Monday, December 31, 2012

Winter days at Home

We have been staying home more because it seems like every other post on Face book is how someone has the flu or is very sick. We have been pretty healthy besides head colds, and I don't want to risk getting the flu and especially one of the boys getting it.
 
So we have been HOME
 
What a blessed home we have. Every time I see the house I think in my mind I am so grateful for our home. I need to thank GOD more because he is the one that saw it through for us. I just know!
 
 
We got just a dusting of snow, and the boys were so happy but not so happy when I told them it was not enough to go sledding. They still dragged their sleds around with them yesterday.
 
 
Kevin has sold a lot of firewood to people needing it to heat their homes. We don't have a fireplace in our house (yet) so he mainly cuts and splits the wood to get rid of the downed trees from our land clearing we did while getting ready for our build. Yesterday he had to deliver 2 loads to a lady so the boys and I went out to see if he needed help.
 
 
The love to pull the lever back and forwards.
 
 
Karson was a great help!
 
 
 
Kevin gets so mad at me for bundling up the boys so much. I must just be a MOM thing :)
 
 
We walked over to mom & dad's house and the boys asked for Popsicles! Yes you read that right..they are still eating popsicles and ask for a napkin to put over the end because it's cold.
 
 
I have been a pinning machine thinking of "new" things to keep the boys busy this winter. We do have lots of things to do with the Mother's Club and Karson's 2 day a week preschool, but other than that and random errands we are normally home.
 
I am so thankful this New Year's Eve and everyday to be home with the boys and enjoy our home together while they are little.

Friday, December 28, 2012

Christmas Day

After our fun and busy Christmas Eve we got our boys to bed and the rush to finish "Santa's" jobs was in full force. Kevin was to tackle the trampoline and I was to finish the inside gifts, stockings, clean up before morning came.
 
I did feel horrible for Kevin having to do this on Christmas Eve, but we really had no choice. You cant really store a trampoline anywhere so it had been in it's box for over a month in our attic.
 
 
I had decided that because our boys are known to disagree fight over toys and things it would be best to pick one particular wrapping paper for each boy so they knew which presents were whos and there were no disagreements. In my season of life, everything in my mind is revolving around getting everyone to keep happy :)
 
So Kipton had the green cars paper, and Karson had the red Mickey paper. They both got a sleeping bag from Santa and a toy left un wrapped from Santa. Kipton got his bulldozer he had been asking for and Karson a bow and 3 arrows.
 
 
Then the wrapped presents were from mommy and daddy. Made things simple and there was no disagreeing and everyone was happy!!!
 
 
 
A big nerf gun from daddy.
 
 
A lot of my pictures are blurry. I'm not sure what setting my camera was on but now I see they are not in good focus. I had Kevin taking most of the pictures this morning so I could help the boys. Karson got Kipton some playdoh and a tractor that came with it.
 
 
Check out my new chainsaw bubby!
 
 
Daddy got a few things he wanted from the boys and me. He was surprised! This is the first year in about 3 years we have exchanged again. It was fun!
 
Of course Kevin went way over his limit we were supposed to stick with (no surprise there) and got me a Keurig along with a variety pack to decide how I liked my coffee the best. I was so excited!
 
 
Soon after presents were over, mommy prompted the boys to look for Bucky our Elf.
They finally found him sitting in the Christmas Tree with a handwritten note. It began the boys on a treasure hunt around the house. It gave them easy clues on how to get to their "treasure" (Jack & the Pirates is a favorite show right now)
 
 
The 1st clue ended up being in the boys bathroom.
 
 
Another clue was in daddy's sock drawer.
(don't look at my stacks of folded laundry, this is normally always the picture you see in my bedroom)
 
 
After many clues and searches around the house it led to their big treasure...a trampoline in the garage. Kevin couldn't put the cage on the trampoline because it wouldn't fit. We didn't want the boys to be cold so we left it like this for the first day so they could try it out. Kipton is much more sceptical than I thought. He only wants to jump if I hold his hands. Karson on the other hand is a jumping machine!!!
 
