Christmas prep and a visitor from the North Pole

One day after returning from getting the boys from school, we found a package that appeared to have been sent from the North Pole. Upon opening it, we discovered that Santa had sent the boys and Elf on the Shelf. The boys named him Rojer and had so much fun searching for him every morning. Miraculously Rojer showed up on Grandpa and Bette's mantel the day we arrived back in the Untied States! On Christmas morning the boys were sad to see that Rojer went back with Santa, but are looking forward to seeing him again next year.

Owen Turns 6!

Happy Birthday to Owen - He had a fabulous party with his friends at Adventurelands. And then just had a little family birthday at home after his swimming lesson.

Bonfire night

We didn't go out to celebrate Bonfire night this year, but we had a great view of the fireworks from Gosforth right from our front door.

Samuel returns from Greece to more Birthday presents

Birthday presents for Samuel from Grandma and Grandpa Stevens, or as Samuel likes to simplify their names and call them Grandma Dick.

Greece - October Holiday

We had such a fabulous time in Greece. It was really hard to sort through the photos and narrow down which ones to post. Athens was absolutely amazing, with the history and ancient buildings. Kephalonia was breathtaking, I don't think you could find a bad view from anywhere on the Island. We did have a little trouble getting to the Island however, as the ferry boat workers were on strike, and we had to drive back across Greece to get on a flight. The villa that we rented was the perfect destination to relax, it could have been a bit warmer so the we could have actually enjoyed the pool, but all in all it was great!

Athens, with the Acropolis high on the hill in the background

Herodeion Ampitheatre at the Acropolis

Herodeion Ampitheatre at the Acropolis

At the Acropolis

Parthenon

Patras, Greece - Hotel Poseidon

Freezing cold water!

pool side at the villa

The ferry we should have been on

Koroni - The beach just below our villa

Koroni

View of the villa from the beach below

Koroni

Villa

Mellisiani Lake

boat ride through the cave on the underground Mellisiani Lake

Antisamos Beach

Antisamos Beach

Myrtos Beach

Overlooking Assos

Myrtos Beach

Samuel love story part 2

Last night Samuel says: "Rebekah wants to have a sleep over at our house, she can sleep up in the guest bed, and I can sleep with her so she won't be scared." Young romance, its so sweet!

Samuel is in love!

This is just a funny little thing that is happening here with Samuel. Samuel has met this girl Rebekah, she is actually in Owen's class. Samuel sits by her at lunch everyday and waits by her classroom door after school waiting for her to come out. The boys used to run around and play with their friends everyday after school, while Owen still runs around, Samuel walks around with Rebekah and they just talk, seriously it is very cute! They walk with each other home from school, most of the time hand in hand or arms intertwined. Owen, who thinks girls are just gross, likes to make fun of them by saying things like "'kissy, kissy" or "are we feeling lovey today".

Conversation between the boys on the way to school Friday morning:
Owen: "Samuel do you love Rebekah?"
Samuel: "Yes"
Owen: "Rebekah is totally in love with you"
Samuel: "Well, I am not going to marry her, she is just my friend"
Owen: "If you don't marry her, someone else will"
Samuel: "Really? Do you think it will be Monty?"
Owen: "Probably"
Samuel: "Will you ask Monty if he won't marry Rebekah"