Briella

I got a new niece. 

SO when I FINALLY got to claim her as my own for a few days, I just couldn't get enough. She's so cute, cuddly, fussy, and a stinker. I knew she was meant for me.

 But I didn't care. I was blinded from all the sweetness and nothing else mattered. I didn't care that she cried. Or whined. Or gave me stink eyes and furrowed brows. 

 It was just her way of saying, "I love you Auntie Auddy"!

                                                             

And I love you to BBE. You look SO good in those black tights, pink ballet slippers, and spring dress with matching cardigan. Yes....all your aunties know how to make you look presh! (You just need a matching flower for all that hair!) MUAH!xoxoxo

Traditions

Turkey day shotgun shooting. Although we were 2 days late doing it. It still got done, and we still had fun.

Dylan

Jaden, Eli, Corbin, Gramps, Miriam (with her cute white knee socks), Jared, Ashton, Dylan, ?, Tom

Jared, Ashton, Jaden

  Jane and Dylan up front. Granpa and Eli weilding that mighty weapon.

Gramps and Lotus

 But Man! was it cold!!! Windy cold. Which is colder than cold. In Idaho.

My Dad

I sat in the car majority of the time before I left to have lunch with a friend.

Jared and Dylan

 But I DID get out to shoot once. AND....shattered the first 'pigeon' that was launched. I left the whole group of guys we were with. Stunned. Even my husband and 12 yr old boy. My 'Coolness' went up 10 notches. And now have respect when it comes to shooting a gun.

We just didn't catch it on camera. But I SWEAR I DID!

There were 2 competitions after I left. Jaden won one of them giving him a highlight of the Thanksgiving holiday. 

Thanks to all of you that housed, fed, played, entertained, and visited with us.  

Grandma's Idea

12 kids.

2 older kids that wanted nothing to do with this.

 20 eyes

 10 mouths

1 slow camera

 This was supposed to be a size shot. Biggest to littlest. But this angle doesn't show that very well.

 And they started dropping like flies.

 One by

one

I'm the favorite now.

Ok, well he didn't come right out and say it....but the bar was raised. hee hee hee

 I've made a tradition. For every one of my nieces and nephews, I make them whatever kind of cake they want when they turn 8. (I still owe Lydia because I decided to do this after she passed 8.)

 He picked "sea creatures" themed. I had made a lobster, clown fish, anenome, sea weed, and urchin spines before our trip.

 I thought with having his help, it would be more fun. Which it was. From filling the cake, to frosting it, to covering it then decorating it. Its a REALLY long process and I usually do it at night. Alone with my Mp3. And all the time in the night.

 He stuck by me the WHOLE time!! He truly was facinated and interested in the whole process. He is well educated in all things under the sea. Which he freely shared. I loved sharing that with him!

Of course there were others with  ideas to create and that was fine. I don't even know what he made. A ghoulish face or something.

Over the River and through the farms...

A few highlights from our quick christmas trip to Idaho. It was a last minute decision that was greatly appreciated. The kids are always excited to see the cousins and I'm loving the relationships they have with each other.

I caught Corbin brushing Eli's hair and by the time I grabbed my camera, they were finished and on their way to show everyone. As they ran past me, I brushed Eli's head with my hand (on purpose, I know!) just to mess it up so that Corbin would take Eli back in to the bathroom and fix it. Which he did. And I equipped with my camera to capture the moment I almost missed!

Jane attached to Jaden like a starfish to coral! When he was laying down on the couch, she was laying with him. If he was up walking around, she was holding onto his hand. If he sat down, well.....you can see what she did. I thought it was so sweet, but I'm sure Jaden was thinking otherwise. His tolerance was awesome with her! LOVED that about him.

Miriam liked him too. But not nearly as clingly as Jane.

Unbeknownst to me or anyone else for that matter, Natalee planned for the kids to act out the nativity while Joe read it. Towels and ties always make for the BEST costumes!

Poor Talmage was having a ROUGH night! (molars coming in) And Oli and Liz took turns holding him. I remember very clearly my wisdom teeth moving and my complete sympathies were aimed at him majority of the night.

Two reasons I love this photo. 1. It's grandpa. The man who started it all! 2. Liz looks so content in his arms, just as anyone in this family would feel.

Without even being asked, the "boys" have ALWAYS stepped up to help Grandma and Grandpa out safely to their car after the party. Joe was out on the porch waiting for Grandpa to finish his goodbyes. And with Grandma gone now, the loving gesture continues.

Liz looks HOT in this pic and Talmage is actually happy. (for a minute) He is such a fun kid. I haven't really been around him enough to get an idea of what his personality is like. But he's pretty outgoing when he isn't hurting. Such a sweety.

So much to do is such a short visit. Naps just didn't fit in the schedule. Dylan took a good 20 min power nap and then was off to play again.

It was a great weekend. Of course. And I wish I had more time to spend one on one.

Maybe next time. oxo