Christmas Moments

Just thought we would share a few of our Christmas moments with you all! We had a wonderful Christmas holiday... lots of games, late nights, naps, laughter and fun!

Cooking with Nana

 

Nana always comes up with fun things for the kids to do with her. I know my kids LOVE spending time with her and making memories. Thanks for all your fun ideas Nana!

 

Addie loved making graham cracker Christmas trees, gingerbread men, and snowmen out of marshmallows.

 

Even Uncle Joe got in on the action! Nice snowman, Uncle Joe!

 

Here are the kids showing off a few of their masterpieces! Take a look at Ashton! This was the only way we could keep her happy while we took the picture!

Austin's Christmas Concert

 

Austin had his annual Christmas concert at the Bartlesville High School Auditorium. Doesn't he look so handsome!

 

Two of his biggest fans!

 

The crowds are always crazy- but it's fun supporting our little man!

 

I had to stick this picture in there. When they first opened the curtains it was hard to find Austin. Can you see him?!? Obviously it was difficult taking pictures of him on stage- but I promise he was singing all the words and doing all the motions!

Growing up...

 

Before we left for Thanksgiving, Avery was talking to me about getting her ears pierced. We have always said when she turned 8 she could have them pierced, but she informed me that her birthday fell in soccer season and she couldn't play with earrings in! I actually had a very bad experience taking my earrings out for a soccer game before I was supposed to, so I agreed with her and told her when we got back from Nashville.

 

I had forgotten about it, but Avery reminded me again! So, when Randy got home from work, we all went to the mall to have Avery's ears pierced. She was very brave, but made sure she held on to daddy's hand.

 

She picked out little diamond flowers. She looks so grown up!

 

And Santa even came down to tell the kids that they were being good! He was watching!!!

Annual Nashville Cook-out!

One of our favorite parts of going to Tennessee is our annual cook-out. Austin particularly loved it this year! You couldn't get him to go inside! He was Uncle Todd's big helper. He helped start the fire and he cooked hotdogs for Jordan and marshmallows for Avery, Nana, Gum-Gum and myself (I think there were more people he cooked them for also). I honestly have to say that it was the BEST roasted marshmallow I've ever tasted!!

Kinley's Horseback Lessons

Having fun in the leaves

Once again, we spent our Thanksgiving in Tennessee! It was so much fun! I hardly saw my kids unless I went looking for them because they were busy playing with their cousins. Randy couldn't come this year because of work, but we had a GREAT time!!

Fall Soccer '08

 

With all the craziness of this summer, we signed the kids up late for soccer. This meant Avery was placed on a different soccer team. However, it turned out great because now she was on the same team as her cousin Mika and one of her best friends Kendall. Not to mention she made a lot of new great friends! Their team name is the Flames.

 

It amazes me how much Avery grows from season to season. She is really getting the concept down and keeps improving! I really enjoy watching her play!

 

I was also amazed at how much more aggressive Austin got this season. He gets his foot in there and really tries hard. He even scored his first goal this season!

 

We still had some troubles getting him excited for a game every Saturday! I think it was because all his games were at 3pm or 4pm and he was worn out by that time. Hopefully next season we will have a better time schedule. Great job Avery and Austin!! I'm so proud of you!!

Guess who just turned 31!!!!

 

It seemed like just yesterday you were a baby yourself...

 

So sweet and innocent...

 

And now you have four kids of your own!! (Ashton is MIA... but she wishes you a happy birthday too!!)

 

Wow! Austin can't believe you can still blow out your own candles!! Happy Birthday, Randy! To the best husband and father anyone could dream of! Thanks for always bringing love and laughter into our home. WE LOVE YOU.

Chicago

 

Randy won tickets to the broadway play Chicago, so we went out on a last minute date.

 

We actually have a lot of date nights thanks to my mom, but rarely do we take pictures of the two of us together... and even more rarely am I on this side of the camera!!!

Last Halloween Pics- I promise!!

 

Wow! It seemed like Halloween lasted forever this year!! Lots of pictures, but lots of good ones, so I couldn't help but get a few more pictures in for you all to see! I love this picture of Avery! Again, she was a diva this year.

 

This picture of Austin turned out crystal clear, at least for my camera! I think its pretty obvious what he is for Halloween! :)

 

Addie is in LOVE with this broken swing in our front yard. She could swing all day! I think with her fairy costume it made her feel like she was really flying!

 

I had finally gotten Ashton into her costume and got everything situated to take a few pictures before her makeup rubbed off. As soon as I took one picture, my camera told me it was out of batteries!! Good thing the picture turned out okay!! This bear costume as lasted through all four children!! One of those great investments!! Hope you all had a great Halloween this year!

Carving the Pumpkin

 

Randy came home from work early and took Addie to help him find a pumpkin to carve

 

The kids loved pulling the seeds out of the pumpkin! That was their favorite part.

 

After the seeds were out, Randy and Avery were the only ones left to finish up the carving. Austin and Addie took off to play!

 

But they all came back for a picture with their masterpiece! We decided to wait till Halloween this year to carve our pumpkin because last year we did it too early and it was moldy before Halloween came.

Halloween Storytime

 

Our library had a special storytime today for Halloween. They read Halloween books and afterwards had Halloween cookies and punch.

 

The three amigos!! Ellie Christiansen, Evie Vaclaw, and our Addison John

 

Ashton enjoyed the stories too! You have to look at her onesie! Randy got it from his work trip to Las Vegas... "Potty like a Rock Star"!!

 

And here is Addie with her buddy Lucas Vaclaw!!