Christmas Day

Christmas Day we headed to Jackson to my grandma's house.  Almost everyone was there, we were only missing one of my cousins.  While eating dinner two deer were spotted out in the backyard.  The children were so excited, who am I kidding so were some of the adults.

 The 3 littlest ones passed out the gifts.  They needed a little help reading the names and maybe who they went to, but all of the gifts made it to who they belonged to.  And there was only one little argument.  For a Christmas gathering that is good!!!!  Inside joke right there!!!!

 Once we got home we called and had Ben's dad come on over to do gifts with him. 

Christmas Morning

Once we got home from Rochester on Christmas Eve we headed to one our friends house for a little Holiday fun.  This family has become part of our family in more ways than I can count.  I am not sure what I would do without them.

On Christmas morning when Devin woke up he needed to check to see if Santa drank his milk and ate the cookies.

 This little man was very excited to open gifts.

 He received this gift from Santa and he was very excited about it.

 I think overall it was a successful morning at our house.  I found this rocket ship and this has been one of Devin's new favorite toys right now.

Christmas with Ben's mom

On Christmas Eve we spent the day with Ben's mom over in Rochester.  We headed over the night before and went to the movie and just relaxed.  But the next day was all about spending time with Grandma in Devin's eyes.  They played, opened gifts, and went out to eat.  Overall it was a wonderful day!!!!  We had great conversations and lots of fun playing around.  Well Grandma and Devin had fun playing around.  Ben and I got took the time to watch them play!!!!

A special little man to many people

Devin has found his way into many people's hearts.  He is a very special little man and loved by a lot of people.  But we always have a special place in our hearts for people too.  But there is one person that has a very special place and that would be Devin's baby-sitter Kayla.  She will be graduating this year and I guess Devin told her something about not going because he wont know how to go and see her.  Kayla took the time and made Devin a new blanket for Christmas.  He has slept with it every night since he has gotten it.

 He got one more present, but this one was not from Kayla but from her dad.  Can you tell he likes his new hat!!!

Christmas with my mom

On Sunday we had Christmas with my mom.  What a fun time we all had and for the most part it was not too loud, which is odd.

Austin was wanting his picture taken, not in front of the tree, but behind the couch by this big present and Devin kept photo bombing!!!

 OF course no day is complete without finding Alexis and Ben cuddled up together.

 And then there is Austin being silly.

 This Fall mom had her kitchen redone.  I have to say that it really did turn out really nice.

 In order it be in any pictures this is how I usually get in.  Self Portraits!!!!

 I asked if the kids would sit in front of the tree.  Well, I got Austin for a minute and then he ran away and then Robin (who is 30) came and then this is what I got!!!!

 Devin digging under the tree to find his presents!!!

 I think he likes his new sweatshirt and those PJs had to be wore that night!!!

Fun filled weekend

Well, my Christmas vacation has finally started and I am glad to have a few weeks off from work.  So, on Friday my mom and I headed to Jackson for Alexis' Christmas concert and then after that we brought her and Austin back to town with us.  On Saturday we added a four kid into the mix for the day and night.  Overall they had a good time.  Saturday morning the boys went with Grandpa to the Harley store to see Santa and out for lunch.  While they were gone the girls played and made friendship bracelets and we went out for lunch with Grandma.  That afternoon we made a gingerbread house and Christmas trees.  It was a lot of fun and one big mess.  But then again anything fun is always messy.

 After that it was time for a little quite time and a movie.  So, they all cuddled up on the couch and watched a movie.

 After supper this is how I found Alexis all cuddled up with Ben.  I think this is one of her favorites.

We had four kids over night and the evening went just fine.  But I have to say that one is a lot easier than four!!!!

Riding in the firetruck

Devin got asked on Saturday afternoon to ride in the firetruck.

Elffie

Our Elf on the Shelf has return.  Since the beginning of December Efflie or KK (as Devin calls him sometimes) has come to visit us for the Christmas season.  Each morning Devin is really excited and looks for the Elf to see where he has landed and what he might be up to.  In this picture the Elf was taking a Bubble Bath in the Birthday hat.  I have tried to take a picture each day of his new spots so that Devin can look back and see what silly things the Elf does.

