Grandpa takes us all to the Shrine Circus

My Dad decided to take my older sis, brother and I and our families to the Circus this year.  The kids were all very excited to go as they went last year and had a grand time. Avery was very excited for the elephant rides and after weeks of telling his sister how scary and mean elephants were Cade couldn't let his sister ride the elephants without him so he and Carter took a ride on the elephants with Grandpa and Avery.

 Grandpa Mike also bought all of the kids light up swords which Cade and Everett managed to drop under the bleachers.  Corrine helped recover them while the kids were riding the elephant, but then during the second half of the circus Avery and Cade both dropped their swords under the bleachers where they were run off with by some other kids, so Grandpa Mike was conned into buying two more light up swords by the heartbroken kids.  We had a great time, lots of popcorn, cotton candy etc!

After Jessica, Keenan, and Eric arrived in montana after the New Year we opened more presents with the cousins. We tried to get a picture of them all with Grampa and Gramma so dad biribed them with suckers


Carter and Avery playing with Avery's new baby.

We tried to get a picture of all the cousins and nobody wanted to sit still very long to do it, much less smile while they were doing it.

Christmas

We traveled to Ronan this year to spend Christmas with Rance's family. The kids made out like bandits and had a great time playing with Sydney and Kenzie. I didn't do very well taking pictures as I didn't get any of anybody except Cade and Avery! Christmas was busy though, we got to Dee and Larry's on Christmas eve in time for Christmas dinner and Santa then had to go to a Christmas party at the Jackson's. Christmas morning we took it easy then headed over to Grandpa Harlen's house for more presents and fun, after that we went to Tom and Val Bartel's for another Christmas party. Saturday we took it easy and Sunday we went home.

The ride home was a little long as the morning we were getting ready to leave Cade woke up sick. But all in all a great Christmas and the truck was piled high with presents when we left! After we got home my parents brought up more presents for the kids and Rance and I. The kids were quite spoiled this year. Avery got 5 baby dolls! They were even all different and she loves every single one of them. Cade also got a great tent that has provided endless hours of fun. Avery got a kitchen that I spent two hours putting together, but was worth it as the kids spend a lot of time cooking there now.

Thanksgiving

Family picture, Everett wanted in too

We had a pretty quiet thanksgiving. We went down to my parents house and of course ate a lot of food. The kids all got little reindeer that "pooped" jellybeans"

this is Cade showing me some of his reindeer jellybean poop. He thought it was pretty cool

Avery and Grandpa Mike

Chase

Carter, Chase and their dad Robert waiting to eat.

Helping Grandpa Mike feed some cows

We were driving by the shop last wednesday and stopped to visit with my Dad, Cade and Avery wanted to help feed the cows that were in the corral.

Cade and Carter's big birthday party.

Cade and Carter getting ready to blow out the candles at their big birthday party

Cade and Torston Loftsgard bug hunting. we threw well over a hundred little plastic bugs all over the lawn.

Grandma Pat made the kids a great caterpillar cake.

All the kids out bug hunting. We had a great turn out for the party and I think everyone seemed to have a really good time.

Avery and I.

Cade was so excited about is birthday and the party.

The highlight of the party for a Avery was a draw between getting a baby doll and finding a great mud puddle to splash in.

The birthday kids. Cade turned 3 and Carter is now 4! Hard to believe how fast time flies sometimes.

Jami, Chase and Robert.

Everett and Clint

Cade and Avery enjoying a pony ride

Carter was very helpful with the pony rides

My Dad gave four wheeler rides and Aunt Nancy did face painting.

I am helping Avery decorate her bug box.

Cade and Avery painting a pet rock.

Combining

Wednesday Dad and Clint were combining just down the road from us so we all loaded into the combine with my Dad. It has a great buddy seat. It was fun to get to sit and visit with my Dad while riding around in the nice big combine. Avery however was over it after and hour or so.


I was trying to get a picture of all four of us

Cade helping Grandpa drive

Avery ready to go do something else

Baling hay

Cade was very excited about getting to ride in the tractor with Grandpa and get to help make some bales. To hear him tell it you would think he baled the whole field my himself even though he really only lasted one round in the tractor!

Joe's wedding reception

Chase was unhappy. Avery kept giving him hugs and he would cry and the harder he cried the more whe wanted to hug him. He wasn't appreciating her love!!


Joe and Karen cutting the cake

Avery playing outside. It was beautiful out and all the kids wanted to do was play outside of course. So I spent most of the reception outside chasing Cade and Avery around.

Avery was tired and not happy about being left behind while her mom and dad went to go dance.

Cade and Grandpa no doubt looking for some more M&M's

Avery's Birthday Party

We had a few epole over from ice cream and cake for Avery's birthday and she thought it was pretty fun with all of the little cousins running around.

Here is Avery's new horse from Grandpa Mike and Grandma Debbie. She can even reach the floor when she sits on it. It of course makes a lot of noise in the from of fun little jingles.

Avery and Chase

Cade and Everett

The three cousins born in 2008. Chase is 4 months, Everett 7 months and Avery 1 year.