We LOVE Christmas!

I swear Chloe decorated almost the entire tree! The boys can't help but wrestle whenever they're within a few feet of each other, and Jake was happy to tease Geddy with all the bells, but Chloe was sweet and quite and before long, she had the entire bottom half of the tree decorated!

Happy Birthday, Jake!

Turning 2 is a HUGE step!

Jake turned 2 on November 27th - so what better way to celebrate his birthday than to go up to Grandpa's ranch to help with the horses and cows?!? Jake is IN LOVE with horses!
Everyone got to take a ride on Bo. Sweet Colten and Sam helped us by holding on to the tiny kids.






Sam is aging so quickly! He only has a few teeth left. Colten is actually very jealous of the income he's making losing teeth these days.
This horse really really really wanted the hay in that trailer. Really.

This so rude of me to take the picture, but Jake got very upset when he saw someone else on his horse. He ran too fast to try to get to get to Bo - sometimes little legs can't keep up with the desire!

Jake had a really hard time giving up his "Bo Riding" time. Everyone gets a turn, but he still doesn't have to like it!








Geddy is getting SO big!
I made a quick cake for him (his big party was happening later that weekend!), and he is finally at the age where he knows what to do when he sees a candle.
He also knows what to do when his frosting is all gone, but his sister's isn't!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We went to my Mom and Dad's house for Thanksgiving this year. SHe had the table decorated and set for weeks, so it was very well planned!
Colten's developed some sort of head "tick." I don't really understand it. He says it's a cool way to say, "Hey". Hmmmmmmmmm . . . . . I must not be very cool because I think I'd just looking crazy doing that! He's so funny!


They turkey was awesome, and since Sam doesn't eat vegetables, that's all he had on his plate!Chloe cornered Grandpa and got him to read Christmas books to her for at least an hour and a half.
Shes loves her Grandpa, but is completely perplexed with the absence of hair on his head. She is always thinking about it. It really gets to her. We'll be talking about one thing unrelated to people or hair, and she'll just start asking questions about how Grandpa lost his hair. She also feels the need to explain to everyone she talks to (including her other Grandpa who has a full head of hair) that she has a Grandpa that has "no hair on top. It's only on the sides." She makes me laugh. I'm currently looking for some sort of medicine that can stop children from again any more. What am I going to do when she grows out of this completely innocent and adorable stage?!?! Maybe I'll have to try for one more!

A few pics . . . .

Jake is so funny - one minute he's crazy mad, and the next, he's the sweetest and cuddliest guy! I just love him so much!
Colten is such a man! I thought he looked so grown up in the pic, but I think he was just focused on the game.
Chloe is my sweetheart because she is the nicest person I've ever met in the entire world! I'm not even exaggerating - she honestly wants to be friends with everyone and she wants to help everyone! She is definitely made of something truly sweet!
Don't let the smile fool you! Sam had some big tears when we lost Geddy, but we are so thankful everything turned out okay!
I never want to forget the face that Cole makes at me when I tell him to go do his chore and his homework before practicing basketball and calling friends over. Such a hard life!

UPDATE!

Our scared, lost, whining bear of a puppy has been found! He actually crossed a river! It was a horrible day and I'm sure my neighbors think I'm nuts yelling his name like crazy and running all over the place, but I'm just happy our family missing anyone now! I don't think he'll ever see this, but a HUGE thanks goes to Jeff Francis for finding my dog! I feel bad that he almost knocked you over, wouldn't get in your ranger bed, and almost tore your hand off running home! You and your family are so wonderful and I couldn't ask for better neighbors!

I'm really sad!

We've lost our dog, and although this may be a little premature, he's been gone for almost 6 hours! I have looked everywhere, and I'm putting up signs, but I think that maybe like 5 people see this blog that live in my city -- so, if that's you, will you please keep an eye out for him? He's kind of scary-looking at first, but really a sweet dog. He's also pretty clumsy - so don't be worried about him having rabies or anything - he just falls down stairs a lot! Let me know if you see him! Thanks so much!

Just a few more!

Joe is gone for the week, working and playing, but I wanted to really make him miss us -- so here's a few pics of the kids I took last night so he can see what he's missing! In between all the sports and practices, we found a few minutes to go take a few pictures. Also, maybe he'll realize that pictures are fun! Now, if only I could get him to hold still for a few more family pics!


I tell really funny jokes. Seriously, I'm hilarious.

Chloe was actually not interested in getting out of the wagon at all because the grass is "itchy". Uh, huh . . . . my own kids don't perform very well for me, but if I had someone else asking her to run around in the weeds, she wouldn't hesitate.
She's actually trying so hard for me to smile in between tears because I offered her an enormous reward. I have to hand it to her for trying!
I told Jake that he was doing so good at his pictures, and all he said was, "I know."

Jake said he saw a "rawr" up the hill. Very exciting!
My guys two love each other, but they won't admit it.


Chloe came up with this one all on her own! It's definitely a pose worth remembering!

The "rawr" scared Jake a little.
Just kidding! He wasn't really scared!