pictures

Family pictures are very stressful for our family..we are not photogenic. Our pictures usually turn out like this:

My sister Amber is a very good photographer but after taking grandkid pictures and trying to get one with us and Mazi..My kids were done. So a couple of days later I took the kids with my not too fancy camera and tried to get some shots of them..

I had a a lot of these kinds:

But I also got some pretty sweet ones..

The second we took the last picture Ena fell in the mud...

I really love these two kids cheesy smiles and all!!!

Ahhhh! There is so much to update on!! I love Christmas! I am so sad that is over! Where to start..The Monday before Christmas we acted out the Christmas stories with some of our friends...

Ena was an angel.

Bradley played Joseph.

We had a nice quiet Christmas with just our little family.:) I've never seen my kids go to bed so fast and with such little fuss as on Christmas Eve.:) This year was the first year that Bradley woke up early and had to wake us up.:) We had some friends over for Christmas dinner and all the kids played.:)

Mike went over the Christmas story one last time before we went down stairs to open presents.



Here is Ena and her new Barbies..Mazi's already chewed off her hands.:(

Here is Bradley and his jungle that he said he didn't "order":)


The week after Christmas everyone in my family except for my brother and one brother-in-law came to celebrate the Holidays together. We had so much fun!! All together there were 23 of us. The kids had so much fun being together.:) We did crafts, had a talent show, went to the park, went bowling and laser tag, we went shopping, and out to eat and just enjoyed being together.:) I've got the best family! Here are some of the pictures from our time together...

Making cookies

Bradley and his favorite cousins.:)

Ena and her favorite cousins.

Mike kept talking trash to my dad during our softball game..my dad was pitching..see the ball.:)

We made a welcome bridge for the winner of the 5k..my nephew Harrison.

Making crafts..thanks Ginger!

It is a family tradition to go to Pancho's Mexican Buffet..we filled up the restaurant.:)

My youngest sister bowling.

Megan was the last to arrive..we placed a person at every mail box on our street so as the car came towards our house one after the other would start running after it until it got to my house...I think she felt welcomed.:)

All the Grandkids

23 people can make a lot of trash!! Our garbage man had to back up to our driveway to get everything..

This week I realized once again how lucky I am to share my life with Mike. Some guys would really struggle having a house packed of in-laws.:) Mike was right in the middle having a great time and taking care of food and rides and giving my sisters advice about life and boys.:)(I don't know if they ever listen but at least they know he cares):) I feel very blessed to have him by my side.

Thanks again for coming everybody!! I can't wait for the next time we can all be together!

Fun Fun Fun Party Party Party!!

My Brother

A couple of weeks ago my brother, Josh, came to my mom's for a visit..so we headed that way to see him. It had been over a year and a half since I'd seen him..crazy! It was so much fun to hang out with him and catch up. I love my brother!

My kids love him, too.:)

My Cute Kids

Th other day we found Bradley in the kitchen making a snack for Ena. He was so cute explaining how to make his original snack...so I had him recreate it for the camera...I especially loved the ending...

Here is the finished product...

Our little Ena loves to dance. We were listening to Christmas music the other night and she grabbed Mike and said "Dance Daddy!" As they were dancing she starting doing little rainbow hand motions.:) Too sweet not to catch on camera...

Girls Day Out

Ena and I had a fun day out shopping and eating ice cream. :) I love having a little girl.:) We had so much fun! When I asked her if she wanted chocolate or vanilla she said both.:)

The best part was that she wore big girl underwear almost all day! She is getting so big. I love spending time with her. She has the best personality and is so funny.:)

Mike and I decided it was time for Bradley to have a new snuggle bug...Mazi. We are on night three and things are going well. I think they both like the company. Mike peeked in the first night to check on them and Mazi started growling and barking..I was impressed with her watchdog instincts.:)

Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving started out with Bradley's Thanksgiving play. It was so cute.:) Bradley did great! Here is a video of him performing..

We spent Thanksgiving Day with Mike's dad in a small town in Kansas. It was a lot of fun! My kids had fun playing on the farm with 13 of their cousins.:) They fed the cows and had a hay ride and played in the dirt.:)

Corey and Bradley

Ena and Kayla

Mike and Bradley with our nephews, Jeff and James.

Mike showed Bradley the "secret tunnel" that he used to play in when he was little.:)

Bradley said this was his favorite part of the whole trip!

We spent Friday and Saturday with Mike's mom. Her dog, Muffin just had puppies. They were soooo cute! Ena loved them. She did really well with them until we found her giving them a "bath" by dipping them in their water bowl...

These last couple of pictures are just random..

It's been sooooo cold lately(I am not a big fan of cold) I'm the fire lady in our home so I've been making lots of fires trying to stay warm...

I think this picture is so cute...it represents my kids perfect...I am so thankful these are my kids.:) I love being their mom!