Wow it's December already!

I cannot believe it is the last month of the year now! We had a great Thanksgiving, spent in Cheyenne with Michael's Dad, Mom, and sister. We ate wonderful food, played games, and visited. November 30th we put up our Christmas tree, on Michael's desk. I really didn't want to say "Will, No" every second as he touched the tree so we put it up high. Fortunately we have high ceilings where the desk is so the tree works great! We have our stockings hung, nativity scene up and our shopping is basically finished. We have a couple big toys for the boys that won't be able to go with us to Cheyenne (they are just that big) so we will give them their big gift on Christmas Eve and they can have all day to play with it before we go to Cheyenne for Christmas. We have made two types of cookies this week, oatmeal and 7 layer and plan on making Pizzelle cookies today (My Grandma's favorite). I am very much in the Christmas spirit now and am loving the count down, Christmas music, gift wrapping, and everything else.

Have a great week and weekend!!!

Halloween

We dressed the boys up as pumpkins this year. Joshua was the one who wanted to be a pumpkin since he had a jack-o-lantern shirt. I made both boys matching pumpkin hats so they would look more like a pumpkin. I think they looked cute this year!


Michael dressed up as the frog prince and I was a princess. We were invited to a party Saturday night and needed to dress up for the occasion. I didn't spend a penny on my outfit since I was a bridesmaid this summer I used that dress and I wore my tiara from my wedding. We just bought Michael a Kermit hat from Walmart and I made a crown. It was nice getting out of the house with no kids.

Our trip

We left for our big trip out East on June 23rd and got home on the 7th of July. We stayed at Michael's Sister and family's house for the weekend. Joshua had a ton of fun playing with their children. They played with blocks, cars, in their yard and at the splash pad. We had a great time at the Iowa City mall riding the carousel and playing in the Children Museum. Joshua was very sad that we had to go but it helped that our next stop had children too.


My handsome men on a break during the trip out East.


Will enjoying the carousel


Alexa and Joshua cleaning teeth at the Children Museum


Joshua making a pizza at the Children Museum


Will enjoying Aunt Misty's window.





Enjoying Aunt Misty's rocker.


Joshua enjoying the splash pad.


Alexa and Joshua


Joshua climbing the climbing wall. He made it all the way up then needed help on the way down.


Alexa and Joshua getting ready to go down the slides.

After Misty's house we drove to Charleston Illinois to my dear friends house. It was her wedding on the 3rd so I helped her with some last minute preparations for her big day it was so much fun and I loved being her matron of honor. I put together a bag of goodies with any possible item we might need, safety pins, lotion, hairspray, bobby pins, tide cleaner, etc. This is probably the last wedding I will be in and it was a great way to go out. I loved every second of this wedding, thank you Danielle for allowing me to be in it! Unfortunately I have no pictures of the wedding (since I was in it) so Danielle if you have some pictures I want them!!

While we were in Charleston I had a lot of fun with Jillian my little buddy for the time being. I painted her nails and curled her hair, I had a lot of fun playing with Danielle's girl. She has quite the personality and makes me laugh constantly. Tyler is hilarious too, he draws some pretty impressive pictures can play video games very well and was a great play mate for Joshua. Will had a lot of fun playing in their large house. He wasn't too sure about the dogs at first and would cry anytime they barked but as time went on he loved those dogs and would hug on them and giggle at them. Danielle has one step down from their dining room to their living room. While we were there Will became a pro at crawling up and down them. He can now pull him self to standing (another thing he learned to do there).


Tyler and Joshua. Joshua was very mad that Tyler had to leave and was not willing to give me a smile


Tyler hugging Joshua


Danielle and I (I miss you!!!)


Jillian and I


Jillian and Will

Joshua, once again was sad to leave, he had acquired two little buddies. Joshua loved drawing, playing video games and just playing pretend with Tyler, Danielle's son. Jillian was a ton of fun to but enjoyed more of the girlie things like dress up and playing mom and dad. One day we enjoyed the sprinkler outside and another day we took Joshua, Will and Jillian to the pool. Joshua LOVED the water slide and would go on it all day long if he was allowed to. We all enjoyed wonderful company with Danielle and her now husband and their wonderful cooking. We are so sad they live so far away (a 15.5 hour drive) and are looking forward to seeing them again soon.

While they boys and I were in Charleston Michael's friend Nathan picked up Michael and took him to Indianapolis to spend a couple of days with him. Then Monday night we met half way to pick him up. It was great to meet Nathan we have all talked with him for awhile now online but had yet to meet him. We are looking forward to seeing you again in October.

We are now in Ft. Collins and settled in, enjoying the Colorado weather. Our next visitors will be arriving on July 28th from Texas and I cannot wait to see them!!

Easter Happenings.

