New favorite pastime

 One of Boston's favorite pastimes lately is playing in his laundry basket.  He likes to crawl in, shut the closet doors and play peek-a-boo.  I love watching him try to get his fat leg up over the edge to crawl in.

 I love this stage with babies!

New Years 2014

 A few days after Christmas, my mom took my girls to her house for 2 nights to take them after-Christmas shopping.  That's my mom's way of relating.  They got spoiled, going to lunch at California Pizza Kitchen, and shopping all day.  While they were gone, the boys built another tent in the family room, got to go to Lowe's Airsports with some passes from last Christmas, and got pizza.  They didn't mind being left home too much.  They are great friends and play together great without a third party causing friction.  Same with the twins.

 We spent New Year's Eve with our good friends the Bentleys and the Dutsons.  The Dutsons left at 10pm so Mike could get to work early the next morning.  The Bentleys accidently locked their keys in their new van, so they stayed til 1:30am waiting for the locksmith to come open the door.  We had a fun night playing games and laughing.

 Savannah and Chloe got a little too into their Martinelli bottles and modeled how not cool it is to drink.

 I didn't get any pictures of the adults or all the kids, but I snapped these photos of Alyssa's cute boys while we were waiting for the locksmith.  Brighton had already crashed.  Apparently Waverly is crushing on Wyatt.

 The Old Man came the next morning with gloves, candy and hot chocolate.  Boston also got a play phone.

 He just discovered his pointer finger, so it was perfect timing for a phone.  Maybe he won't want mine all the time...

 We celebrated the new year with year pancakes using the new pan and syrups my mom gave me for Christmas.

First snow day

 The day after Christmas we dressed Boston up and took him outside for his first experience being in snow.  This is getting ready.  He couldn't walk in all his layers, and had to have help standing up.  Help me up Ralphie!

 After the initial shock of the cold, he pulled his gloves off and shoveled it into his mouth by the handfuls. 

Christmas Day 2013

 With Scott's layoff in September, Christmas was bringing a little stress this year.  But we were extremely blessed and 6 bags of gifts showed up on our doorstep from some secret Santas.  We are so grateful for others that give so selflessly.  When the kids saw Santa a few days before Christmas, Brighton asked him if he sent his helpers to our house.  Always thinking, that one.

 Everyone opened their stockings and waited patiently for the tree.  We are mean and always do stockings, breakfast, tree.  That way it doesn't go so fast.  Waverly loves her new Sofia pj's from Grandma Henry.

 This is Brighton's new camera face lately.

 Everyone's choice of breakfast cereals.

 I realized I never got a picture of our "tree" this year.  Funny story; Scott and I had been talking about the money wasted on buying a tree, and lamenting the use of precious cash spent on a tree.  His business partner is in the same predicament (they are working together at CellSaver, but have yet to see the profits).  His partner did a little pruning in his backyard, and voila!  We now had a tree/big bush to decorate for free!  Scott had to assure me he shook the spiders out (and there were many), and we had our first full tree this year.  It sure smelled good, and was a cinch to put lights on, as it was too thick to wrap; I just pushed them in.  Boston kept rearranging the decorations though on the lower branches, so it wasn't exactly a work of art, but it was definitely full.  We were amazed at how even on a very lean year, the kids never felt a pinch, thanks to our secret Santas, and generous grandparents.

 Boston really enjoyed his leftover sugar cookie for breakfast that one of his brothers gave him.

 Babies are so fun when they are trying to figure things out!  We loved watching him try to get the presents out of his stocking.

 I finally got on the ball and made Boston a stocking this year, though I wished I could update them all to lime and chevron stripes and polka dots.

 Waiting patiently to unwrap the tree. 

 Boston really loves to give Keaton spontaneous hugs.  He did this one on his own accord.

 The boys got these matching remote control cars again this year.  Unfortuneately, they didn't last any longer than before.  Maybe less than a week.  Cheap plastic toys!

 Irelynd loved her outfit from Santa's helpers.

 Waverly got as excited about her clothes as she did any toys. 

 Lottie from Grandma L

 Brighton is always grateful for his gifts and is quick to show it.

 Boston got a driving toy.  He couldn't figure out the unwrap process, so his brothers were kind to step in and help.

In the afternoon, we went to Grandma Henry's for dinner.  The rest of the day was uneventful but peaceful (as peaceful as could be with 6 rambunctious kids), other than Brighton throwing up at dinner when we made him eat Brussel sprouts.  It was a good day.

Christmas Eve 2013

 We did our usual Christmas Eve traditions this year.  We had a family breakfast, read our new book, and then did our sibling gift exchange.  I love to see how excited everyone gets with their gifts.  They could be from the Dollar Store (they often are), and the smiles and hugs that result are huge.

 Brighton got Keaton fart putty.  Perfect for little boys amused by bodily noises.

 I don't remember what Irelynd gave Brighton, but he was very enthused by it.  Again. 

 We gave him this transformer costume for his birthday that we found at Tabitha's Way for $1.50.  It so doesn't fit, but he wears it anyway.  Had to get a picture of the butt shot!  Time to sew up a few seams!

 Waverly loved her Minnie Mouse headband from Savannah.

 The twins made Scott and I each a snowman ornament in a snowman bag.

 After opening presents, the kids hung out playing games and painting their toes.

 Savannah gave herself Santa toes.

 We made and decorated sugar cookies for the first time in forever.

 Then we went to Grandma and Grandpa Henry's for Christmas Eve.  We are quite numerous now, and have outgrown their house.  We ate dinner, played our homemade gift game, and then opened presents in shifts.  They spoiled us again.  We were really excited to get Pass of all Passes this year.  Ours expire in March, and we couldn't renew them this year with Scott's layoff, so we are excited to have them again for the summer, plus we can go with cousins this year!

Grandma read this cute story about an elf, and everyone had to find their elves with their name on it.  Waverly loved hers, and slept with it for the next couple of weeks.

 We are obsessed with tents lately.  Scott made this tent for the 3 little ones to sleep under in the boys' room.  Waverly slept upstairs with her brothers.

 Boston loves Keaton.  He mistook him for a horse.  We had a fun night with family and are excited for Christmas morning!