Brayden is 6!!

My son is 6 today!! I can't believe it! It still feels like yesterday that I was holding him as a newborn in the hospital! I really HATE that they have to grow up! I will miss my kids terribly when they move out and move on with their lives! They just better give me some grandkids to spoil!! Anyways, I love you Brayden!! I thank God for you and Avery every day! I'm so blessed to have such wonderful kids!!

Christmas photos!

Getting into the Holiday spirit!

Tonight, we took the kids to a few places we had heard about in town that had some awesome light displays! The one house was like the Griswolds on "Christmas Vacation", except, instead of all the lights ON the house, they were all around it...like all over the yard! It was awesome! I bet it was a lot of work putting up lights everywhere like that! But, the kids sure thought it was cool!

Next, we went to a house my friend told me about that had their lights synchronized to music. When you pulled up to the house, they had a sign in the yard telling you to tune in a particular radio station, and sure enough, the lights "danced" to the sounds of the Christmas music! It was unbelievable! The kids loved it, too! We sat and watched and listened to several songs! We weren't the only ones, either! There were lots of people driving out to check it out!

Anyway, Christmas is right around the corner, and we're all just getting really excited! This is my favorite time of year, and I can't believe it's already here! I'm kind of sad, actually, because it will be over all too soon!

Merry Christmas! I plan to take many pictures and will post them after the Holidays!

Baby Bryn!!

My sister-in-law Ashley had a baby Monday night! Yay!! We're so excited for her! Brinlynn Nicole is the baby's name. She will go by Bryn. She weighed in at 8 lbs 11 oz. Poor Ashley had quite an ordeal delivering her, ending up with a c-section! But, she's here now, and everyone is doing great! Isn't she a cutie!?!

Christmas Decorations

I put up the Christmas decorations this week also. I love how the tree turned out! I got a new bow for it, and I think it looks beautiful!! Putting up the Christmas decorations just gets me so excited for Christmas! I love Christmas! It's my favorite time of year!!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day was fun. We hosted this year for my side of the family. Everything was delicious! Ate too much, as usual!! Then, we headed off to John's mom's house and had dinner again there. John and I didn't eat anything there. Still too stuffed from our dinner! But, it was nice to see everyone, including John's step-sisters, Ashley and Whitney!

Avery and Brayden with Aunt Whitney

Aunt Ashley (who's expecting a baby of her own any time now!)

After dinner at our house, playing a game of Uno with the cousins!

I'm still here!

I am the world's worst blogger! I can't believe it's been over a month since I blogged about anything! I'm not even gonna try to catch up, so I'll just start with last weekend. It was a beautiful weekend, for being November! Not too cold! So, my dad took some pics of the grandkids, which I think turned out pretty cute! Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and I can't wait! I love Thanksgiving! I have so much to be thankful for! I have a wonderful family, and my kids are healthy and happy! Couldn't ask for more!

Happy Birthday Grandma Eva!

We celebrated my grandma's 81st birthday Saturday at her apartment. My mom had told me that grandma has been DYING for some tostadas. So, we took all the fixins over there and we all had them! It was delicious!! She LOVED it! She was very happy! I made her favorite cake, too- chocolate with chocolate frosting! She enjoyed that very much, too! It was so nice to spend the day together as a family! I know when she's no longer here with us, I'm really going to miss her!! I really need to start spending more time with her while she is still here! My kids really love her, too! They call her "little grandma" because they have so many grandmothers, it's hard for them to keep them all straight! She is pretty little, though! She's so petite! It really was a wonderful day!

Chuck E. Cheese!

Well, it's been quite a fun weekend. We went to Chuck E. Cheese Saturday for my niece, Emma's 5th birthday party. The kids had a blast!

Brayden's soccer game

Brayden had a soccer game today. Unfortunately, they lost again! But, Brayden got to be goalie for awhile, and he loved it! He blocked every ball! He was sooo proud of himself.