For those that don't know.  The Elf on the Shelf comes in December to watch over you and reports back to Santa each night on whether you have been good or not.  You are not allowed to touch or play with the Elf or they might lose their magic.  Each morning when the Elf returns from seeing Santa he finds a new place to hid and you must find him.

New experiences for my little man

Every once in a while I do bring Devin with me when I go and take pictures.  Some times it is ok and others it is too much.  One Sunday afternoon I was did a foreign exchange students picture, he is from Germany.  It was a lot of fun to bring Devin along.  This young man took the time to play a little football with Devin and chase after him.  When we got home he talked about it for the next few days even!!

Santa

The last few years we had a hard time seeing Santa.  This year I asked Devin if he wanted to go and visit and he said yes.  So, we got there and I let him peek to make sure he was going to do it.  And he said yes, but I don't want to sit on his lap.  I was fine with that as long as he stood by him.  So, we stood there and smiled and took some really nice pictures, but at the end Santa was talking to him and the photographer kept clicking away and I have to say I love the photo that I got. 

Birthday Party

On Devin's actually birthday we had his first ever friends birthday party.  He was told that he could invite 5 friends since he was going to be 5.  We even added that if they wanted they could dress up like Super Heros.  We headed to the local McDonald, had supper, played, cake, and presents all within one hour.  Overall the boys had a great time.

Devin's 5th Birthday

I can not believe that Devin is already 5 years old.  The time truly does fly by.  We are all busy and life does not slow down for anyone.  It is best to take each day for what it is and enjoy every bit of it.

 

For Devin's cake I had an idea in mind and know a local lady that does wonderful cakes, so I asked her this year if she would be interested and this is what we got.  She did an amazing job and was wonderful tasting.

 We had a nice little family birthday party.  I made lunch, we did presents and then we had some cake.  The adults talked and the kids played.  Overall I think it was a nice day.  And really the only thing that mattered was Devin have a nice birthday.

 Like any kid he enjoys opening presents and he likes everything that he gets.  He loves the Lego.

 And his Hello Kitty lunch box (thanks a lot Mandy!!!!)  This was to be a joke and maybe passed on.  Well, my son loves it and thinks that it is cool.  Go figure!

The Green Giant

On Saturday morning Santa put the scarf on the Green Giant for the Holidays.  It was a beautiful morning!!!  At 10am on November 10th it was already 65 degrees out.  This is how I like November.

Here are my two boys watching Santa!!!

 He was so excited to see Santa and watch him.

 He wanted to show Santa his Start glasses, so why not!!!!  This is huge for him.  In a years time we have gone from crying and not wanting to be near Santa to asking to see him. 

Austin's 5th B-day

Austin's 5th b-day had to be delayed a week due to him having the flu.  But he was feeling better and was full of excitement to celebrate.

 I just love capturing the little things in life.  They might not be perfectly posed and looking at the camera, but this is a special moment between a little boy and his great-grandma!!!

 Cake picture

 There was one candle that just would not blow out!!!

 After the party I took Austin to do his 5 year old pictures and then we thought we should get some with Grandma.  Well, I have to say this is a good one or at least this is what it is like most of the time.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!!!!!!

Halloween is my favorite holiday and I think it is starting to become Devin's also.  He was going to be a Super Hero, but he really wanted to be a scary guy.  So, why not let him be what he wants to be.  Devin and I were at Wal-Mart a week ago and he saw a Vampire costume there and really wanted to be that.  And of course we had to do hair and make-up.

He wanted to to put in on himself, so he tried his best, but in the end I helped out.

 He is my little vampire!!!! 

 Mandy and I an extra special friend!!!!!

 The three kids did such a good job taking turns going from house to house and ringing the door bells.  Only had to tell them a handful of times to not walk right in the middle of the road.

 The end of the night and I think he did good!!!!!