Christmas Eve Photos

We decided to take advantage of the beautiful tree inside the lobby at church for pictures rather than trying to take them at home. We arrived early before it was too crowded and got all set up for pictures. I think they came out pretty good.

The kiddos.
The whole family.

Individual poses...Madison.

Carson.

Jason.

Geotrax Madness

Over the last few years we've built up our collection of geo-trax train sets. We started with two small sets that I got at a consignment sale and last Christmas we added some more track and remote control trains to our collection. On Christmas Eve Matt used our lincoln logs to build a huge train station and then built the track area around it. The kids were pretty impressed and enjoyed playing with it.
Even Target likes to act like a tunnel sometimes.

Then the kids got the mega-blocks out and had Matt help them build another tunnel for the trains to go through (top of the picture).

This Christmas we added some elevated track to our collection so more construction will be happening soon.

Decorating Christmas Cookies

I did a lot of baking a few weeks ago but had been putting off the cut-out cookies as I know how time-consuming it is...not to mention messy. But the other night I knew I couldn't put it off any longer. The kids were patient as I mixed the dough and cut-out the cookies, then for family night we decorated the cookies after dinner.
Carson shows off one of his candy canes.
Don't let the smile fool you....he wasn't very happy as he wasn't participating much in the activity since he refused to even eat one green bean at dinner....so stubborn.

Madison adds some decorations to her cookie.

Some of our finished products.

First Snow

By this time last year we had already had a major snowstorm and the kids were out sledding....no such luck this year, yet. But on the 16th we had a little amount of snow (probably 1 inch or so) but it was enough for the kids to get bundled up and enjoy playing in it on the deck.

Preschool Christmas Celebrations

Preschool ended mid-December for all the kids and they had a variety of different celebrations throughout the last week. Santa Claus (the director's husband) came to visit the terrific twos class and gave them each a present. Then they each took a turn sitting next to him. As you can see Jason was being super shy and wouldn't take his fingers out of his mouth. Madison's response to Santa being there was that it was just a man in a costume because she saw him get out of his car. She said, "He didn't come in a sleigh, it's just all pretend!"
Carson and Madison each participated in separate Christmas singing programs. I got them all dressed up and they did such a great job. Carson is in the very middle with the light green shirt and tie.

Madison was sitting in a place that was difficult to get a picture of her but she was able to sneak a look at me every once in awhile.

Madison Turns 5!

On November 29th, Madison turned 5. We had a little family celebration in Ohio then a birthday party planned for December 4th with some girlfriends. We really didn't have any big plans for her actual birthday which was a good thing because in the evening both her and I came down with the stomach bug which Carson and Jason both had the previous 2 days!

Here's a picture of Madison with her matching doll on her birthday...prior to feeling sick!

I opted out of decorating a major cake this year as in years past.....we went with the cupcake option....much easier!

The table all ready with balloons and a pinata!

Madison and Dorothy spend some time coloring while they wait for their friends to arrive.

Madison takes a little break with Mikaella and Faith on the steps.

Not the best birthday video...Madison was acting so shy, but I had to include it.

And some pinata action. Matt had to hold it and put himself in harm's way because we had no place to hang it inside and it was way too cold to be outside. It didn't take long before someone was able to break off the bottom and all the loot fell out.

And in the way of statistics....Madison now weighs 48 pounds (90th percentile) and is 44.5 inches tall (83rd percentile). She had a major growth spurt in the last year....gaining 10 pounds and about 5 inches.

Time at Grammy and Grandpa's

For Thanksgiving we traveled to Ohio to visit Grammy and Grandpa....with the baby due in the beginning of January we knew we wouldn't be going there for Christmas and who knows when we'll make it there after the baby. The kids love to go there and they love to see Sarge, my parents' golden retriever.
The boys enjoyed playing with an old toy of Grandpa's....

Carson hangs out on the air mattresses playing with an old cell phone.

