Meet the Newest Member of the Norris Family

Diddle the Elf

The story goes like this.  Santa sends Elves down to houses during December to help watch over the little kiddos.  Each night he leaves the house, flies to the N. Pole, reports on the days events to Santa and makes it back in time to his house by the next sunrise.  So far, he has been a good little Elf and not gotten into any trouble--although he did decide to help himself to a coke this morning. 

Great Wolf Lodge

At the beginning of the Thanksgiving break, Julie and I took the 5 kids to Dallas for a few days of fun at Great Wolf Lodge. But before we could go there, we stopped in at Stacy's for a slumber party and an impromptu birthday celebration for Stacy. Can't believe we didn't get pics of all 7 kids........ Guess we will have to all get together again.

Our bear themed cabins with bunkbeds were way cool. 

 Going on a magic quest around the hotel was lots of fun.  Although my kids pooped out, Evie, Kenlie and Julie held in and finished 4/10 quests. 

 Floating on the river was oh so relaxing.

 Lots of pool fun.

 Meeting Wylee the Wolf.

 More fun in the pool. 

 Sharing ice cream.

 All for one and one for all.  Team Cousins.

 Even though it was an all indoor waterpark, several of the slides were built in and  outside of the hotel.  All the kids were able to ride all slides except for two.  Kenlie and I loved the toilet bowl ride, while Jax and Abi loved the inner tube ride. 

 Ft. McKenzie

Before heading home, we stopped in at Amy's for a quick clumber party.  7 KIDS.  wow.  They all had so much fun together. 

Goofing around at Bass Pro Shop.

Thanks Great Wolf for a great time. 

Final Halloween Post--I Promise

After picking the perfect pumpkin, Eric had his annual carving party with the kids.  They each got to select a scene for Daddy to carve. 

The finished products.  Jax had choosen a skelleton and Abi choose a haunted house. 

Other household decorations.  Our tribute to past Halloweens.

I couldn't find the pic of Abi as Cinderella.  I know I have it and it will surface when I least expect it.

To Grammy and PaPa

I have mentioned before how Abi and I love to read Katie Woo.  Katie Woo, A Nervous Night tells the story of Katie going to spend the night at her granparents house and getting to sleep in her mom's old bed.  We choose the following as our writing prompt:  What special things do you do with your grandparents?  And because the pic didn't turn out good, here are Abi's responses:
1.  pick tomoatoes
2.  swim
3.  eat popsickles
4.  boating
5.  Grammy coming to eat lunch  (Grammy went to Abi's school to have lunch with her one day and take her shopping at the book fair.  It obvioiusly made an impression on her). 

From Grammy L

A few days before Thanksgiving we actually had a few cold days.  Abi finally got to wear one of the new school outfits that Grammy got for her. 

After Thanksgiving Fun

Abi hosted a tea party with the new tea pot G-Ma Kreidel gave her for Jax and Puppy. 

Thanksgiving Fun

AFter a greatThanksgiving meal with lots of family, hosted by yours truly, the fun moved outside to a  game of football.  Jax served as quarterback.

 Evie hula hooped when someone did something great.

 Julie took over as quarterback.

 Kendra blocked.

Our 92 year old cheerleader--Grandma Kreidel

 Jax catching.  He was in all his glory.

 Julie turned out to be a mean tackler.

 She tought Jax all her tackling tricks and he proceeded to terrorize his cousins.

                                 SCORE

 Aaron--put me down.

Enjoying dessert after the game.  Geez Grammy--how big of a fork do you need?