Our Family Christmas

Last on the Christmas schedule was our own family party!  After a long few days of family, food, and presents, we found space for the kids in the way-over-packed car.  Once  home we opened our stockings from Santa and some presents from mom and dad.  Tyler picked out a Mickey Mouse bath toy for Blake, and boy was it a hit - then and still now!  Merry Christmas! 

 

Christmas Day!

This year we told Santa we were staying at Papa Knute's and Grandma Denise's house.  Tyler was not too keen with Santa being in the house while he was asleep - so he asked Santa to leave the presents in the garage.  Both boys got books and football guys (Tyler the Packers, Blake the Vikings), and a football rug of the Packers field to share.  Ty was thrilled!  Blake liked the paper - of course!

 

We spent the middle of the day at Grandma Pete's.

 

 

That evening we ended at Papa Knute's with Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Carrie, and Uncle Josh.   

To explain - Tyler is into the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - so all the grandkids & Papa got turtle masks!

Christmas Eve - Newman's

Christmas Eve was spent at the Newman house.  After past years with back injuries and high temps, this year we only brought pink eye - poor boys!  But they were troopers.  We had a great night with family, and topped it off with my favorite - Christmas Eve church.

 

 

6 Months Old!

Some good 6 month pictures...

 

The boys and their 'red' for Santa Lucia!

Cousins making Gingerbread cookies!

Thanks Aunt Inky for the help making my gingerbread man!

No words can describe...

Christmas Tree & Decorating

One of my favorite traditions our family has tried to start is going to get a Christmas tree, then spend the day putting it up, decorating, drinking apple cider, and a beef stew we only make once a year.  Like with most things we try to make tradition - something has to go wrong, right?!  Mid-way through Tyler and Andrew cutting he tree, Andrew tweaked his back again.  So I finished, hauled the tree back to the shed, put him in bed, and spent the rest of the weekend putting the tree and decorations up on my own while watching my 3 boys........

 

We let Ty decorate this tree - and loved that the ornaments were all in one spot, hanging on the string of lights!



The boys got new PJ's to open early for Christmas - this is the best of literally 10 pictures.  It's amazing how hard it is to get them to both just LOOK at the camera!

5 Months Old!

Here are a few of Blake at 5 months old.....

 

Family & the Boys

I have a lot of good picture of my boys and their family, too good not to share.  We are so lucky! 

Papa Knute and Tyler resting.

Blake and cousin Mason

Uncle Kyle playing one of Ty's new games with him and Johnathan, with Traci, Libby (dog), and Uncle Matt observing.

Papa Knute and Blake - apparently beer is better than milk?  :)

4 Generations - Grandma Pete, Allison, Grandma Denise, Blake and Tyler

This is what happens when Andrew gets a hold of my camera.  Poor Blake!

A rare shot of mom and Blake!

Papa John and Blake.

Grandma Julie and Blake.

Tyler and Cousin Lori playing the iPad.  How long until you think he asks Mom and Dad for one?  I was amazed at him, however - he was playing a preschool game and boy is that kid smart!  We're in trouble!