Pre-Christmas Festivities

The night before Christmas Eve we had a little football party. My Mom, my brother Drew, Marcus, Amber, Gabbie, James, Maxine, and their kids Tory and Quinn all came over to our house for some food, beer, and football. It was fun!

Brielle trying on Marcus's boots.

Drew needs to eat more fiber.

He had his fiber and feels so much better!

Marc & Amber cuddling.

James & Maxine

All the kids watching a movie.

Ruthie didn't like what Drew fed her.

Daddy makes it feel alllllll better!

Amber got a hold of the camera.

The kids went sledding earlier in the day...The boys really liked dragging Brielle around. Everything was going well until she got dumped out of the sled and snow got on her face, then her day outside was over.

Micah, Brielle, & Christian

Christian pulling Brielle.

Getting it all in before Christmas!

We have been on the go these last couple days. I wanted to get this out before Christmas so I won't have the length be triple in size.

The boys were getting Brielle to copy them. I know they love feeling like big kids when she decides to look up to them.

The boys decided it would be fun to jump over the clothes basket, so I snapped a few of them in mid air. They had a lot of fun!


The kids had a Live Nativity they were in for their school. It was very sweet. The school had recorded the kids singing and narrating the Nativity story and they acted it out complete with live animals. I got choked up at times watching the sweetness of the story of Christ's arrival to this world. What a way for a King to arrive...quietly and really only the Shepherd's in the fields being aware that their savior had finally arrived. The school did such a beautiful job of putting this together. I forgot my camera so my gracious friend Maxine snapped some pictures of the kids for me. Thanks Maxine!
Micah as one of the towns people.

Christian was in the "multitudes". This is him by some of the stable animals.

Ruthie trying to stay warm.

We took a trip into Boise to see family and friends and also pick up a truck for Wes. Brad had to head straight back home to ref basket ball games, but the kids and I stayed behind and visited. We were blessed with a snow storm and the boys headed out with Simon to build a snowman.

They used ores for shovels.

After fun in the snow they got to play in the hot tub...I'm sure they were miserable.

Micah, Simon, Christian

Simon's big sis Hailey dumping snow on the boy's.

This is Hailey...she didn't want me taking any pictures...so I did!

The kids and I also visited my family, and we got a bonus because Drew flew into town for his break.
My Mom and Drewyn.

Grandma and Ruthie

Kisses for Drew

Kisses for Papa

Helping Drew with his computer.

Posing in front of the Christmas tree.

When we got back into town we stopped at Brad's Great Aunt Marilyn's house for dinner. It's nice having family here.

Micah, Josh, Sue, Ruthie, Christian, Marilyn, Brielle, Dennis, and Mary.

Solomon came home covered in burrs yesterday...I've been trying to cut them out...not easy.

We woke up to a lot of beautiful snow. This is the back side of our house looking at the shed and coop.
The front yard.

The dogs begging to come in...I let them. :)

Potties, homework, dates, & angels.

Preparing for Christmas is a lot of fun around here! However we are also preparing for a little girl to start using the big girl potty. Brad brought home a little toilet for Brielle and she loves it! Of course now when someone in the family toots she looks at them and says: "Poopoos?". I am hoping to have one out of diapers in the next few months. Pray for us. :)

Checking out the new "big girl" potty

She's shocked there's a hole in the middle!

Trying to finish homework...it's hard when all you want to do is talk.

I love this picture of Ruthie! She was so very tired, probably because she kept me up all night!

Daddy and Ruthie working at the computer.

Working together to get the job done! The boys are so great at done dishes and helping around the house!

Brad and I had a lot of Christmas parties to go to...It was fun getting out of the house!

At Micah and Christian's school they have Chapel every Weds. morning. It was Christian's class's turn to lead so Brad ans I went to watch. They recited a Bible verse and led us in a few Christmas songs. They were all dressed as angels. It was so sweet!

Thanksgiving and things...

It's been awhile since I updated this. The kids have been keeping me pretty busy. Brielle is in the "please don't be more than a foot away from me" stage, and of course that coupled with Ruthie not being old enough to even roll over yet makes for some interesting days.

This Thanksgiving was just our family of six. We decided that since we had no other family coming we would just have a day of relaxing in our PJ's and playing games. The boys were more than excited.

The night before Thanksgiving Brad started a fire and we played a couple games of Yahtzee. It was nice to finally have some down time with the family.

Not to close...

Micah doing his impression of Esther.

Mom and the kids.

Micah teaching Dad how to do the Bunny Hop.

Ruthie watching everyone do dishes after the big meal.

Pumped up after watching the Thanksgiving games.

Brielle loved dessert!

Happy, full baby.

The day after Thanksgiving we got out the Christmas decorations and went to work, well Brielle had better things to do. (see below)

Putting the tree together

The lights go on!

And she's fine reading her paper.