Fireplace at Grandma and Papa's house

Clayton and Reese just love to "get a fire goin' " when they are at Papa and Grandma's house! They even help start it, haul in more fire wood and help (watch an adult) "stoke the fire."

(pictures taken January 4th, 2015)

Children's Museum Timehop

I have an App on my iPhone (called Timehop) that shows me old pictures from that day, 1 year, 2 years, etc. ago. I even linked it to my computer so it shows me pictures from sometimes 8 years ago that are long forgotten! It updates everyday, and the picture on the left was one that it pulled up for me from two years ago which was an awesome coincidence since I had already planned on taking Reese to the Children's Museum this morning anyway! We hadn't been there in forever (I'm thinking late summer, maybe) so he had a blast! Mostly he played with the trains, a little in the Diner/Store area with the toy food, and several trips down the slide. 

Clayton's 1st Wrestling Practice

Clayton had his first Little Kids Wrestling practice tonight! He will practice twice a week (On Mondays and Thursdays) at 6:15 though all of January, and part of February. We are getting to be a busy little family!

He was so excited to go, and did well Daddy said! (He stayed of course and helped run the practice). They ran, and did somersaults and cartwheels, and worked on "stance" and talked about take downs and sprawls. Clayton liked the sprawls the best!

For this year at least we will just have him go to practices and not any competitions. We think he's just a little too little for that right now.

Here he is (in his XXXS sized) singlet! Showing mommy his stance and his muscles!

Morning Coffee

Sunday Morning coffee with Reese!

After I made a cup of coffee for myself and plopped on the couch to enjoy it, Reese pulled out his kitchen set and the toy coffee pot (and made all the noisy noises my espresso maker makes!), he came to join me on the couch with his little cup too! The first one spilled, so he did have to go make another one before we could take this picture!! What a little sweetheart!

Christmas Day

On Christmas Day, in the afternoon, we headed to Lincoln to enjoy Christmas with Grandpa Mark, Grandma Dianne and Aunt Amy.

We started the visit with a special Hay Rack Ride that Grandpa Mark planned for them. It was the perfect day for it, and the boys had a blast!

The boys were feeling a little rambunctious and naughty though and throwing toys, so they both had to spend some time "in the corner" for a time-out. I may put up a tough front to the boys, but I still have a sense of humor, and this was hysterical and it was hard not to laugh out loud!

Tandem Time-Outs on Christmas Day!

After Christmas dinner we opened presents! But first we must do the obligatory picture in front of the tree with all the presents. Aunt Amy thought it would be clever to stand behind the camera and blow raspberries to get them to look and smile. Well they looked, but they also blew raspberries right back! Oh well, at least we can see their faces!

Ok, THEN we opened presents. The boys helped pretty much everyone with their wrapping paper!

I'm not even sure what's in this gift, but from the look on Clayton's face, I guess it was good!

Clayton got a neat Name Puzzle. He was pretty excited "That spells MEEEEE" 

Crazy Sand - like Playdoh, but messier! haha

An extremely staged reaction to a Hot Wheels track.

Riley even got a little help from Clayton with his "gift." (A little puppy snack)

The boys also got a toy storage bin (they were thinking the would get all the toys pictured in the bins on the outside of the box, whoops). But it was still fun to play on!

Like a game of "king of the hill"

Then here they are (later, at home) helping Daddy build it. Clayton was actually useful and put in and turned some of the screws!

After it was all assembled and the bins were placed in it, we were rounding up toys to put away in it (not hard considering the influx we just had), Reese went and sought out a football and declared that it must go in the yellow bin! Scroll up and look at the picture with them on the box. . . Yes, there is a football in the yellow bin in the picture on the packaging! What a memory he has!

We spent the night and the next morning we opened our stockings. Clayton was (im)patiently waiting for everyone to get up. He even got the job of going in to help wake up Aunt Amy!

They even enjoyed some "Foot Rest Rides" in the morning before getting dressed. That Grandpa Mark is so silly!

Christmas Morning

We took it easy Christmas morning and had a relaxing family time opening a few gifts and playing with new toys from the night before. Although Clayton was a little disappointed that Santa forgot to take the carrot they left out for his reindeer! (Oops, Mommy forgot to put it back! haha) Santa brought Clayton and Reese some puzzles and dinosaur magnets from Melissa & Doug, and Mom and Dad got them a puzzle (with buckles, snaps and zippers, etc. to work on those dressing and fine motor skills) and some Veggie Tales Christmas movies.

Playing with the new train, it's motorized and dumps it's cargo at the top of the hill, it's very entertaining!

Reese love his new plane! I think he would sleep with it if mommy let him!

Then, for the BIG ONE. The thing that Clayton has been saying that he wants for Christmas!

The reaction wasn't as enthusiastic as I had hoped it would be, but I guess when you are 4 a blank TV in a box is pretty boring. . . But Clayton is excited that Santa brought a big TV for him like he asked!!

Clayton watching Daddy figure it out and set it all up.

Christmas Eve Activities

Christmas Eve was spent with the Branz family this year. First we all went to church in Gresham with Great Grandpa Fred and Great Grandma Pat. Afterwards we all went out to the Branz Ranch, (AKA "the farm" if you are Clayton and Reese) for supper and opening gifts.

Reese examining his new chainsaw (cutter) with his safety goggles on

Reese and his new Jake and the Pirates ship

Where is Reese in this picture?

I'll give you a hint, Papa is pointing at him!

Oh, there he is!!

After we got home the boys left out their cookies and milk for Santa and headed to bed!