Cousins at Christmas time!

We were so excited to have my brother and family come back again in the same year for a Christmas visit!  While their trip will probably always be memorable after the ice storm they got stuck in driving here and the stomach bug that stopped them in their tracks on their drive home, we had a lot of fun in between!

 Welcome sign made by Kyle and Jacob.

 We pulled the "You need to take a good group picture before we open presents" card with them.  

 A loved just enjoyed watching everything and chewing on the snowman pez.

 bird's eye view

 C was soooo excited to get his gift... He showed everyone his new 'Mickey Mouse', :).  

 Lego builders!

 J was very excited to try out his new art kit!

 And K went mining for gems in his rock mining kit. 

 Such a scientist!

 The 2 youngest of their families hanging out. 

 The girls (Mom, Auntie Amy, niece Cari & I ) went to get pedicures.

 Family fun night at the trampoline park... Dodgeball was a hit!

Monopoly!

Good memories, thanks for coming to visit!

Out and About...

It definitely feels like we have been full speed ahead the last several months!  Finding lost pictures always shows me why I am always tired at the end of the day, haha... These little ones keep us busy!  Here are a few things we have done lately.  

"Grandma Dates"... Grandma B sometimes takes a couple of them out for a few hours.  This day, was playdate with second cousins and great grandmas!

 Playdates at home with friends... water fun at the sink.

 Dressing up too!

 Fun new place to visit... Trampoline park!

 Leave it to Kyle to find a happy face on a foam block!

 baby liked to bounce too!

 Oh, the energy!

 fun with friends.

 A visit to the zoo... The animals must love the NM winters because almost all of them were out in the middle of the day :)!

 This might have been Austin's first visit?!

 C having fun.

 Rhinos!

 So cute, the newest baby elephant!!!

 what a little one :). 

 Polar bear with his tongue out... I think it was almost feeding time. 

 Grandma R and the littlest 2. 

 Ball pit fun!

They give extra cuddles after a busy day. 

Austin 9 months

Lots of little milestones this month and so much personality coming out. This little guy is getting more independent by the day.  His chunkiness is slowing stretching out, but still oh-so squeezable!  

Our little Christmas Elf that would take the ornaments and mysteriously hide them ;)!

 This month he went from an army crawl to a hands/knees crawl... makes for a quicker mad dash!

 he has a bit of a shy demeanor... 

 But also likes to flirt!

 Bright eyed & bushy tailed most of the time.

 The "I'm up to something" look!

 Peek-a-boo!

 How big is Austin???  SOOOOOO BIG!

 We love you Austie Man!

Snow!

While I did not attempt to take the camera out last week when we got a snow break from our balmy winter, I did find some pictures not yet posted from a snow dusting that we had last Nov.  The fall foliage in the trees makes me miss the plant life of the backyard!

Where there are boys and snow, there are instant snowball fights!

yep... they learn early in this house!

 He is ready for action...

 He is bundled for the job!

 And he has the game face!

At least he still has a smile after the obvious hits!

 I just had to capture his first experiences with this white cold stuff!

 He is pretty curious...