Christmas with family

In nearly 10 years working as a nurse, I have luckily dodged working Christmas Day-until this year. Our routines and traditions changed to accomodate my work schedule, but we still managed a great Christmas with family!

Benjamin showing me his flashlight

Nonny opening presents with Ben and Addie "assisting" (anyone around children knows assisting is a term for ripping it out of your hands, shredding paper and tissue and continuing on with reckless abandon until no wrapped presents are in sight)
Daddy having a little snuggle time with Ben and Addie (watching a motorcycle video on the computer)
Daddy got a marshmellow shooting gun from Nonny (I'm sure Nonny is still finding marshmellows :)

Addie opening presents

Nonny and G got them Jeeps





Christmas Night after I worked...


Ben "assiting" Mammaw
and the Handy Manny Christmas continues...I think this picture may be used as a bargaining piece later in life :) We had to stop for a bathroom break and he was so excited he didn't want to slow down to put on his PJs!
and now re-clothed



Uncle Jason helping Ben (now wearing a toolbelt-glad he put on the pjs)with his tool set!
What is it?
A train table!
Ben loves his suitcase and flashlight! We are hoping to use this to visit Mickey's house soon!



a bobcat and combine too!

This video is what once was our den...now a playroom complete with tent!

Do you know....the muffin man?? Complete with stage fright at the end!

Benjamin debuts as....

JOSEPH! In the Happy Birthday, Jesus party/play at church this morning, Ben played Joseph. A LOOONG way from the be-tinseled angel of a couple of years ago!

Fantasy of Trees

Ben kept asking if he could have a cookie, Kennedy is helping him

Not so sure that he liked the icing on his fingers...
But he did enjoy eating it!
On the carosel with Courtney & Kennedy. Colin didn't get a horse close to the others :(
Kennedy, Ben, and Colin
Can't really think of a caption, but this is what I live with(can you tell he is a sneaker?)
Grammy and kids
What? A picture with mom...no way!

Nobody called...

Ben found an old phone and is carrying it around. I caught him on video the other day...eating candy and sitting in his chair in front of the window. Funny what little imaginations come up with.





and when we aren't talking on the phone, we ride motorcycles with safety goggles on.




Check out how he takes the goggles off and on during the video!


That's all I have for this marvelous Monday! Have a great week and Happy Thanksgiving!

Halloween Happenings

Matt and I took Ben to a different farm since he enjoyed the last hayride and pumpkin patch.


My reluctant participant in a posed shot....

There wasn't anyone else there so they took us on a hayride alone!
We roasted marshmellows after the hayride.First bite of a roasted marshmellow!

Do you think he likes it?

We went with Nonny and G to the circus. Ben and Addie had a good time--especially the snacks!


Ben and one of his favorite snacks...popcorn!
G and Ben watching the elephants
Addie
Addie and Ben watching


Ben and I painted our pumpkins, but we decided to carve them too. Grammy and Pappy helped us carve them in the rain Halloween morning. Ben wasn't interested at all, but I think the big kids had fun.

Yes, Colin is wearing a ski mask
Waiting to go outside and work in some leaves

Trick or treating


Mammaw's three little pumpkins
Cowboy Grayson and Ben at Trunk or Treat at church
Check out Mrs. Carolyn's van decorations!
Mrs. Carolyn and her Puggles Awana class...Ben, Lily, Grayson, and Luke