The Nativity

 Here's this year's nativity crew.  John, Carter, and Ethan as wisemen.  Emily as angel.  Kelsie and Matson as shepherds.  Ashtyn and Mason as Mary and Joseph.

 Carter presenting his gift.

My little shepherd boy looking up to his big sister.

Christmas Wishes

 Merry Christmas Eve.  Here are the kids requests for Santa this year:

Matson: "everything I see on TV"

Carter:  A Dog

Emily:  a pink soccer ball

Kelsie:  socks

At least Kelsie will be one happy girl tomorrow morning.  Matson has stayed true to his request and has told everyone who asks that he wants, "everything on T.V."  He is a marketers dream come true!

That's my crazy little three year old.  His final words to me as I tucked him in tonight:  "Mom, I think Santa is going to bring you coal!"  :)

Emily's Invite

 

Emily's "Minute to Win It" Party!

For Emily's 9th birthday party we did a "Minute to Win It" Party.  I was still sick when we started planning it and had no idea how I was going to pull off a party so we went with dad's party theme idea.  (Emily thought it was the greatest idea she'd ever heard!)  I wasn't super excited about it but I was wrong.  We couldn't have picked a better party for my competitive, energetic Emily.  It was perfect for her!  She loved every second of the competitions! 

 Here's the master of ceremonies.  John was the energy behind this party and led the games and fun.  He even found an official "Minute to Win It" countdown which was super awesome.

 We divided the kids into groups did 10 "Minute to Win It" rotations.  Some of their favorites were Stack the cups, Face the Cookie, Dice Stack, and Marshmallow Head.  It was so fun to see them working together and cheering each other on. 

 This was their all time favorite.  Their partner had to throw marshmellows into the bowl on their head.  It was a hoot to watch them jumping around trying to catch the marshmellows. 

 That was what Emily looked like through the whole party.  Couldn't wipe that smile of her face.  She was jumping up and down, screaming, smiling, and having the time of her life.  She is SUPER competitive and this was the perfect party for her.  She loved it!!!  I sat and watched her the whole time.  It was so fun to see her SO excited and happy! 

 Our last competition was "decorate your cupcake in a minute".  Then we had root beer and Fanta floats, opened presents, and ended with a Pinata!  Here's the gang for her 9th birthday.

 The Birthday Girl

 Em and Liz.  Love this picture of these cute friends.    They've been at each other's parties since they were three!

 She got lots of nice gifts and the Rainbow Loom was the favorite!  She was so excited!  Kelsie and Emily have been happily making bracelets ever since.  And yes, they are talking about turning it into a bracelet business, but I'm really trying to downplay that big time!

 Rainbow Pinata filled with clearance Halloween candy. :)

 She ended her fun day with her favorite dinner:  Panda Express!  She LOVES the chow mein!  It was a busy, fun day to celebrate our spunky little Emily. 

Halloween 2013

Happy Halloween! 

Matson as the cutest firefighter ever! 

 Carter as a Mean Pirate Boy.  He loves dressing up and stays in character!

Emily as a witch

 

 Kelsie as Raggedy Ann

We got a whole bucket of candy at dad's work.   Then headed home to get another bucket full in the neighborhood!  Can you have to much candy?  They don't think so!  Happy Halloween!

First Day of School

 Kelsie's first day of 6th grade.  Emily's first day of 3rd grade.  Can't believe how fast they've grown up.  They were so excited to start school and see their friends again!

 A week later Carter FINALLY got to start kindergarten.  He's been waiting for this day for so long. 

 First day of Kindergarten!

Here he is about to walk into his class.  He looks a bit nervous, but once he got in his class he loved every minute of it. 

Matson's MICKEY Birthday!

 Happy 3rd Birthday to our little Matson!  He has been planning and talking about his birthday all summer and couldn't wait to FINALLY be THREE!  He would wake up every morning for the last few weeks and say, "is it my birthday?  Am I three now?"  He often went over the guest list with me and it included Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, and all their friends.  I was a little worried he was going to be terribly disappointed but it turned out he likes his family too and he overlooked the fact that none of his favorite characters showed up to wish his a Happy Birthday in person! 

Love this little face.  Matson is the sweetest little boy with a tender little heart.  He loves to cuddle and hug and make everyone happy.  He has the funniest little personality and has us laughing at the goofy things he says and does.  I have cherished every single day of watching this little guy grow up. He's a momma's boy and knows the way to my heart.  We love him!

Matson got a new big boy bike!  He was so excited to have a bike just like Carter!

 His other gift was Rescue Heroes.  He loves them!  Nothing better in his book than some new figurines to fight around with!

Happy Birthday Baby Boy! 

 

Side Note:  Every day since his birthday he wakes up, stands up in bed and says, "Was it my birthday?  Am I three now?"  I assure him he really is three and he grins ear to ear.  It's quite an accomplishment for him to finally be three and he couldn't be prouder!  He will periodically stop playing during the day and say to me, "I'm three now, why do I still wear diapers?"  and "I'm three.  I can sleep up with Carter in my big boy bed."  He has great intentions but we're not seeing a lot of action in either department.  But, at least he's thinking about it!  Recognition is the first step and he's so proud to be THREE!