Last Sunday

Last Sunday myself, my mom and Devin headed to Jackson to watch Alexis' fun meet for gymnastic. We went over a little early so that we could spend some time with my grandma. Devin took my phone and climbed up into grandma's lap and had to show her how to play a game on my phone. I just love moments like this and I am so happy that I had my camera right there so we always have that moment.

While watching Alexis I could tell that Devin was getting tired. He ended up curling up with my mom and fell asleep. After a little while (or when my mom's arm got tired) Patrick took him for the rest of the time. At first he was all curled up and then all of the sudden this is how he was sleeping.
Alexis did a pretty good tuck full jump and got some serious height for a 6 year old!!!!

New Camera and Bathtime fun

Just two weeks ago I got a new camera!!!! It was the one that I really wanted, but needed to really save for. I love it and have been happy with the wonderful pictures / memories it has taken. My first subject was our dog, Jordan. She really wasn't too happy to be woken up from her nap, oh wait that is what she does all day!!!

Then later after I got Devin from daycare we played around with it. We had to do some self portraits.
I also got a few new pairs of sunglasses and Devin thought it was fun to try them on. It was his idea to take pictures while doing it. So, we each put them on and took a picture. That is one way to see if you like how they look.

Bathtime fun!!!! Lately Devin has been really enjoying bathtime again. If we don't watch the time he will stay in there for 30 minutes or more.

I found these fun bath tub colors. Devin likes to draw on the tub with them and they just wipe right off.

Tic Tock

So, this summer we took Devin to see Spy Kids 4 in the movie theater. He enjoyed it, but really didn't give it much thought for a while. Recently Ben has been uploading movies onto a device that he has hooked up to our TV and Spy Kids 4 has been one of those movies. This movie is a daily request and in some cases a daily watch. The other day Devin found a bag and asked his dad to cut out eyes so that he could be Tic Tock from the movie.

One last Christmas

Over the weekend we headed to Rochester to celebrate Christmas one last time for this year. We went to see Ben's mom and spend some time with her. We all had a really good time. Devin got some grandma time and we even got a little shopping time. OK, well I did some shopping!!!! I even found a few REALLY good deals in the process.

Devin really likes to be a helper, well at least when it suits him. He likes to pass out presents. he is starting to recognize the first letter of all of our names. He is getting to be such a big boy and pretty smart.

He was really excited for his new bed spread.

Devin is one little spoiled boy or just one lucky boy. He has been blessed with a lot of people that love him in his life and like to spoil him too much.

Christmas day

Christmas Day, Devin woke up and came right into our room with such excitement. this was the first year that he has really gotten it and was really excited that morning. He came in saying, "Santa brought him new toys!" He has really enjoyed all of his new stuff that he has gotten for Christmas.

For lunch we headed to my Grandma's house to celebrate with her and the rest of the family. Before anyone else got there it was just us, Grandma and my uncle Tim. Devin had to climb up on his lap and show him his game and how to play it. It was really cute and special.

This year was a little hard at Christmas for many reasons. First of all I am always missing my dad and even more so at Holiday time. But this year we lost my grandpa, so it was different but special at the same time. Everyone was there for Christmas Day and that has not happen in many years. I think it meant a lot to my grandma. But to make this season even harder my best friend lost her dad a few days before Christmas. So, we have been helping her and her family out the best that we can even if it is just lending a ear or helping them get moved backed into their house.
After lunch and things were cleaned up we had a few gifted to open. Devin wanted to be Santa and help hand out the presents. He really did not have much interest in his own gifts, he wanted to watch everyone else open theirs.

Ben had Monday off, which was nice and we were able to have some family time. That night Jim came over for supper and a little Christmas gathering. After supper Devin helped grandpa open his gifts and showed him different pictures.

This may be the closest I get to a three generation photos without everyone bucking me. I have to say that I really do like this photo even thought it is not prefect and they are not looking at the camera.

Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas Everyone!!! Well today is finally Christmas Eve, but the only thing is that it really doesn't feel like it. Here in Minnesota we have NO snow and fairly warm temps for the end of December. I am not complaining, but I do like snow for Christmas.

This year I introduced The Elf on The Shelf to Devin. We have the book on my Nook, but last weekend my mom got Devin the actually book and the little Elf that goes with it. It has been fun finding where the Elf is the next morning after he has gone and seen Santa to tell him how good or bad Devin has been that day. Devin understands it which makes it that much more fun. Below is a picture of our elf, Elfie.

Today Devin got a gift from the boys across the street and on the package was a key for Santa. We hung it on our door since we don't have a fireplace this way he can get in.
Everyone has to have a picture in front of their Christmas tree!!!

After supper tonight we told Devin that he could open 3 gifts. Every year I get Devin a new ornament that is either something we have done that year that was special or something that he is into. This year I found a Disney one with Goofy and Mickey!!!

I love the facial expressions. I wish I would have videotaped this one.

We are just starting to get into games, so nothing is better than a little Candyland.

Christmas at my mom's

On Sunday we headed to my mom's to celebrate Christmas. Pat and the family came over for the day. First we had a wonderful lunch that of course there was way too much food and of course we all ate too much. But then again it wouldn't be the Holidays without too much food. Devin loves to help pass out plates. As you can see he found a bowl cover to wear on his head (he likes to bye the lunch man), I think he just likes to be a little helper.

After lunch and dishes were done, we had to do a few photos in front of the Christmas tree. Devin did really well once we got him in front of the tree. I might need to add that we did have to threaten "no presents" if they didn't do this or that. We only had a couple of melt downs from each of them and I believe all 3 of them ended up in time outs at least once, but not all at the same time. Gotta love little ones when they are super excited. And we had two little boys that really could have used a nap by the end of the day.
We even got a nice one of all 3 of them with Grandma!!!

We even took a nice family photo. Well, we had to take a few to get just this one photo!!!!

Once all of the family photos were done it was finally time to open presents. And boy were they excited and no of them wanted to wait any longer. I find it funny that both Austin and Devin got an item that were different, but both only cost maybe $3 and that was the one item that they loved the most and wanted to play with. For Austin it was a Matchbox car and for Devin is was the Star Wars M&M fan in the box that is pictured below. That fan is with him everywhere even to this day.

I love how in the picture above that are so intrigued by what Alexis was opening up. Below are the new slippers that Devin got from Grandma. He even wore them to bed on Sunday night. He likes to wear them, but I think his little toes get a little too warm in them when he wears them too long.

After all of the gifts were opened. Grandma was found in one of the rooms reading Alexis' new book to the kids. I believe Alexis was first and then Devin wanted the story read to him.

Once everything was cleaned up and put away. This is what we found in the living room. Those four sitting on the couch playing Monopoly on the Ipad2.