Merry Christmas Part 2

We all piled in the car to be at my parents house by noon.  We had a wonderful brunch and the kids could hardly wait to open presents.  The kids got some really great gifts and mom and dad enjoyed their annual picture calendar and new deer feeder for the back yard.  The kids got to play outside because the weather was so nice.  Jenna took a nice long nap and my brother and I played spoons with the kids.  It was a perfect day!

My kids and my niece and nephew 

Bitty helped Jenna open her presents she loves her baby cousin 

The boys were trying to be paitent while waiting their turn 

Colton was checking out the new army set Noah got 

Pa-Pa playing with his girls 

Playing spoons which was very interesting with 4 kids 

Pa-Pa getting his nap in 

Colton and Pa-Pa playing Candy Land


We are so very blessed to be able to celebrate with our family.
We are healthy and grateful for the birth of our Savior.

Merry Christmas Part 1

It was a good thing I went to bed at midnight, the boys got up at 4:15!  They were ready to unwrap their presents and get the day going.  I did however make them wait until Jenna got up at 6:30.  I was able to get a shower, drink 2 cups of coffee and peal my eyes open.  They were so excited at all the presents that were left while they slept.  They tore open their stockings and dove into the presents under the tree.

Colton cuddling with daddy waiting for Jenna to wake up 

Noah might have been awake, but remember, he is NOT a morning person 

Kyle trying to sleep a little while waiting 

The happy bunch lol 

I set the self timer for this one
John can NEVER keep his eyes open, not sure what Colt is doing, Noah looks really mad , Kyle has always been photogenic, Jenna is 1/2 asleep and I barely made before the click
Perfect if you ask me 

Try #2
(I give up) 

Colton's Gifts
a bow an arrow
Ice age dawn of the dinosaurs
the princess bride movie (he calls it farm boy)
a 3DS to share with Noah
medieval action figures
big bazooka gun
laser tag gun

Noah's gifts
bow and arrow
2 games
3DS to share with Colt
a DS game
army man figures
laser tag gun

Jenna would have been happy just eating wrapping paper
Jenna's Gifts
fridge magnets
balls
tub toys
head bands 

Kyle's Gifts
cell phone
movie
laser gun
game
Tigers hat
books
sweatshirt  

Daddy got a couple of new fleeces and a vest
Mommy got new handles for her cupboards and a little $ for my upcoming home redecorating

It was a wonderful Christmas morning.  My children were thrilled with their new treasures.  After the craziness of present opening we had breakfast and I took a much needed nap.  After all, part 2 and 3 were yet to come.  

Christmas Eve

Christmas eve was mellow and wonderful.  The kids and I played outside as it was fairly warm and sunny. We watched movies, played games and baked a Birthday cake for Jesus.  The kids were wound up with anticipation and could hardly wait for bedtime.  We carefully arraigned our cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for Rudolph and the gang.  We read "The Night Before Christmas" and "The Christmas Story."  At 8:00 p.m. I told the boys I heard Santa's sleigh bells off in the distance so they better hurry and get in bed.  They raced to bed quickly as they did not want Santa to skip our house because they were still awake.  I tucked them in and headed out to the kitchen to do some cooking for the next day.  With in 5 minutes, Noah was out in the kitchen angry with me because I was not in bed.  He went back to his room and told Colton Santa was going to skip our house because "Mommy wont go to bed."  I assured him I still had a 1/2 hour before Santa was to arrive and he finally settled in for the night.  I finished my prep cooking did my "Mommy job" and watched "A Christmas Story" with Kyle.  I retired by midnight as I was certain I was going to be up really early the next morning.

Miss May and Clyde out enjoying the warm sunshine 

I think he would lick her death if I let him 

The boys were getting a bike ride in 

Colt is NEVER with out a gun 

Noah was trying to ride his bike through the snow, while Colt was out back mowing the "grass"

Mowing away 

Pretty Princess 

The boys helped me make a Birthday cake for Jesus 

Daddy and his girl 

Mom can finally relax for a bit 

10 Months of Pink Dryer Lint

I can not believe that my May is 10 months old already.  It seems like only yesterday I was bringing her home to join our family.  I can not imagine one moment of my day with out her in it.  It's funny how when I was pregnant (with all the kids after Kyle), I wondered how I could possibly love another child the way I do the others.  It always amazed me how instantly my heart grew the moment my little ones took their first breaths.  How completely I adored this new little soul and how I would give my last breath to protect them.  Jenna has perfectly completed our family in every way possible.  The boys adore her and LOVE to play with and cuddle her.   Her daddy melts at her smile and she has "softened" him (hehe).  She has captured our hearts in a way I can not even explain. We love you little May May, it is wonderful to have a princess in our home.
At 10 months Jenna,
Goes to bed at 7:30
is FINALLY starting to sleep a little better
she loves her blankie baby
must sleep with a fan
naps 2 times a day
almost crawling
loves that walker
wakes for the day between 7:30 and 8:15
has crazy hair
is rolling all over the house
enjoys lots of "people food"
hates juice
says dada all the time
would love it if I held her all day
likes music
loves to dance with daddy
is a good shopper and traveler
giggles often
loves Clyde (the dog)
would play with the TV remote and my cell phone all day if I let her
still loves baby food and nursing
smells wonderful
loves baths
hates getting dressed
fits perfectly into our crazy home
I am blessed beyond words and I am LOVING having a girl and smile every time I clean out the pink dryer lint!

a little Christmas fun 

her famous nose crinkle 

Her hair is so crazy, she kept pulling her bow out