New Years Eve Day at the Park

With the weather being so beautiful today, we packed up the little kids and headed over to Bear Creek Park. The older boys decided to stay home and catch up on some reading.

Caden has been asking to go fishing with dad ever since we finished reading the Little Critter story where Little Critter goes camping/fishing with his dad by himself. He was so excited to get to fish today!



Stella happy as always to be outside!



Always the daredevil...



Sliding is SO much fun!



Ellie says, "I'm brave, too!"



Daredevil #2 fast on brother's heels.



This one turned out a little blurry, but look at that smile after she slid down by herself feet first - and then we had to repeat it again and again!



Happy New Year everyone!

Left Over Cookie Dough

We had a huge bowl of left over cookie dough from our Christmas cookies and decided to find a creative way to use it - cookie pizza :) Not a new recipe we understand, but we've never made it, so it was fun. Ellie and Jonathan had fun decorating the top.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas family and friends! We hope everyone had a wonderful time celebrating with family. We had a little damper on our Christmas this year due to a nasty stomach virus, but we didn't let that get us down! We (those of us who were able) still had our Christmas Eve snacks with a new one this year (stuffed mushrooms) and some traditional recipes like homemade fudge, sugar cookies for Santa, and tamales. Ellie sang in the children's choir for the first time this year, which added a special touch to Christmas Eve mass. She looked beautiful with her Christmas dress and the special candle she got to hold while singing. On Christmas Day, we traveled over to Granddaddy and Judy's house for another feast and exchanging gifts.

Ellie is all dressed and ready to sing in the choir.



Ellie and Caden all ready for mass.



Ellie and Caden were so excited this year! Here they are making reindeer ears and ready for bed in their Christmas pajamas.



Santa's traditional plate of cookies and milk (with some punch for Mrs. Claus) all gone after his late night visit.



The tree after everyone was finally asleep (or so we thought - which is another story!)



Roland helping Stella open his gift to her - he was so excited for her to open this as he spent quite a bit of time picking out the perfect gift for her this year (she has both older boys wrapped around her little finger).



Jonathan helping Ellie with her new "snuggie" blanket that he gave her this year.



Looks like Dad is happy with his gift :)



Miss Fashionista is SO happy to have some new clothes!



Jonathan having fun - he got a Kindle this year.





Roland is happy with the GPS he got for his truck.



Stella was way more interested in Caden's gifts than hers (of course), but luckily he was a good brother and shared with her :)



Ellie, cousin Celine, and Caden playing the piano at Granddaddy and Judy's house.



Stella with cousin, Juliette. Notice the pear in Stella's hand - she wouldn't leave the pears on the tree alone, so here she is with the prize in hand.



Celine was so sweet to baby Stella.



Roland relaxing at Grandaddy's.



Stella is so excited about her gift from Granddaddy and Judy.



We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!