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.

Santa Comes to Grandma Dee's house

Cade was the first person and the most excited person in the house to spot Santa walking in the door at Grandma Dee's house.

He was so excited he kept jumping up and down and telling all the other kids "It's Santa, it's Santa!" He even passed around a few hugs.

And then he waited and waited and waited while Santa handed out presents to everyone.

He started to get pretty concerned when his name wasn't called within the first eight people or so. He was just going over to Rance to tell him that Santa didn't have anything for him when lo and behold his name got called!

Sitting on Santa's lap.

The start of Christmas

We went to Ronan for Christmas this year and so instead of hauling all of our presents to the kids up and back we opened presents the night before we left on the 23rd. The kids thought this was great. They made out pretty well. Cade got the walkie talkie he had been telling us he was going to get since Thanksgiving and Avery loved her my little ponies. Next stop Ronan!

Snow play!

Avery thought it was pretty funny when I got down on her level to take this picture. Too bad the lighting was all wrong and you can't see her laughs!

Cade making a snow angel

Avery making a snow angel

Examining a snow angel

Avery was very determined to pull Cade on the sled. Unfortunately her little muscles just aren't big enough yet but she really gave it her all. She did get the sled moved a couple of feet before giving up.

PULL!

Still giving it her best!

CAde and Avery in a rare moment where they were happily both getting a ride. Avery didn't want to ride with Cade. She thought she should ride all by herself and in the back, but Cade didn't want to ride in front of Avery etc, etc,.

Avery finishing up her peanut butter sandwich before we went outside.

A rare quiet moment with two extra kids in the house

A little bunch of goof balls!



Chance and Carter came over one night after I got off work to play and the kids all were busy causing quite a ruckus running around the house playing so whrn things got quiet I had to go and check it out. I found Chance reading to Cade and Carter. I asked Cade if Avery could come sit by him and listen to the story to. First he told me there was no room but when I pointed out all that room right beside him he said "oh yeah my little sister can come sit right here by me" and he scooted over and patted the spot for Avery saying "Come sit here by me Avery, She's my little sister" It was so cute

So of course I had to get pictures and it is really hard to get four kids to smile and look all at the same time. Cade would only smile when I pointed out that Chance was smiling.

Kid pictures

Mom sent me some cute pictures of the kids from November when they were working cows. Cade looks so sweet here I couldn't resist posting it.



Avery and I

Group photo, note that Cade is busy enjoying an Oreo

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.