Happy New Year

We brought in the New Year at the lake with lots of friends - the Koons, Riggins and Collins. There were 5 little boys and one sweet little girl trying to keep up with the big boys. The weather was gorgeous and unseasonably warm so they spent lots of time outside playing and we enjoyed a bon fire for New Year's Eve. Kelli bought party favors and sparkling juice for the boys and taught them how to celebrate the New Year (at about 9:00 of course). It was hilarious. They all counted down but when we said Happy New Year they just stared at us in confusion. We tried it a second time and they picked up on it then. The funnier part was probably the adults outnumbering them all holding their various electronic devices jockeying for the best angle to capture the moment.

Anna Collins and Ryan in front then Cade Riggin, Charlie Collins, Jake Riggin and Henry Koons in back.

Henry giving Ryan a ride on the John Deere. Henry is so good with him and is such a good big brother figure. Charlie has a battery-operated Jeep and there are a couple other riding toys so it was great watching all the little boys driving around together.

Which led to the big boys feeling left out so they got out their own toy and wedged 3 grown men and 5 little boys into one regular-sized Jeep for a ride around the property.

We exchanged Christmas gifts with Henry and Ryan received a Lightning and Mater costume that make noise which were a big hit!

Who doesn't love a good bath time mo-hawk picture?

Holidays 2011

We had a 5-week-long holiday and Ryan enjoyed every bit. When I asked Ryan in mid-November if he knew what Christmas was he said, "ya, it's when you dress up and get candy." By the end of December he got it a little too well and when we returned home from New Year's he walked up to his stocking and said, "I want more presents in my stocking!"

CLAY CENTER CHRISTMAS

We started our holiday celebrations in Clay Center with Nana. On our way, we stopped at the family farm where the kids ran wild and had a ball. That weekend we also visited a life-size Mater truck and Santa Clause.

with Jack and Jon on the farm

having fun with Liv and getting nice and worn out

Ryan and his best friend -

Callie enjoyed the farm the most of anyone

2 out of 3 looking at the camera isn't bad

Jack, Katie, Maggie, Jon

Olivia, Ryan and Nana

talking mostly about the candy cane with Santa

it took a lot of talent to recreate this truck and the kids loved it

CLIFTON CHRISTMAS

In mid-December we headed to Clifton for the weekend to celebrate the holidays with Popo and Grandma and lots of little kiddos. Ryan got to sleep over at the Turner Building with the big kids which included going to breakfast at the local cafe in their jammies on Saturday morning. They all had a ball together and we had one tired boy by Sunday afternoon.

Popo, Easton, Grandma, Ryan

Maggie, Jack, Jon, Olivia, Katie

Parker, Tessa, Finley, Isaac

movie time before bed with all the cousins

the Thomas book from his stocking was the highlight

and this is the first of many, many readings

all the kids had fun decorating cookies -

Ryan decorated briefly then mostly enjoyed eating

KANSAS CITY CHRISTMAS

Our final Christmas was in Kansas City with Mimi, Pop Pop and Aunt Ali all the way up from San Antonio. Ryan's school was closed a couple of days over break so he got to spend lots of quality time with his Aunt Ali and loved every minute. We had a nice long weekend together and spent lots of time playing trains at Mimi and Pop Pop's and at our house.

Pop Pop, Ali, Ryan, Todd, Mimi and Aunt Ali

checking out a new present from Aunt Ali

yeah, yeah!!!! more trains!

daddy was wise to unpackage them and put batteries in ahead of time!

enjoying some some good music at Jazz