Marley...

Marley was right in the middle of our Christmas morning celebration. She loves to be in the center of whatever is going on in the house. And, of course she had to see what Santa left in her stocking.

Here she's playing with her pink pig from G & M, they like to get her surprises.

I think M is waiting to see if Marley is going to let him play, too.

She's spoiled and well loved.... 

And, she knows it!

Everyone needs an Uncle KK...

The boys are always so busy and "on the go" that most of my pics the last couple of years are very candid...that being said I still wanted to try to capture one last photo of them before they began their trip back to Texas... they were all dressed up (meaning not in their pj's), hair combed, no toys out to distract them, etc.  I asked them to sit on the couch so I could snap a couple of quick poses...G is getting where he will indulge me and the camera, for a few seconds at least, not so much with M. I still got a few adorable shots, but soon they were distracted by something more fun...Uncle KK was standing in the same room, so they were quick to jump up and start playing around with him.

Maybe I shouldn't stress over not having more traditional, posed shots...because, how cute is this? What a cool uncle he is, and they love to wrestle around with him...I think the feeling is mutual. These are the pics I treasure the most... 

Continuing to "ham it up" for the camera...

These are priceless... 

...and they are priceless!

Christmas at Nienie's...fun times!

We had so much fun over the holidays...no one was sick...no drives to Urgent Care this year because of sore throats or strep...we all relaxed, ate, played, took naps, read, watched movies, and simply enjoyed being together as a family. It just can't get any better than that. Fun was had by all!
The table game was meant to be one of daddy's gifts...

...and if you hold your mouth just right, and concentrate
it makes it a lot more fun!

Sorry daddy, maybe you can play next time...

The boys got some wooden toys to put together, packaged with screws and a kid-friendly screwdriver, G got a tow truck and M got a train
...after assembly they needed a colorful paint job

I love that they are so creative and enjoy building things and putting things together-they are perfect crafting buddies for Nienie!

...and G is a natural at reading directions and following them step by step, it's fun to see him so confident and self assured, the printed pages are not intimidating to him at all... 

...I'm sure M will soon be reading his own directions because he loves to follow along and do anything his big brother does!

I hope everyone had a blessed holiday!

Does this ever happen to you?

Christmas Eve at Deda's...
we really wanted a group pic of the little ones,
just one would be great-
we don't get everyone together very often...

After coaxing all of them into the same general area
we thought the rest would be a breeze,
quick and painless
we thought we had it made...
Should it be so challenging
to get everyone's attention at the same time?

Of course, there is always the animated one...
teasing us, making us think we were almost there,
and also one (or two, or three) who could care less...

All of our clapping and snapping and dancing around
did nothing to convince them to all look our way and smile...
especially not all at the same time. 
They were really making us work for it...

Maybe even better than snapping the perfect picture,
was watching their comical faces entertain us
as we waited patiently for group cooperation,
which was not to be had...

At this point, we can tell that it's not going to happen,
not like we thought, anyway...
let's throw a "big kid" into the act and see what happens...

We aren't making perfect pictures,
but we are making perfect memories...

Thanks kids, maybe next year.
Happy Holidays!

A very Merry time...

As always, I had a great time during the holidays celebrating with family. Several days were spent in Carrollton visiting the girls and grandsons. This is the first year I didn't take tons of pictures, the boys were so involved in their games and toys, I wanted to play along, too! Jamie was the gracious hostess, as always, and we had a great time relaxing, eating, playing, and visiting. Here are a few pics from Christmas day. You'll notice the "big" kids' pics missing---they were there all right, they just weren't too keen on having their pictures taken!

G and Dada figuring out the new game...

Mama and M playing his game...

G "ooo-hhhing" and "aaahhh-ing" over something:)

G admiring some new clothes...

M with a new train set...

So much fun...

M playing "drums" with mom's new salad set...

Reading a new book...

And, still having a fun time figuring out how to play his newest games...

These 2 boys are growing up way too fast! Can't wait until our next visit. I look forward to seeing what the new year brings to our family!

A True Classic.....

Mr. Potato Head, he's still around. Never out of style. Did you know that the original Mr. Potato Head didn't even come with a potato body? Parents had to supply their own potato!!! This classic toy was first manufactured in 1952---he is older than I am!!! I love that Grayson is having so much fun with him...

Endless hours of fun.....

Meet Frosty, the Snowman.....

The snowy weather may have not been very much fun to travel in, but in the eyes of a child---it was exciting! Grayson couldn't wait to get bundled up to go outside and play. I told him I knew exactly where our sled was, and that he could get on it for a ride. He had so much fun....His daddy took him for his first ride....down the driveway,

make a smooth turn.....

"keep going, daddy".....

"this is fun".....

back up the driveway they come.....

he was lovin' it.....

I'm thinking, "he may last longer out here than me!"

What a ride!

Notice the plastic bags on his shoes?, We weren't prepared for snow play....

but we can make do!

Grayson helped us make a snowman, insisting on a real carrot for his nose and

buttons for his eyes, just like he had been reading about in his book!

He was so excited to pose beside his creation.

We asked him if it was a man or a woman. He said,"It's a man."

We asked him what his name was, "It's Frosty."

Isn't he just adorable!!!

And just for the record, Neenie got to pull the sled around too, getting enough

exercise in to last me a whole week!

things I want to remember.....(part 2)

Christmas Day

Morgan and Grayson in their matching p.j.s

(notice they are BOTH looking at the camera, good job guys!!!)

Caleb
(looking through his stocking:)

Jamie
(helping with Morgan's stocking)

sissy Jen
(trying on her newly knit scarf from mom)

Kelsey
(pretty in pink)

Roger
(he looks pretty serious, doesn't he?)

Me

(a self portrait, because I'm always behind the camera)

Joel & Grayson
(playing with Handy Manny Tool Set)

The Mess

(evidence of fun times!)

Morgan with his new green dragon from Santa

(just look at those cute cheeks!!!)

"Hey, wait! I want on, too!"

"I said, hold on please!"

"O.K., now I'm ready!"

"Let's go!!!"

We usually have a huge breakfast on Christmas morning after opening all of our gifts. This year was a little different since we were traveling back home on Christmas day. Thank goodness I already had chili ready for the crock pot! We decided to switch up our traditions a bit and had chili for dinner after opening the presents. We saved our Christmas breakfast for the morning after---when we were more rested and energized!!!

We had so much fun watching the boys open up their gifts. I'm very grateful that our family is able to spend so much time together during the holidays, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world! I'm already looking forward to next year!!!