Christmas Eve

These are the pictures from my phone. I actually took out our REAL camera during Christmas this year - but haven't uploaded the pictures yet. I'll update with those pictures later...probably much later!

My 1st cousins (+sister).



Love her so much...



...and love that she makes me laugh, hard!



Cousins Mardi & Keli



I said "saves" when I got up and he sat in my seat anyway...look hard - Jason's under there!



My sister sticks her tongue out when she texts.



Mommy & Maddie



This was our first year with a Christmas Elf. I had never heard of this tradition until this year when we watched Elf on the Shelf! It is stressful in the same way the tooth fairy is stressful - but holy cow...it was so much fun watching our little kiddos keep an eye on our elf!!! 5 Stars for sure!


(I recommend "Christopher Pop-in-kins" at Amazon.com, if you're interested!)

And finally - this is what happens when I leave the 17 yr old and the 5 yr old alone for a few minutes!!!

Megan turns 13...Sprinkled with a little Misc

Megan had ANOTHER birthday! She turned 13 in November! She is turning into such an amazing young woman. Beautiful, smart, kind, funny...you know how a mother can go on, and on...We love you Megan!



Megan also had a great Volleyball season this year! (#12)



Jacob's basketball season has started. He has such a love for the game! Mom is doing better at not yelling as much...but only a little bit better! (Seriously, I don't know how people do it! How do you sit at a game and NOT yell something at someone???)



Ok, this guy is a complete stranger at one of Jacob's games - but if you know my dad, it's incredibly FREAKY how much this guy looks like him!! I tried to take several pictures of him with my phone (from behind Brandon) and none turned out as well as I hoped - but well enough that even my sister thought it was our dad when I texted a picture to her!



Melanie's Christmas program! (Back row, 2nd from your left)



Joseph's Christmas program! (Front row, smack in the center, blue & red stripes)



And last but not least, Joseph's Ranger of the Month assembly!

November Came & Went

Lame attempt to get the blog all caught up before the New Year...then I can do better next year, possibly...maybe...well, don't bet on it!


The Saturday following Thanksgiving we invited Brandon's extended family out for lunch and a good old fashioned visit! I believe the count was 57!



Thanksgiving Day - Shiela's extended family joined us. A much smaller count - only 25'ish or so.



Happy Thanksgiving from Cousins.



Don't blink! Meredith let Mardi within 8ft AND she smiled about it!



My mom and her girls!



Mom & Joe watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade!



Malorie (3rd from your right) receiving her Principal Pride/Student of the Month Award (I can't remember which it's called.)



Long story short - Meredith enjoying a Strawberry Belgian Waffle at Perkin's!



Meredith as Sully (Monsters Inc) for Halloween!



How cute is this? I painted them all by myself...shaky hands and all!



Melanie's Ranger of the Month assembly.



Can you tell that Gracie is the only kiddo at home now? We do a LOT together!