Christmas Day 2010

Emma with her new book Payton with his new lego set
Payton's favorite cartoon, Scooby Doo
Payton with his sled from Santa

So excited

New shovel from Santa

Stockings all full

Christmas tree on Christmas morning - notice the great bookshelves, TV and curtains? Its not complete yet, will post pics when it is

Christmas morning was a blast this year. Payton was all smiles and was so excited to see what Santa brought him. He got just about everything he asked him for, including a sled, a bakugan guy and a shovel. Santa even brought him a few things he just knew Payton would like. He ripped through most of his presents in mere minutes, pausing just enough to see what it was before moving onto the next present. I don't think he stopped smiling all morning. We skyped with Graham's parents and had Payton open the presents from them while they watched over the computer from Florida. So glad they got to see him open their presents since we were unable to go down there this year. After presents and breakfast, we just hung around for a while and then Payton and Graham went sledding with his new sled.

Later in the afternoon we went to Alyssa and Andy's house for Christmas dinner. Dinner was good as usual and the kids had a great time playing all night. We had fun too catching up with everyone and enjoying the great company. Today we are all still in our pajamas and will probably stay that way all day. We have the fire on, Graham is playing with his new TV while I update pictures:)

Christmas Eve 2010

Reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas" Putting out cookies and milk for Santa Sprinkling reindeer food so Santa can find our house

Payton and his reindeer food

Family Picture

Nana and Papa with the grandkids

Payton and his new ducky pillow pet

The boys with their pillow pets and thumbs:)

Payton with his Mystery Machine

Nana with the crazy glasses on that turn the Christmas lights into snowmen

Payton with his new race track

Christmas Eve we spent at my parents house again this year. It was very fun and relaxing. We had a great dinner and got to watch the kids open and play with all of their presents. The pillow pet was a huge success this year, as was the Scooby Doo toys and the race track. The family got a Wii from my parents that I am patiently waiting for Graham to set up so we can play. I am hoping to get it up today and have a family bowling challenge:)

Santa Visit 2010

Going over his list with Santa
Talking with Santa

We went to Downtown Naperville again this year to see Santa. Payton walked right up to him and hopped on his lap this year, much different from previous years. Before we left to see him, Payton had me write down the 4 things he wanted to ask Santa for, which included a Bakugan guy, a bakugan watch, a new shovel and a new sled that goes fast. Ha! He brought the list to Santa and they talked about each one and how big they should be, etc... It was funny to listen to. Santa made sure to let him know he may not be able to get them all and that he would think hard about them.

Long Weekend

Payton excited to start decorating the tree Putting on the star
Helping Mommy get the ornaments ready

New couch and paint on the wall behind it

New Chair (we are still deciding whether to keep it or not)

We have been off since last Wednesday for Thanksgiving break and I think it was the best one in a long time that I can remember. It didn't feel rushed as it usually does and I feel like we got a lot accomplished around the house. We ordered and received our new furniture, Graham painted the family room walls (all but the sides of the fireplace since it will be covered by the bookshelves), bought a new TV, got the cabinets for the bookshelves, went through baby clothes and baby stuff, hung out with family and friends, and got our Christmas tree and decorations up. All of this was done this weekend and yet I still had time to shop and relax. Love those kinds of weekends. I just love the way the new furniture looks with the rug. Now I just need to get some darker curtains to add some color.

Thanksgiving

Luke, Andy, Cole, Tyler and Graham going out for a game of paintball Payton wearing Tyler's mask
Emma shooting the paintball gun

Payton having fun with the paintball gun

Cousin Beth reading the kids some books

Payton & Emma

This year we were excited to get the chance to go out to Dubuque, IA to spend Thanksgiving with Graham's family on the dairy farm. We usually go out there the weekend before Thanksgiving which makes it easy for us on the actual holiday. This year Graham's parents came into town so the whole crew drove out there together. This was also the first year that Payton fed a bottle to the calves without crying! He loved looking at the cows, making a craft with me and shooting the paintball gun. When the boys went paint balling Payton was pretty upset that he was not big enough to go with. He kept telling me it was not fair and that being little was no fun! Ha, luckily Graham's Aunt Twila had some toys from when her kids were little which really came in handy for Payton and Emma. We had a great time as usual and are looking forward to seeing everyone again next year.

On Thanksgiving we went to my parents with my sister and her family. The kids had fun playing as usual and we had a yummy dinner. When we got home, Graham went to take a nap since he was going to be getting up at 2am to go stand in line at Sears for a HDTV. Luckily, I read the fine print on Sears website and noticed that they were starting their black Friday deals Thanksgiving night at 8pm online only. We waited til about 8:15 and low and behold the TV was listed for the same price that Graham was going to go get it for so we bought it. Not only did we have the TV but Graham didn't have to go stand in the cold. Neither of us went out this morning to shop which was weird but we did venture out later in the day to take Payton to browse and make a Christmas list. He had a blast and the list is LONG!!

Halloween Fun 2010

Nana and Papa with the kids Skeleton veggie tray

The Adam's Family

Emmett, Finnley & Payton

Optimus Prime and Big Optimus Prime

Ryan, Luke, Payton, Tyler and Chase

Pumpkin cheese balls

Ghost Krispie treats

This year we had many fun Halloween activities. On Friday Payton had his Halloween party and parade at school. Unfortunately I was unable to see the parade but my parents and Payton's babysitter were able to go watch and get pictures. He had a great time and ate a lot of yummy treats.

On Saturday, we went across the street to the neighbor's house for a Halloween party with Payton's best buddies on the street. Allison made a yummy dinner and there were many Halloween themed foods. I brought ghost krispie treats, Jessica brought a skeleton veggie tray and Allison made pumpkin cheese balls and mummy dogs.

On Halloween we went with the neighbors to trick or treat in downtown Naperville. The stores give out candy and there were little crafts and things to do as well. The kids had a great time despite the crazy crowds. After trick or treating in Naperville we headed out to Oak Park to trick or treat with my sister's family. The cousins had a great time but Payton had had enough trick or treating after about an hour or so and we headed back to my sister's house to pass out candy. Payton said he like passing out candy better! What? Payton was so tired when we got home that I had to force him to stay awake til 7. He was so tired that he was talking in his sleep. At one point he said, "trick or treat. Just one piece" in his sleep. Ha! When I told him the next morning he was cracking up knowing that he was trick or treating in his sleep.

Optimus Prime

Here is a sneak peak of Payton's Optimus Prime Transformer costume. Thank you Gaia and Grandpa Al.

Honey Hill Apple Orchard

Farmer Payton Eating apples
Getting the good ones up high

We took our annual family trip to Honey Hill Apple Orchard this fall. The day we went was perfect, not too hot or too cold. The apple crop was bad this year so there weren't a ton of apples left but we managed to fill our bag and eat a few on the way.