Christmas Season 2016!

Another busy holiday season is upon us.  This year has been especially enjoyable because the kids are at the ages where they are FULL of excitement!  It is also encouraging to know that they know the real reason we celebrate at Christmas time;  Jesus was born on earth!

 

The boys made a little snowman in the driveway.  If you look closely you can seen the sticks for arms with mittens on them and a nice warm hat!

We made Christmas cookies with all the cousins this year.  My kids each left one for Santa.  Along with 9 carrots for his reindeer, but no carrot dip.

New Christmas PJ's!

Christmas morning church

The kids are a little bit excited to open presents and didn't want to stand for a picture...

Santa found a special gift for Tripp.  

We had a few Christmas parties along the way.  Santa and Mrs. Claus made it to our last party and Ty was speechless!

Check out these lovely ladies!

Misc

Tripp thought he would use his peanut butter to style his hair.  

It worked! 

 

We love watching Ty learn at school!

 

 He is fantastic at putting his shoes on himself, and just as fantastic at taking them off!

 No amount of 17 degree F weather will stop this little guy from removing his clothing. 

So far...

So far December has welcomed some great winter activities!

 Ella was in the Christmas Parade

So we all went to watch!

Time for another round of swimming lessons for all 4 kids

 

 Fun activities downtown!

 Horse drawn carriage ride!

Decorating the Christmas tree

 

Our tree is sparsely decorated this year, mostly because of this little guy!  

 

And already had a snow day!

Time to head outside and play!

 

 

And more...

Thanksgiving morning I ran an 8k. Peter ran it 2 years ago in the snow. It was quite nice for running this year. I didn't even need gloves. I had a great run but an even better cheering section!!

Some after Thanksgiving fun

Cort is very content doing a puzzle in peace while Ella and Ty are at school and Tripp is napping!

Wow! I'm behind....

Better late than never!

Cort had his first Grandparents Day at 3-school with Nana and Grandma!

 Nana 

&

 Grandma

 

 Playing outside!

 

 Ty and Cort on a new (used) toy

Tripp liked playing in the leaves

 Cort is my work out buddy.  This is his fierce Warrior pose! A slight knee adjustment, and I think he's got it!

And Ella had her GOLDEN birthday!  The big 9!

 

November

There was a really warm day in the beginning of November, so the boys and I enjoyed it!

Tripp is just "Hanging with my Peeps", or chicks, or hens!

Cort is feeding the goats

Ty enjoyed climbing in the play area

Halloween

Never a shortage of activities in October!

 Halloween

Carving pumpkins

Ella did hers all on her own and Ty helped with some of his. 

Downtown had some fun activities in the late afternoon, so I went with the boys while Ella was at gymnastics. 

Then the whole gang went out in the evening, with the help of Nana and Grandma!

Ella was Supergirl

Ty was Buzz Lightyear

 Cort was a penguin

 and Tripp was a cute dragon.  

 

Buzz Lightyear was very excited about his costume! 

Thanks Aunt Barb for finding it!!

Swimming

It's time for swimming lessons again. This time Tripp was in the pool too!!

 

 He did very well for his first time at swimming lessons!! But Daddy was in the pool with him, so everything is all right!

Ty and Cort are in separate classes this time and Ella is down in the deep end!

October FUN!

We had some pre-Halloween fun at the Zoo Boo on a mildly warm fall day!

Ella was in school, so the three boys got dressed up. 

 

Cort and his penguin friends

Buzz Lightyear standing tall and strong!