Santa arrived. . . . .

. . . . and boy did he arrive in style! Santa and Mrs. Claus pulled into the parking lot on a snazzy firetruck with lights and sirens just a goin'. My kids were so excited to see him this year.

We waited freezing outside in a line which seemed to take forever.

The kids didn't seem to mind it to much because Clint came to the rescue and took them on lil' adventures.

Benson and Blakey sportin' their cute beanies!

Finally we got to see them:)


Mrs. Claus requested to hold Blakley.


Poor Benson did NOT like Santa one bit.


Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!


After visiting with Santa, the kids got to decorate sugar cookies. Brooks concentrating on getting the frosting just right:)


All in all, we were glad that we went and the kids had a ball. Maybe a new tradition. . . .Maybe!

OuR gRaNdPa iS cOoL!

Who else besides grandpa would drive you around the backyard in his Rhino?

I'm not sure who was giggling more. . .
Grandpa or the boys:)

Happy Thanksgiving!

I really love Thanksgiving!! It is a great way to start the Holidays off. My heart is filled with so much gratitude this time of year. I have so much to be thankful for: my hubby, our kids, our parents, our siblings (and families), my friends, our home, Clint's job, our health, our church. . . . . . .and the list keeps going and going.

This year for Thanksgiving, Clint and I decided that we were going to make dinner for his family. We usually trade off every other year with my family. Unfortunately, only his mom and step-dad could make it to dinner. We also invited Scoob to come eat with us. There was so much yummy food to eat:) Turkey, Stuffing, Potatoes and Gravy, Corn on the Cob, Hot Rolls, Deviled Eggs, Cheesy Broccoli Dish, and Homemade Pumpkin Pies

I would love to start a tradition to have my kids come up with a list of things they are thankful for each year. Tanner and Troy were asked at school what they were thankful and this is their reply.

Tanner:
Family because their nice, Games because their fun, my dog because it's good, School because it's fun, Friends because their fun, Clothes because their warm, House because it's warm and Cars because their cool!

Troy:
I am thankful for Family, School, Dog, and America

It's funny how they are both thankful for a dog. We don't even have a dog. Must be talking about my parents dog:)

Clint got to carve his first turkey at age 32.
Go Clint! Go Clint!

Carter helped out by peeling the potatoes.

Blakee loved having everyone entertain her:)

Troy and cousin Ethan
(Luke and Ethan stopped by for a little bit)

Happy Birthday Grandma Terra!

Last weekend to celebrate my mother-in-laws birthday, all of us showed up at her house with dinner and dessert. She was very surprised and happy to see all of us :)

Blakley and Tristin

Grandma Terra with her grandkids!

Lela, Aunt Kimmi and Jessica

Ethan

Troy loves his Aunt Kimmi!

Tennille, Luke and Caleb

My sweet parents even came!

Grandma Terra LOVES candy canes! She has then all over her house. Carter got to choose one when we were leaving and of course found the biggest one he could find. Funny Carter!

What a cute pair of sisters!

Did someone say Christmas?

Christmas has come to our home a little earlier than usual this year. Last week, we got together for family night and put up our Christmas Tree. The boys had fun decorating it and I had fun redecorating after they went to bed that night:) While we were watching the boys decorate, we decided that we were raising a bunch of nerds:) Good thing we LOVE nerds here!

NERDO #1

NERDO #2

NERDO #3

Blakley had more fun playing with this Apple Juice bottle than watching the boys.

THE FINISH PRODUCT
. . . now only if we had some gifts under that tree!

Halloween

I know I am probably the last person in the world to blog about Halloween, but better late then never right? I feel like I have had just so many things going on that my blog was the last on the list. Here is our Halloween in a nutshell!

Clint and I went to a Halloween Party at our friends house. I really wanted to dress up like Meredith and McDreamy
(Clint wanted no part of that),
so we ended up just being boring ol' doctors.
Thanks Brandi, Steve, Emily and Tim for the fun party.

Tanner was a SCARY ZOMBIE this year!
Troy was a STRONG POWER RANGER!
Carter was an AWESOME NINJA this year!

Blakley was a Darling FLOWER!
Tanner and Troy had a parade at their school.

Rachel, Brooks, Carter, and Troy
Troy was so excited to take Brooks and Carter around the lunch room with him.

Carter had a party at his preschool.
He also was the Star of the Week.
His class got to learn all about him.

Grandma Terra came over on Halloween right before the kiddos left to go Trick or Treating!

Clint and Scoob took the boys out Trick-or-Treating,
while Blakley and I passed out candy:)
It was a fun Halloween!

Troyism

Here is the conversation Troy and I had today:

Troy: "Mom, I don't ever want to leave our house."
Mom: "You don't want to go to school today?"
Troy: "Nooooo, I never want to move from our house."
Mom: "You don't have to sweetie"
Troy: "What happens if I get married?"
Mom: "When you get married you guys can live in our house and me and daddy can move out."
Troy: "Good thinkin mom"
Troy: (pondering for a minute) "Will you take the XBOX with you?"

So innocent :)

Troy: "Mom, my leg is falling asleep."
Mom: " Are you OK? Does it hurt?"
Troy: "Nope, it's just barely closing its eyes."

So cute :)

6 Months Old

Blakley's 6 month Checkup

Weight: 17 lbs. 10 oz. 75%
Height: 26 1/2 inches 75%
Head: 42 inches 25%
(Who would ever guess when looking at those chubby checks)

At 6 Months Blakley:
loves to smile and does it very easily
is rolling from her tummy to her back and her back to her tummy
is sitting up on her own
loves her baby food, fruits and veggies
loves talking her own "Blakie Talk"
is wearing 6-9 month clothing, some 12 month
is able to put herself to sleep at night
loves playing with her brothers
loves to look at herself in the mirror
loves bathtime
LOVES her Binky
sometimes gets stranger anxiety (sorry family)
is starting to reach her hands out to you
likes to play in her jumperoo

We Love You Blakley!