Happy 7th Birthday Big C!

Our oldest turned 7 today. He is the most kind hearted, caring little boy.  Clayton loves all sports and the stats of all games. His memory is amazing. What I love the most about him is that he truly appreciates the littlest things. 

He asked to go to the indoor water park and to have a football theme. He has enjoyed every second of his birthday. We were walking back to the hotel room right after an evening of going down water slides and he looked up at me and said, "Mommy, this is the best birthday I've ever had in my whole entire life". This newly 7 year old is priceless. 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our crew to yours! 

Elf on the Shelf Update

An update on our Elf on the Shelf, Joe, antics: 

He learned how to play Purdue's World's Largest Drum one night. 

He brought us Christmas jammies one night and declared it family fun night. We had to go get hot chocolate (STARBUCKS!!) and drive around listening to Christmas music while we looked for Christmas lights.  That's was followed by a nice relaxing movie night to kick off our winter break from school. 

Joe covered the kids' doors in order for them to break out..

CJ thinks they're all crazy and he is making a run for it! 

What do you do when there is no snow but you want to build a snowman? Use toilet paper rolls of course! At least, that's what Joe did! 

He went fishing one day...but we aren't sure what he was fishing for...

He is not liking this weather...wishes it was a little more like the North Pole weather so he went looking for some place colder...and found it! 

...and then decided to turn our milk green while he was in there! 

 There were a few days that he relaxed from his antics to lay around...once was a hammock

Another was when he decided to have a movie night of his own. 

We only have 2 more nights with Joe this Christmas season. It sure has been fun and has definitely made this a: 

Our Tiny Dancer

Our little girl tried dance class for the first time this week. 

Needless to say....

She loved it! 

Welcome Back Joe the Elf

The night after Thanksgiving, our Elf Joe returned from the North Pole. Here are a few pictures of what he's been up to so far. 

The night he returned he wrote the kids a letter...one was happy to see him, one didn't care, and one was nervous because now she had to be on her best behavior...any guesses as to who felt which way?

Night 2: Guys Night playing Apples to Apples

Night 3: No-Snow Snow Angels...not Mom's favorite...

Night 4: Relaxing by floating in a sea of marshmallows 

Night 5: Joe got a group of friends together to have a sack race...he of course won! 

Whew...less than a week back and Joe has been super busy!!

They See Me Rollin'

CJ loves being in his walker.  Over fall break, we replaced the carpet in our formal areas with wood laminate which allows CJ mobility in his walker in the entire downstairs.  He will run from one end of the house to the other with his arms flailing,  creaming at the top of his lungs, and giggling the whole time.  When he gets going, we all stay out of his way, watch, and laugh with him.  Enjoy these pictures of our wild man!  (Hopefully this isn't a look into his future when he gets his driver's license!)

Pumpkin Carvin' Time!

We utilized this BEEE-A-UTIFUL fall day to carve some pumpkins.  While CJ took his nap, the 2 oldest and I started...one of these two was not too thrilled to be pulled away from "football Sunday" to get gross carving pumpkins. Can you guess which one?

Yep...it was him.  His face says it all!

 Lacey on the other hand LOVED getting dirty in the pumpkin "guts." "Mama look!  I'm not scared, I'm BRAVE!"

Oh these two couldn't be more different from one another....

 Lacey concentrated so hard on tracing around her pumpkin in order for me to carve it.  She loves drawing, painting, cutting...she is such the artist!

Once CJ woke up, it was his turn to get dirty with cleaning out his pumpkin....and he dove right in!  I had to hurry to keep him from not eating what he pulled out.  He is fast!

CJ's final result!

Oh my...the looks on their faces....I just love them so!  haha

Pictorial Update

Here is what we've been up to lately...as depicted from the pictures on my phone. 

Lacey got some new boots...makes her look so much older! 

CJ is learning to use utensils when he eats and he is only wanting to eat table food.

Sometimes, big brother needs a power nap in Daddy's office after school...first grade is hard core! 

Curt and I went on a date night to try a new restaurant which we fell in love with! 

CJ and I are perfecting our selfies...

We are loving our trio and spending time as a family!