Hot Tubbin'

The boys and Daddy and Papa had some male bonding time in the hot tub this evening (or Hot Bath, as the boys say).

Flash on the camera and steam in the air makes for a special kind of filter for the picture!

Jingle Bells

This is from earlier this month, I can't believe I almost forgot to post it! Clayton and Reese sure enjoyed getting their groove on with Grandma Branz's Christmas decoration that plays Jingle Bells!

Video is courtesy of Papa Doug Branz, used with permission, and an IOU ;-)

Mommy's Tigers

The boys love to act out whatever item or animal is on their pajamas when they are getting ready for bed. (So fire truck pajamas yield a little boy making siren noises throughout the house for example). Here are mommy's little bedtime tigers. (Video is from Tuesday, Dec. 9)

Reese's Preschool

Reese had his last day of preschool and a little graduation ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 9. He really enjoyed preschool and just loved "his" teacher, Tonya. He was a little overwhelmed by all the parents and grandparents (he had both sets of grandparents and mom and dad there!) being there and he did not sing the special song they learned, but I've been told that when they practiced he was the one who sang the loudest. I've heard him singing it at home too. I'm sure he kept Miss Tonya on her toes!

Receiving his "diploma"

The whole class

Reese didn't really want to wear the hat. . .

Playing PlayDoh with Tonya one last time

Enjoying his cookie and juice before it's time to say goodbye

Here are some highlights of Reese at Preschool over the last month:

S'more Preschool (It was a camping theme)

Checking in. (They put a sticker on their card to track attendance)

Painting with Tonya

Playing with "Mr. Tiddles" the turtle

Arts and Crafts

Fishing

Reese sure loved Mr. Tiddles!

He made a snake puppet. I remember the day they made that, he came home and tore through his backpack throwing everything else (extra clothes, diapers) out around him saying "Oh no, where is it??" When he finally found this snake "There it is! I made this snake, Mommy!" He thought it was so cool and was soooo proud of it.

The Friday before graduation they did a little petting zoo with real animals and Reese held a snake, letting it stick it's tongue in his face and everything, and said it was cool. He also held a bunny. When I asked what he did that day he told me he "I pat the bunny" (just like the book!)

Waffle Block Presents!

Tuesday afternoon, Clayton built "presents" with the waffle blocks, put a small toy inside and placed them under the tree. It was soooo sweet. It was all his idea, it actually took mommy a minute to figure out what he was doing so as not to scold him for playing with/too close to the Christmas tree. I'm sure glad I let that one play out!

Daddy's Birthday!

It was on Saturday, and he was at the York Wrestling invite all day, so the boys and I celebrated by making his cake (and snitching some batter for him).

Yum Yum!

We even sent him a quick video message to tell him Happy Birthday!

The boys also made cards for Daddy! Clayton choose red paper because "Daddy likes red" (such a sweet and thoughtful thing, he loves to ask us all what our favorite color is, then we are supposed to ask him too. We are not allowed to change our answers from day to day, either!)

A picture of Daddy. "Where's my  hair?" . . . "Oh, I forgot" 

The card from Reese is a picture of a rock he says. . .

Front

Middle (Mommy wrote it, duh!)

Back

In the evening we had a little Christmas family get together at the Hearthstone with Great Grandma Diane Carlson. The boys enjoyed a few too many cookies and playing with their cousins (well, 2nd cousins, and 1st cousins once removed, but who's counting?)

Thanksgiving Pictures!

Our Family on Thanksgiving Day (was spent at Papa and Grandma Branz's house with Uncle Ty and Molly, and Uncle Brandon and Aunt Besty, cousin Kolby and new baby cousins Ava and Quin).

Thanksgiving 2014

The next day was spent in Lincoln at Grandpa Mark and Grandma Dianne's house watching the Huskers play football on TV (and eating pie). Also in attendance, was Aunt Amy, Great Grandpa Aldon and Great Grandma Erna, Great Aunt Phyllis and her granddaughters Evelyn and Clara, as well as her son (Mommy's cousin) Mark and his wife Becky and their 9 month old daughter, Delaney. It was such a fun family time!


When Grandpa Mark took the boys out for a 4 wheeler ride, Reese was sure to tell Delaney "Baby, you stay here!" hahaha. Apparently  he also just HAD to drive!

photo by: Aunt Amy

 Clayton enjoyed playing and building Duplo towers with Aunt Amy

photo by: Aunt Amy

 So proud of a tall tower!!

photo by: Aunt Amy

photo by: Aunt Amy

Checking out Aunt Amy's phone

Look out when Aunt Phyllis is around for dessert! Reese knows who to ask for help with his pie!!!

and extra whipped cream . . .

"Again?"