New Year's Eve

We went for a ride this morning looking for deer. The watering troughs were frozen and the kids had to stop and skate around for a minute.

I gave Matt a chainsaw for Christmas/Birthday/Anniversary, he brought it along and stopped to cut down a couple trees. I think he likes it a little bit. Now if we could just get the stove in.

I had to work tonight so no big NYE plans for us. Braden had a party at our house. They played games and watched a movie. I think they had a good time.

Shooting...

Garrett got a scope for his 22 for Christmas so today we decided to go sight it in. Braden and Ashlyn took their 22's along and they tried to see who could hit cans first.

 Garrett hit the first can first and it blew it almost apart. He was so proud of himself.

After we were done we went to my moms for some homemade chicken noodle soup. Nicole and Jeremy are here and Brenda and Scott were there. We have had a good week...watching movies, dinners, talking...I love my family and the times we get to spend together.

Navi loves Braden. Markelle tried sitting in this chair after these two had been in it and Navi yelled at her to get out.

 After watching a movie the girls were doing the dolls hair and Braden was laying on the floor so Haven started doing his hair. How many 15 year olds would let someone put ponytails in there hair.

 Isn't it cute.

Braden just has a way with kids. They love him.

Movie Day

For the second year in a row my mom and dad have treated the family to a movie at the theatre the day after Christmas. This year we watched Chipwrecked. Matt was home throwing up so he didn't get to go. After the movie we went to mom and dads for lunch. It was so nice outside the kids were able to have a picnic and go to the park to ride and play with Christmas toys. We ended the day watching Dolphin Tale. Thanks Mom and Dad.

Merry Christmas

Santa surprised us this year by wrapping the kids presents and leaving them in bags. Garrett was in the lead when the kids ran into the living room. He looked around and wasn't sure what to think when he couldn't see any presents. Braden and Garrett got ipod touches and Ashlyn got a pink camo bedding set and cowboy boots, among other things. I think they got about everything they wanted and everyone had a good day.

Christmas Eve

We started the evening off at the Willden's. Mitch and Shondel were going to spend Christmas with her family so they were opening there presents. After we went to my mom and dad's. We had a good dinner and then the kids got to open a family gift from grandma and grandpa and their Christmas Eve gifts. Then we played a game and read a Christmas story.

Navi got every ones attention with her jabbering version of a story...

 Then Cynthia read a story while Ashlyn showed the pictures...

Garrett has been so excited. He was bugging us all night to let him open his present and as soon as he got to open it he was ready to go home. We made him wait a little while. We went home, got a picture of the Christmas jammies, put out cookies and milk for Santa, and the kids went to bed. Early. 

Christmas Card

Teacher Gift

I have wanted to try this since I first seen it and finally got around to it. This is what Garrett is giving his teacher, Mrs. Bradshaw, for Christmas. I love it.

Our Perfect Tree

Doesn't it look good. Even if Ashlyn says it doesn't.

Gingerbread Houses

The 3rd and 4th graders decorate gingerbread houses every year. They use there milk cartons and bring graham crackers and candy and the school makes the icing glue. Matt couldn't leave work but Garrett and I had fun.

Garrett's Christmas Program

Tonight was Garrett's School Christmas program. It was 3rd and 4th grade combined and was so packed Matt had to stand in the back. They were supposed to dress up like another country and all we have is Iraqi headdresses. Kind of a weird thing to have I know but I made Matt get them while he was in Iraq. He looked cute and they did a good job.

OUCH

Braden had to have an ingrown toenail cut off today. It was pretty gross. They gave him 4 or 5 shots around his toe and waited for it to kick in then he started pulling the nail and Braden could still feel it, so he had to give him two more shots.