Easter at Fluvanna

Every year we start our Easter celebration at Fluvanna. The kids look forward to Easter at Fluvanna almost as much as Christmas. This year we did not know if we were going to make it because we lost our car keys (which are still very much lost, by the way). Locksmiths are lifesavers! Now back to the most important part of Easter at Fluvanna...the EGG HUNT:

On you marks, get set,

GO!!

Wade had practiced hunting at his school on Thursday, so he knew exactly what to do.

The big kids thought if they hid the eggs high in the tree the little kids would not get them, and they could have them after the hunt was over. Miles out smarted them!!

Sydney

Madison - She is a true Stansell...hunting eggs bare footed!!

Tye

Tenley

Ian - I think he got the most eggs out of the kids in our bunch.

Luke

Miles

Wade

Mac

Kate

 The big kids- Mason and Rachel - Rachel did not hunt this year. She decided she was too old. Luke asked her if she was worried somebody would ask who the giant kid was if she did. Haha! Little brothers are sooo funny!

The redheads have to stick together!! I think their hair is about the same color.

Chris and his Daddy.

I wonder what Mason is teaching them???? He sure has a captive audience.

Kate and Memaw.

We had a great time at Fluvanna as always! We got to see some of the family we only see once a year. The kids are all growing and new ones are coming along. Our kids are making memories and love the tradition.

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

He did it!! He did it!!! Wade talked to Santa Claus and told him what he wanted for Christmas and there were no tears!! My Big Boy!!

Wade did panic a tiny bit when he was close enough to actually see Santa. He said "I don't want to see THAT Santa." He also said he would not sit on his lap or hug him. I figured there was no way he would go through with talking to Santa. But he did! He walked up to about 3ft in front of Santa and said "I want a motorcycle, ipod, and a bike." He had to get close to get his candy cane, and we talked him into a picture. Then as he was leaving he turned to Santa and said "where they at?" He did not understand he was not getting his presents right then, although I had tried to explain that several times before. We told him he would have to wait until Christmas for his gifts.

Katybug asked for a Barbie play set and an ipad. We will see what Santa can do about that.

Santa made Rachel kneel down because she was so tall. He said that she is already taller than he is. And, she still has some growing to do Santa.

Rachel asked for a bicycle and a Vera Bradley backpack.

Luke surprised us and asked Santa for a XBox and headphones.  I don't know if he has been THAT good or not.

And Momma got her picture of all four babies with Santa and nobody is screaming!! 

Santa did a good job taking time to talk to each kid. We could not hear everything that he said to them. Chris asked Luke on the way back to the car what Santa had said. Without skipping a beat and with a straight face, Luke said "He said he had been watching me all year and I was the BEST boy in the world!!" Chris laughed so hard he had tears in his eyes!! 

Halloween 2013

The day had finally arrived!! The kids got to dress-up in their new costumes and collect candy around the neighborhood. Halloween is so EXCITING!!!

Kate was a Blue Genie!! She was beautiful and mysterious!! She picked this costume because it had a bare belly like a bikini. Unfortunately, it ended up being a little too cold to walk around in a bikini top. She still loved her costume!!

Luke was Patriot Iron Man. He loved his suit because of all the muscles and he did not have to smile in pictures!!

 Well maybe just one.

Wade insisted on being Mickey Mouse this year. I tried to talk him into being a pirate or something else....but his answer was always Mickey Mouse. I was excited he actually wanted to dress-up in a costume! He could not have been more thrilled with his choice. I do believe he made the cutest Mickey Mouse around!!

Rachel decided she would be a Pirate this year. She was supposed to be too old to trick-or-treat this year.... but she needed a costume for her orchestra concert.... so I guess her trick-or-treating days have been extended another year or two. I think she made a beautiful and very tall pirate!!

Memaw came to stay with us for Halloween and help pass out candy.

My trick-or-treaters about to head out to collect some candy.

We met up with friends along the way.

Another great Halloween is in the books. We had a blast and are eating candy like crazy!!

Carving Our Pumpkins

Carving our pumpkins is probably my favorite part of Halloween! I just wish the Jack-O-Lanterns would last a little longer after they are carved. On Wednesday night we had a little carving party at our house. The kids were excited and ready!

Everything is new to Wade. We were excited to see his reaction to the insides of the pumpkin. He was completely grossed out!!

But he did put his hand inside and try to scraped out the guts. I was proud of him for trying!

Luke is an expert. He had his cleaned out in no time!

He went right to work carving out his original Frankenstein design.

First one done!! He did a GREAT job!! Awesome Lukie!!

Daddy helped Kate with her pumpkin. They picked out a My Little Pony design.

Kate even got to carve this year.

Wade with the pumpkin Mama specifically carved for our little Mickey Mouse fan.

Kate with her My Little Pony pumpkin. It turned out GREAT!!

Rachel with her owl pumpkin. She did everything on her own this year. It turned out fabulous!!

Our Jack-O-Lanterns...

We were all so happy with the way our pumpkins turned out this year! The kids are getting really good at carving out the pumpkins. They don't even complain about cleaning out the insides anymore. I will soon have to have my own pumpkin because they don't need or want my help. :0( We had a fun time carving our pumpkins and they brightened our walk for the trick or treaters.