Our Christmas!

EVery year we set aside the first Saturday in December to do "Our" christmas with the kids. We've tried to set this as our tradition because Christmas Day and Christmas Eve get so busy with family that we wanted one whole day with just our kids. This year we were afraid the snow was going to keep us from going..but we braved the weather. It was good we headed out so early in the morning because the roads were still in good condition when we headed out...the way home was a little slower..but i'm so glad we ventured out.

We started the night before with a Christmas movie on TV....next year we'll rent our own...we had stop watching for some "language" we didn't approve of! But I think the kids just liked snuggling...

Isaac had made his fire truck earlier in the day. At one point he grabbed my camera and took this next shot all by himself. I think he was very excited about his firetruck! Nice composition bud!!!

Here are the kids "freezing!" We getting all bundled up to go cut our tree!

Riding out to the tree!

Our tree!

Elliot and I waited in the barn for them to return...he had fun looking out the window!

On the way home we hit Burger King so the kids could play on the toys!

Check out Elliots new word....I love it!

Next came presents! Jon drew up a floor plan of the house (go figure) of where the kids presents were hid..we had to help them "read" the plans of course...but they soon found them!

One of the gifts was matching PJ's - moms favorite!

Do you think she's sick of pictures?

or just being silly!

Lastly we decorated the tree. The kids were finally old enough to let them do most of the tree themselves!

Setting up the manger..it was fun because Madi kept interupting Jon with how the story should go! She's got it down pretty good!

Overall it was a great day!!!

Naiya

Well, we have found a new home for Naiya...it was time. We love her dearly but she was just not good with kids. Elliot had found a new fascination with her and just wanted to chase her or pet her all the time and Naiya did not like that at all and we were afraid she'd bite him. the other two had learned to leave her be but even when new kids came over she'd growl a lot and that was hard. You never knew if this was going to be the time she'd bit. So after 8.5 years..we found someone who would take her. We first contacted the woman who sold us Naiya and she helped us find her a home. I really feel like she'll get spoiled at her new home. This couple already has another Shihtzu that is 10 years old and they rescued that one 8 years ago too...so they've been through this before. We've talked to them and Naiya didn't eat at first and just moped around but now seems to be accepting it. When we first told Madi she cried really hard for awhile...but then she said she'd be okay and wanted her picture taken with Naiya...so we had a couple final pictures...Isaac didn't care at all..he asked when we could get another one! It's been about a week now that she has been gone and the kids don't even ask about her...they'll see pictures or movies of her and its okay...so we're grateful this transition has gone so well.

I think Naiya knew something was up...because she actually sat nicely next to the kids.

December Fun!

Playing with Brother!

Elliot is learning to put balls in things!

Eating breakfast on the couch...he wasn't feeling so well this morning...but he is awake...

These Knuckleheads thought it would be funny to wear underwear as hats! Someday they'll love this..and yes..they are clean underwear!

Here is smiley boy at the doctor! You'd never know he didn't feel good! He had an ear infection this trip....i'm so thankful he's not that fussy even when he's sick.....it could be worse for sure.

Sage's Birthday! Madi couldn't make her party wo we got to come a little early for the celebration! Sage's mom even had cupcakes and party decor for the early arrival! that was so sweet!

They even let Isaac join the fun!

Jon loved little mans hair after his tubby!

admiring the snow!

Christmas Party!

Well we had our first Christmas Party on my dads side! The kids were so excited!

The three little ones!

Katelyn and her Grandma!

climbing on Great Grandma

Hanging out with Grandma!

Papa played with Madi's new horses!

Isaac hyperventilated when he opened this! "Mom, I've always wanted this, I got legos, like I always wanted, Mom, Mom, I've always wanted this!" He was so funny...he could barely breathe!

The next day we headed to the Clarks for lunch! The kids had fun practing Christmas songs with Uncle Blake!

Then we played some Golf! This is Madi's new favorite game!

Thanksgiving!

So the night before Thanksgiving I finally gave in and cut Madi's hair. She has been asking for some time now and I figured now was as good a time as any! I think everytime she passed a mirror for the next 2 days she had to stop and see how good her hair looked...does this remind you of anyone????

Thanksgiving day we ate at Grandma M's!! The kids had fun looking out the window watching everyone arrive! Grandma makes such good Turkey!! Yum!!



After Grandma's we met up with the Clark side for our annual bowling extravaganza!!

What a fun shot!

these two looked so thrilled to be having a picture!

I think Isaac loved the music there...he was Dancing all night! Check him out in this video!Reminds me of his dad!

Winter Fun~!

Okay...obviously Elliot is have nose issues! He's been very congested and "green" most of October, November and December. We are scheduled to see an ENT on the 19th to see what is causing all his sinus infections. He has had 3 since the last week of September. Seems like everytime we finish one set of antibiotics within a couple days its right back. The ENT is going to be checking to see if his adenoids are enlarged. If they are, then Elliot will have surgery to remove them....if not...we'll start checking him for allergies or a compromised immune system. We have taken him off milk already but that didn't help minimize the congestion...but then again its hard to tell if taking away the milk helped because he caught an adenoid virus (similar to hand foot and mouth) at the same time we took him off milk. So now his body is covered in a rash...Boy little man! So we'll see how Friday goes and maybe we can find some answers for him.


Here he is standing up! He has even starting taking a step or two towards us and letting go all the time! I can't believe how fast he has grown...this past 10 months have just flown!

We took a friday and headed to For His Kids and let the kids play on all the gymnastic equipment! They had so much fun....well Elliot wasn't too sure of the foam!

checking out his reflection...what a look! Who is that good looking kid!

One day Ethan was over to play and the boys decided to line up all the toys like this!

Outdoor fun!!

Elliot love watching them from the Window..he kept inching up on his tippy toes to see!

Catching Up!

Watch out! Boy its been awhile since I've updated this blog. I've been a little pre-occupied with Christmas cards! Which is a good thing! I'm so excited about all the orders I had this year! I have tripled the amount I had last year! Very fun!! Thanks everyone who ordered!

Photo Day!

We decided to get out the winter gear and found Isaac's old hat...I think Elliots head is a little bigger!

I think Elliot is about done with pictures! Get me out of here!

Greatful....

I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful husband I have! I've been very busy processing Christmas Card orders these past few days. He has been so wonderful to do the dishes and pick up, put the kids to bed, bath them (no e on purpose! thats for the dubliac neighbors!), laundry and much more....I had not even asked for any of this but he has been so kind to help out because he knows I've been very busy. It has really helped my stress level! Thanks bubba!!! I appreciated even that he would stay up late with me and sleep on the couch by my computer just to be near me! What a sweetie!!!