Mom and Dad Christmas

Ahhh,... See that confused look on Chris' face.... made it all worth it! Chad was being nosy about what we got him for Christmas... so I took it back and upgraded to the Braun 7 (razor). Chris was so confused b/c he did not know that I got it.... hehe sneaky!

Chad went all out and had a blast surprising me with gift after gift. I felt a little low about only getting him the razor. Next year Dear... Next year.

One of my favorite gifts was a necklace with all three boys' birthstones on it. Love IT!!!!

I also got the girly luggage in the picture.... and

Tickets to see Rascal Flatts on January 22nd!!! SOOOOOO Excited!

We had a very Merry Christmas at our house. We stayed home with just the 5 of us. This was the first year we have all been together under one roof in 5 years. What a great set of memories!

Isaac's Christmas

Isaac was so excited to see this Giant "Me Mouse" AKA Mickey Mouse that he totally bypassed the new sled Santa brought.

Loving the new Elmo book and the cool new toys from my stocking

Isaac's big gift was a rocking horse. He is such a wild rider on it! Well worth it in entertainment value. Me Mouse has even taken a few rides!

He also got an Magna Doodle (kid tough version) from his "brudders."

Isaac had a great time opening gifts. It all got to be a little overwhelming as he really just wanted to play with one toy at the exact moment it was opened. He did not like putting stuff down to have to open another gift. It was short lived though!

Shawn's Christmas

Shawn's big gift this year was a Blue PSP. He broke his other PSP in September and boy oh boy has he been suffering! So he was pretty excited to open this gift!

He also got a new Nerf Gun. They love to play nerf guns...If only the boys were here through the summer to play them even more.

Santa was also really good to Shawn. He got a new controller for the XBOX...

and a Colts Jersey.

Now we only need to pick a team for Isaac (though I think he has already picked the Jets.... as everytime any football game is on he yells ... Touchdown, Go Jets)

Chris' Christmas

Each child in our family only receives a maximum of 3 gifts from Mom and Dad. With Chris getting older, it was a stretch to get something he wanted but stay within our budget. We did however.... Blow him away!!!

His big gift was an RC car that goes up to 35 mph. He was so happy! His other two gifts were the accessories... a battery pack and a kit to work on the car/fix it.

It was definitely a Merry Christmas for Chris

Giving Back

This year... Grandma and Grandpa asked us, in place of actual gifts, to give back. Choose a way to give back... donate, pick a family in need, volunteer time, help out a shelter, do something for someone else.

So we did....

I will share more details later because I want part of their gift to still be a surprise in January (when we have Christmas) but here's a little sneak peak of part of our "giving back."

P.S. Grandma.... The big boys both took it one step further... I think you will be proud!

Time with Family....

Over Thanksgiving and Christmas by the Lake, we had the opportunity to get lots of good time in with family. Thanksgiving was spent in NE and Christmas was in IA.

Isaac and "Bumpa"

Daddy doing dishes.... Doesn't it look like it is his most favoritist job ever?

Gramma's Kisses are so sweet.... they even make your lips pucker!

Tristan tickling


"Snow" ready for the cold weather season

More loving with "Bumpa"

Isaac actually requested this picture.... he saw the camera bag and said "Cheese!"

Being silly with Gramma at the table

Lounging in the laundry basket full of toys

It's been a busy few weeks.

Boys went to visit their mom on the weekend before Thanksgiving.

Mom, Dad, Annie and Tristan came to visit the following weekend, and Chad went

to pick up the boys from their mom's.

The next week, Isaac got sick and I stayed home from work one day.

We traveled to Gramma and Bumpa's for the rest of the 1st weekend in December.

It's been a crazy week at work with lots of behaviors going on.... guess the kids can sense the excitement of the holidays.

(Hope to be back sooner rather than later!)