Christmas Jammies

Once I get back caught up, I promise I'll share details better, but for this year, this will have to do!

I love doing Christmas Pajamas! I always give them their PJ's as the first gift under the tree and it is always fun to try to figure out exactly what I want. It is always fun to be able to have them match, too!

I wonder how long that will keep working?

My newest addition to our decorations.  You will also see that Kirby returned this year!

Precious

What on earth would life be like with out this little sweetheart? I am endlessly amazed at how perfectly she fits our family.  She is my little buddy.  She is Cole's little buddy.  She is Kaitlin's little buddy.

She is Brock's best bud and Brandon's favorite thing to tease.

She is happy all the time.

She is helpful most of the time.

She is a hard worker and a thoughtful munchkin.

We sure hope she knows just how much we love her!

My Brothers

Words can't say enough about how much I love this little team.

They are my boys.

They are brothers, teammates, playmates, best friends.

 There is just something about watching them work hard day in and day out at practice, then lazily walk onto that field, hours before their game starts, to get ready.  I love watching them gather.  It is like long, lost family coming home. To a place where everything is right in the world.

 And there is my little south paw, #4. 

He's not usually a catcher, but, man, was he good! The kid has got skills!

 He has been working so hard on his bat.  He has even hit his first home runs in practice.

This year is his year, I just know it!

Pumpkin Patch Traditions

Every year for the hunt, we love to head to Richfield! For the last 10 years, we have headed to the pumpkin patch to pick pumpkins.  This is something I never did as a child, but something that I absolutely love. We have so much fun searching the fields for the perfect pumpkins.  Big, small, ghourds, squash...

each one as unique as can be.  We always find some great ones, too!

 Grandma's kiddos - minus Brock, who got up early and went hunting with the big boys!

When we got back, Alli and Taylor decided they wanted to help Grandma out by gathering the leaves.  It was too cute watching them take armfuls of leaves and put them into the bucket.  They were great little workers!

 Not only did we get to pick pumpkins from the pumpkin patch, but they also got to pick pumpkins from Grandpa and Grandma's OWN pumpkin patch! 

 Look at those beautiful pumpkins Grandma and Grandpa grew!

Oakley loved these little ones because they were just her size!

Our Little Runners

In October, the kids got to participate in the first ever "Move It" kids event! It was the night before the marathon and they even got to finish at the Marathon line! 

They sure had a blast running it.  The boys have been running in their schools' running club and Kaitlin had been working on her 1 mile at school, so it was perfect timing for them to put all that hard work together! 

 Allison ran first and boy, oh boy, was she ever fast! 

She ran 200m and was a little nervous because all alone at the starting line. 

Cole walked her over and then she took off running. Luckily I was watching because the next thing I knew, this little lady went flying by! She ran her guts out and did great! 

She sure was proud of her finisher's medal!

 The older kids ran 1 mile. 

Brock was FAST!  If I had actually blogged this when I was supposed to, I would remember what place he took, but it was pretty good.  He only got beat by a few older kids.

Brandon finished next.  I won't lie, I was a little teary when he finished.  He was exhausted, but pushed until the very end.  He finished great.  Diabetes ain't got nothing on him;)

 Kaitlin finished just after Brandon.  Again, she pushed until the very end.  She was sure proud of her time, which was faster than she had ever run a mile.  

FINISHERS!

Look at those happy smiles!