 
Around 11:00am my family headed over from Nana & Papaw Brad's house. I knew that I wanted the boys to stay home all day and just enjoy  being home with their gifts so we decided to keep things at our house. Nana, Papaw Brad, Aunt Amanda, and Drew came over to join the fun and brought more gifts to spoil the boys with.
 
 
 
Soon it was naptime and I thought the boys would go to be easily from all of the excitement. However, it took a while so we tried out their new sleeping bags while settling down and catching a good Christmas movie on TV.
 
 
Everyone left around 1:00 and then later Nana & Papaw Brad came back over for dinner. Kevin's work always gives the guys a big ham so I cooked that and mom made a lot of different sides. It was really good! Karson was still a little sick with a cold all day so he wasn't his 100% self.
 
We stayed home the next 3 days and didn't go ANYWHERE! It was wonderful and boring all in the same sense. We are so happy to have Kevin home with us for 4 days and keep us entertained. HAHA!
 
Today I took down all of my decorations and we returned some things. Tomorrow we are cutting firewood, taking down the outside lights, getting our chickens ready for winter, and painting Karson's bedroom. I dont think that will all happen tomorrow but it's on the list for this weekends.
 
Have a great one!!

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Christmas Eve

We had a great past few days. Christmas Eve morning was spent at home just getting ready for that evening. After naptime we headed to my grandma's house for dinner and then letting the kids open gifts. The boys had an awesome time playing with their cousin Katelyn. She is in 3rd grade and kept them so entertained they barely talked to us.
 
 
 
 
Around 7:00 we went Kevin's parents house for gifts with them. The boys were super spoiled and got way too much! They had a great time playing with cousin Dane.
 
 
Above Karson is opening what he has asked every Santa for: a helicopter!
 
 
 
 
 
 
We didn't leave Kevin's parents until around 10:30 and the boys were exhausted.
 
We came home and put Santa's cookies and milk out...
 
 
Then left his reindeer some carrots on the front porch.
 
 
Karson was beside himself over this! He LOVES deer so to think that these reindeer were coming on his rooftop just floored him :) He's hilarious!
 
We had a great Christmas Eve. Then it was time to stay up for Kevin and I to put together a trampoline and put out the other gifts inside. We had a late night.
 
Christmas Day to come...

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Preschool Breakfast with Santa

Last Friday Karson had a breakfast with Santa at preschool with his friends. He was pretty excited about going and having mommy and Kipton stay at school with him.
 
 
First we dined on donuts, milk, fruit, and juice.
 
 
Karson was introducing us to his friends throughout our breakfast meal. He was quite proud of his friends and of us too (which made me feel good, and Kipton too)
 
 
After breakfast Karson went up with his class to perform 3 Christmas songs they had been learning throughout the month of December. He is the 2nd from the left. Behind him is Ms. Rachel his favorite teacher!
 
 
Soon after the songs, the special guest appeared! Of course all of the little kids were beyond excited except for a few that I heard crying. Thankfully my boys were happy happy to see the big guy in red.
 
 
Kipton was a little bummed he couldn't be up with bubby doing songs but he stayed back with mommy and closely watched. He sat really good until the last bit and then started standing to see what was going on. Never wants to be left out or miss a thing.
 
 
Soon it was Karson's turn on Santa's lap. I couldn't get a good shot of him here but I'm sure he was telling this Santa the same story he had told the past 3 Santa's we have saw over the past few weeks. A helicopter and a trampoline.
 
 
After all of Karson's preschool friends were finished with Santa, Kipton asked if he could have a turn. We ran up to get a quick visit with Santa and of course my little baby couldn't have eaten up this time any more. He LOVES Santa. Beyond words.
 
 
When I told Kipton that we had to get going he soon gave Santa a hug and then a KISS! It was one of the sweetest moments to date. His eyes were sparkling and he was in pure heaven. Both boys have had a great time seeing Santa in different places.
 
Kevin and I joked that we can't believe they haven't asked why he is in so many places. The mall, Chick-fil-a, Preschool, another mall, and even at Kroger one day. I am thankful for these years where there aren't many questions, and just happiness to see Santa and live in a free country to believe and also believe in our one true BEST gift, Jesus Christ!!

