"Kuncle Ryan"

Benjamin called Ryan "Kuncle Ryan" it was so cute.

Ryan called Benjamin "Little Ricky" because Ben looks so much like my brother Rick.

Benjamin fell in love with his Kuncle Ryan right away and still talks about him.

We are already looking forward to the Carey's next visit.

Christmas Morning 2009

My girls did not sleep at all, they played cards for most of the night. Haylee and Madi were excited to get their ipods and their Nintendo DS's . And Mickayla got her Ipod Touch and her hair straightner. Wow these kids are getting expensive. But all worth it, they were so helpful this past year with the new baby it is fun to shower them with gifts because they are such great kids! I have informed them that this is the last year we are getting gifts next year we are going to give to needy families.

They are not sure if they should believe me???

Hannah got her easel she had been hoping for and a Nintendo DS that she wanted to ask for but I told her she couldn't ask for because she was too little.

Benjamin got his Train Table that we had heard about for a month.

Needless to say he LOVED it!

Sam loved all of the Christmas paper!

What a fun Christmas!

It was such a treat having the Carey's here for Christmas.

Our kids had three weeks of pure cousin bliss!

Christmas Eve

Every Christmas Eve my kids put on a talent show,

this year their cousins got to get in on the fun.

Daddy and Sam in their Jammies

Our new Christmas Jammies

How cute is Rachel, Jill's oldest daughter!

I love this photo!

Jill's daughter Elise told her Mom and Dad that when they came to Texas to see their cousins that it was going to snow. Jill and Ryan told her that she could wish that but it probably would not come true. Sure enough on Christmas Eve it started to Snow.

It snowed so hard that it took us 3 hours to go pick up Ryan from the airport that day and I am pretty sure this was our first white Christmas in Texas.

Thanks Elise for wishing for snow for Christmas!

Sam has solid food for the first time!

"Hey what are we doing?"

"I do like sitting in this chair"

"This stuff is different than what Mommy normally gives me"

"I think I like Mommies stuff better"

Sam stopped sleeping through the night. I would nurse every two hours and I was getting tired. Jill convinced me that Sam was ready for food. So Jill and I made some baby food and Jill fed it to Sam. He did great Jill would hold the spoon in his mouth and he would suck the food down. After his first feeding he went back to sleeping through the night. I loved Jill visiting, she was so supportive and really helped me get Sam on a schedule. Jill also fed Sam everyday while she was visiting. It was so helpful, I am ready for her to come back!

Playing in the Leaves!

So much fun cousin time!

Hard to believe two days later it snowed so coats were required!

At this point the kids have decided they would clean up the back yard by picking up leaves by hand and filling up Walmart sacks.

"Come on Guys we need to make a big pile of leaves to play in!"

Family Picture Day

The Kids

Dad and his boys

Mom and her girls

Thanks to Aunt Jill, picture day was pretty painless.

Our plan was to go to a Studio and then at the last minute we decided to go to the park and let Jill take pictures with her nice camera.

I feel like they turned out pretty good!

Happy Birthday Hannah

Hannah turns 6!

A sweet card that her sisters made for her.

Hannah got a LIV doll. I have to say they are a little overrated.

Hannah loved her new Jeans

It was so fun to have the Carey's here for Hannah's birthday! They flew in on her birthday so they were able to celebrate with us!

Things I love about Hannah...

Hannah is so pleasant to be around.

She is a peacemaker.

She knows when I am thirsty and will bring me water without me asking.

She is an awesome reader.

She is very patient with her brother Benjamin.

She is a Daddy's girl, she takes time to sit on her Daddy's lap everyday!

I love you Hannah!

Bathtime

Grandma Jan always said that there is nothing better than a baby right out of the bath swaddled in their bath towel.

Now that I am a Mom, I have to agree!

Thanks Mickayla for some great photos!

Halloween!

This is one of the fun games we played at the Ward Halloween Party. It is "Wrap the Mummy" or should I say "Wrap the Daddy."

As you can see Dale is always a good sport.

Ben is our little Ninja!

How cute is Sam as a Mustard bottle.

Thanks to Aunt Becky Sam was able to have a costume and he won runner up for one of the costume prizes!

Our Ward has a tradition of having a trunk or treat

and then a Halloween party after.

Always super fun for our family!

Samuel 12 weeks old