Merry Christmas!

We hope everyone had an amazing holiday season. I know we sure did! Christmas was extra special for us this year. Ryan truly believes, and Luke figured out how to unwrap his own presents. :)
On Christmas Eve, Ryan and I (Luke isn't into baking just yet) made some yummy cookies for Santa and baked a cake for Baby Jesus.





The boys and I went shopping for daddy together so that they could help me pick out a special gift. Of course, when daddy asked where we had been that day, Ryan promptly told him that we got his gift at Best Buy. lol So, on Christmas Eve, we decided to give daddy his present before the surprise "slipped out".




And finally, it's Christmas! Ryan's first reaction was "Whoa, awesome!" Both boys were good all year and were lucky enough to receive everything they asked for.


Ryan's favorite gift was his Cars Guitar...and of course, the Batcave!


Luke got MANY gifts...but you wouldn't know it. He LOVED his Little People bus and wouldn't put it down. In fact, he still plays with it every single day. Good choice, Santa!

Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting....

Ryan decided, after watching Kung Fu Panda for the first time, that all he wanted for his 4th Birthday was a Kung Fu Panda party. At first, I was hesitant because I was having a hard time with ideas. But, in the end it all came together!

We invited all of Ryan's good friends to Pil Sung Do Martial Arts Studio to celebrate his big day! The kids got to watch an action packed, high-flying, board breaking performance by the studios black belt team. Then they participated in mini class complete with punching instruction and defensive moves. And finally, each kiddo got to break a board!

The Birthday Boy!

Before breaking his board, Ryan was given tips on how to pack a big punch!

Success!

Time for a lesson

He enjoyed breaking the first one so much that he wanted to try again

Cake time!

Happy 4th Birthday to our little Dragon Warrior! We love you very very much!

October Happenings

Well, I've decided to try to keep up with the blog again in hopes of putting together a book for the boys on blurb.com.

With that being said...October was so much fun! We all just love the weather, the activities and all that fall has to offer!

We kicked off the month with Ryan's class field trip to a local pumpkin patch. He got to go on an I Spy Nature Walk, feed the animals, pick out a pumpkin, pan for gems and go on a hayride. We left Luke with Grandma so that we could have a special day together-we both had a great time! And it was so much fun to watch him interact with his classmates and teacher.

The following weekend we decided to go apple picking. I think we chose the coldest weekend possible to drive up to Ellijay. It was freezing! But, we bundled up the kids and headed north. They both had an absolute blast! Ryan picked more than he could possibly fit in his bag...and Luke just wanted to eat them.

They had a hayride that drove right through the orchard. It was beautiful...and bumpy!

The boys each chose a tiny pumpkin to take home, so we decided to paint them. I thought giving a paint brush to Luke was going to be the biggest mistake we could make, but he did great! He actually managed to paint his pumpkin and nothing else!

Next up-Boo at the Zoo! We met up with friends to go trick or treating at Zoo Atlanta. The boys loved that they could trick or treat AND see the animals (last year it was held at night so the animals were "sleeping") .

Black Spiderman and his baby arachnid brother

"Flash" Landon, "Spidey" Ryan, "Jiminy" Nicholas and "Pinocchio" Thomas

The next day we were driving and saw a pumpkin patch so we decided to stop and buy a pumpkin to carve. Luke saw the perfect one and was determined to get it into the car!

Ryan was a little more conservative

Carving together

Voila! Our dragon masterpiece. Ryan chose the template...I think it was because it was the closest thing to a dinosaur! :)

On Halloween, we made a quick stop at Publix to trick or treat with "Bumblebee" Gavin and Auntie Jaclyn.

Then it was off to our 3rd Annual Trick or Treat with the "F" Family! Ryan and Landon have collected candy together 3 years in a row now-it's so much fun to watch them grow together through the years!

Flash, Spiderman & the little spider (I didn't get a pic a picture of "Superbaby" Lawson, but trust me, he's adorable!!)

"Trick or Treat"

Happy Halloween from the "Soli" boys!

August Fun

August has been a fun filled month for us! We've been busy enjoying the end of summer before Ryan starts school on September 8th.

We had an amazing time at the West Georgia Hot Air Balloon Festival. Ryan and Luke weren't able to take a ride due to height restrictions, but they did get into the basket and meet the "pilot". It was a hot hot day (in the high 90s) so I decided to pour some water I Luke...I think he liked it

The boys...Ryan, Luke & Gavin, in the basket

Farmer Luke

Ryan entered the tractor race

displaying his prize cow hat

Daddy took a day off of work last week, so we decided to have family fun day. First stop, the park!

Then bowling

And finally, Ryan started swim lessons with Mr. Kyle...which he absolutely loves!

Summer has been so much fun...but, both Ryan and I are looking forward to the first day of school!