Procrastination Pays Off

So this year I waited and waited and waited some more to take a Christmas picture of the boys.  I'm  not really sure why, but the timing just never seemed right.  UNTIL the day my dream came true…we got a SNOW storm!  I've always wanted our Christmas picture in the snow and this year it totally happened.  Sure our Christmas cards went out after Christmas but by gosh they were in the beautiful snow and I have smiling children so it was totally worth it!  I was so excited about the snow I even sprung for the double-sided card this year, fancy yes?  So here was the final version...

And because usually the outtakes are just as fun as the finished product I thought I would share some of those too, Nolan's booty shaking and all!

Merry Christmas!

Because it's not everyday you drive down the street and notice one lonely tree in a field and then you realize it's decorated and then you realize it's Christmas and then you realize you MUST stop.  Sure the kids were freezing but for the sake of making memories Chad stopped the car and let me have my Christmas Miracle.  Two boys looking dapper in a picture together.  

Merry Christmas to me…and all of you!

Dr. Seuss Explosion

Seeing as though Kelly, my sister in law, could have her baby any day now, actually any minute now, I thought it only appropriate to finally blog about her baby shower.  We went with a "subtle" Dr.Seuss theme, and when I say subtle I am saying it in the most sarcastic tone ever.  Dr.Seuss essentially threw up all over my house and below are the results.  

Congratulations Eric and Kelly, we are all super excited about meeting the newest member of the family.  Although I'm still mad about the whole "too cool to find out what we are having BS", but i'm sure once that little bouncing bundle of joy is here I'll get over it.

Annual Favorite Things Party

We have had a Favorite Things Party two years in a row now, so I'm rolling with calling it annual at this point. I just love this party so much, I mean who doesn't love getting presents?  Can I get an Amen?  We had a pretty wide variety of stuff this year from Tervis Tumblers to Hot Buns and everyone left happy campers with their goodies in tow.

Before we pick presents we have to "sell" what we brought.  Explain why we love it, yada yada yada.  Here are some of the presents and some of the sales pitches in action.  Amanda, whatever you do, DON'T PUT DOWN THE WINE!

We are also supposed to bring our favorite appetizer/food to share.  Below is what Jessie brought.  I know what you're thinking, oh that's nice a cookie cake.  Yes, you're right it is nice.  The problem was this is EXACTLY how she brought it.  Apparently she couldn't get out of the house without taking a chunk out of the cake first!

 The party goers…good looking crew wouldn't you say?

Thanks Kim for hosting this year.  I'm already gathering my ideas for the next party trying to decide what to fill those bags with!  Perhaps we will be making this a semi-annual event!

Christmas Beginnings

So this year we were totally on top of things and decided to do a trip to Branson the first weekend in November for "Ozark Mountain Christmas".  It is opening weekend for this festive little activity and usually not that cold (unless you are Mike and you're a big weenie).  Secretly I love Branson, okay maybe it's not a secret at all really.  Specifically I love Silver Dollar City.  It's so homey, totally gets you in the holiday spirit and it is perfect for little kids.  Apparently it doesn't hold a candle to Disney (as we were told MULTIPLE times by Scrooge Mike) but it's convenient and fun and gosh darn it I love it.  We spent all day Saturday at Silver Dollar City, from open until close.  We really got our money's worth on this particular day, and as it turns out that was a good thing.  But I'll leave you in suspense for a while with that comment!  We rode a million different rides, ate some delicious food, saw a parade, rode the train, played some games and had a dandy of a good time.  If you haven't been you should go, but if you do bring a coat!

Two guesses as to whether or not this rule was followed, and the first guess doesn't count.  But it was actually an adult that was the rule breaker…not the kids!

Turns out Bennett is quite the ladies' man.  Payton thought he was extra awesome on this particular day, and Bennett thought it was fun to make her giggle.  We're in trouble with this little heartbreaker!

Then this happened!  I haven't seen Bennett sleep in a stroller in years, literally.  And he's only two. Silver Dollar City really took it out of him I guess!

Don't worry, Bennett woke up just in time to win a neon bear just like his big brother.  Thank goodness we ended up with two of those gems!

So this ended our day at Silver Dollar City.  From here we went back to the hotel and crashed.  Oh and then both boys woke up in the middle of the night puking and we drove 4 hours home at 3am.  

Merry Freakin' Christmas!  

For Dad

My Dad scolded me the other night because I hadn't posted any pictures of the kids in quite some time. Obviously my dear father does not realize the hectic life I'm leading over here these days.  Nonetheless I decided I could at least post a picture for him so he doesn't forget what his grandkids look like in his old age.  Here are the two bundles of joy all bundled up in the snow.  This may or may not end up on the Christmas Card so if it does...act surprised!  Starting to feel a lot like Christmas around here!

The Kilcullin Family

Taking pictures sometimes gives me the opportunity to catch up with people that otherwise I might not be able to.  This is the Kilcullin Family, Lesley is Chad's second cousin or cousin once removed or something…bottom line they are related.  I mean lets be honest Chad is related to a lot of people around these parts, so I'm sure you're not surprised.  We met up yesterday on a FREEZING day, I know I've said that before but I'm talking when I stepped out of my car it said 20 degrees.  That is cold people.  I tell you what though these kids were AMAZING.  I happen to know they were being bribed with Hot Chocolate, they must REALLY REALLY like hot chocolate or they were REALLY REALLY cold!  Either way they rocked it and here is their sneak peak…