Last Elf Fun

We had a lot of fun with our elf Jayden this year!  He was pretty crazy!  Here are a few of the final things we caught him doing...

One day he was hanging from a nail in the wall just like a picture!

Poor Jayden - one day he was feeling a little under the weather.  The boys had been passing a few things around and wouldn't you know it - Jayden caught the bug, too!  He relaxed one day on the table behind the couch, nice and warm.  Notice he even took some medicine - ha!

The next day he was feeling a little better...we found him sitting in a new spot, still resting on a pillow and making sure he was staying hydrated drinking some apple juice!

We knew he was feeling better on this day...he was hanging out by the coffee pot with my snowman pin.  Guess he was feeling lonely.  We knew he was feeling better when we realized he was DRINKING coffee out of a little coffee cup - ha ha!

The boys waited ALL season for Jayden to fly up high on our little shelf...and finally he did!  Looks like a comfy place to watch the boys all day!

 

We think Jayden was feeling a little sad about Christmas coming and wanted to leave the boys with something special.  We came down on Christmas Eve morning to find Jayden sitting next to my phone.  When I checked my phone - there were pictures of each of us on there with Jayden!  While we were sleeping!  What a crazy little elf!!! 

 

 

 

 

It was another fun Christmas season for many reasons, but the boys really enjoyed Jayden this year.  The day after Christmas, as Austin walked downstairs holding my hand, he says "I am really going to miss Jayden for a long long time."  So sweet!

More Christmas pictures to come...soon!

Easterday Christmas

December 14th - the boys were showing me how excited they were to go to Grandma's the next day!

December 15th - we headed north for Christmas with my family!  I had Landon take this picture of Mom and I - not a bad job, Landon! 

Grandma and adorable Miss Shelby!  Love her smile!  She sure was the life of the party! 

After a while, it was time to string some popcorn and cranberries for the outside tree.  Sarah and Owen hard at work! 

Landon and Steven did a great job! 

 

Grandma and Aiden had fun!

I helped Austin - isn't he cute?? 

Landon being silly wearing Grandma's candy cane antlers! 

Time to go outside and hang up the popcorn...and find the ornaments! 

Grandpa and Grandma with all the boys!  (Shelby was home eating lunch!) 

Steven had his last basketball practice and game, so we headed up to watch that!  Good job Steven! 

Craft time - Grandma had cute little felt Gingerbread boys and girls for them to make! 

Sarah taught me a new way to tie my scarf - so of course we had to get a picture together!  :) 

While we were waiting on Shelby and Owen to come back after their naps, but boys were getting restless about presents.  So Grandma let them all open one - they eat got some Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle characters!  They were excited to open one! 

Of course we had to put Joe to work on the potatoes!!! 

Aiden with his Ninja Turtles! 

Shelby was so happy when she got back to Grandma's house - just look at that smile!! 

Dinner time - all the boy cousins!  Owen was so excited to be with all the big boys!!! 

Joe and Sarah got Landon and Steven a potato powered clock...here they were trying to figure out what it was! 

Shelby was using a head light as her purse the other day, so I found this cute one for her and she loved it!!   

Aiden playing with his Trash Pack collection from Joe and Sarah!  So fun! 

Of course Landon got some Legos and had to put them together right away!!! 

Owen playing Rock'em Sock'em (or whatever it's called) with Steven.  Love his face and Richard's!  Cute! 

Checking out their Trash Pack's with Aunt Sarah!  

Joe and Landon working on the potato clock! 

Bed time!  Finally got the boys settled in bed about 10pm!  Late for them!!!  They were excited because there was a TV in the room they got to watch.  They thought they could watch a whole show - but 10 minutes later... 

...this is how I found them!  Sound asleep!!  It was a great day! 

The next morning, Austin was ready to put together his Craftsman race car with Grandpa! 

Aiden and Grandma working with his tools! 

And of course - more Legos for Landon!!! 

It was a great family Christmas!!!!

Dad's Shadow

Austin is Dave's little helper.  It seems like almost any time Dave is working on something, especially something outside, Austin is right there helping, or trying to learn what it is all about.  I see many, many years of this as he grows and I love it.  Aiden and Landon - so far they aren't quite as interested.  I think it's the work they don't want to do - ha!

A few weeks ago when it was nice, it was time to put away some of the swing set stuff.  Here is Austin helping pull the wagon to the playset.

Swings loaded up - time to haul them back to the shed!!!

Now time to empty the sand box...Austin was really excited to see he got to use the little shovel that looks just like dad's big shovel!   

Such a good little worker!  He was seriously throwing the sand around the yard just like his dad - it was so cute! 

Bye bye sand box - see you in the spring!