Christmas Day!

If you were to ask Kolten what Santa was going to bring him, the answer would be "Thomas Track".  Yes, the child already has a wooden train track with 100 trains to go along with it, but Thomas manufactures are smart and have many different types of tracks and trains.  The one Kolten wanted is called Trackmaster.  This is a plastic set where the trains are battery operated.  Fun, right??? Well at least that is what I thought...but the assembly of these puppies is not as easy as one might think and Santa's workshop was open very late Christmas Eve.  We managed to make it through, but there is a missing easel that will be a WONDERFUL valentines day gift!  

I think Bryce and I were more excited than Kolten to wake up for Santa because we actually had to go in his room and coax him out of bed.  However, as soon as he heard those trains going in the other room he went racing in to see what Santa had left.  He was soooo excited and I think a little overwhelmed with all the action! 

Santa left a special note thanking Kolten for the cookies and carrots for his Reindeer.

Reading his new train book and double fisting his new trains. 

He was not too interested in opening the other presents, but we eventually got them all opened. 

Going through his stocking...more trains..SHOCKING! 

After wrapping up our morning with cinnamon rolls and train playing we headed over to Grammi and Pop's house for one more Christmas celebration.  

Have you ever heard the saying "often times children are spoiled because no one spanks Grandma" Well, add "and Pop"on to the end of that and we have a true story friends.  I mean, check out this poor pitiful child surrounded by a tower of presents. 

Pop Vs. Buzz...What is taking so long! 

Grammi helping open more gifts while Pop tackles Buzz

Looks like the perfect little present to me

What a wonderful holiday season!  We are so very blessed to have all these people who love us.  Next Christmas should be even more fun with little Beckham here to join in on all the madness! 

~Christmas Cards 2012~

Christmas Eve

Bryce and I used to try and cram 3 places in on Christmas Eve and 3 more Christmas Day.  However, once we had Kolten we decided that all that running was just too much and it was not fair to Kolten to rush around everywhere.  Cutting some stuff out was hard on my tradition crazy husband,  but he eventually got over it:)   

We now start Christmas Eve with Brunch and Gift Exchange at our house with Bryce's mom.  Kolten had a great time celebrating with MiMi and was just a LITTLE spoiled and so were we.  So blessed.....

Before leaving for our next stop we had to sit our our cookies for Santa and carrots for the Reindeer...just in case he came while we were gone or Kolten was asleep before we got home. 

Next we were off to Nana and Papa's for gifts and then Carla and Troy's for food, Bingo and Punch. 

Mal and Morg were both out of town this year, but Morg left Nollie and that is all Kolten really cared about.  He thought he would share his cookie with his only cousin on that side.  

 Opening his new trains to go with his new Chuggington Train Track. 

Then Nana and Papa surprised him with a New Pony!!!  He was not so sure about it.  I think he might have disappointed Nana and Papa a little..but a Pony just can't compete with trains in Kolten's world. 

Kolten had to leave food for the Reindeer at Aunt Carla's too.  Putting out crackers and carrots with KK. 

After lots of fun, cookies and punch we headed home to get ready for the Big Guy!!!! 

Cookies and Cupcakes

I typically hate baking, but there is something about the holidays that brings out the Betty Crocker in me.  When Kolten was born, we started a tradition of having a birthday party for Jesus on one of the days leading up to Christmas.  It is so easy to get lost in the "santa, gifts and craziness" of the season, it is nice to make sure we take the time to remember what it is REALLY about.  This year, we decided to make cupcakes for Jesus instead of a cake.

Kolten and Daddy were such big helpers. 

 

Yummy, these are good!  

We let Kolten open a gift early to celebrate! 

Yippee!  A new Train! 

The following day we made our cookies for Santa with Auntie L.  We had to wake Kolten up from a late nap that day because we had gone to church and Nana and Papa's for lunch.  He was a GROUCH at first, but quickly got over it. 

Helping Mommy cut out the dough. 

Being a Big Helper! 

 Hmmmm...I wonder what this taste like. 

 Let the decorating begin! 

Once he tasted the Icing, it was OVER...all he wanted to do was eat all the good stuff. 

Our Beautiful Cookies! 

So proud of his artwork! 

They are soooo yummy too! 

Let the Christmas Marathon Begin

The holidays are always a fun and very busy time for us.  We started our celebrations the Saturday prior to Christmas at Granny Lorries house.  Kolten always has a good time with Graham, Ellison and Ady Grace. This year we also had Stella and Hudson to celebrate with us.  Crazy to think that at the lake this year we will have a total of 8 kiddos...talk about out numbered. 

Granny L got the kiddos new chairs that worked perfectly for dinner.  

Bryce, Andrew and Baby Stella

Kolten and Ady Grace making some type of mischief...watch out Graham and El..these two are about to give you a run for your money:) 

Well, let's just say getting a picture of these guys is near impossible. Madison is a great help, but with 6 under three it is going to be awhile until we get them all to focus on one point at the same time. 

Here is the real trouble, gotta give some credit to Brooke growing up with THREE brothers.  Oy!  

Playing under the table is alot of fun! 

Sweet Baby Stella and Hudson.  Beckham is out numbered in his age group! 

The attack of Grandpa Jack...he should know better than to bring out a bag of marshmallows around these scavengers:)