March 2013

 We started March with a farewell party for Eli.  He has left the country again to work in Afghanistan.  We all miss him so much, It's a little lonely being the only ones for Sunday dinner at the Dawson's. 

 

The whole family (besides the Dawson's in Indiana) went bowling and then out for Chinese.  I love getting together with everyone, and so do the kids... they miss their cousins.

 

 

 

 

 Hailey has now moved to a big girl bed, so no more crib snuggles.  She loves being in a bunk bed with Carly.

 

 

sweet girls

 

Abigail requested a picture with a new headband

Luke's looking so grown up.

Ab really likes her picture taken

So do all the girls :)

February 2013

Wow, it's been a while.  I usually never get this behind with my blogging, but I have an excuse.  My laptop fizzled and made some popping noises, then I saw some smoke.  So that computer was out.  Our desktop was surrounded by tons of junk while we were finishing our basement.  I also misplaced the camera cord for a while. 

 

Well... here we are, I will do a recap of February.  The girls LOVE posing for pictures.  They are constantly asking for me to take their picture.  Most of the times now I just pretend and make a clicking noise, which, they disapprove of.

 We got a new bed.  Aunt Courtney never had any girls, so we got her cute day bed from when she was little.   The girls love it, and we finally figured out the switching of the bedrooms and it now belongs to Abigail.  We might do some fun stuff and paint it, but I might never get around to it either :)

 My parents got the kids pizza kits from papa murphy's this year for Valentines.  They kinda freaked out about it.  Seriously, I should get these a lot, because they kept talking about how delicious it was for days afterward.  I think they just liked making and eating their own pizza. 

 

February was pretty random, but great all the same.

Christmas Day

This year was so fun because the kids each had something that they wanted ''SO BAD!"  We opened presents, and relaxed.  I love not going anywhere in the mornings, it gives the kids plenty of time to play.  The Dawsons came over for Christmas breakfast, we're always happy to have such great company!  In the afternoon, we headed over to the Dawson's house to hang out, and more present exchanging with Ryan, Courtney, and boys.  It was such a wonderful Christmas!

  Luke has been anxiously awaiting Christmas... he didn't even want to open any more presents, just wanted to start building

Carly got an 'our generation' doll, Ashley Rose

baby rapunzel is all that Hailey has talked about since she saw her at the store

Abigail and her doll, Lilly Anna

Luke built all three pieces of her lego set in under 2 hours without any help.  This kid is dedicated!

The kids with our breakfast guests

 I love Christmas afternoon at the Dawson's.  After all the presents are done and kids are entertained... all I have to do is sit and hang out :)

Ryan and his handsome boys

Christmas Eve

 Christmas Eve was spent with the Jenkins family.  We had all of us kids, my parents, and Grandma Dixie... everyone was there, it was great! 

 eagerly awaiting dinner

 Brent's still super popular with the kids

 We had an after dinner program, and the kids sang some carols for us

 Santa surprised us this year!  Most of the kids freaked out with excitement and the others just freaked out.  You can see which side Carly was on.  She wrapped her legs around me so tight, I couldn't pry her off.

 Hailey was so excited to sit on his lap and get her present!  She sat right in front of him until it was her turn.

 Shannon really wanted to be in the kid and Santa picture... ok, Kael just wouldn't have it any other way.  I was surprised none of the kids guessed who it was, even Ben had to be told who it was.  Apparently no one saw Thomas Luke sneak away during the Chrismas carols.  Luke has played Santa a few times, and he's very good at it.

 Trying to see how Santa was making his get away

 When Brent opened one of his gifts, he said, "Now I have tools so that makes me a man, even though I have cats"  

We were all shocked when Brent adopted some little kitties earlier this year.  We all grew up as cat haters, but Shelley is slowly opening our eyes to the cute little things :)  I even offered to babysit them (which is a huge step for me)  but Brent thought I was joking.  When he realized I wasn't, he just told me I couldn't put them out in the snow, or let Carly throw them out in the snow.

 The kids all got some nice sleeping bags from G & G. 

Abigail organized a little camping party