Merry Merry Christmas

Here are a few pictures of Christmas from our MO trip so far....

Isaac comes down the stairs at Katie's house and says, "Look at me!" I think this is a record. 13 headbands....or is that 14?

These are the stockings that Justin's parents have hanging. One for everyone! Wow! That's almost as many headbands Isaac had on!
Olivia opening her pillow pet. Isaac got a bumblebee.
Christmas at Gramp and Nana's house.

37,500 lights on this "Magic Tree" in Columbia. Totally cool.

This is Christmas day. We were at Justin's Grandma Donna's house. Olivia stayed out a long time and played. Isaac slept.

Christmas day at Grandma Donna and Bob's house. We didn't get near everyone in the picture. I think we counted 27 people!

Olivia and Aleah got new babies in wagons with dogs. Olivia loved getting another baby. We're running out of baby names...any ideas?

They kinda look like a bunch of deer in headlights, don't you think? Justin made a loud noise to get their attention all at the same time.

Isaac was taking a nap one afternoon. One of his latest things is mittens on his hands, and socks for puppet shows. He wanted the mittens on before he went to sleep. They stayed on the entire nap.

I didn't get any pics at Justin's Grandma Blankenship and Don's house. Olivia got another baby there. She was very excited again.

This is Christmas at our house before we left for MO.

Isaac was Luci surfing.

They were laughing at one of Olivia's presents that makes funny singing sounds.

They were very excited to finally get to open "the big one". The funny thing is, they were at the store, in the cart, when we bought the basketball hoop. We're thinking that this might be the last year we can buy their Christmas presents in front of them, and them not know it.

This is the cake I made for our small group Christmas party.

1st Annual Gingerbread House Making

We had our friends over for dinner and a gingerbread house making. Erin had the icing recipe and made the houses the night before. As the kids got to "glue" on the candy pieces, I believe that Isaac ate 1/2 of what was intended for his house. Olivia worked really hard and long on it. We are looking forward to the 2nd Annual Gingerbread House Making. Thanks Erik and Erin for coming over! Total fun!
Just beginning.

Isaac with the gel squirt.

Even the guys did one. Awww....

Happy to show off her house!

All done!

From left to right: Isaac, Olivia, Tami, Erin, Justin, Erik, Elaina.

Snow Tidbit

Here's the final product after almost 20 minutes, I think???? I found out that Isaac CANNOT wear his sleeper pjs under a snow suit and wear shoes at the same time. He wanted to wear this hat. After awhile outside, he put on a warmer one. And the pants are not ideal, pink. The joys of hand me downs. I'd invest in more if only it snowed more.

Just a dusting of snow, but still fun. We got about 2 inches a few days later, I just didn't get any pictures then.

Seemed like you stepped in the snow and there was nothing but grass left. Olivia still wanted to make a snow angel. Cute face, cute suit. Thanks, Aunt Tara! (We finally got to use it after 2 yrs of hanging in the closet.)

After the second snow, the kids had hot chocolate for the first time. It was actually warm chocolate, but they both said it was very yummy.

This was another day we made haystacks with one of Olivia's friends. Isaac couldn't keep it out of his mouth.

Closer to Christmas

The kids had Christmas with my parents this past weekend since they will be leaving for Germany and we'll head to MO this year. They got some flaslights they love, but they are super sonic bright. We'll see how long it takes before one of them gets it taken away for shining it in someone's eyes. Isaac already took it to the mall with us today.

Olivia LOVES her new baby from Grammie Judy and Grandaddy. The name goes back and forth from Maggie to Strawberry (There are some magnets...maggie... in her that hold the pacifier to her mouth and there's a strawberry on her shirt). Olivia told me today, "I think I love strawberry as much as I love Logan". That's amazing since it's only been 2 days and Logan has been the baby of the year. I think Olivia will be a great mother some day!

This was pre-Strawberry/Maggie, but Logan is the one on Olivia's lap in yellow. Isaac has Miles, Circo is in the middle. Who knew I'd have so many babies to keep track of.
The kids helped decorate the trees this year. I love how having little kids changes Christmas time. It's so amazing and fun.
Isaac found some new monkey bars.

This was a beautiful sky Olivia pointed out to us while at Grandma/Grandpa's house.

While in Dandridge over Thanksgiving, we visited my step uncle. Olivia and Isaac got to find an egg that had been laid. Amazingly enough, the egg did not break even with both of them trying to hold it at the same time.

They got to feed the goats.

And finally they got to feed the chickens. And Justin walked away wanting to live on a farm. Thanks Dan!

November

Here they are helping dad carve the pumpkin we got from the pumpkin patch.

Here's the final product.
Kids have enjoyed stacking our homemade blocks. Isaac likes to "bam" them.

We had a picnic lunch with our friends.

They thought this was SO cool.

Yes, I took this one. I think it's just spectacular!

Our neighbor next door let Olivia/Isaac/friends play in their leaves, pre raking. After they woke up from their nap, I told them Jon raked some leaves for them. They were VERY excited when they saw them, "TWO PILES MOM!"

Thanksgiving was cool. Lots of food. Football. Games. Stayed in Dandridge. And yes, we had some Christmas before Thanksgiving. We went to the convention center for lots of Christmas trees, lights, activities for the kids. Here's a few pics.

Trash Talk & Chinese Checkers

Last night I was so impressed by my wife's trash talk that I had to write a quick blog to share. For those of you who know Tami, trash talk isn't a part of her normal conversation, so I was shocked and proud all at the same time. :)
----
Justin: Hey, let's play a game.
Tami: (without missing a beat) Ooo, you sure you want to do that?
Justin: Why?
Tami: I don't want you to cry before bedtime.
----
And yes, I lost.....nice job babe!

Halloweeny

Our church had a Pirates/Princesses theme during service for the kids. The kids had fun there, although I didn't get anything piratey for Isaac, so he just wore red. Someone thought he looked like a firefighter. Halloween night we took the kids to another church that had games for them to play and win candy. Isaac wore the same thing. Maybe next year he'll be something more than himself.

They got cotten candy. Sticky galore.

We ate dinner.

They had no idea why they were standing behind a piece of wood.

We ended the night with the annual trick or treat next door. Funny. I think Olivia wore the same princess dress last year, except it drug on the floor.

Random

Here's a picture I just thought was cute. They were at the top of the stairs being silly....although this pic shows them being sweet.

Olivia likes to help give Luci a bath. Not sure if Luci likes it or not.

Don't know why they like pacifiers so much. But they sure are funny with them.

Another cake I made for my Dad. Personal size.

Justin ate the middle out of my cake before I had a chance to ice it. I decided to put it to good use. Carrot hole.