So there ya have it. This post could have been a one-liner. BUT, since it was the 10th anniversary (which as Emily pointed out means 11th actual time we’ve trick-or-treated) of our cousin trick-or-treating extravaganza, I must also provide PICTURES! Pictures! And since my good camera just broke they are sub-par iPhone pictures! But they will at least give you photographic proof that a) we continued our tradition and b) OUR KIDS ARE THE BEST! See for yourself!
Joshua was Falcon from the Captain America movies and Jonah (who was NOT at all pleased about getting his costume on at first) was Ironman.
Sam was Star Lord from the Guardians of the Galaxy (are you sensing a theme among the boys?)
Sophie was Merida from Brave. Except, you know, without the red curly wig. Because as she told Kate, “We didn’t have enough money for the wig.” Which actually means, “My mom is too cheap to buy the wig.” #truth
Kate was…a nerd from a Taylor Swift video, so she says. And we believe her! I love this picture of these two cousins who started our Halloween tradition!
Here are some more fun shots of our night. We FINALLY had decent weather for the first time in several years!
Kate’s friend Rachel, who looks like she is receiving a punch in the face from Joshua, also trick-or-treats with us every year.
He got into the spirit after the candy started rolling in.
We even got him to wear his mask for awhile!
They stayed out later than ever before this time!
We had a great night and I can’t wait until next year! What are your little cuties trick-or-treating as this year?
A week ago today, my daddy turned 70. This past weekend, we had a small party. Just our family, but as usual, we had as my dad likes to say, “a big time”. Before the festivities, my dear friend Tess came and took some pictures. We had hoped that Jonah was finally of an age where we might actually get a good picture of all nine of my parents’ grandchildren together. Happily, it worked out! (Also happily, my mom and dad’s house is next to a church with some picturesque architecture.)
The Brads grandkids, age 17 to 3.My parents with their 9 grandchildren.This one of Jonah is obviously, my favorite!
All last week as I pondered my Daddy’s milestone, it was not without being aware of how blessed I am to still have my parents with me. Monday, Sophie’s former speech therapist’s mom passed away unexpectedly. My heart broke all week for this special girl and her sisters and their dad. Wednesday, my dad’s actual birthday, I posted “Happy 70th birthday to my Daddy! I love you so much!” A few hours later, I read, “Today is my daddy’s funeral.” on another Facebook friend’s status. And Saturday, the day of my dad’s birthday party, was the 3-year anniversary of my friend E’s dad’s death.
Though I know none of these friends begrudged my family our celebration, I still felt a bit guilty. But I quickly shook that off. The only way to feel, I know, is thankful.
I am thankful that I have such awesome, loving parents. That they love not only their children and grandchildren, but each other so well.
My much older brothers, my parents, and me.
Five years ago on my father’s 65th birthday I wrote sort of an ode to him, and I know he reads it from time to time. I’m glad those words are there, and they are as true today as they were five years ago. I have the best Dad any child could’ve asked for, and beyond that, my family – my mother and brothers and sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews and of course my husband and children is about as ideal as it could possibly be. And then there are my grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins that are the icing on the familial cake. I seldom feel as blessed or as happy as I do at a family party, with all my favorites in one place. I mean my teenage nieces and nephews are so great, you guys, they have taken the edge off of the paralyzing fear I feel about being the mother of a teenager one day. And when you take a close look at Sophie, you know that’s quite an accomplishment.
When I think about my family, I think that it’s true that I was born honestly born with everything I’d ever need in life. Two parents who loved the Lord and loved each other, two brothers to teach me how to laugh and have unshakeable self-confidence, and a loving extended family to teach me, among other things, the importance of appreciating that family can equal friends. All of that led to what I have now. Trust in a God who loves me no matter what my circumstances, a wonderful husband who loves me despite myriad flaws, and three beautiful kids who love me because I feed them (I kid, I kid. Sort of.)
I love my family. I’m glad we make time to celebrate together. I’m glad that we take time to laugh together.
And most of all, I’m really glad that all of us finally text. I mean, all those phone calls were getting pretty laborious. (Kidding again! This was getting too deep.)
Happy birthday, Dad! Thanks for leading our family so well for all these years. I love you!
So last week I told you (again) about my awesome Rubik’s cube-phenom nephew, Drew, and how excited I was that KidzVuz.com was sponsoring him to the Rubik’s US National championships this past weekend. Remember?!?!? I know you do. You may also remember that Drew was already the World Champion on the Pyraminx event, having won that title last summer. Since “Worlds”are only held every-other-year, US Nationals was the big competition for Drew in 2014.
Oh, by the way, this is a Pyraminx
Here’s a totally awesome LIVE local news segment he did the day before he left for US Nationals. I know I am biased, but I was pretty blown away by how poised he was during a live interview. I mean…he’s14. I know I was not that together when I was 14.
Nationals wrapped up for Drew last night and…he killed it! He achieved his long-time goal of setting the World Record for the Pyraminx…and he did it in the FIRST round of competition, solving it with an average time of 2.90 seconds (the previous record was 2.96). In the second round of the “regular” cube competition, he set a new North American record for a single-solve of the Rubik’s Cube, solving it in just 5.97 seconds and totally surprising himself! That wasn’t even one of his goals for the competition!
Drew is the boss of this cube in North America!
After setting the new North American Record, he went on to win the Pyraminx final with an average solving time of 3.07 seconds, not as fast as his world record but over a second-and-a-half faster than 2nd place (#justsayin)! He also won third place in the Skewb event, which is this thing:
A Skewb, ladies and gentlemen
Solving it with an average time of 5.49 seconds. And finally, in the final round of the Rubik’s Cube 3×3 event (he set his North American Record in the 2nd round) he finished in 13th place with an average solving time of 10.17 seconds. Not his best finish, but we will let it slide on account of the amazeballs North American Record he set in round 2! (He also had a killer round 3, which, if it had been the final round, would have made him 3rd or 4th place.)
Here he is setting the North American record on the ol’ regular 3×3 Rubik’s Cube. Hold on to your eyeballs, kids, THIS IS FAST!
WHEW!
This kid did a TON of competing in 3 days time, and his family sure is proud of him! Thanks so much to KidzVuz.com for helping to put all Drew’s practice and determination into action and supporting him in getting to Nationals! Make sure and get your kiddos started on KidzVuz to they can see and make product reviews of their favorite stuff in a safe, fully-moderated, bully-free online environment. Joshua is still loving making reviews of his favorite toys, book, and video games. You can check him out on KidzVuz here.
And finally, here’s Drew breaking the World Record on the Pyraminx. (Did I mention he was already the World Champ and North American record holder on this? Now he is World Champion, World Record Holder, National Champion, and North American Record Holder. Wowzers. All I have is a bachelor’s degree.)
Enjoy, and congrats Drew!! Your #FanAunt is very proud of you!
