Christmas - Take 3

By now I am sure you are sick of looking at my kids and their gifts.  But I had to put these on here too!  My parents and sister came up to spend a few days with us and we had a great time.  Dad helped Cory a bit with some tree cutting, Jana played games and read books with the boys, and Mom helped me get several things organized!  All in all a great time!

I love Cole's reaction at each gift.  It was AWESOME each time!

I can;t remember exactly what this was, but Carter was pretty excited! 

 Caden got his own duffel and he thought he was pretty hot stuff!  When we used it to go to Amarillo the next week, he wouldn't share his bag with anyone even put his toothbrush and shampoo in the kit that came in the bag...funny!

So once again we were all spoiled and given more than we asked for.  But I am excited that everyone loved what we got them.  That makes me feel the best!  I love giving gifts...it so fun!

But the chaos is over and we are back to our normal routine, which I also love!

Christmas - Take 2

For Christmas Day we got to be with Cory's family this year and we had a great time!  It is always good to see the extended family and catch up with all of them.  Grammie spoiled us all with gifts which of course is fun too :)

This is my favorite shot of the season...I got this on Christmas Eve before Crosby hit the sack and the other boys carried on with the holiday tradition.  They read our usual "Crippled Lamb" by Max Lucado and then set out cookies for Santa.  I was putting Crosby to bed, so there are no picture of these events :(

 Christmas morning, Crosby was up bright and early at 5:30am so by the time it was 7am I was worn out and decided to go wake up my crew.  They were all mostly excited but once they found their way upstairs they were pretty pumped!

 Caden loves his legos so Grammie found this really cool Lego alarm clock :)

 Cole is rocking out with his new Mickey guitar!

 Crosby took it all in with Papa.  He stayed up in Papa lap about 90% of the morning!  So cute!

The adults started a tradition about 4 yrs ago at the Reid's to open Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve so we had a blast doing that and were able to just focus on the kids on Christmas morning. 

After gifts we cleaned up and headed to church for a wonderful service and an even better message.  Both Cole and Crosby fell asleep once we got there so I was actually able to focus and hear from God!  I had a wonderful time!  We stayed in Guymon for another day before heading back home for our last Christmas with my family.

Christmas - Take 1

The boys begged us to open presents early, as they do every year, but this year we actually took them up on their offer.  We decided since we are never in the same place each year, and we are always with Grandparents...we wanted them to have presents in small doses :)  We tried to do something special here just with our family of 6! 

We had a great dinner and I am sure in the future when they are a little older and can stay up later, we will do lights, or other stuff, but this year we just stuck to baths and presents. 

Crosby was overwhelmed by it all and really just took it all in!

 Cole was THRILLED with everything and said "this is AWESOME!" each time he opened a gift.

 Carter loved the Batman figure Caden picked out for him.  We had the boys draw names and pick one brother to buy for.  The older ones really get into and spend a lot of time picking out the perfect gift for their brother.  This year we split them up two and two, Cory took two and I took two and we tried to keep them apart in Walmart while purchasing the gifts.  It looked crazy :)  But we had tons of fun!

 Caden was pretty excited to get a Laser Tag set!

 Cory has ALWAYS loved the 49ers...he had a poster of Joe Montana in his apartment the summer before we got married, that is now somewhere in our garage.  But the team is actually, dare I say, on the rise this year, so Caden and I found this shirt for him and he was pleased :)

 Proof I was there :)

We had fun, just the six of us!  The kids got an entire evening to play with their two gifts from us and we got to enjoy watching them!  It was fun and I hope we can continue this tradition!

Happy 5th Birthday Carter Andrew

Carter Andrew, I can't believe it has been another year.  You are such a precious addition to our family and I can't imagine life without you!  We were so thrilled to have you and although you have to share your birthday with Jesus :) you never know any different and just go with the flow.  As you grow up a little more and more of your personality is coming out.  I love that you act and look like your Daddy...it cracks me up daily.  

Your imagination always surprises me.  The fact that you CANNOT stand to be kissed is another one of your quirks that cracks me up!  Even now in your new phase of skinny jeans you never cease to amaze me!  It has been a blessing to watch you flourish this year in soccer and preK.  What a big boy you are becoming!  You love to be a big guy with Caden and his buddies but also like to hang out and play little kid stuff with Cole!  My favorite thing about you is your quiet nature.  It makes me chuckle to find you alone in your room when there is a house full of people over.  

You are SO your daddy's boy!  I also love that while you have several friends, make friends easily, etc. You have one BEST BUDDY...you and Ben are inseparable and I think that is just precious.  

As we celebrate your birthday this year, I pray that God will continue to grow you up to love and serve him.  I pray that He continues to grow within you a nurturing spirit and a peaceful one that you can use to get along with others and show them the love of Jesus.  

We love you so much Carter and even though it is Christmas time...in all the hustle and bustle of traveling and such...we want to celebrate you on this special day!  Happy 5th Birthday Carter Bob, I will try not to kiss you on your day :)  Carter as

Now for the real reason you clicked on this post...a walk down memory lane!~

 1st weeks at home - Jan. 2007

Feb. 2007 - almost 2 months

 

May 2007 - almost 6 months

  Dec. 2007 - 1 yr Bday

 May 2008 - 18 months

 Dec. 2008 - 2yr Bday

 Dec. 2009 - 3 yr bday

 Fall of 2011

Church Program

The older boys were both a part of the church children's christmas musical this past Sunday and did a GREAT job!  I was one proud Momma!

Carter was a prophet and shared scripture fortelling the Savior's birth, then Caden had to step in for someone and say their line so here he is a townsmen.

 Later in the program, Caden changed into a wiseman, said a couple of lines then sang We Three Kings!

I got the whole program on video, but won't bore you with all of it!  They were really cute though!  So thankful for our music minister and all the ladies that helped him put this on!

Christmas School Programs

This week started off with a bang...lots of school Christmas programs :)  First up was Carter!  He was dressed like Rudolph...red nose and all!  He did a great job!

Cole was over the moon to watch his brother!

Cory got to come watch this year and I was especially thankful!

Caden's program was the next day, but I was running late and forgot the good camera, so we have a few fuzzy iPhone pics :(

He was equally cute even if it was blurry!

Cole was really excited for this one too, and Cory made it as well!

Caden and I are always up for a photo op!

Carter's 5th Birthday Party

We had an impromptu party for Carter's upcoming 5th Bday.  As most of you know my 2nd little guy was born on December 26th, so sort of hard to have a big party the day after Christmas when all your friends are with their families.  So the last several years I have had a party a couple of weeks earlier.  This one snuck up on me so it was pretty low key!  We invited several friends and let McDonald's do all the work :)  It was great and they ALL had fun!
 
Even though it was at McD, Carter wanted a Spiderman themed party.  So we got Spiderman goodies and invitations and I set out to make web cupcakes...not too shabby!

 We then decided to give Carter his present from us before the party so we wouldn't have to haul it to McD...he was THRILLED!

So excited!

At the party...me and my 5 year old!

Our Becca, the birthday boy, and me :)

Becca gave him $5, might as well been $1million...

 With our 6 boys and guests, there were 12 boys present!  

WOW!

All the boys oooing and awwing over a nerf gun!

My not so little 5 year old boy...Happy Birthday Carter!

Santa Baby

We took the boys to see Santa at Crystal Christmas on opening night, but Cole fell down and wouldn't go in to see him, then Caden and Carter sat on his lap so fast, I didn't snap a pic. 

So I only got this one of Crosby...obviously he wasn't a fan!

But then we went back again a couple of weeks later with my "good" camera and I got these!

Carter

 Caden

 Cole

We had so much fun :)