Random

Blaine dressing in all his gear enjoying his present from his grandma and grandpa.

My guys playing Wii Fit. Jogging, pushups and situps.

My first time cutting Blaine's hair. I have always taken him to someone but now I get to save my $.

Our snow accumulation. Can you see it?

Spikey hair.

A visit from a cousin

Allie stayed with us for a few days between Christmas and New Years. We had a fun visit with her. I know the boys enjoyed spending time with her and have learned a few ways that girls like to play house and they have continued without her. So sweet she rubbed off on them a little and there is nothing wrong with it at all. While she was here we did a little project with a snowman kit. They enjoyed watching the snow grow on him. Kinda neat really.

Surprise!

As Barry and I were passing out gifts at Nana and Poppa's house I had the pleasure of making a new friend. I think he was just as happy as I was. He looked like he wanted to bite us! Let's just say I am so glad I don't have heart problems cause this little thing had me screaming like a little girl.

Our family Christmas

Alright! I have wanted this for a long time!

What I have been asking for!

Utter shock and disbelief.

It wouldn't fit in the house.

Remember how cold it was on Christmas. He so didn't care!

We had a hard time this year trying to figure out how we wanted to handle the Santa thing. I went back and forth wanting to tell Brenden that he wasn't real to wanting him to enjoy his childhood. I even had someone question me on how I could tell my kids that someone existed that didn't and how I felt about them later in life possibly questioning a relationship with Christ when they can't see Him just like they couldn't see Santa. The funny thing is in all of this stress that I was basically causing myself Brenden was on the verge of figuring out that it was a fairy tale anyway. We did finally decide not to do big unwrapped Santa gifts and just have stockings. We didn't leave out milk and cookies and we did talk about why we were opening presents the next morning on Christ's birthday. We enjoyed our morning together celebrating the birth of Christ and letting our kids know how much we love them and even though we love them so much that Christ loves them even more.

Family pic

Making cookies and a couple extra

Blaine pretending to be a puppy dog.
Brenden posing so sweet.

Pumpkin Patch

We took a field trip with Brenden's preschool class to the pumpkin patch this past week. It started off a little cold but turned out to be a beautiful day. Much needed since all the rain we have had lately. On the way back we saw the down side to all the rain 2 tractors one pulling the other for unknown reasons but they were so caked in mud and leaving a trail behind them so thick I almost needed 4 wheel drive down the highway!