Underneath the Tree of  Lights!

 We promise we've been good Santa!

 Fun times with Mommy too!

Rogan says, "This is so fun Grayson"!

Grayson also had his very first school play the other night! He was even an actor, a red candy cane. His play was called, 'Candy Cane Lane'. It was so cute and they were wonderful. When they started singing, it brought tears to my eyes it was so sweet, the sound of their voices. We bought a copy so next gathering at Grandpa and Grandma Lyons', you may get a preview. We will be watching it a lot at our house! Today we attended Grayson's last basketball game at the Y. Marc was his coach, today was also trophy day! Big day! We have a tree upstairs in our loft too that has all of the boys ornaments they have made hanging on it. It's thier special tree and Rogan has enjoyed adding to it this year. Rogan has also enjoyed going to school to see Grayson during his lunch and eating with him!

 The Children's Museum Rocks!!

Here they come! Looks like Grayson is in the lead and Rogan is close behind

Jolly Days!

Mailing our letters to Santa at his mail box!

 Is that candy cane cute or what! I knew there would be an actor in the family!

 Christmas Time on Candy Cane Lane! Grayson's First Grade Play!

Marc presenting Grayson with his trophy!

Our Elf Nigel has returned for the season too and the boys just love looking for him every morning! That's the first thing they do when they wake up. Nigel came on December first. He had a long journey from The North Pole. Nigel is sent here by Santa to watch over the boys and make sure they are good. We certainly have enjoyed all our Christmas shows this month so far! Honestly, we can't get enough of them! Tomorrow is our Christmas Cantata at church, can't wait! We hope each and every one of you are enjoying this special time of the year! I still can't believe our boys are so big, each Christmas brings back memories from the last and how much they have changed! I cherish their excitement.

Our Grayson is 7!!! Trick or Treating with a chilly night and basketball fever!

Trick or Treat! Go Rangers!

Watch out for that skeleton Rogan! Haunted House at Children's Museum

We're in the pumpkin mush!

Its hard to believe yet another year has gone by and Grayson is another year older. We just got him a Nook for his birthday and loaded some old pictures of when he was a baby on to it. We thought he might enjoy seeing those! Where has that cuddly baby gone, although I'm thankful Grayson is still very loving and cuddly! He had a wonderful birthday! He had a party with his friend's at Ben & Aris and then a small calmer party with family. It was all a blast and this is the first time I haven't had an overwhelming sadness that he's entering another age and stage of life. Yea for Mommy!!! His party with his friend's was so fun! They all could hardly sit to eat pizza and cake, if you can believe that. They were having too much fun to stop for food. Rogan had tons of fun also, he has now decided he's having his party there when he turns four, which is 3months from now! Stop!! I tell them!! Stop growing! There was lots of cake and candy to be had this past month to say the least!

Halloween was just as much fun as it always is. We love our spooky, silly music! The boys just love listening to 'Ghost Busters'! I would have never thought when that song was so popular, I would some day listen to it with my children! Grayson and Rogan carved their pumpkins the night before Halloween. Rogan wanted a kitty carved on his pumpkin! He loves his kitty for certain. Grayson had GoKu carved into his pumpkin. Oh how they love the pumpkin mush too! Grayson and Rogan were both Jaden from the 'Power Rangers'. They looked so cute! Even with a bloody machete. It was a bit chilly when the sun started going down so we headed back toward our house shortly there after.

We were so excited to return to The Children's Museum for their haunted house! It was just incredibly fun and so much detail! The boys loved it! Just spooky enough for kids but not enough to scare them! Right up our alley and they have the 'Lights On' version we prefer attending. Now that a lot of leaves have fallen, the boys are loving all the stomping, rolling and crunching in them. Who wouldn't right!?

Fall Break at Conner Prairie

Checking out the view from the bridge

Another cake! Birthday's Rock!

"Mummy, may I have a piece of cake?"

This is the best! Wanna bite!! Pumpkin brain!

It might be your birthday Grayson, but it's still all about me!

It's hard to accept the malls are already playing Christmas music! What about giving Thanks!!! We are looking forward to going to Grandpa and Grandma's for the big feast. Grandma is such a yummy cook and great host! Grayson has been enjoying basketball on Saturday mornings with Marc as his coach. Rogan continues to cheer him on. Rogan is still enjoying his 'Mommy Time' by himself now that brother is gone all day. He gets to make all the decisions around here or so he thinks. He is Mr. Independent! He has told me to go away before because he wants to play by himself. Now is that something to be happy about or sad? Depends on the day! We do enjoy playing outside still and our library trips, reading together, and watching our favorite Disney shows together! Can't forget the play dough! Oh what fun it is and we love the mess too. Wouldn't trade it for a moment. Hard work it is but worth every sacrifice just to have those special little boys in our lives and making such great memories along the way!

Settling into the new school year and getting the swing of things!