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Our Week & Friends

It's Saturday night but I kinda just realized last night that I only had 3 days until Christmas. The days have all ran together and I don't know what day it is most days. Here's a low down of our week this past week.
 
Monday - We grocery shopped in the morning and stayed home the rest of the day doing crafts, playing, eating, sleeping, you know the normal stay at home life.
 
Tuesday - Kevin was finally off work after working 7 days straight and had a friend over to hunt. Karson ended up going hunting with them and Kipton and I went shopping. Then that night we went to Chick-fila Family night where we got to eat, see Santa & cow, play, and have ice cream. Then we ended up at the mall for more shopping.
 
Wednesday - Karson had preschool that morning and Kevin was sick that day. So Kipton and I dropped Karson off and ran errands during preschool so Kevin could sleep his sickness off. Thankfully he felt better around dinner time. Later that night Kevin, my dad, and Karson went to deliver firewood to a guy. Kipton and I stayed home to wrap presents.
 
Thursday - This was Kevin's last day off of work so I took a subbing job at an elementary school. I hadn't been to this particular school before so it different but a good day with 1st graders. Later that night we had our good friends Erin & Josh over for a little get together Christmas edition :)
 
 
Kipton is so wiggly he is always blurry! haha
 
 
Erin & Josh with the boys. Look at Bailey yawning :) How funny!
 
 
 
This was the first presents for the boys for this year. They each got a John Deere shirt, a Bass Pro shop hat, and a new Wii game pack that came with hunting and fishing. It is pretty sweet!
Thanks guys!!
 
 
This is a horrible picture of me, but I thought it was funny that Erin got me a doorbell. :)
She is always getting good gifts that I really need. We didn't have one installed in our home when it was built and I'm not really sure why we didn't. This one is so neat because it just plugs in and comes with two doorbells to put outside which is nice!
 

All of the boys were loving the new Wii game and trying to figure it out. Karson especially likes to drive the fishing boat around finding the best fishing hole. I'm sure it will come in handy this winter when we are stuck indoors!
 
Friday: We had Karson's preschool party that morning. Kevin couldn't go so it was just Kipton and I that tagged along with Karson. Pictures soon!
 
Saturday: (today) The boys and I ran out this morning to Target and AC Moore for last minute shopping (can you tell I'm behind) and then came home for lunch and naps. Karson woke up super late this morning so I knew he wouldn't take a nap so mom came over to sit with Kipton while Karson and I went to the grocery store. We shopped and while we left Santa was there handing out candy canes. Karson asked him for a 2nd one for his brother :) Even though they fight, they truly love each other and think about the other when they are apart.
 
Just 1 more day until Christmas Eve is here! Karson CAN NOT WAIT any longer. He tells me every day about 20 times per day "Is it time yet?" "How many days?"
 
Love Christmas through a child's eyes

Friday, December 21, 2012

Differences & Chick-fila Santa

Here are a few pictures from last year 2011 and this year 2012.
 
My goodness time is flying by and these boys are growing like weeds...
 
Kipton Lee 
2011                                            2012
 
Karson Bradley
2011                                    2012
 
After seeing these pictures there are a couple things I see:
 
My babies are getting soo big soo fast
 
&
 
I've learned alot about my camera settings and last years pictures were awful and I'm still learning alot about taking pictures.
 
Here is a blurry one of Kevin & I, but we had a 3 year old photographer :)
 
 
Kevin was off during the week this week and so we headed to Chick-fil-a this Tuesday for Family Night. I saw that they were having Santa and Santa Cow so I knew we didn't want to miss this week.
 
 
It was honestly the best Santa experience we've ever had. No lines and he was incredibly friendly and loving. He loved on Kipton like no other and it felt so special (not creepy) like a few other times I have wondered who's under that suit. Karson requested that he would sit on the Cow and Kipton would sit on Santa and they both agreed and were happy as can be.
 
 
Afterwards ice cream for everyone and playtime before heading out to see Christmas lights.
 
 
 
What a great family night. I love Christmas time!! :)