Ok, so I have been told by more than a few people that I am falling down on this whole blog thing.  I apologize but do not promise it will get much better (even though I love you all :)

Eli has become a patriots fan so loved his
shirt and of course had to have a few books...

So I guess Christmas would be a reasonable place to go back to.  We had our Christmas at home early the weekend before we headed to KS.

Kiley loved her roller skates she got
from her brother...

We always do stocking on our 'Christmas
Eve' the kids were very excited when
Daddy got off work...

 








We spent a couple of weeks in KS with family.  Grandma and Papa took all five of the kids to Topeka for the day.  They went out to eat, went to an indoor playground, picked out books, went swimming, I am really not sure what all they did.  The kids had a lot of fun and ended the night with a sleepover in Grandma and Papa's living room and a movie.  (My favorite thing was that Brian and I where able to get away for the night and head to KC)

A big highlight was the snow.  Both Eli and Kiley thoroughly enjoyed sledding.  We got to have snow fun with all of the cousins.  We headed to the Sabetha lake with my brother and his kids and got to enjoy the snow falling and try out the small town road for sledding with cousins on Brian's side.

The girl cousins...3 of  11

 

 

 

Grandma and Papa at the top of the dam
with all of the grandkids. 

The weather here has been wonderful.  It defiantly does not feel like Christmas.  One of our favorite places to hang out it Chalk Ridge Falls.  We play in the waterfall through the summer and explore when it gets a little cooler.  The kids and I went exploring a few weekends ago and as always had a lot of fun!

 

 

 

 

My brother and his family spent the week of Thanksgiving with us, and we had a lot of fun.  We just hung out and played, explored, visited Topsey's an hung out some more.  Here are a few pictures...

Exploring Ft. Hood

Jack doing...

Our Thanksgiving turkey

Exploring at the lake...

 

 

If you need a good laugh take Gina with you to an
exotic animal ranch...

Kiley still talked about Gina and how she
was always trying to be brave, but then freaking out
as she puts it :)  We love you G

 

Knock, Knock the talking bird was one of the highlights too.

We also got to celebrate with Brian's family.  His sister and her family as well as his Dad made the trip to Texas.  I did not have my camera for that gathering, but it was great to see everyone.

Here are a few family pictures that mom took while she was here...

Here are a few pictures from when mom and dad came to visiting a couple of weeks ago.  It is always fun to see them.

 Happy Birthday Kiley   Faith!  It is hard to believe you are 5 already.


  Last weekend we headed to Austin to celebrate.  We spent the night at a hotel and just did fun activities around town.  The kids had fun and we ended up bringing home a bunny!  Kiley loves animals so hopefully Spot and her will be friends for a long time.

movie and pizza in the hotel room

  

Spot rode home in the car for the 45 min drive and did great...We got him a harness and leash but he is not loving it so we will see, I just don't want to have to leave him the cage all the time...

Celebrating with her classmates.  We had
cupcakes during lunch.  One of the parents
from my class was able to stay with first grade
so I was able to eat lunch with her!