Christmas Vacation Recap

What a busy two weeks we have had!! We had a great Christmas, and are now trying to get used to going back to school and being on a schedule! Here's a little bit of our Christmas celebration:

We started Christmas Eve by celebrating with my family:

I made Zoey and Hannah little matching outfits...they were so cute!

Grandma and Grandpa always go a little overboard with the presents!

This Christmas moose, er reindeer, or whatever it was, was a big hit with the kids.

 Hannah loved it too!

 My sister got my brother in law and Joel matching "Christmas Sweater" shirts.

Zoey started getting tired but was nice and cozy in Grandpa's lap!

Zoey got her very own pink chair! It looks so cute in her room.

Our Family

After we napped, we went to church and came home to get ready for Christmas night. We read about Jesus birth, and then got to open our Christmas Jammers so we could wear them to bed.

 the boys

Me and sis

 the boys and dad

It took a while for Gavin to fall asleep, but finally he did and us parents actually got to bed at a decent hour. Kaden got up first Christmas morning when he heard us making coffee. He was so excited!

 look at that face!

 Gavin was a little more tired....

 This is Kaden's favorite "show" on Christmas morning. He always asks to 'watch the fireplace' :)

 the boys reading their letter from Santa

 All three kidos. We woke Zoey up to do presents...she wasn't too thrilled about that.

 she did love her baby doll in her stocking though....

 Presents!!

 slippers

 Kade loves his new lunch box and wants to bring his lunch everywhere.

 a new shooter!!

 All Gavin asked for this Christmas was a trash truck....go fugure. My parents bought him Stinky, and we bought him the little one. He was happy!

 Santa brought both of them a new drum set.

 Kaden is already practing...he loves it!

Zoey enjoyed playing with the boys new power tools set....safety 1st!

It was a great morning! Later that afternoon, we went over to Joel's parents and celebrated once again...but I didn't take many pics, unfortunately. the kids were spoiled rotten, and it was a wonderful couple of days.

Later on in the week we decided to take a spur of the moment trip up to Flagstaff to play in all the snow that had just fallen. Zoey managed to stay awak the whole way up....until about 15 minutes before we got to the sledding place.

 she spent the first hour of sledding in the car sleeping!

 Kaden and Gavin are ready to go!

 Gavin and I did some hills together

Kade had a blast, and went on a number of hills alone, and also went on some pretty big ones with Joel. 

 Joel took Zo Zo down the bunny hill

Gavin went down a couple hills and then complained of how cold he was. He spent the rest fo our time doing this....and was perfectly content playing in the car! 

 Zoey in her snow gear..she looked sooooo cute!

Gavin must have really played hard in the car because this is what he did on the way home. 

We stopped for dinner on the way home and look who woke up! A little bed head, anyone?

Now, back to school, schedules, and routines....that is until summer vacation starts!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

Too much to post over these last 2 weeks, but here is the reader's digest version of our recent happenings.....

We got our Christmas tree and the kids helped me decorate it.

We made our annual trip to Bass Pro where we found this jolly old man. Zoey screamed bloody murder but the joys enjoyed talking to Santa. Pictures are FREE here, which is my favorite part!

We always like to play around with the merchandis when we are there - here is Davey Crocket himself

Miss crocket

I forsee a red ryder BB gun in her future!

Cowboy Gavin in his flip flops - we need to get him some cowboy boots, I think!

Last week we played hookie from school so we could go to the zoo with no crowds (my husband doesn't "do" crowds very well). It was wonderful!! there were like 2 people there and no lines. Plus, the kids really wanted to try the new Polar slide they have this year. I t is really cool - basically a fake hill of snow that you can go tubing down. And since there is no snow here......

Kaden, walking his intertube up the stairs

down he goes!

he loved it!!

Gavin was a little scared, but I talked him into going tandem with me....he loved it too :)

A rare moment when all three of these crazies are looking at the camera at the same time!

The boys tackled a spider web

And it wouldn't be AZ without a cactus slide of course!

Last week was the final week of preschool for the boys and we had 2 Christmas programs this year. Gavin's was first.

Zoey made sure the stage was all warmed up for the kids.

Gavin looked super excited when he came out! So happy to see all of his family there for him!

I prepped him all week for his performance "Gavin, don't be nervous, your gonna sing for mommy - right?" I obviously did not prep him enough.

Who needs to sing when you can just stand there and make funny faces!

After Gavin's performance, we found a field full of leaves to play in :)

the boys loved throwing them around

Zoey enjoyed them too!

The next day it was Kaden's turn to perform....this guy is a little more outgoing!

Kaden and Miles

Mikele looks pretty snazzy in the Christmas tree hat too.

The kids were happy that both Grandma's were able to come to the performances too.

And lastly, a few days ago while friends were over, we made gingerbread houses - the kids had a blast, although I don't know how they were not in a diabetic coma with all the frosting and candy that was consumed :)

Neomi, Kaden, and Gavin.

Christmas is only 3 days away!!!!!!

ugly Christmas sweaters...oh yeah!!!

This year we started a new tradition that I hope we continue every year. We had our first annual Ugly Christmas Sweater party! Oh it was so much fun....if you didn't make it this year, I hope you will be able to join us next year....I am already keeping my eye out for ugly sweaters on clearance for next year!!

 Joel was first to get into his Christmas attire....he really got into it too!

 Here is my ugly puppy christmas sweater, courtesy of Savers!

 I couldn't find ugly sweaters for the boys, so just ironed on a Christmas tree and bells!

 Our guests began to arrive....this is Jen's "ugly" sweater. I am pretty sure she can make anything look cute though!

 Some of the rest of the crew (why is this the only pic I have of you Cathy???) You can't see Mikele's very well but she had quaint little angels on her lovely sweater, also courtesy of Saver's!

 Scott and Janelle sporting their finds!

 Joel, Me, Tawnya, and Kolby....T had snowmen, and Kolby rocked the vest!

 Trevor, Tiffany, me and Joel...they worked their ugly sweaters into their Christmas card this year....it was fabulous!

 Adam (with his spray painted sweater) and Heather with her Walmart find!

 All the boys (minus Mike and Kolby )

All the girls (Cathy and Tawnya had already left :( )

Thanks to eveyone who came...we had so much fun! I hope you will join us next year too :)

PS: Mikele took lots of good pics too, please post them or send them to me, pretty please???

Who needs toys....

Ok...Thanksgiving came and went....we gave thanks - twice. It was nice to celebrate with both of our families, but I have very little documentation so I am going to skip the Turkey day post this year...sorry.
Anyhow, I have too many other things I want to post!

Starting, with this lovely girl here....who is now fully walking and into everything!

 What an interesting place to store your children

 She does look nice and cozy in there....

 Look - a souvenir from her travels

She is going to be trouble I just know it...mostly becasue she is soooo cute I can't help but give her what she wants!