Make-your-own Pizza Party!

Today Eli went to a Make-your-own pizza party to celebrate his buddy Fisher's 6th birthday. It was so much fun to watch all the kids, mostly boys, make their own pizzas and just their interactions in general. I have figured out Eli's "posse" in his class and they are so cute together!! The birthday party was so much fun and the kids had a great time making their own lunch. 

Eli, Liam, Jake and Fisher (b-day boy, on right closest to the camera)

What's that face Eli? 

Learning what to do with their dough - it was tough to keep their hands off until they got directions. Little boys!

Smushing out pizza crust (that's a technical term).

It's serious business. =)

After smushing / flattening, it was time to pull and turn to get the crust stretched out just right. 

Learning the steps to stretch and toss. 

Eli's turn, stretch and........

TOSS!! They all loved it. 

That looks like a happy pizza dough thrower. 

Time for sauce and cheese

Such a happy group of sweet boys!

Cake time! They were all excited for the Transformers cake. 

Fisher & Eli. Total cuteness!!

Eli ended up eating the rest of his pizza in the truck on the way home. 

We went on a hike.....

Since it was raining on New Year's Day, we wanted to get our 2013 first hike in this weekend. Got to start the year off right!! This afternoon we took the boys to Umstead to hike the Sal's Branch Trail. They both did pretty well last time so we tried the "long" trail again. Well, Eli did great. Cole had a few melt downs and had to borrow Daddy's "legs". The whole experience is best captured through pictures. 

Definitely something to look back and giggle. Every day is fun with these two!!

Single and Lovin' It

Bringing in 2013!

We brought in 2013 kid style!! Yesterday afternoon we went to a New Year's Eve party hosted by some of Eli & Cole's friends from school. They had a blast running around and playing with the other kids there....and there were quite a lot of kids! Late afternoon there was a magician who performed as well as face painting and balloon animals. It was awesome! Lots of snacks and juice later, the kids were ready to ring in the new year. The ball dropped on this party before 6pm but the kids whooped it up, dancing and cheering like it was midnight. Again....totally awesome. The boys had a super great time, were worn out when we got home and slept 11 hours! 

Unfortunately it has been rainy today so we didn't get to bring in 2013 with a hike or bike but that doesn't mean we won't have an active year! Looking back, there were a lot of good times and some tough times in 2012. Definitely looking forward to a much better 2013 and good stuff ahead. 

Happy New Year!!

Exploring

and running

The kids ran and played football. Cole looks like "running man" in this picture!

Mr. Mark playing football with the kids

Tim got in on the football action (top corner of photo)

The kids loved chasing Mr. Mark

He even got tackled a few times

Eli looks so determined! 

And he goes down!!

Cole was so nice helping his friend Jack get up.

Magic show!

He made a bird appear.

Jack and Cole (they're in class together)

Eli holding the bird

Matthew (Jack's brother) holding the bird - he & Eli were in class together. 

This face was so fun. He drew on the dry erase board and the eyes moved and the mouth opened. Neat trick!

Last but not least, the monkey!! He also had a rabbit and a rat and lots of other fun tricks. 

Jack and Cole - partners in crime. Shortly after this, Cole did end up getting hit with a bat. Surprise Surprise!

Ringing in the New Year with my favorite little boys.

THE ball. 

Time for the countdown

10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1......HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Major dance party after the ball dropped. The boys had a blast!