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!

Sunday Morning

Because sometimes its just FUN to have bubbles!!!

Hurricane Irene, Schmirene...

We'll show you Hurricane Irene!...The rain started around 4:00 PM...
But the wind didn't kick up until after 7:00 PM.
We took advantage of the warm rain and had a little fun.
Sometimes you've just got to let kids be kids.
And adults need to be kids once in a while too!

Kyle's Last Day of School!

It's official! Kyle survived Kindergarten. Here is a shot of him getting off the bus for the last time this year...And the little banner I made for him.
Our little cul-de-sac get together... (Thanks Stacy for the yummy homemade ice cream sandwitches & Hilary for the balloons, you ladies rock!)
And Finally, a comparison of Kyle from before his first day of Kindergarten, and after his last!
I love you big boy. I am so proud of you. Good Job! Here's to a fun summer.

Cookie Monster

This poor blog has been a bit neglected lately. Life has just been whack-a-do the past few weeks.

I had to post these cute pictures of Colby from yesterday though...He really is a cookie monster! I swear he can sniff them out. Oreo's are his favorite, and probably my least favorite to clean up! My mom just 'had' to take these pictures of his cute cookie mouth. Glad he can be so entertaining to the fam.

Utah? What? Yep! I made a very last minute trip out here. My big bro (who is suppose to be one of my heros who never gets ill or hurt) is in the hospital. I am so lucky that Scott was cool with me dropping everything and coming out for the week. There are so many people to thank...Scott for supporting me in coming, the Madrishin's for helping with Kyle after school every day, and my niece Mariah for watching Colby every day while I'm at the hospital (I brought Colby with me.)Mike is doing OH SO MUCH better than he was just a few days ago. The Doctor is not giving him any timeline as to when he'll be able to leave the hospital, but spirits are up and he's workin' through it. I took the two pictures below yesterday. Poor guy was cut from pelvic bone to sternum, so walking is kind of a challenge...although he's getting stronger. (Strong enough to crack some crude joke that had Haize and my mom and I all laughing pretty hard!) Keep him in your prayers!

Breakfast conversation

Kyle: "Colby is being so thick"
Scott: "Do you know what thick means Kyle? I think you mean that Colby is being crazy."
Kyle: "Then what does thick mean?"
Scott: "Thick is the opposite of thin. Like this place-mat...it is thin, and a piece of paper is thin. Can you think of something thick?"
Kyle: "ummm Mom... and you and me and Colby are thin."

Breakfast now threatening to come up because Scott is laughing so hard. I'll admit, I chuckled too.

I guess that gives me some additional incentive to kick the weight loss back in gear huh?

Trunk

It's intended use is to store blankets, and a few toys that we keep up in the family room. The boys have claimed it as their own though.

Unbelievable Cuteness...and a make over

Yep! I am THAT lucky! I get to see this adorable smiling face every single day. He can be such a little stinker sometimes, but OH SO CUTE most of the other times!
And...we've been busy around here. A complete face-lift for the main level in our house.Thanks to Melissa's help, she and I were able to paint five rooms in four days...CRAZY! I LOVE my 'new house'. I'm currently finishing up window treatments, but as soon as I get everything done and all decorated, I'll post more pictures. It's been a lot of work, but well worth it. (And no, not everything is blue, just the family room!)

Side note - Grandma Sandy comes in three days, and we can't wait!

1 o'clock church

So one of the best (and possibly only) good things about having 1 o'clock church on Sunday's is that there is lots of time on Sunday morning to cuddle on the couch together. I love seeing my three boys together...it makes my heart happy!

Breakfast of champions

Adding a banana to a plate of chocolate doughnuts makes it a healthy breakfast, right?
He stuffed the whole doughnut in his mouth...so talented!A face only a mother can love!
Colby has to have EVERYTHING Kyle does. He is such the adoring little brother. He wants to do exactly what Kyle is doing, all the time. It's pretty funny and entertaining at times, but exhausting at others.This is not an every day breakfast around here, but Kyle earned it by having a good week. We are all about bribing, I mean REWARDING with food!