Christmas

The kids and I had a busy Christmas Eve/Day. Our plans fell thru for Christmas Day, and at one o'clock on Christmas Eve the kids and I decided we would be driving to Minot, to spend Christmas day with Daddy, along with Grandma and Grandpa. I ran around getting everything packed up for the kids and I, while my mom got the food cooking. We hurried and opened presents, ate, and got the car packed. The kids and I ended up leaving home about 6:20 and drove over to Grandma and Grandpa's to pick them up and get on the road.
      We got to Minot about Midnight. Daddy was thrilled to see everyone. We let the boys open their "Christmas PJ's" and we went to bed. It was a little different having Santa come to a hotel. Landon was happy Santa saw his note he left him, letting him know where he would be. Here is how our Christmas day went:  wake up, opened presents, ate our continental breakfast (which was actually pretty fancy, for a hotel), went swimming in the water park, ate our "truck stop" Christmas dinner, and headed home. We got home about 9:15 Christmas night. Even though it was a little hectic, we wouldn't have traded it for the world. I'm glad Chris got to spend Colton's first Christmas with him.

Landon's gift from Santa

 Colton's gift from Santa

I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday. Thank you again to my Mom and Tom for helping us get everything together, and getting us out the door - and to Gary and Sandy for coming with us and driving us over. 



Naughty list...

This is what happens when you leave the room for 10 seconds....literally!

What a little stinker! I guess he didn't want to wait til Christmas?

Brotherly Love...

Here is a picture I took of the boys this evening. Landon is so patient with his little brother!

Say Cheese!

Tonight at dinner Colton was so smiley and giggly! I just couldn't resist sharing the pictures. It's hard to believe in six days my baby will already be seven months old. It feels like we just brought him home last month. I have been so lucky, he is such an easy-happy baby. I swear the kid never cries! We had a laid back day today- with breakfast together (french toast), playing, rocking, and he watched me do a little cleaning.

Friends....

Last night our old neighbors came over for a little visit. The kids were busy playing, while us moms got to visit. It was so nice talking to someone over the age of five! It gets a little lonely here with Chris gone.

It's just Colty and I this weekend. Chris is still out in Minot until the 28th, and Landon went to his dad's for the weekend. Not sure if I will take advantage of him being gone and relax or clean? Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Bath time....

Tonight, the boys took their first bath together, now that Colty is old enough to use the "big boy" tub. They had so much fun splashing together. Landon enjoyed pouring water all over Colton. Suprisingly he was a trooper, and didn't mind it at all. It's so fun to see the two of them interacting. Colton loves watching his big brother, as big brother loves entertaining his little brother. Maybe this is a sign of the future, and I will never have to listen to them fight! :) I wish!

Landon trying to get Colty to smile

Couldn't get the little one to smile

Oh Christmas tree.....

Tonight, we put up our Christmas tree, before Daddy headed back to Minot tomorrow. I can't believe there are only a couple weeks left until Christmas! Thankfully, I am a little more on top of my game this year. I have all but three presents bought and wrapped, and Christmas cards are addressed and ready to go out Monday. Feels good to be DONE!
         Landon had so much fun decorating the tree. Colton, well, he had as much fun as a six month old could. It will be fun watching him next year, when he understands a little more. Please excuse my sons choice of clothing in the pictures, or lack of clothing, I should say. :)

Colty examining the tree

Landon helping put the tree parts together

We're Back!!

Sorry it has been so long since my last post. Chris came home on Halloween, and we were busy pretty much the whole time he was home. Then he took the computer with him back to Minot, so I had no way of updating the blog. Chris has been home for about nine days now. It's so nice having him here! Sad to see him go again in a few days. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Better get running. Here is a picture I took of the boys last night:

4-10 Shotgun....

Sorry it has been a few day's since I updated. We have been trying to keep busy to make the time go by, until Chris get's home. Thursday, the kid's went to Grandma Olsen's, while I went to Landon's Conference's, and to make a trip to Grand Rapids and back. Friday night, my dad took Landon to the girls' Beaver hockey game, while Colton and I sat at the house for a Lia Sophia (Jewelry) Party. I didn't end up buying anything, but it was so nice, to once again, get out of the house and be social. Saturday, Colton and I went home to do some cleaning and laundry, while Landon went with my Dad, Teresa, and Addie out to our families hunting shack, for the big deer opener next weekend. They had so much fun out there! They played in the woods, climbed trees and deer stands, rode four wheeler AND shot a gun! I asked the kid's tonight what their favorite part about yesterday was. Both were quick to yell "SHOOTING THE GUN!"

Here are some pictures of the kid's out at the hunting shack:

...and the 4-10 shotgun....

Here are a few pics from today:



Both kids should sleep good tonight :) 

Fruit Salad

Monday night my sister, Addie stayed the night. Her and Landon are like two peas in a pod. We kept busy to try and keep the kids from fighting, and making a mess (notice how I said "try"). Anywho, we had to go to the grocery store to get some things for supper - chicken spaghetti. I was a little nervous about taking all three kids out in public - alone! These kids have some, ok, ALOT of energy! We all sat down and made a grocery list for each kid, to try and keep them busy while we were there. They decided they were going to make fruit salad for their dessert's. All in all, they were pretty good kids at the store. I was very proud of all three of them. I snapped a few shots of the kids cutting their fruit.

Pumpkin Carving

Last weekend, we stayed at my dad's house for a night. We had a blast! It was nice for all of us to get out of the house for a while. Especially for mom - it was nice to have someone to talk to, besides a 5 year old and a 5 month old! We all carved our pumpkins. The kids lasted about 5 mins, and left the rest of the work to the grown-ups. With Wine, Captain, and Chuck Norris' we got the job done.

Here are some pictures of the kids carving pumpkins:

His favorite - digging out the guts

Landon and Papa

Landon and Addie



He LOVED watching everyone carve their pumpkins!



We all had so much fun. It's our tradition to carve pumpkins together. A little sad we might not be here next year for it. The only thing missing this year was our Daddy. Happy he will be home to come Trick-or-Treating with us on Monday.

Here are the final products:

 Happy Halloween Everyone!

New Blog!

Hi Everyone! I have decided to start a blog, so our family can check in and see how the kids are doing. I am going to try and update it everyday - we'll see! :) These kids are growing faster than I can keep up, it will be nice to look back at this one day and remember all the fun times we had! Keep checking back.

 Ashley