The Thanksgiving meal....mom pretty much did all the cooking and preparing while I just hung out. As you can see everyone was enjoying the meal.

Later that evening my grandma, aunt and uncle, and cousin Crystal came over to visit. The kids enjoyed interacting with 1 yr old Brynn (Crystal and her husband Dave's daughter).

And my other cousin Cassie's daughter also came along...a group picture.

Carson posing with a hand me down hat from Timothy.

And Jason quickly poses with a cheesy grin.

All three enjoying a movie in the evening when Matt and I went out for a bit.

We couldn't make the trip to Ohio without going to breakfast at Mellor's...a small restaurant in Loudonville where my grandfather used to spend a lot of time. It's pretty inexpensive and so delicious.

Later Madison worked with Grammy on her own castle birthday cake.

The finished product. Madison was very pleased with it.

She takes her water coloring very seriously.

A quick picture of Mom, me and the kids.

And then one of just the girls...(well and a boy in the belly).

Madison did a great job allowing the boys to help her open her presents.

One of the gifts....hungry, hungry hippos...which they wanted to play right away.

And Jason enjoys a moment with Sarge before it was time for us to climb in the car and head back home.

Madison Loses Her First Tooth

Madison had a very loose tooth for a few weeks before it finally just fell out. The new tooth was coming in behind it and pushing on it...as you can see in this picture.
In a matter of seconds I told Madison just to wiggle it a little bit with a kleenex and it fell out. She had been unsure about the whole thing, mainly worried about blood, and honestly I really didn't want to touch it either.

Taken right after it fell out. It was amazing how quickly the whole filled in and the new tooth came forward a bit.

A little toothless grin. So far there aren't anymore loose teeth, but we know there will be more soon!

Dress Up with Friends

On a particular playdate the kids decided to get all dressed up in some of our gear. Then a quick pose for a picture. Jordis, the firefighter, Dalton, the policeman, and Carson, the army guy.

Harvest Party Costumes

I was able to find some very discounted costumes for the kids at the local tot swap this year and the kids really enjoyed dressing up in them for our church's harvest party. Unfortuneately my pictures on the evening of the harvest party did not turn out so I only have this "practice" picture. Carson, the race car driver, Madison, the princess, and Jason, the lion....all the costumes fit their personalities perfectly.

Gaver Tree Farm

Last year was the first year that we visited Gaver Tree Farm for their harvest festival and we knew we'd come back. For a small fee they have a ton of activities for families throughout the month of October....and we love that there really isn't an emphasis on Halloween. Since our kids get up early we are typically some of the first to arrive at an event that opens at 10am. We went twice this year, once at the beginning of the month and once at the end. The kids love this place and play for hours.

First a quick pose with the "cow" before we entered.
Then each posed with the "watch me grow" sign. We'll have to see how much they grow between this year and next.

Carson acts as if he owns the place sitting atop this wooden tractor.

And he poses with the pumpkins.

Besides all the activities they have a variety of live animals...goats, pigs, rabbits, roosters, turkeys, etc. The kids were eager to feed the goats and the goats were eager to be fed....especially since we were some of the first to arrive.

Carson wasn't scared a bit.

The boys could've stayed and played in this for hours....a "gravelbox" equipped with tractors and trucks. I really liked this idea better than the sandbox since it wasn't sticking all over them!

Jason enjoys a pretend ride on a tractor.

And water duck races....where the kids had to pump the water into the tubes to get the rubber ducks to move. Very cool.

A huge highlight of the place is the double barrel slides. Even the adults can join in on the fun.

A quick pose with Daddy on top of the hay mountain.

Before heading out to the pumpkin patch via a hay ride Matt took a picture of me and the kids next to the scarecrow.

Out in the pumpkin patch choosing a few pumpkins.

Another highlight of the Farm is the huge jumping pillow. It was new this year and so much fun for the kids. Here's a video to give you a glimpse into their fun.

And a quick jump into the hay.

And Carson shows off a little of his skills in the hay pit as well.