Pigtails

Claire's hair is really getting out of control these days.  It's not long enough for me to really do anything with, but it IS long enough to look like a mullet.  I had a small moment of boredom the other day, so I decided to try out pigtails.  I obviously have very limited experience in this department.  She looked so funny that I just had to snap a few pictures.  I think we'll save the pigtails for a time when she has more hair.

She's also walking like crazy.  I haven't quite figured out how to upload video to our blog, so I guess snapshots will have to do for now.

Scott's Birthday

January is certainly a month of birthdays for us.  Mason, Scott, my mom, Scott's mom and my brother all have birthdays in January. There's nothing that relieves holiday stress more than January birthdays.  (Can you sense the sarcasm?)  We had fun celebrating as a family.  We went out to dinner and then had a giant cookie cake - Scott's favorite.

I was going to write, "Happy Birthday Scott" on his cookie, but then I found out that the girls at work made one for him too.  Not wanting to be outdone, I thought this saying was more fitting.  =)  I think I need a little practice with my frosting writing.

All of the kids were glued to Scott as he opened his presents after Sunday dinner.  It's always fun to celebrate with the whole family. There are now twenty-three of us when we all get together.  Crazy!

Family Resemblance

People are always saying how much Brady looks like Scott.  Well, a few months ago, we came across this picture of me as a kid and were astounded at how much it looked like Brady.  We even held it in front of him and asked him who it looked like.  His reply....."Me!"

New Year's Resolution

One of my new year's resolutions is to be more crafty.  My ultimate goal for the year is to learn how to sew.  My mom did a ton of sewing for us when we were young, so I'm not really sure why I never learned.  I've decided to start small....this is my first project of the year, and no, there was no sewing involved.  Regardless, I'm pretty proud of myself.  

Mason's 9th Birthday

This is as far back as the pictures on my computer take me....I think Mason was around 18 months here.  Has it really been nine years?  Where does the time go?  Mason is a great big brother to his siblings and a huge help to his mom and dad.  We are so grateful to have him in our family.

I'm not sure why, but Mason is rarely "normal" in any pictures these days.  If he's not doing bunny ears on someone, he's giving you a cheesy grin (case in point).

Three great boys!  There is no end to the energy in our house and we love it.....most of the time!

Happy Birthday, Mason!  We love you!

Christmas Day

Christmas morning was so fun!  It was WAY better than last year when Claire was just a tiny baby.  The kids had so much fun opening their presents, and Scott and I just loved seeing their little eyes light up.  It's hard to believe that it's all over.

Christmas Eve

We were at my parents' house again on Christmas Eve.  It's always a full house when we're together, but so much fun!  The evening was complete with....

Delicious food....Christmas Eve paella....a new tradition?  Only time will tell.....

Camera wars with Justin....

A full-out talent show.  We had Christmas carols, trombone numbers, piano solos, you name it....

Mason played "Up On the Housetop."  He looks thrilled, doesn't he?  Maybe he's just really concentrating.

Logan and Brady sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."

And of course, I had to get a picture of cute little Colton.  He was all dressed up and ready to party!

P.S.  I think I figured out my posting dilemma.  Hallelujah!

I'm So Confused....

I've been trying to post more holiday pictures on our blog, but I can't upload more than one at a time.  The "new post" format recently changed, and when I try to upload my photos, it looks like they'll all appear, but only the last one I tried to upload shows up on my preview/editing page.  Does anyone know what I'm doing wrong???  Help!

The Christmas Festivities Begin!

The family festivities began a couple days before Christmas when Grandma had all the grandkids over for a holiday party. The highlight, of course, was the nativity. Mason was so excited to be one of the "big kids" this year and got to narrate instead of wear a costume.

Logan and Matthew were wise men. Aren't they cute?

Brady and Bowen were shepherds....also cute!

My favorite had to be baby Jesus (Colton). He was a little too big for the manger, and I just love his swaddling clothes!

Claire decided she would rather eat the nativity than be in it. We all had a great time! Thanks, Mom!