Here he is after blocking a ball...so proud!!

He got to play his friend Hannah. She was on the other team. She's the blond with the pony tail behind him with the painted face!

Disappointed about something!

Thanks to my dad for taking these pics for me today! He and mom came to the game to watch Brayden play!

Avery's first soccer practice

Okay, so this post is a little old. I'm getting behind on my blogging! I wish I could be like some other bloggers who update every day! I am constantly forgetting my camera or forgetting to take pictures even when I have my camera! Ugh!! But, these pics are from Avery's first soccer practice on 9/8/09. She's had several games since this. I'll try to post pics next weekend after her next soccer game!

Here Avery is with her good friend Elise

Avery...not sure what this face is!

Brayden's First Soccer Practice

Brayden had his first soccer practice last night. He LOVED it!! He was sooo proud of himself, because he really did a great job for never having played before! I really hope this experience will help him make new friends, which will hopefully help him to like school a little more, because right now, he HATES school! He counts down the days until the week is over so he can enjoy the weekend! But, then again, who doesn't do that!!? Anyway, doesn't he look sooo cute in his soccer gear? We were lucky to have found his soccer cleats at a used children's clothing store, and they only cost $5.50! They are identical to the ones we bought Avery last year, and they looked brand new! What a bargain!! I'm so proud of Brayden for giving soccer a try! (to view pic larger, just click on it.)

Family Reunion

We had a family reunion Sunday for my mom's side of the family. Not a lot of people showed up, so this was the last one they are gonna have. But, we did have a good time. There was plenty of delicious food, and the kids got to play games, and win prizes, which they LOVED! (To view this pic larger, just click on it)

First day of school!!

Avery and Brayden started school today! Brayden is in Kindergarten, and Avery is a proud 4th grader!! Avery was thrilled that she has a lot of friends in her class, and her teacher, Mrs. Long, seems very nice. Brayden says he hasn't met any friends yet, but I'm sure he will. He has Mrs. Walland. Brayden did not cry, which made it easier for us to drop him off this morning! I did see other kids crying, even 1st graders! So, I'm proud of Brayden for holding it in, even if he felt like crying. He still said "goodbye" to me and blew me a kiss as I was leaving. So cute!!

Avery with her good friend, Becca

Avery in her classroom

Brayden in his classroom.

Brayden and Avery getting ready to leave for their first day!

More from camping trip

On Saturday night, the campground had a band, and Avery and Riley finally got up the nerve to get out there and dance. Originally, before we got there, they were bragging about how they were gonna dance like famous rock stars. But, then when we got there, they were petrified to get on the dance floor! But, once they did, they had a great time! (Before playing video, scroll down and pause the music on my blog!)

Camping Trip!

As our last summer activity, we decided to go camping with the kids, and my sister's family. We rented a camper at a local campground and the kids had a BLAST! It was beautiful weather Thursday and Friday, and the kids got to swim a TON in the pond! But, Saturday, the weather was kind of cold, so they fished most of that day. Every night, we cooked our food either on the charcoal grill, or over the fire using pie irons. We made pizzas in the pie irons, or hot ham and cheese. We also made apple and cherry pies in the pie irons, and of course, s'mores! It was sooo fun! Can't believe school starts TOMORROW!!

(To view close up of the pics, just click on them and they'll open up to a bigger screen)

Riley's Birthday Party!

Today we went to my sister's house for a birthday party for my niece, Riley. She is now 9, just like Avery! The kids are getting too old!! Seriously!! We had a great time today! It was a hot one out there, but the kids got to swim, which was really fun for them!

Amber and Jason

Riley, the birthday girl!
My daughter, Avery, trying to avoid the camera! She takes after her dad!
My nephew, Nate

Riley again. I caught her in the middle of chewing something!

My niece Noelle with Brayden

Awwww, what a cutie!

Me and the birthday girl!

Getting ready to blow out the candles!

Cash is always a good gift!!