Christmas Back Home

We were very excited to get back home for Christmas this year!  In addition to the wonderful Christmas season, we also welcomed two new members to the family; we were thrilled to get to meet Eva and Charlie.  And sweet Maggie May was baptized.  It was a great time that left us longing for our next visit.

 We were excited to enjoy the warmer weather, and upon Caz's first trip outside to do so, he got this honker of a bonk on his little noggin!  I wish I could say this was the first and last bump like this, but it is neither.  Boys will be boys!

Ready to open some presents at Grammy & PopPop's...

And none of the kiddos were disappointed.  They all got more than what they could have wished.  Spoiled, spoiled, spoiled. :) The funnest to watch open gifts this year was Payton.  She opened every gift with the magic and wonderment of a three year old.  She adored all her gifts so genuinely, and it was so much fun watching her prance around in all of her Rapunzel gear.  I wish I had gotten a good picture of her, but here's MC with her much-loved drawing and writing materials.

Santa visited us at Nana & Pa's house this year...

MC's face sure lights up when she spots an American Girl box.

Nate was confused as Santa played a trick on him letting him open the Xbox game before the Xbox.

And now it all makes sense....

Caz was very intrigued with Maggie.  He liked her toys and even shared his finger with her so she could chew on it. :)  Caz isn't sweet and gentle with anything, so it was refreshing to watch him interact with her.  She seemed to enjoy him too.

Enjoying their spoils...

We went back to Grammy & PopPop's to spend time with Aunt Kristen, Uncle Rob, Hudson and Evangeline.  Caz had to check out the walker for old times sake...

He was very curious and excited to play with Evangeline.

MC had expressed interest in playing the flute, and Aunt Kristen was kind enough to bring her first flute and give her a few beginning lessons...

Such a sweet group...

Still more gifts to open.  Caz was a little more curious this last time, but still showed little patience to wait and see what was inside. I'm sure he'll make much progress come next year.

These are just a few snapshots of the wonderful time we had back home.  But there were many more that I didn't catch on film.  Two I regret the most are the bowling outing with the Tyre family (not one single pictures of the bowling fun or those handsome boys that have grown so much!!!) and Maggie May's baptism.  I even remembered my camera for the baptism, but never got the chance to use it as I was chasing Caz, the wild man, around.  Maybe I'll have better luck next visit. :)

Santa Visit

We took the kids to Cabela's to visit Santa.  Even though MC and Nate are a little more grown this year, both were still excited to visit the big guy.  Caz was a little uneasy with the white-bearded man in the red suit.  See for yourself......

I think he'll change his mind after Christmas day. :)

HO HO HO!

Random Videos

Below are some videos of the kiddos....

Caz dancing with MC and Nate...

MC practicing her violin.  (This one's for you Papa.)

We should have some more violin videos to post in coming weeks.  Mari Cagle has two recitals coming up.  Nate has his first guitar recital soon too.

Caz's Latest Antics

After the forgotten camera fiasco, I have been trying to make up for it with shots around the house the last week.  These are just a little of our every day...

Nate's biggest fan getting his caffeine on before the game. :)

His first lollipop.  He knew just what to do and he found it very yummy.

Caz enjoys a little Sesame Street every now and then.  Dad pulled up some Elmo clips on Youtube.  Yeah!

Our first really cold morning.  Isn't he cute all bundled up in his winter coat.

Such a cutie in his GT pjs making his spitting sounds at which he has grown quite adept.  And you gotta love a baby buddha belly.

Most of the cabinets are baby-proofed but the corner cabinet with the lazy susan.  Caz, of course, found the one cabinet that he could get in to and literally got in to it.  It's a favorite spot of his when I'm working in the kitchen.  I wonder how much longer he'll fit in there.

Caz enjoys a good book, especially when his big brother is reading to him.  He looks a little irritated in this first picture, but it's not because he doesn't want to read with Nate.  No, he is mad at me for interrupting.  He's learning the 'Aw Mom' face pretty quickly.

MC loves to play with me in laundry hampers and baskets.  I think she likes it because they keep me in one place.  Good thing I find it equally amusing.

Soccer and Flag Football Seasons are Through

Last week brought much quieter afternoons to our house as we take a rest from soccer and flag football.  I have previously posted a number of shots from soccer games, however flag football has been neglected.  That is until now.  Before we get to the pictures, a few tidbits on Nate's season.  Nate loves playing flag football almost as much as he loves the NCAA Football game on Wii, BUT he is not the most aggressive player.  So in an effort to improve Nate's play, particularly on defense, Brandon devised an intricate motivational system.  For every flag Nate pulls....he gets a dollar.  No, we are not above a little good, old-fashioned bribery.  And it worked.  I'd say he got at least one flag per game under the new system with 3 being his single game record.  Now, check out Nate in action...

Heisman...

Warming up...

Ready position on defense...

(The pictures get a little darker as the sun set, so excuse the quality.)

Just missed the flag...

Under center as QB in the 2nd half...

Checking the line...

Please catch it, please catch it...

Getting ready for the pass...under pressure...

Insert Wedding and Caz's First Birthday

It was a big weekend with Terri & Chad's wedding and a celebration of Caz's 1st birthday with family and friends......and I forgot my camera.  So I insert this post as a reminder to family and friends who did have their cameras at these precious events to PLEASE send me your pictures!  :)  Thank you!