Rogan posing in the leaves

          Conner Prairie's Headless Horseman

Having lunch after church

       Rogan and the Jack O Lanterns

Grayson trying on his Power Ranger Costume

I realized I have not posted for September! We have been enjoying this wonderful weather the past week while also getting a taste of what's to come with  the cold weather dropping in for a few long days. Grayson is doing great in first grade. He really likes it but says it's a long day. Now he appreciates those weekends a bit more. Rogan started preschool but found out at the school we were at, it was just too long of a day for him with still taking an early afternoon nap. Next year he will attend Grayson's former preschool at our church, Fisher's United Methodist.

We have already gone to one pumpkin patch, the boys couldn't wait to get a pumpkin. They also have had their Halloween Costumes since October 1st thanks to Grandpa and Grandma! They are both Jaden, The Red Ranger from The Power Rangers! They also decided to carry a bloody machete with their costumes. Now that's some serious accessorizing! They were so excited to get their costumes! We sure love October! Grayson celebrates his birthday with his friends this Friday night at Ben & Aris!!! What fun! His family party is next Sunday and his actual birthday is this coming Wednesday! Grayson starts basketball next weekend also and Marc will be his coach, can't wait! What an exciting two weeks our Grayson has yet to come.

Grayson also lost two teeth this past month! The Tooth Fairy came twice in one week! Show me the money!! We also had the pleasure of attending Grayson's school carnival, that was lots of fun for both boys! Rogan is the fastest 3year old on a bike I have ever seen. When ever he learns something, it is full speed ahead. He takes regular bike rides and has so much control! Rogan has also been decorating our house with many colorful pumpkins he made on Mickey Mouse Club House on line. He printed them all by himself and we cut them out! He is very proud of his art. Rogan has also been experiencing his different emotions and attitudes, let me just say that has been challenging! The boys also took a trip to Brown County with Grandpa and Grandma! They certainly know how to spoil those boys of ours!We are all ready for fall around here and are enjoying every minute! We visited Conner Prairie's Headless Horseman last Sunday and plan to go again since we are members. Conner Prairie is just amazing this time of year. We usually find our selves there at least once a week! Hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful season and thanking God for all the beauty he gives us! He has been working in many wonderful ways in our lives and I'm so grateful! On that note I am very proud to share with those of you that don't know, Grayson took his first communion on October 7th. He and Rogan will be receiving bibles from Marc and myself on Grayson's birthday. Happy Fall to all. Enjoy jumping in the leaves and smelling that fragrant  fall air and watching nature paint October.

 Marc dropping Grayson off on his first day of first grade

Ready to go now that lunch is packed

Lounging around Grandpa and Grandma's pool

The Best Moments Of Our Summer!!!

 Driving the ship at Conner Prairie

Playing in water table at Conner Prairie

Grayson checking for pirates on the ship at Conner Prairie

Eating a sucker that turns your tongue blue

Friends forever! Swimming at the YMCA

Children's Museum at the glass sculptures

Attending summer concerts with friends

Learning to ride a big boy bike!

Ready for a big dig!!

Beach Baby!!!

 Lego creations gone wild 

In case you are wondering what fun adventures the boys have had this summer, well here is a recap of our good times! I would say...we did it all! We had many visits to Conner Prairie and also to The Children's Museum. We skipped the zoo this summer with it being so hot but we will be there now that it is cooling off! We were able to attend many of the summer concerts in Fishers even though the heat was steamy this year! The beach was amazing and the many days of swimming at the YMCA along with the splash pads, made the hot days more enjoyable. Yes, how I will miss the smell of sun screen and the warm sun on my skin and chasing my boys from here to there. Well the chasing will continue and thanks to Grandpa and Grandma when the Fishers pools are closed, we will still get to enjoy swimming in their new in ground pool! The boys also had a fun time staying with Grandpa and Grandma and also going bowling. The boys also went fishing, went to an Indian's game and played out side later to enjoy that summer sun! We also took many long bike rides and made several trips to Handle's Ice Cream!! Yummy!!!.Can't forget summer reading and many trips to the library. Had many picnics in the park and went on many carousel rides at Forest Park. We also saw a few summer movies and attended The Farmer's Market! To rap up the summer as usual, we made it to The State Fair!!! Oh how we love 'Little Hands on the Farm'!!! Also yummy lemonade shake ups with an awesome pretzel and oh yes... The Dairy Barn!!! What an amazing summer!!! Can't wait for you to return again next year!

 Dave N Rae at Summer Concert!  Rogan posing under the tree!

Doing laundry for mom!

Milking the dairy cow at the fair , say cheese please!

Little Hands on the Farm, State Fair!!

Wednesday, Grayson begins 1st grade and tonight he meets his teacher! Rogan will start preschool at Noblesville United Methodist Church on September 2nd!! Lots of first beginning this fall but also an exciting time!