Christmas So Far

The kids really like taking the manger scene out of the box.

 They decorated the upstairs tree first, then the downstairs.  I think Isaac and Olivia put on all the ornaments except for a few I helped Elias put on the tree.

 Christmas with G&G.  I think she looks pretty good for having surgery 3 days earlier!

 Fun doodle toy for the car! 

 Sweet batmobile.  It even shoots!!

 You can't go wrong with getting a baby for Olivia.

 An owl mug....since she's a hoot owl.  Now she can stay up late with a cup of tea!

It's the 4th Annual Gingerbread Making Night with the Strings!

 This year we kept it small, but added trees. Super neat idea Erin!

 Elias did his share of eating while decorating.

 Ta Da!

 And since the big game was on, this is where Justin and Erik spent most of the evening.  I think MO lost. Boo.

 Final products.  Of the 4 we took home, Luci ate 2 of them. Whoops.  Luci waited two days and then decidred she wanted to reach the back of the counter.  Shoulda known.

 I just liked the cheese face.

Olivia performed in our church's children's program -3 services.  She had a speaking part during one of the songs.  Precious.

Mr. Incredible and Batman.

Isaac came in one morning so excited to show me what he drew.  I said, "Aww....it's a guy next to a flower.  And is that poop?"  He
says "YES! IT'S POOP!"\so excitedly and runs to show dad too!

HAPPY 2ND!!!!

It's official.  We have no more infants in the house.  Bitter sweet. He's happy cuz he took some icing off the side and ate it first. 

I think he liked seeing himself on his cake.

Here's the final product.  I had help from the fam in picking a trampoline cake...because of how much he loved jumping all summer long.  Plus it was his 2nd 3-syllable word....right after marshmallow. 

 Opening one present early from G&G since they came during the day.

 I'm glad it was nice enough weather to jump as a family some before dinner. He's doing a balancing act. 

 Down time...except Elias. He's ready to kick.

 Not sure what to think about this one.  They all have their hand at their mouth.

 Thanks for sending the gift Gramp and Nana!

 Toy Study.

 Having fun with neighbor John.

 Brought to you by: Olivia Photography. 

I can't imagine life without him.  He's such a blessing and brings so much fun to the family. Happy Birthday to Elias!! 

Thanksgiving

Game time with Grandma.

 Hat day.

 J & I&O decided to do every puzzle we had while I took E to the doctor one morning. 

 Had to enjoy the little bit of snow we got before Thanksgiving.

 Elias didn't last long. It was too cold/windy.

 I found some old beans in the pantry. Playtime.

Thanksgiving day. She made her own Indian attire. She even used a real feather.

 Olivia helped Grandpa do something to the neck of the turkey. I can't remember what. It's gross.

Very thankful for family.  Those here, and not here. 

 

You would think we were fixing for an army.

 Isaac asked for the big leg.

 Then it got passed around and they all ate from it.

 So yummy.

 Elias has gone potty on the big boy potty a handful of times. I'm thinking of pushing for it a little more come January. This is not how he uses the potty every time!

Storytime before bed. 

 Headin home.

Dog, Field Trip, Bowling, and Random

Isaac was very proud of making this cheese boy.

 This is Elias' cheese boy.

 I now fully understand what it's like to be a grandparent.  We watched a puppy for a weekend.  It was so fun to have her, but it was also nice to know she was leaving after a few days.  This is Ellie. Since the kids have been wanting a puppy, they LOVED every minute of it. I just had to smile while laying in bed listening to it bark for 13minutes in her cage before falling asleep. They even get you up in the middle of the night to be let out. Awww....  so glad Luci isn't a puppy anymore!

 Which one is Ellie?

 This is my favorite memory.

 When trying to leave to return movies to the library, I noticed one case did not have a dvd in it. However, I had just had it in my hand.  I looked everywhere and couldn't figure out for the life of me where I put it. After retracing my every step, I found it here. In the drawer of course. 

 Thanks for neighbors who let us use their leaves every year!

 Elias' first time being buried. I didn't get a pic with Olivia this year, but she was there too!

 Super hero after bath.

 Another super hero. 

 Just because. He looks big to me. And a little ornery.

 Goes with the pictures from above.

 Another day we went out to pick up seeds. I thought this was a cute brother moment.

 Flicking lady bugs off the tree.

 Before school one morning. She slept in braids. Apparently this is the going thing right now.

 TWIZZLERS!!!!

Bowling with the Stringfellows. The kids helped keep score. It was at UT so there were no fancy tv score keepers.

Her balls rolled ever so slowly, but she was consistent.

Isaac let go of his balls about 2 ft from the start of the lane.

With Erin.

With Elaina.

 Elias pushed 2 balls down. One got stuck 1/2 way. He spent the rest of the time walking around, clapping, and doing thing like this.

 I'm liking his long hair...but I see a haircut in the near future.

 Justin and Erik took the big kids to a basketball game after bowling. They enjoyed the special treats and staying up late.

 Shooting each frosted mini wheat before eating it. Those things aren't going anywhere but in his tummy! The smile on his face after each shot was crack up.