One More Snow - December 29

We couldn't believe it when we got a third snow before the end of the year. After living in Waco for three years and having only one snow (which melted the day after it fell), this has been a real treat! This snow actually started during the day, so the boys and I were able to see the huge flakes falling to the ground. So far we've had 9 inches of snow this season!
It rained a lot before it snowed, so the sidewalk and driveway were solid ice. The boys enjoyed "skating" on the sidewalk!
It's a mini-snowman!

Christmas Day - December 25

We spent Christmas morning at Jen's parent's house in Lubbock. Here are Cathryn, Jerod, Kim, Craig, Megan and Wyatt.

After weeks of waiting, the boys were anxious to open their presents!
Santa brough Colter a bowling ball set,
and Wyatt a "real" globe.
Danny got a trainer for his bike. Now he can ride inside even on the coldest and windiest days!

Christmas Cookies - December 24

The boys loved making, and eating, Christmas cookies!

The Making of a Snowman - December 19

After Danny got home from work the boys went outside to play in the snow and were delighted to discover that the snow was perfect for building a snowman.

A Visit with Santa - December 19

Both boys got to visit with Santa (Colter calls him "Ho-Ho") at Wyatt's preschool Christmas Party. He even gave them a little pre-Christmas present.

"Christmasland" - December 19

Our second snow of the season was truly breathtaking. There was some freezing rain before the snow started, so the trees were coated with white. Wyatt woke up and said, "Look Mama, it turned our house into Christmasland!"

Christmas in Colorado - December 15

Since Danny's parents were going to spend Christmas in Tennessee with the newest grandbaby, we drove up to Colorado Springs for an early Colorado Christmas.
Wyatt loved his new View Master!
Colter couldn't wait to try out the new "up-down" for his train!

Painting the Paper - December 13

One of our favorite Christmas traditions is painting our wrapping paper. We were lucky enough to have a warm afternoon so that we could leave the mess outside!

A Little Announcement... - December 10

Wyatt and Colter wanted to be the first to share with you the news about our new baby. As you can tell they are very excited! The due date is July 24. Wyatt prayed last night that the baby would grow fast because he is ready to play with him. He refuses to acknowledge the possibility that the baby could be a girl! We appreciate your prayers for a safe and healthy pregnancy and baby. :)

Snow Bunnies - November 30

All bundled up and ready to play!

Who says you can't ride bikes in the snow?!?

Colter would pick up some snow, shout "ball" and then throw it.

Some of you may remember when this little boy had a strong dislike for snow and anything cold. He appears to have outgrown that - much to his daddy's relief!

Winter is Here! - November 30

After a very pleasant fall, winter decided to hit hard and fast. Our temperatures dropped into the teens, but with winds over 30 mph, the wind chills were below zero. But with the cold came the snow, so there aren't any complaints at our house. We lived in Waco for three years and only had one snow, so this is great fun for our family! We got about five inches of snow, but the wind made some huge drifts!

Little Drummer Boy - November 30

A couple of days ago, Wyatt pulled out everything he could find that was a drum or looked like a drum and created his own "drumming place." Whenever there is music playing, or if the mood just strikes him, he will pull it all out and start playing.

Decorating the Tree - November 28

One of our favorite Christmas activities is decorating our tree. I love pulling out all of our ornaments and remembering the stories behind them. The boys did a great job helping us decorate the tree and worked hard to find spots for each of the ornaments. But if you ask them what their favorite part of the Christmas tree is they will both tell you it's the lights!

Colter's Family Party - November 26

Here are some pictures from Colter's "family party" on Sunday. Noni, Papa, Uncle Craig, Aunt Kim, Aunt Cathryn and Uncle Jerod all drove up from Lubbock for the party. Colter loved his "choo-choo" cake! He wanted to roll it on the floor, but...

he decided eating it would work, too!

As soon as I asked him if he wanted to open presents, he ran over to them and starting pulling off the wrapping paper. He is going to be ready for Christmas!

Cutting the Tree - November 25

We drove to Ruidoso, NM with my parents the Saturday after Thanksgiving to cut down our Christmas trees. We've cut down our own Christmas tree for the past six years, but it's usually been at a Christmas tree farm outside of Waco - not exactly a "nature" experience. We were excited to be close enough to the mountains to cut our tree down in a national forest this year. : )Wyatt was very excited about helping us find the perfect tree for our house. He found this one and said, "This tree won't touch our ceiling. I think we should cut this one." But after thinking a couple more seconds he added, "But maybe we should let it grow a little bit more first."

After walking around a while we did find the perfect tree.

Wyatt helped Danny cut it down...

and Colter put on the work gloves so he could help carry it down the mountain.

Colter's Friends' Party - November 22

Colter's friend, Samuel and his older brother Caleb, came to Colter's birthday party on Wednesday afternoon. The boys all play together at church quite often, so they had a great time!

A "train" of cupcakes!

Colter enjoying his cupcake.

Colter opening his presents (with a little help from Caleb and Wyatt!).

Colter's Underwear - November 13

Yes, this is Colter. He really wants to wear underwear like Wyatt, but he is not even close to being potty trained. So one morning I just put it on over his diaper. He loved it, but did get a little upset when I put his jeans on and he couldn't see the "choo-choo!"

Football Game - November 11

I took this picture at a high school football game in Lubbock that we went to with my family. My sister-in-law, Kim, use to be a trainer for Monterey High School, so she took the boys down on the field before the game. They got to hold the footballs, walk on the field and even meet the mascot! Thanks, Aunt Kim!

Lots of Leaves - November 9

While the Texas Panhandle isn't know for it's trees, we do have a few in our yard. As soon as the wind started blowing the leaves down (the wind is something we are known for!), the boys and I started playing in them. We had a great time raking them up, jumping in them and throwing them at each other. It was a good thing we did it when we did, because the next week the wind blew REALLY hard for an entire day and not only blew the rest of the leaves of the trees, but blew most of them out of our yard, too!

Playdate with Jeb - November 8

One of Wyatt's friends from school and church, Jeb, came over to play one morning this week. Wyatt and Jeb were very nice to let Colter play with them, and all three boys had a great time!