Ski Trip

by Holly

In January, we took a trip to Eagle Nest, NM with my brother's family and my parents to go skiing. This was the boys' first time to ski, and only Justin's second. I didn't participate, as I wasn't feeling well and stayed at the trailer with my parents and Eli. The first day they went to Taos where the boys went to ski school, and the second day was at Angel Fire. Jared loved it, and Tyler hated it. Tyler was home with us the second day.

Teresa, Kelly and Justin, Tyler and Jared

Tyler and Jared

Christmas with Eli

by Holly

Yes, I'm still getting caught up on blog posts from December. Bear with me. :)

Here Eli is opening presents with Mama. He was thrilled with each gift and we had to coax him on to open the rest of them; I'm sure that won't last as he grows!

What else could be in this stocking, Daddy??

Leaving milk and cookies out for Santa at Grandma and Pops' house. Eli was thrilled the next morning to just find some crumbs left!

Just beginning our snowman with Daddy and Pops. The snow would not stick to itself so we ended up with a little snowman-pile but we had fun anyway. We also made snow angels, but didn't get that on camera as we were all involved. Eli made snow angels all day long, in the grass, in the living room floor... he was thrilled to have a new skill.

Christmas at Nana and Papa's house. The best spot in the house- all the boys on the couch with the grandparents in the new log room. We had a wonderful time, so much activity with 3 boys!

My Christmas Decs, with a little help from Sarah

by Holly

I decided I wanted to decorate a little more natural and woodsy for Christmas this year, but wasn't sure how to go about it. We attended a housewarming party for our friends Paul and Sarah a few weeks before Christmas and they had leftover evergreen branches in their yard that they offered me. So, I helped myself, bought some berry garland at Michaels and went to work.

This is a sideways shot of the wreath I hung on our backdoor. I loved these berries, as some were crystal-covered like sugar or frost or whatever your fancy.

This is my bread bowl that I try to change out with the seasons. I used the scraps of the branches and old red Christmas balls for our kitchen table.

Here is the wreath I made for our front door, again sideways. I used berry garland and fake peppermint candy to make this whimsicle and kid friendly look.

This is our mantel, with the new addition of Jazzy's stocking on the right. Note the evergreen arrangement to the right of the picture. They are everywhere! The picture hanging is of the foggy city park in my hometown of Friona, taken by a local photographer there.

And last, my favorite arrangement. This was in the corner of our living room on the stereo speaker. Thankfully Eli understood that it was 'pretty' and left it alone. The green pitcher was a wedding gift and I love it!

Jazzy

by Holly

"How much is that doggie in the window? (arf! arf!)
The one with the waggley tail
How much is that doggie in the window? (arf! arf!)
I do hope that doggie's for sale"

Jazzy is quite spoiled and does not like the cold weather. We have to drag her out by the collar to go potty and when she's ready to come back in she waits on either of our bedroom window sills. Its quite amusing to see this, and I much prefer it to barking or scratching at the back door. And if anyone is really in love with her and needs a doggie, let us know...

Eli's 2nd Birthday

by Holly

We had such a fun time celebrating Eli's 2nd birthday, with family and friends and everything a party should have. The party did happen a few days early so Pops and Grandma could make the trip before Christmas, but Eli just enjoyed stretching out the celebration a little longer.

This one is Eli on his new tractor from Papa and Nana, which proved to be the favorite toy and source of tears on more than one child's part. How do you explain to toddlers that new toys still have to be shared even when its your birthday??
Precious little boys crowded around me as I helped Eli open his gifts. Left to right: Tyler, Jared, Eli, Kole and Jonas in the edge of the picture. Claire must have decided not to join in on the boy fun, as she was the only girl at the party.

Daddy and Eli blowing out the "2" candle! What a big boy!

I made the cake this year, a yummy white cake with buttercream frosting. The ground under the tracks was crushed graham crackers and the tracks themselves were licorice Twizzlers. I'll toot my own horn for my first decorated cake!

Besides the white cake, I also made German chocolate cupcakes with the same buttercream frosting. I ate so many of these I finally had to send the rest to work with Justin to get them out of the house. Mmmm!