Waiting for the mail.

Payton's latest obsession is with getting the mail everyday. If anyone else tries to get it she starts screaming and has been known to throw a punch or two. Yesterday was in the upper 50's and she decided that she was going to go out and sit in the drive way (dressed in her princess outfit) and wait for the mailman to show up. She was not going to be denied her duty of getting the mail.


First she had to go and check to make sure that they mail was not already here. Every time she gets out of a car she must run and check the mailbox no matter what time or day it is. She does not yet understand that no matter how many times she checks on Sunday that there will be no mail.


Since there was no mail yet she decided to pull a chair out of the garage and park herself in the driveway until the mail was here. Luckily it only took 20 minutes or so before the mail showed up.


Once she can hear or see the mail truck she decided to go stand right next to the street to make sure they don't try and put the mail in the mailbox.


Finally the mail has arrived and the wait is over.


Nothing like the satisfaction of a job well done.

If we are ever over at your house and you have mail missing you now know who the first one to check should be.

November in Review

Well it has been over a month so I figured I might as well update everyone on our November. I started out by taking the kids to Snowdays which is held at the Cleveland Indians baseball field. In the winter months they turn the field into a giant ice rink and build a snowtube hill for everyone to sled down. I got preview tickets, through the bank, which only let a select few in for the first night. That was nice because there were only a hundred or so people there so there were no lines to wait in. Despite a little rain, we had a lot of fun and the kids are wanting to go back again.


Here are the three older kids going down the make shift hill on snowtubes. They actually turn some of the bleacher seats into a giant hill which you then ride down in snowtubes. It is also nice because you don't have to carry the tubes back up as they have a lift that does that for you.


Here a Brooklyn and I sitting in the restaurant taking a break for some hot chocolate.


The boys doing the same.


This was Nolan's first time on the ice and despite a few falls he actually did very well. By the end of the night he actually was able to stay up and move around the ice with no aides or help.


Maddux on his first trip around the track. This was only his second time out and after 1 or 2 laps he actually was able to go around the track, although not as fast as his sister (she doesn't let him forget that either).


Brooklyn showing the boys how to get started. She is actually quite fast around the ice and can do so without the help of a cone or a rail. I was surprised at how good she was.


They also had some games that the kids could play, underneath the stadium, and the boys actually spent quite a bit of time at the radar toss. I think Maddux may have actually hit 44 or 45 which is pretty good for a 7 year old. I believe he had the record for the night.


The kids in front of the Indians scoreboard. They would actually show you on the big screen going down on the tubes.


The hot dogs made an appearance and the kids had to get there picture with all three.

Then on Thanksgiving we decided to head to the zoo for the day since it was free to everyone. The weather actually was pretty decent and most of the animals were outside for all to see. We ended up going with most of the kids and had some friends come along with their kids. It was an entertaining way to spend the morning and take advantage of the weather.


With all the animals that the zoo has, the playground was the most popular spot at the zoo and was the venue for most of our visit.


Most of the kids on top watching the seals and otters swim around.


Maddux and Nolan taking a break to pose for a photo opportunity.


Payton showing a little crack while sitting on top of her Uncle Spencer's shoulders.


A couple of grizzly bear cubs playing around.


Nolan enjoying the sunshine and just happy to be there.

For the Christmas season they decorate the branch I work at which provides for some good photo opportunities.


I think this is the biggest present the kids have ever seen. Payton kept wanting to open it and see what was inside.


They also put up a couple different trees which overlook the bank lobby and provide a little extra Christmas spirit. We get people that come in all day just to look at the decorations.

November also marks the beginning of basketball season. Brooklyn and Maddux have both played three games so far and are yet to lose. Brooklyn has a very good team and has won all three games by more than 20 points. They actually stop keeping score once the lead is 20 just to promote good sportsmanship. I don't think that anyone has scored more than 8 points on them yet. Maddux's games have been closer and he is having a lot of fun. He has gotten a lot better since last year and is one of the leading scorers on his team. It is so much fun to watch them in action and see how they play against other kids their own age.


Brooklyn is not known for her ball-handling skills but has been given the opportunity to work on it due to some larger leads. Her coaches are very good at giving everyone the opportunity to learn all positions and really have some fun. It helps when you have multiple girls who can handle the ball and know how to play.


A year or two ago and Brooklyn would not have even thought about going for this ball. She has gotten a lot more aggressive and continues to improve every game.


I love the look on the other girls face in this picture. Brooklyn's lock-down defense creates fear in the opposition. I am sure that is not actually the case but the picture does show different.


Brooklyn is one of the tallest girls in the league and has shown that she does have some hops.


Maddux leading the fast break. He is one of the quicker kids on the team and can also bring the ball down the court with him. If you have a kid at this age that can dribble and get to the basket it is such an advantage. We are lucky in that we have 2 that can do that at any time.


I am lucky enough to be one of Maddux's coaches and really enjoy spending time with him and the other kids while they learn the game. I really enjoy coaching and being able to have a hand in these kids development.

Well the Christmas season is upon us and we wish you and your families a happy and safe Christmas.