A Few Christmas Highlights...

We had such a fun Christmas Holiday visiting both families in Utah! We only wish it could have been longer! We spent as much time traveling as we did with each family. Next year we need to stay either twice as long or not at all:)

I'm not sure how Russ captured this funny shot of Sadie, or what emotion she was experiencing, but it came out to be a pretty good picture!

This is my favorite picture of Parker on Christmas because he was SO excited about this remote control truck. It was the only thing he really wanted, and he thought Santa had forgotten him earlier on (forgetting he still had presents from Mom & Dad). He didn't say much earlier on, but when he opened this one he couldn't contain his excitement. I wish we had him jumping up and down screaming on video! And then Mason.... Happy, of course, with whatever he got.

My Dad, Uncle Kurt, and Russ took the boys sledding the day after Christmas, and all seemed to have a good time. And, sadly, the only shot we have of the kids newest cousin Colby. They were so excited to meet him, and he is so cute!! Way to go on the diapers Kurt! You look like a pro!

Here's one of me with my sweet Grandma and Sadie, and of course a new pair of Sunday shoes for Sadie - family tradition:)

And another favorite shot of the boys with Grandpa Trapnell and the trains. The boys had such a fun day out with Grandpa after Christmas. They went to museums and movies and had a great time while Russ and I got to enjoy ourselves!

Thanks to all of our family! We had so much fun seeing almost everyone, and can't wait for our next reunion!

Sadie's Favorite Gift...

Okay, so this may not have been the longest lasting Christmas present, but it was certainly one of the most fun to watch... Thanks Nana for the box of Kleenex!

Happy Birthday to Me!

This is a great picture of the kids taken on my Birthday! Why am I not in the picture, it being my Birthday? Because I was not there. Nope. I was at home on the couch eating candy and reading a book, while Russ took all of the kids to run a bunch of errands and go on a hike. The kids had a great time and all came home happy and ready for naps, and I had a wonderful break. Best birthday present ever! Thanks Russ!!!

Visit from Grandma Peggy and Grandpa Trapnell!

We had lots of fun with Russ' parents in November! Between the football game, shopping, a monster truck show, and great New Mexican food, we all had such a fun time!

So, "Grandma Peggy" is actually named Nancy, but Cole got mixed up when he was 2 and didn't know her very well yet. She watched Cole and Parker for two days and he called her that the whole time. Somehow, the name has stuck. I don't think she minds:)

Russ' parents brought this cute red wagon, and the kids love playing with it! Sadie climbs in at least once a week and just sits there waiting and hoping someone will come pull her around.

We also got to celebrate Cole's 6th Birthday while they were here! That was the best present ever for Cole to have a party with his Grandparents... and he even enjoyed his cake even though it was chocolate:) He is seeming like such a big kid at age 6 (despite the fact that he's just about the smallest in his Kindergarten class), and he is so responsible. If I ask Cole to do something, I know it will be done right, and often things will be done without me even asking. We are so grateful to have Cole in our family! What a great big brother and example to his younger siblings!

Preschool

I love our little preschool group! These boys have so much fun together, and they are so fun to watch! I feel so lucky that Parker has such a great group of boys his age.

Mason's 3rd Birthday!

It's a good thing Mason was not too aware of what a party is supposed to be like at age 3. Unfortunately, the Birthday celebrations for him this year were a little lame. We had a hard time squeezing it into a time when Russ was home, Parker was sick and asleep on the floor in the background (you can see the blanket, but Parker is hidden behind everyone), and Sadie was losing it and put up to bed as soon as the first present was opened.

Luckily Mason's Birthday requests were very small. All he could come up with when I asked what he wanted for his Birthday was a car cake and balloons. I asked if he would also like some presents, and he said, "Oh, yeah. Maybe some presents!" Needless to say, Mason thought he had a great Birthday with all of the unexpected things he got to open, and all of his Birthday wishes came true:)

Mason has been so fun at age 3! I just love all of the funny things he says, and he just has such a fun sense of humor anyway. He is definitely the "clown" of the family! Happy Birthday Mason!

Fall Visit from Nana & Papa

We were so excited to have my parents come and check out Albuquerque in October! We had so much fun! Russ was afraid they were going to think he never worked since they came at a time he happened to have a couple of days off - and then his parents were going to think he never stopped working since they came a month later at a time he had to be gone a lot!

We went to see lots of things that were new to us as well as my folks. First a stop off at Old Town...

Then a freezing trip up the tram to Sandia Peak (love that new coat for Sadie - it was mine at her age!)...

And finally a trip up to Santa Fe with a really great hike to Tent Rocks on the way home.

We had such a great time! Thanks for coming Mom and Dad! We can't wait for next time!

Soccer Days

This year we started the new adventure of sports in our family. Well... just soccer for now, but who knew what a commitment it would be to have two kids in soccer. And we didn't even have weekday practices! It was a great way to fill up our weekends though during those first few months in Albuquerque when Russ was either out of town or working most Saturdays.

Cole enjoyed soccer - he enjoyed watching everyone around him (or the sky above him) and playing around on the sidelines just as much as playing the game. He actually did pretty well getting the ball out of a huge mass of kids time after time though. Mostly if they headed his way:)

Sadie and Mason enjoyed all of the time outdoors - as long as I remembered enough snacks and water bottles for everyone.

Parker proved to be the most competitive of the bunch (not meaning best player necessarily - but really the most competitive little spirit!). He ran through the whole game every time, and it was written all over his face how excited or upset he was about every play - but to his credit, he really didn't throw any tantrums. Go Parker!

Halloween

So, our Halloween costumes were pretty weak this year. All repeats from prior years, except for Mason who wore the DI lion costume Nana was kind enough to bring. But despite the lack in creative costumes, the kids really enjoyed Halloween! The ward Halloween party was one of the most fun we've ever had, and after one trip around the block on Halloween night, the kids had almost more candy than they could carry in their little buckets.

Oh, and Sadie LOVED her first Halloween. Nothing better than a sucker at age 1.

Sadie's First Birthday!

It's hard to believe Sadie turned one in October - and at the same time, hard to imagine that she's only been here in our family for a year. We were so lucky to have my parents here for her first birthday!

Russ likes(?) this picture because Sadie just looks so girly!

Having a Birthday one week before Halloween meant the party included carving the pumpkin...

What a fun day! We love you Sadie, and we're so glad you joined our family!

Major Update!

Here we go again. It seems every holiday season is so full of fun events, my blog just can't seem to keep up. So, every year I end up with one huge upload in January to make up for lost time. Maybe I can keep up better throughout the year...