Fun in the leaves

 These pictures make me smile.  It was Christmas afternoon and my kids were still in half of their pajamas even though we had been up for at least 8 hours and it wasn't our first stop of the day.  They woke up early, as usual and we had Christmas with my Dad.  We decided to leave them in their pajamas when we drove to Nana & Papa's house because we thought they would be comfy and might possibly nap (didn't happen).  Once we got to Nana and Papa's house, they wanted to play so we just never got around to changing them or putting into their fancy Christmas outfits.  They had SO much fun playing in the leaves.

the only picture I have of anyone in their Christmas outfits.  Maybe I need to stage a photo shoot...hahaha! 

Best Christmas Yet

This year we decided to head to Texas to visit our family for Christmas.  It was the first time in 9 years that we have been home for Christmas.  Being able to spend Christmas with our family was one of the best gifts we could have ever given to our kids and to ourselves.  We had such a great time and really did not want to leave.

Uncle B and Molly stayed at Grandpa Jerry's with us and got to have fun with all of the loot that Santa brought. 

Christmas Eve @ Nana & Papa's

Monkey loved Christmas too.  Monkey still goes EVERYWHERE with us! :) 

Owen wanted Uncle A to help him open up all his gifts.  

the babies!!!

Uncle A got a candy machine for his shop.  It was a HIT!!!  The boys were his first candy customers.  :) 

he was so excited about the remote control car

His gift from Nana & Papa -- the Leap Pad.  He still says it his his best present ever.  

Bass Pro Fun

While we were in Texas for Christmas we made a stop at Bass Pro Shops.  They have some really fun things for kids to do during the holiday season and it is free (yay!).  The boys had a great time and got to do some things that they had never done before ... fire a toy gun and shoot a bow & arrow!

what's in there?

and she's had enough fun at outdoor world...

he thought this was the coolest thing ever.  10K for a 4 wheeler!!!!

the boys loved the race track

Gingerbread Houses

One Saturday morning in December we made our gingerbread house.  The boys were a bit more focused on stuffing their faces with random goodies than they were actually constructing/decorating the house, but that's kind of what it is all about.  The boys really enjoyed it and so did we.  I found big brother trying to scale the book case to get to the gingerbread house a time or two.  He said he wanted a treat.

I love love love those fat little fingers! 

happy as can be observing! 

finished product

North Pole Breakfast

The day after Thanksgiving we woke up to find our elf, Hank, here with a yummy North Pole Breakfast from Santa himself!  The boys feasted on powdered donuts and yummy chocolate milk.  Mommy and Daddy had a few donuts as well and peppermint mocha coffees.  We read the kids the Elf on the Shelf book and they got a huge kick out of it.  Hank brought them a special gift (movie night treats and a movie to watch).  Hopefully Hank will remember this special breakfast and keep coming back year after year!!  

Thanksgiving Performance!

I great big huge heart Ryan's school.  Moving him to that school last year was one of the best decisions I have ever made.  His teachers this year are outstanding!  He loves them all, including his music and spanish teachers.  He is learning so much every single day.  He comes home saying things in spanish and asking me how to say certain things in spanish.  It is cute.  He only has his spanish class once a week, but he is learning SO much!  

A couple of weeks ago,  his school put on a Thanksgiving performance.  He usually isn't one to sing a whole lot, but he had practiced his song and knew it word for word.  He did sing a little up on the stage.  He also turned his back around so all you could see was the back of his head about half way through their song.  When they were done, he was so proud that he clapped excitedly for himself.  He was so proud and so were we.  :) 

he loved the performance and wanted his picture taken as well!

A visit with Santa

I took the kiddos to see Santa today.  The boys were SO excited about getting their picture taken with him.  Big Brother kept talking the whole way to the mall about how he was going to tell Santa that he wants a guitar and drums for Christmas.  Yikes!!!  I keep telling him that if Santa brings him drums then he is going to have to bring me some ear plugs.  Santa, if you are reading this, please, please don't bring us drums!!!  Little Brother wants Buzz and Woody (even though we already have those...and all 3 movies).

When picture time arrived, both boys went and crawled right up next to Santa.  Little brother then got a little confused and took a little convincing to look at the camera.  Sis got to wear shoes for the first time!! They are a bit big still but I couldn't resist those red patent leather shoes!

Happy Halloween!

Hi!

our little lady bug

not so happy little monster

her face cracks me up!

Lightning Mcqueen, lady bug and a slightly more cooperative monster

ready to go..

Add caption

a little bribery works wonders for a little monster

Ok so --- little brother was NOT happy about putting his costume on.  He picked it out at the store.  He ran around practicing his monster sounds for a month or so...then the big night he was just not having it.  After a bit of bribery in the form of Smarties, he perked up.  The boys LOVED trick or treating this year.  They were only excited about their candy for about 20 minutes when we got home.  Since then they haven't even mentioned it.  They thought it was so fun to go to all the houses and Big Bro keeps asking if it is Halloween again.