Ferris' Birthday Party

My sister threw the most Pinterest-worthy Lego party for my nephews (sixth & fourth) birthdays in October-- seriously, take a look at some of these pictures and tell me that every detail was not thought out!-- the twins loved every minute of it!!!

My grandparents came and there were fun games, cake & even face painting!  

See the "6" & "4" she made for her boys?

"I would walk across Legos for you," said no mom ever. ;)

My three boys (in back)
and my sisters' two boys (in front)

Even the silverware holder was made of Legos!

She turned the water bottles into Lego heads. Brilliant!

Jack & Logan

My Grandpa Jerry, Wyatt & my Grandma Pansy

Minute to Win It :: Game Time!

Grandpa got corralled into the baby bottle drinking game...

Ferris, one of the birthday boys

Jack "mummifying" my mom

Another game-- I got chosen this time!

The goal? Get the Oreo from your forehead to your mouth,
without touching it!

My nephew Isaiah

The birthday boys' dad

My mom's dog Dodger with Jack

My mom's dog Sadie with Ferris & Milo's other Papa (Papa Bruce, or Papa Goose as the kids call him)

Cutest Hulk Ever!

"Happy Birthday To You!"

Make a wish, Milo!

Jack as IronMan
(Roxanne's mother-in-law did the face painting, and it was stellar!)

All the boys eating, and Sadie hoping they'll drop some!

This was Wyatt's first birthday party, and it was very hard!  I am so grateful everyone was so kind to him despite his (mis)behavior!

My sister's adorable family

Happy Birthday Ferrs-the-Hulk

&

Milo-the-Hunk!

~

Wyatt Sidney Simon Milo

A little over four years ago, four littles joined our (extended) family-- my son Wyatt in June 2011, my cousin Kris (& her wife Ang) had twins Sidney & Simon in August 2011, and my sister Roxanne's little boy Milo in October of 2011.  It was a baby-palooza!

Recently at my mom's request we retook our original picture with all four rambunctious four-year-olds on their mama's laps.  It's amazing to see how much they've grown in four short years, and fun to have them all together and talk parenting together.

***

Thanksgiving

After years of hosting Thanksgiving in Alaska, I got a break this year when the boys and I attended Thanksgiving at my mom's house.  It was a fun, laid back day with more than enough good food to go around!  The only thing missing was Josh.

My sister is so sweet and says she always has the best pictures when I'm around.  So we have taken advantage of being together this year, and nearly every time we are together, I try to snap pictures of at least her kids, if not her entire family.  

Aren't they beautiful people?

In addition to spending time with their cousins, my boys were overjoyed to spend time with this little kitty my mom found in her backyard the night before Thanksgiving!

Roxanne returns the favor of the pictures by taking mine. I'm so grateful!

***

Halloween 2015

Halloween this year was really special.  Josh was here (!!!) and we were in Vancouver, which meant the boys got to shop for their own costumes and go trick or treating.  Unfortunately for all of us, the weather was terrible. I have never been outside in rain that was so hard & relentless!  But we braved the weather with my parents and my sister's family, and I think I can safely say we all had a good time regardless of the deluge.  

{Jack & Logan: The ninjas}

{Wyatt: The Hulk}

{Grrr!}

{Sadie: The Peacock}

{Cooper: The King}

Wyatt enjoyed reading the Toys R Us catalog before we took off...

{The boys!}

{Love these crazy guys!}

{My sister's family-- so cute!}

***

The next morning I came into my room after my shower to find the boys sorting their candy into categories.  I cannot tell you what that did for my organizing heart.  I was so proud!  Ha!

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

I figure I ought to blog about our Christmas festivities before January ends, so here we go!

While Josh was home over Christmas break, we went to the beach to see my grandparents.  We've adopted another set of "grandparents" in Rockaway (my grandparents' very good friends who have no grandchildren or great grandchildren) and we love them so!

When they asked us to stop by and check out their holiday display, we did so gladly and snapped this cute picture of our three boys with their three snowmen.

On Christmas Eve we let the boys open two gifts-- one was a set of new pajamas and the other was an art/craft gift.  The twins got giant coloring books and Wyatt got a black light whiteboard (if that makes any sense!)

Then, after opening presents, we changed into our new jammies and snuggled up to watch Home Alone & have pizza as is our Christmas Eve tradition.  An hour and a half later the boys went down without a fight and dreamed of Christmas morning.

***

Christmas Morning we awoke to three little boys telling us the light was green.  So up we got.  I gathered their presents (all wrapped the week before Christmas) from the extra room and brought them into their bedroom.

There were lots of Legos and super heroes which lead to some very happy children.  Once their toys were opened, I brought up cinnamon rolls & milk which we all ate as appetizers for the giant family breakfast with Josh's parents and siblings that was to come.

By 9am, Josh's family was here downstairs and we made our way down to join them for bacon, eggs, potatoes & english muffins.  I think we all ate until we were sick. It was awesome. ;)

After breakfast we all opened presents (there were 19 of us total) and then sat around opening & putting together toys for our kids and laughing together.  At some point we decided to play Cranium, just the grown ups, and it was hilarious.  I discovered that not only do I suck at spelling (which I previously thought I had mastered), but that I also suck at guessing other people's Play Doh sculptures.  Basically I now know that I am failing at life. Ha!  (Word I failed to spell correctly? Broccoli.  Two C's and only one L.  Who knew...)

***

Christmas Dinner:

Luckily we got to go to my parents house for dinner, where no one had to know about my inability to spell vegetable names.  Phew!

Pretty much as soon as we got there, we let the kids go nuts opening gifts from my parents.  They got new shoes & SCOOTERS!!!  We immediately headed outside so they could try them out!

{My sister's son Milo}

{My sister's son Ferris}

{My sister's husband Blake & Josh.  These two were very happy to be reunited while Josh was home!}

{Jack, my mom "Nanny" & Ferris}

{Blake & my sister Roxanne}

{Me and the littles didn't last long outside. It was cold! We much preferred reading new Christmas books inside!}

{My parents making dinner-- yum!}

I am so grateful that Christmas day, which was particularly packed, went so well.  We had zero meltdowns from the kids, and enjoyed ourselves the entire day.  It was so lovely.  What a blessed Christmas we had!!!