Christmas 2015

We celebrated early Christmas with my family and then spent the actual holiday in Atwood with Adam's family.  There weren't any "dying to get this" gifts this year, but the kids were happy with their gifts from Santa and family.
Owen got a new bat, clothes, shoes and a paintball gun.  Miles got an electric scooter, clothes, shoes and paintball gun.  Graham got some building toys, clothes and shoes.

The assassins with their new weapons.

When we heard they weren't going to make Mike's favorite whiskey any longer, we bought out the local liquor store.  Perfect gift.  Lots of laughs.

Owen and Raly made Grandma Eunice a tie blanket.  They didn't realize exactly how many pieces they'd have to tie!

Trying out the paint guns behind the house.  We set up targets and went through A LOT of paintballs.

Amy and her family were back over Christmas break.  We were able to meet up in Topeka to play and eat lunch.  Owen is missing since he stayed back for basketball practice.  Graham, Ali, Hudson, Miles.

Little boys in matching PJ's.  Beau, Brody, Jack, Graham.

Family pictures with bad lighting.  Grandpa Mike, Grandma Rosie, Aunt Darlene and all 8 grandkids.

Post-church picture on Christmas Eve.  The one day of the year you'll find the boys in collared shirts and sweaters.  The nice clothes didn't last long.  As soon as pics were done, they were back in sweats.

Lots of rounds of Left, Center, Right--playing for a pile of nickels.

Graham in Lebo ready to open his gifts.

Our ugly tree at home.  Although I loved decorating the tree as a kid, neither me or my kids are into it now.  So we put one up in the basement and throw on some mismatched lights and all kinds of ornaments we've collected.

Thanksgiving 2015

We hosted Thanksgiving at our house this year.  The weather didn't cooperate so not everyone was able to make it, but we did enjoy having my parents and my brother/family stay a couple of nights with us.  Aunt Nancy, Uncle Rolland and my cousin Scott were also able to come for the day.  Wyatt and his family were stuck in Wichita due to icy roads.

Festive Thanksgiving table.

Grandma Jean buying food from the "store."

The twins enjoying Thanksgiving supper since they slept through lunch.

Halloween 2015

We actually bought Halloween costumes well in advance this year so the kids had a lot of choices. After a lot of deliberation, Graham chose the blue power ranger over all of the other colors.  Miles chose this ninja-like costume.  I think it has an official name taken from some video game.  Owen said he was too old to trick-or-treat, but at the last minute ended up dressing like a "sports fan" with a couple of friends.

Graham as the blue power ranger.

 Miles as something???

Miles with some school buddies.  They went around the neighborhood (supervised only by Owen) for an hour.

We met up with friends in the state street neighborhood and enjoyed lots of good food and trick-or-treating.  There were enough kids that we were able to make age groups for easy trick-or-treating.

Would you give candy to these kids??  Owen with Xander and Cole.

Christmas 2014

We spent Christmas in Lebo this year.  I'm pretty sure we all came home 10 pounds heavier after snacking for four days!  It seemed like the boys loved every gift they received this year.  They've certainly played with/used/worn everything during the break.
The kids couldn't wait to get to Lebo, so we left Adam to work in Manhattan and started down early, making a short stop in Council Grove to wish Aunt Nancy and Uncle Rolland a Merry Christmas. Grandma Jean was ready with lots of gifts for Miles to sort through (he loved looking at all the presents and guessing who they were for and what might be in them) and tons of food.  Quint, Susan and the twins were also in Lebo, and we had lots of fun playing with the "babies"--we still call them babies, even though they are growing up.
This year they all received new games to play on PS3 or iPad, hoodies/sweats, tennis shoes, other necessary clothing items, basketballs, and giftcards.  We broke down and bought Owen a phone, and he was thrilled.  So far, he's been very responsible.  Miles' main gift was a new iPod touch, which he loves and uses all the time.  He's an avid texter to the people he's allowed/able to text.  I was gone for two hours one morning and he texted me emojis of smiley faces, poop, and a snowflake, along with numerous questions of when I would be home, could he have a snack, what do we have for snack, etc.  I apologize if he has your number!  Graham got a new-to-him iPad that he will get good use out of at basketball games and during travel to games.

Checking out what Santa brought.  

As you can see, the twins didn't get much for Christmas :).  

Miles was excited to get Minecraft from Aunt Nancy.  He and his friends are really into Minecraft this year.

Graham with Hulk and the bad guys, also from Aunt Nancy.

