Little America with the Little ones.

Chance's parents often plan big events for all the kids and grandkids to attend.  This year, they wanted to plan a little "get-away" for everyone.  We started out at Beni-hana eating our little hearts out, and then went to Little America Hotel.  We swam, we ate, and we relaxed.  It was so much fun, and our kids had a blast.  The next morning we all ate breakfast at the restaurant downstairs, and then went bowling.  Can I just tell you how good the food is at that hotel?!  I have NEVER wanted to eat more than I did that morning.  We're even talking REAL chocolate milk.  Creamy.  Smooth.  Thick.

Oh. My.

Thank you Grand-Bailey's.  We had a lot of fun.

Grace and Gage floating around with Dad

Crede hanging out by the stairs...

 

 The whole crew.....I just can't find Crede in this photo.  I think he might be somewhere behind Chance.

 I love Lilah's hair.  Period.

 Grandma tickling Gage....

 Yep, their big trick.  Don't you love their faces?

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!  I love when Christmas lands on a Sunday.  It's a little stressful in the morning, just trying to get ready for church, but I think that it makes the day feel a lot more special.  Our kids were very excited to get up and open their presents, and I am glad that we were able to think about  Christ this special morning.  See that picture in the background?  We tried keeping that up to help us remember what is truly important.  (next year I'm going to buy a book called "a Christ-centered Christmas")

I hope everyone had a great Christmas.  I know we did.

The kids checking out their bounty.

Grace was excited about her Tangled doll...

Santa brought roller skates and roller blades for each child (except Gage and Lilah).  They were pretty excited.  Let me tell you what I was excited about.  Tinkertoys, Lego's and Lincoln Logs.  I LOVE picking all of those up on a regular basis.

Gage playing with his cars...

 Grace and her roller skates.  Just ignore the hair on the wheels.  Our carpet is obviously not too clean.  That's just how we roll I guess.

Morgan and HER roller blades...

Ah.....cars.  They sure love them.

Grace again....(PS those Wuggle Pets?  Total rip off.)

My present from Santa....

Cute Lilah....wondering what the heck we're all doing...

I think Morgan was the most excited for her "white board" that she received from Santa.

And here we are....all ready for church.  Can you tell Gage had a fun morning?

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Eve!

This Christmas Eve we wanted to do something fun with our kids.  Luckily, so did our good friends, the Johns.  We decided it would be fun to go to Boondocks.  Now, don't think we're the greatest parents ever, because we didn't allow our kids to play any arcade games, nor did we ride the go-karts, and we didn't even let our kids play laser tag.  What DID we let our kids play?

We let them play in the jungle gym.  It's cheap, and it keeps the kids occupied.  It's a win win!  We hung out for a few hours, ate lunch there, and then got to go home to enjoy our Christmas Eve together as a family.

PS ~ we sure love you John's.

All the kids on our way out.  Adalynn, Crede, Morgan, Preslie, Abigale, Grace and Gage.  Lilah wasn't in the picture...I think she was chilling in her carseat.

 Morgan and Abigale

 Of course Grace wanted in on the action.  Cute Grace.

Carnage.

 Pure carnage.

This is Chance's idea of some "light pruning."  I was sick inside the ENTIRE time.  The trees in our back yard?  I LOVE them.  That's not an understatement in the least.  Chance, on the other hand, hates them.  It's not like he doesn't enjoy the shade provided ~ but he just loathes the leaves they produce.  See, he has to rake up every.  last.  one.

So.  His mission this winter was to prune.  As you can see from the PILES on our grass......he pruned.  And pruned.  

And.  

Pruned.

As I'm writing this, it's May of 2012, and I can assure you that I am STILL sick when I look at my beloved trees.  It's a good thing that I love my husband so much.....that's all I can say.

4 months...

I can't believe Lilah is already 4 months old! She has just recently found her toes and is rolling over to her side. She drools all the time, she babbles, and she smiles like no other. We sure love our little girl :)