Sweet

The boys ate their breakfast super fast a few days ago. As I was still at the table finishing up my own breakfast I looked over and saw this.
Awesome! It was just one of those sweet moments that made me feel so much joy as a mom. I love that Kyle is such a good little reader these days, and I love that my boys actually like to be together sometimes.
Its not all roses, nope, not at our house. Usually they are arguing over who had what toy first, and who hit who first, but this morning, for just a brief few minutes - they enjoyed being brothers and being together. I'll take it!

Christmas Day!

After a night of the kids sleeping cozy in their beds and visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads... they woke up a tree laden with gifts from loved ones and even a few from the big man in red!Tradition at our house is stockings first! Colby was super excited to find a bunch of plastic animals...(and a few other various items like the traditional new toothbrush.)
Kyle was most excited about a crayola color wonder mini set and a gigantic spider man pen found in his stocking.
Then it was on to the 'big gifts'! We didn't take pictures of everything, but there was a slight intermission in opening gifts when the boys discovered they BOTH had long skinny wrapped gifts...Light Sabors! We caught a little action of the inaugural battle on film...Lots of fun gifts from Grandmas and Grandpas, Aunts and Uncles, and Mom and Dad. Christmas was a success! The boys have been happily playing with their loot non-stop. It has been a great winter brake from school.

We've been lucky to have Scott home a little more than usual. Between being done with school and a couple extra days off work because of the holidays the boys have LOVED having daddy home to play. Mom works in a pinch, but dad is what it's all about!I believe the current structure was intended to be a 'garage' for the motorcycles!

Here's to 2011 being a great year. 2012 has a lot to live up to!

Christmas Eve

We had a great Christmas this year! Although it is never easy to be away from all of our family, we are so blessed and lucky to have great friends right here to spend the holiday with.

On Christmas Eve we carried on with the new tradition that we started last year of having a Birthday Party for Jesus. We start the night off with yummy food...entirely TOO much of it!! And then watched a beautiful video of the Savior's birth, followed by the kids doing a puppet show of the nativity. After discussing what the true meaning of Christmas is all about, we partied! Everybody loves birthday party games, and I can't think of a better person's life to celebrate.

We played a handful of different games, but I only got pictures of one... For this game we separated into two groups. Each group was given four rolls of cheap toilet paper one roll of tape and 10 minutes to create an 'outfit.' The best outfit wins. There was a CLEAR winner! (And some AWESOME pictures for future blackmail!) Although, you can be the judge...The funny thing about the whole event is that Derek's 'outfit' was created by the three dads! (Scott, Dave, and Jeff - Kayleigh's contribution was the headpiece.)

After all our fun games and a delicious ice cream cake we headed home.

The boys got to open one gift each...Christmas pajamas.
Just before bed we took a tin full of 'reindeer' food out to the porch for Santa's team to eat while he was delivering gifts to our house.

The night was perfect! A joyous good time with friends we love and memories to last a life-time.

My admission of guilt...

It's been said that the only thing worth stealing is a KISS. When it comes to these three, I'm a kleptomaniac!
Seriously, how am I to resist these saucer blues?
And these amazingly kissable cheeks?I am completely, totally, hopelessly in love with the three leading men in my life. What a lucky gal I am. Scotty Pug, we may not do everything right, but our recipe for children is spot on!

Family Pictures

My neighbor, Stacy Laine, is an extremely talented photographer. After saving our pennies and juggling schedules we were finally able to have our long awaited family photos taken a few weeks ago.

The wait was worth it! I am blown away at her talent and the way she captured the boys and our family.

If you'd like to take a look at our session, head on over to her website - www.focusphotographyllc.com. Click in the upper right side on the "client area" button, then click on the picture of Kyle and Colby. Our password is pugmire.

Which is your favorite?

I've narrowed it down to my top 14, but am having a rough time narrowing it past there!

Thanks again Stacy! We love them.

BIG Planz...

Our conversation over lunch...

Kyle: "Dad, do YOU know how to make bubble juice?"
Scott: "Yep, why? Do you?"
Kyle: "Yep! You add dish soap and a little bit of water and mix it really carefully."
Scott: "You are right buddy."
Kyle: "I know. And when I'm an adult I've decided that I want to make bubble juice for my work job."

That's our boy! No doctor, lawyer, or professional golfer, we've got a future 'bubble juice maker' in the house. Awesome!

*cue theme song...tiny bubbles*

Grandma & Grandpa Walters visit VA!

Grandma Sandy and Grandpa Milt are in town for the week! In the few short days they have been here we've had all kinds of fun!

They flew in on Thursday afternoon. Friday was a half-day at school so when Kyle got home we took off to Cox Farms. I've wanted to get the kids there since it opened this year, and I'm so glad that we finally made it!
My two cute Pumpkins!
A super fun hay ride!
Oh No! Somebody shrunk Grandma and Grandpa!
Kyle's favorite 'venue' at Cox Farms is the rope swing. For the first time this year he totally 'got it' and was strong enough to swing all the way out and flop into the foam pit. Fun!
Picking out the perfect pumpkin is one of the best parts of a visit to Cox Farms!
Grandma and Grandpa with their two favorite grandsons!

After a long fun day at the farm, everybody was ready to take a break and relax in front of the TV. Grandpa often favors the floor, because it feels good on his back. The boys wanted to be just like Grandpa and joined him!
Only a few days into our visit and already we've had so much fun! We love having grandparents visit!