Aren't they GREAT!!

Well it looks like we need to take a trip to Arizona because Adelle isn't in this picture!
This is Jeff, his dad, and his Grandma and Grandpa. Along with our boys. One set of great grandparents that my children are so lucky to have.

This is our children and Lesha's children with my Gramy who is my mom's mom. This was her Christmas card this year. Her and her little greats.
This picture inspired me to get pictures of all the great grandparents with my kids.

This is Jeff's Grandma and Grandpa with our kids on Sunday. More greats! We took them their annual Christmas ornament that I make every year and the kids were excited to find the ornaments from years past on their beautiful tree. I brought along the camera and they were good sports about getting their picture taken!

This is my Grandma, on my dad's side. Adelle call's Grandma, "Great Mary" because she is her Great Grandma Mary. Isn't that the sweetest.
We visited her on Sunday as well. It's another tradition. Growing up my parents would always take us to all of my dad's sisters homes and to Grandma and Grandpa's to see their Christmas trees. We would always sing carols the whole way and bring a special treat of some sort to the homes we visited.
My children know all of their grandparents and great-grandparents and for that I am so thankful. They are all GREAT and they all have so much love for these little ones. They each have their own little way of spoiling the kids and I hope to teach my children great love and respect for these special people.

Christmas Wreath

"Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection."http://llerrah.com/truemeaningofchristmas.htm

This wreath that I finished yesterday only took me 3 years to make! I started it Adelle's first Christmas and I traced her and Braxton's cute little hands and cut.... And cut, and cut, and cut.
I never got it all done. That was a lot of cutting.
Then last year I dug it out and starting cutting some more. Then, after remembering I was 8 months pregnant, I stopped and decided to wait until my newest little hand print could be included.
So, after tracing little Emmett's sweet hand and cutting some more it is complete.
My little circle of love.

little brother

It's funny how every child is different and has their own personality.
Emmett is all boy, all twerp!
He is so mellow, the best natured baby ever.
But, he is a little brother.
Whatever brother and sis are into, he is into.
If he wakes up before one or both of them at nap, this is what he will do...
He will crawl down the hall to their room, push the door open, crawl inside and sit there and wave and say, "ha, ha, ha" which means "hi, hi, hi."
It's super cute.
These pictures are of Braxton coercing Emmett into letting Adelle finish her nap.
He loves to be in their room. Loves to be wherever they are.
These kids are so lucky to have a little brother.

29

Does anyone know how old daddy is today?
B: "66?"
A: "61?"
Yesterday he was 28 so today he is 29!
B: "Mom, wouldn't it be funny if we were all 16, even you and dad?"

I love this old man! He doesn't like that he looks so young and I tried to find a picture that made him look, "older" but no doing. I don't think such a picture exists.
However, in all the pictures of Jeff he is either smiling, being goofy, or working on something.
That is who he is.
The most kind, loving, happy, helpful, hardworking, silly, husband/dad in the whole world.
Happy Birthday!
We love you!

Preschooler for hire

Braxton is patient, determined, and very responsible.
He's a little sensitive but his future wife will appreciate that, I'm sure.
He is sure to entertain any 2 year old for....well that depends on the 2 year old.

I'm glad I busted out the camera for this one.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

With the kids acting out the Nativity
Braxton was Joseph

Adelle was a monkey (?)

There'll be trees to cut down

once the right one is found!

Emmett's stocking arrived via mail and don't say anything but...
it's my favorite one of all!

It's the Happ-happiest season of all.

With the kids decorating cookies

and tasting the cookies!

ok my song is lame. So I'm stopping!
These cookies were a favorite that we always made growing up.
They are deeeeelicious!
Ritz crackers
spread nice and thick with peanut butter (this is the only time I prefer creamy)
another Ritz cracker on top
Dipped into melted chocolate chips
Heavily sprinkled
Yum!!!

Oh, the tree. The "buetiful tree" as Adelle says.

Simply having a wonderful Christmas time

ER

Two letters no parent ever wants to experience!
Well, I'm still learning, never say never.

Our little Emmett had to go to the emergency room Friday night and get 4 stitches in his little pinkie finger after it was smashed in the bedroom door by his dear sis, on accident.

This is new for me having never had stitches myself, nor any of my kids thus far.

This little man is the toughest dude ever! He cried hard when it first happened but thank goodness Jeff was home to wrap it up tight and help me not freak out! Since then Emmett has been totally fine. Still into everything and still our happy baby BOY!

Poor BOY the nurses and the doc. thought he was a girl. They kept commenting on what a beautiful little girl and how sweet she was.
It made us laugh. He is beautiful, this is true, but he is more boy than any little boy I know. Always with a ball of some-sort.

So, for now I call him "nubs."