Head Over Heels

ONE




TWO



THREE

The girls have been getting their exercise on the trampoline over break. They have been perfecting a "routine" where they incorporate a synchronized front flip- not easy for 3 girls on a 12' trampoline. They seem to have it down and no one has gotten kicked in the face (yet)- SUCCESS!



Carson



Hadley



Reese

The Art of Eating a Gingerbread House

We spent 30 minutes decorating these little houses before Christmas and the boys spent 2 days trying to pick off and eat all of the candy that was glued on with that NASTY icing. For some reason SUGAR in any form is very tempting to little boys. They managed to get most of the candy off and even ate the candy that came with the gingerbread kits that has probably been sitting in a box since the early 2000's- GROSS!!!

Murphy's 1st Haircut

BEFORE



AFTER

We broke down and got Murphy's hair cut for the first time! He was getting a little shaggy so I gave in and let Poppy take him to the barber shop. I think they did a pretty good job and now we can see his eyes again!

It's A Wrap

We made it! Another Christmas in the books. The kids had a GREAT morning and received a boat load of presents (I think Santa forgot to update his "NAUGHTY" list before he left the North Pole because of few kids around here were teetering on the edge the last few weeks!). We are definitely keeping APPLE in business- must be the cute logo because if we see that little apple on anything we will buy it! As usual the tree and decorations were down and packed away by lunch and I can BREATHE again! I know I am a total Scrooge but it feels so good to get all the clutter out after a LONG holiday season. Next up a NEW YEAR and my January calendar already looks pretty full- what's new?

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

From our house to yours- Merry Everything!!!

We Are Family...I've Got All My Sisters and Me

Celebrating Christmas a little early @ Mimi and Bepa's house with Kalyn, Kimmy and Gunnar

P.S. Thanks for ALL of our goodies!!!

Nutcracker and Holiday Merriment @ Our House

Nothing says Christmas like tye dye t'shirts



Griffin's one contribution to holiday decorating: putting the ANGEL on top of the tree

So busy around here like everywhere. We have been busy with our sports(basketball, soccer, flag football etc.) but we have managed to squeeze in a few holiday activities. We have a tree (good start), baked and eaten some cookies, gone to see "THE NUTCRACKER", written letters to Santa and listened to as much Christmas music as I can tolerate (I am a bit of a Scrooge so I can't take very much of it). Now we just have to finish shopping and wrapping a few things and then we can wrap this whole holiday up on Sunday!!!

Murphy @ 20 months

Murphy continues to grow and do new things as he approaches 2. He is VERY active and BUSY (that means BAD). He is constantly getting into "trouble" and is a walking demolition crew. He dumps the dogs' water bowl out at least once a day. He unrolls toilet paper rolls, gets into the pantry and empties what he can reach onto the kitchen floor, pours out bottles of shampoo on the carpet, dumps puzzle boxes everywhere etc. He lays in wait hoping someone will leave a full drink on the table so he can go and knock it over. He gets into the dog food and grabs handfuls and runs around the house with the dogs in hot pursuit as he tosses pieces on the floor for them to eat. He is definitely a handful! Thankfully he is cute or he would be looking for a new home. Let's hope he is hitting the "Terrible 2's" early because if it gets more "terrible" I might explode.

Look Who's 7!!!

Brett was the BEST early Christmas gift we ever received. He has always been a SUPER boy! He is so sweet and smart and kind. He is a little sensitive but I hear the girls really dig that type! He loves his sports and works so hard everyday to get better- always throwing, kicking, shooting etc. We are so luckily to have him as our son and brother!

Sleep in Heavenly Peace

This doesn't happen very often but when it does it is GLORIOUS!

"I am NEVER Wearing Clothes Again!"

This was Whit's proclamation this morning and Murphy hopped right on the NAKED train with him (excuse any frontal views- I was just trying to film there little naked bums running around)

Elfcapades

So our elf, Elmer has been with us for a week now. He has made himself at home but has not caused any real mayhem- no more than usual anyway! He has gotten to be good friends with our other elves, Callie, Mabel and Olivia. They have had lots of fun in the wee hours of the night while the rest of us are asleep. This is what they have been up thus far:

1. playing Candyland and finishing up the left over Halloween candy
2. snowball fight on the train table
3. making cookies and snow angels in the flour
4. dressing up as "SUPER ELVES" and flying around the house
5. hiding in the Christmas tree
6. movie night (they watched "ELF" of course
7. camp fire and roasted marshmallows
8. bungee jumping off of the balcony

Who knows what this week will bring? Stay tuned- I just hope it isn't messy!