Music Recital

The boys had their music recital in mid-November. This time Jacob didn't sing with the choir but instead played his electric guitar with the other musicians. He did great and looked awesome in his hat.

Caleb did great singing with the choir too. And he looked very 80's in his turned up collar on his shirt.

Halloween 2012

This year for Halloween only Jacob and Sydni dressed up for the occasion. Caleb opted out of going in character but went along as a chaperone for trick-or-treating.


Sydni dressed up as Artemis. Her friends Katy and Kaitlin joined in for the night's fun. Jacob was a scary scarecrow. He was so real looking that I actually thought he was a stuffed scarecrow sitting on the porch.

Guitar Lessons

Sydni, Jacob and Caleb are all taking guitar lessons this year. They've been at it for a few weeks and still seem to be enjoying it.


Jacob is the one who practices the most and it shows. He's getting fast on that thing.

Choir recital

Caleb and Jacob had their final choir recital of the year on May 8. There are so many boys in the choir but they all look miserable up there singing. Like they're being forced to do it.

They all did a great job singing. I would post the video but I don't want to embarrass them. So pictures instead!

Merry Christmas

The kids enjoyed a great Christmas Eve tonight. They received everything they asked for and more.


One of the best gifts the kids gave the adults was to write us letters/drawings telling us what they loved about each of us. We will treasure these always.

Christmas Choir Concert

The kids are enjoying their new school - even with all the added homework. One of the things the boys are doing this year is participating in choir. They had a Christmas Choir Concert and did such a great job singing four songs. Now I'm going to make them sing for their presents this year.

Christmas Lights

One of our favorite things to do around Christmas time is to go see the lights around town.


This year we headed to one of the towns close by and did a little light gazing there too.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Islands of Adventure

This year for vacation and to celebrate the kids 11th birthday, we went to the most magical place on earth.....Universal Studios and Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. The first stop on our magical tour was the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Islands of Adventure park. Sydni has wanted to go here ever since she first found out there was a theme park for muggles and all things devoted to Harry Porter.


Seeing her face when she first saw the sign saying you were entering Hogsmeade was worth the trip itself. She nearly took off running towards Hogwarts when she caught a glimpse of it.








To say it was hot that day would be an understatement. It was a brutal day but so worth it. We bypassed the long line for Olivanders in order to get in line for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Being there that early, they were not as long as I had read they could be. Diane got on the ride with Sydni, Jacob and Caleb and they absolutely loved it. So much so that they went on twice. The boys went on the Flight of the Hippogriff and enjoyed it.


We then went to get some Butterbeer at Three Broomsticks. If you ever have the opportunity to go and have some Butterbeer, Do It! It was so delicious. Very sweet but it hit the right spot on a hot day.











Next it was off to stand in the line for Olivander's. The wait was over an hour ad about halfway through the kids had enough of the heat and just wanted to go home. So I took the kids into Dervish and Banges to do a little shopping while Granny Gran and Diane continued to stand in line. There was so much to buy and everything you can think of was for sale. So, neither the kids or I got to see the actual show at Olivander's but boy did we get a lot of souvenirs.





On our way out of the Wizarding World we stopped at Honeydukes and stocked up on Bertie Botts Every-Flavour Beans and chocolate frogs as well as some toys at Zonko's.


The kids favorite part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter:

Sydni: Forbidden Journey and seeing the castle
Jacob: Eating at the Three Broomsticks
Caleb: Forbidden Journey

(note from Jacob and Caleb--it seemed like every single ride led out to a gift shop!)

Wizarding World of Harry Potter 2011, a set on Flickr.