We had a wonderful Easter. The week before Joshua and I tie-died t-shirts for our family Joshua had a lot of fun squirting the die on the spots he wanted colored. I think they turned out well, nice and bright wonderful for spring! Joshua and I made some Easter cupcakes, they were really just banana bread with cream cheese frosting but Joshua likes the word cupcakes so that is what they were. The Saturday before Easter we died Easter eggs with our neighbor. Joshua loved dieing them and would die the eggs over and over again. Saturday we were planning on attending an Easter egg hunt at a church just out of town but I got the time wrong and we weren't able to go. So I went to the Dollar Store and bought some items so our neighbor girl and Joshua could go on a hunt. They had a lot of fun finding the eggs and a great time opening them up to eat and see what toys would be inside.

The weather Easter Sunday was pretty crummy, at one point there was a blizzard out. The sun did eventually shine, but it was pretty windy and cool. We had the boy's Easter baskets on the table for then when they woke up. Will was a pretty happy kid getting to examine what was in his basket, he had to taste and shake everything. Joshua loved the basket as well and was pretty pleased with what was inside. I think we did good this year. After Church we drove to Cheyenne to spend Easter with Michael's little sister, Mom, and Dad. We had a wonderful meal and conversation!

Before Easter we celebrated Michael's 25th birthday on the 1st of April. I made him a thin mint cheesecake and a spaghetti dinner. We were also able to leave the boys with our neighbor for an hour or so that afternoon because Michael's boss and co-workers took him out. It was fun getting out of the house with no children even if it was for a short time. That night we played Mario Cart for the Wii with Michael's friend from Illinois. The game was Michael's gift although Joshua seems to think it was for him. Joshua enjoys the game as well. :)


Joshua helping Will with his basket


Will is so happy!!




Joshua proud of his basket


Our baskets, Michael surprised me with a gift bag of goodies. my favorite Reese eggs, Wii fit plus, a movie, and a show.


Алтуся our neighbor girl (her name is pronounced Altusya)




The eggs our neighbor colored


Joshua's eggs. Mine is the polka-dot one


Joshua dying an egg


The colors


the boys in their shirts


The process


The cupcakes


Our shirts before.

Valentines Day

It is safe to say Valentines Day was very enjoyable. We celebrated the day with Joshua but Michael and I are celebrating it this coming Saturday instead because of lack of funds. Joshua woke up that morning with a Valentine gift on his little table. That morning I thought I should make him a heart felt envelope to put his little cards and candies in. He loves cards and little bags and pockets so this was perfect. We had the card mailed to Loveland Colorado so we could get the special little stamp on the card. Below is a picture of Michael's card. We also got him a little Knight and Dragon toy which he loves. Today he got the same toy from a wonderful friend for his birthday and think it is the best thing ever to have two of them.

For breakfast I made heart french toast, which Joshua said we should eat 'every morning', later he made a necklace with crochet hearts I made for him.

Merry Christmas!!

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Luke 2:1-21

Our Christmas celebration update.

Our Christmas lunch went okay, the pot roast turned out well as did the salad and corn. The potatoes, however were way too salty I even followed the recipe. Later I even looked back a the recipe I followed on line and it was exactly what I did. The rolls burned, I really wish I could get an oven one of these years that doesn't burn most of what I put in it. It take me for ever to learn the oven then it is time to move. The cake was too crumbly, but at least it tasted well. :) Here is a picture of our place settings on our table.





On Saturday Michael's family came over so we could celebrate Christmas together. They are all leaving for Iowa on Saturday so this was the only weekend that would work for us all. All week Joshua said he didn't want Saturday to come, I don't think he understood all that was going to happen. Our family arrived around 9:00am, Joshua was so happy to see them pull up and I knew he would be.

They brought in way too many presents with them; from them, some of our friends in Gillette, and other family. It was crazy all the presents that ended up around our tree. Joshua was very excited to open all of his gifts and play with everything. He made out pretty well this year. He got some more train tracks, some train cars, a doodle pad, a Thomas the Train computer, Some clothes, a tool kit, and a play kitchen. I think that is all. He loves everything and he plays with everything every day. Thank you every one for all the gifts. You really don't have to go all out like that, but thank you.

Joshua had so much fun opening presents he found an empty box and would put his blankets in it. He really wanted to put it under the tree but it wouldn't fit. Then he would open it up and show us his present. He is so cute, and has such a wonderful personality.

Here are some pictures of the event.



Looking out the window for Papa, Grammy, and Auntie.


Joshua very excited to open presents.


Joshua with his Auntie.


Joshua and his Grammy.






It was so nice having everyone over for the day but it all went way too fast. Thank you everyone for all the wonderful gifts and company.

Halloween

Here is a picture of Joshua at the Halloween Safe Treat in the Wyoming Union. They had a cute background all decorated out, and someone taking free pictures for the trick-or-treaters. Joshua was a little afraid to get his picture taken of someone he didn't know dressed up and Mr. Incredible. He is such a cutie.




We still haven't found our camera yet, I have called many times and feel like giving up now. I might call once more and that will be all. We haven't bought a new camera yet either and don't know when we can afford it so sorry for the lack of new pictures. We are going to Gillette this weekend to see a friend of mine and I am sure she will take some pictures so I'll post those when I get them.

I hope you all are having a great week.