O Christmas Tree

We went to Lowe's this year and bought our Christmas tree. I didn't want to hike around the tree farm since Ryley was just starting to feel better. Of course the kids were super excited and couldn't wait to help!

I couldn't remember who put on the star last year so I said it was Jodie's year. She took her job very serious and was very proud of her work!
The kids put on all their ornaments and only broke one this year!
Our pretty tree! I love the smell of a Christmas tree.
Since we will be spending lots of time downstairs for school, I thought that we needed a "school tree". So I bought a cheap fake tree and let the kids decorate it with their stuffed animal ornaments.


The Christmas season is upon us whether we are ready or not! Guess I need to get started on lists, Christmas cards, etc, etc. Here's hoping everyone has a wonderful and relaxing Advent season!

Happy Birthday Ryley!

Ryley turned 6 today! Wow, she is growing up fast. We ended up celebrating her birthday the day before because Mason is going to a birthday party for a friend on Ryley's actual birthday and of course Ryley wanted him to be here.
Waiting for Daddy so she can open up all her presents.
Ryley is now Hannah Montana. She wears this wig all the time and as a result we have blond hair strung all over our house.
This year she wanted a Hannah Montana cake. So this is what we decided on.
Jodie had to have her turn with the blond wig.
Blowing out the candles. Ryan had to light them twice because Mason was being "helpful".

Happy Birthday Mason!

Mason turned 8 WOW! Again where did the time go? I swear life is just flying by. I told Mason that and he says it is God. That he prayed and asked God to make everything fly by so he could be a grown up quickly.
Mason wanted a football cake (surprise, surprise). But this time he wanted a flag football cake instead of a Laker cake.

Halloween and Fall Fun

Last time we were at the lake the kids played in the leaves with their cousins. They all had a blast!


A couple days before Halloween we carved our pumpkins. One pumpkin was fun, two wasn't bad, but by the ninth one I was so over pumpkins! Ryan carved 6 of them, and he did a wonderful job.

We had mummy pizza for dinner on Halloween.
The kids trick or treating at Hy-Vee.
Sitting with their pumpkins. We lost one of the pumpkins before Halloween.
Having a blast with our friends walking all around the neighborhood.
Candy, candy, and more candy. Yummy!!!