At the Park

Just a day at the park on a beautiful day in January. I was having some fun messing with my camera and these pictures just melt my heart. I can not believe how big he is.

Hide n' Seek

We were in the living room the other day when we hear Oliver yelling from his room "mama where are you?" So I went in to check on him and he was hiding in his big bucket of stuffed animals. He would peek his head out and say "I see you!" So cute.

Tunnel

Santa brought Oliver a tent with a tunnel! He and Daddy were having some funning crawling through it.

Lego Giraffe

Oliver has been getting really into his legos lately. I was able to build him a giraffe which he loved! But after knocking it over he decided to build his own extra huge giraffe for Gramma on Skype. This is him showing off his amazing work :)

First Snow of 2013

The first and so far the only real snow we've had this winter was in our last couple days of break.  We new Oliver would love it since he has been obsessed with Frosty all winter long! We got all bundled up and went out to build his first snowman.  He did not enjoy the sled at all but wanted to make and throw as many snowballs as possible!

St. Louis Christmas

After Christmas in Ohio we made our way to Michigan to have our St. Louis Christmas.  We had a great visit just hanging out and playing games.  The kids had a lot of fun chasing each other and playing together.  For Christmas we went to the church for dinner and gift.  Bella read us all the Christmas story and she made sure we all got to see the illustrations as well :)

There were lots of fun presents and as always the best part is watching the kids tear into them! With so many it is crazy but fun!!

After we were done, we all got to participate in Sarah's Christmas photobooth. I didn't get any pictures b/c I didn't want to get in her way so I'll have to try and snag some to put on here.  It was too cute!!

Christmas Morning

We had our little Christmas morning at Mom & Tom's as well.  By now Oliver was really getting into this santa and present thing :) He came running out pretty excited to see what was under the tree!

Every present he opened he would say "oh boy oh boy oh boy!! what is it???" His excitement made everything worthwhile!

It was a fun Christmas morning and I'm glad Mom, Tom, Doug & Shannon were there to watch Oliver's excitement too :)

Christmas at Gram & Pops

We had such a fun time at my Mom and Tom's for Christmas. It was filled with lots of Christmas activities and also some time to just enjoy each other's company.  On Saturday, the kids did lots of Christmas crafts including coloring Christmas mugs, decorating a gingerbread chain, making bead candy canes, and making red and green paper chains! 

 

 

My amazing mom was at it again on her sewing machine. She made Emma's adorable dress and coat and Oliver's vest.  I think we had the best dressed kids for Christmas!

 

 

 

 

 

 Then on Saturday night, Santa came!! Josh was pretty excited :)

 I really wasn't sure how Oliver would be but he didn't have any problem at all.  He went right up and said Hi Santa! Then helped pass out all of the presents! I was pretty shocked.

 

 Doug loved Santa too :)

 

 

 

 Everyone got new Christmas PJ's just like the olden days. All of the boys matched and so did the girls. Gunckle Doug put on his new treasures! ha!

 

 Then on Sunday we had Christmas morning.

Josh read the letters from Jingle his elf and Santa. It was too cute to see him get all excited!

 I think Santa was pretty good to everyone this year!!

 David got to open the first gift of Christmas... his very own santa hat :)

 Oliver really loved playing Santa to pass out presents.

 

 

  Josh got his remote control helicopter that he asked Santa for and Oliver got a bowling set! There are no pictures since I was behind the camera but Mom got all of the girls sewing machines!! I am so excited!! I've wanted one for years! Can't wait to make some cute stuff :)

Doug got all of the guys a shirt to match their personality. They were hilarious and definitely fit each one! My husbands of course said "Hello I'm Sexy and I know it" :)

 Of course after all of the present were opened, the kids were playing with gramma's new strainers! They wore them on their heads while they marched around singing Frosty the Snowman.

 

 And by the way... Oliver learned to give a thumbs-up this Christmas.

It was such a wonderful Christmas, I miss everyone already.  I hate that we live so far away but I'm so thankful that we are able to find time to be together.