Thanksgiving

I had good intentions of posting our November/December events BEFORE the end of 2014, but holiday travel, prepping for second semester, play dates, organizing/cleaning drawers and closets, etc. has eaten up every bit of my break.  With only a day left of break, I'll attempt to squeeze it in. Starting with Thanksgiving...
This was our year to go to Atwood.  We lucked out and didn't have to pack coats since we timed our trip with the 70 degree November weather.  The kids enjoyed all the time spent outside, especially driving the cars and trying out the metal detectors that Rosie bought.  They didn't find all the treasures that Mike had buried, but they worked hard trying to.  Other highlights were talking to Santa (at the local discount store), working at the store, going to the store after hours, lots of cousin time, and early Christmas with this side of the family.

Graham and Jack driving one of the cars in Grandpa Mike's pasture behind the house.  They are wearing the headlamps that Grandma Rosie gave them for Christmas (she has a soft spot for anything that lights up).

Uncle Josh cuffed Miles (who probably deserved it).

One day the biggest of the "Big Kids" worked for Grandpa Mike at the grocery store.  They got paid half of the minimum wage salary (along with ice cream, candy, etc.).

The three Littles had a great time playing, tattling, trading electronic devices, etc.

On a different day, the other "Big Kids" worked for Grandpa Mike.  Surprisingly they actually got paid--we thought they might get fired.  

We kicked them out of the car and made them run home to burn off some energy.  Miles and Reese are definitely two peas in a pod.  

The "Littles" riding to the park in the "Granny Car"--an old Buick Rosie drives around town.  They were on a roll talking about all things poop.

We were trying to recreate an awkward family photo we had seen, but I think it's actually pretty cute. All eight grandkids in order from youngest to oldest.  There is an adult version on someone's camera that I will have to track down.

July 4th Fun

We stayed in Manhattan for the 4th of July and enjoyed the three day weekend.  Although neither Adam or I are into fireworks, we let the kids pick out a few.  They lit smoke bombs and firecrackers while we grilled out for lunch (on the 4th).  That evening we went to the Foltz's where a whole herd of kids played baseball and lit off fireworks.  Only two minor injuries--Miles had a spark hit him on the cheek and Graham grabbed the hot end of a used sparkler and burned his thumb.  We had round 2 celebrations on the 5th at the Butler's house where Uncle Rhett put on his usual impressive show.  

Graham having fun with snappers.

Smoke bomb fun.  I think they were pretending to come out of the K-State tunnel at football games.

Graham "lighting" a firework.  He enjoyed the light and run approach.

The bigs getting their firework safety demonstration.

 Owen lighting something that is supposed to fly.

The last firework on the 5th fired the wrong direction.  We didn't realize it until later, but Miles must have had a spark land in his lap.  

Graham loved the glow bracelets and necklaces that Aunt Michelle brought.  A week later they are still in his room.

More Easter 2014

Some more Easter pictures from my phone. 

Dressed up (kind of). 

Lots of loot. 

Even more. 

And more 

Easter 2014

I've been terrible about updating this blog--trying to go back and catch up (in order).  We spent Easter Sunday in Lebo, and fortunately everyone was able to make it.  The big boys still look forward to the egg hunt, and Aunt Nancy didn't disappoint.  We are still eating the candy a month later!

Quint with Colleen and Meredith--looking very cute in their little Easter dresses.  My kids did look nice for church, but they ripped their church clothes off faster than I could get the camera out.

 Graham after getting hit with silly string.

All of the cousins pre-Egg Hunt.  They each dumped and refilled several times.

Thanksgiving

We hosted our first Thanksgiving this year.  Although I'm not really sure you can count it as hosting when you don't cook the turkey.  Oh well.  Everything went smoothly and (I think) everyone had a good time.  My boys enjoyed entertaining the girls (all girl cousins on my side), and the girls didn't seem to mind playing with boy toys.  Owen was happy to have video game football competition from my cousin Wyatt, while Miles and Graham played a lot of hide-n-go-seek with McKinley and Maggie.

Cousins (from left to right):  Maggie, Graham, McKinley, Meredith, Owen, Colleen, Miles.  Notice how cute the girls are dressed...and then there's the boys--let's just say we are lucky Graham has any pants on.

The newest additions to the family--Colleen and Meredith.  The big boys like them well enough, but Graham is fascinated with them.  He knows their names, carries diapers to the trash, etc.  The last time we were in Lebo he asked Susan if we could take one of them home.  Now he says, "We can't have one, because they have to stay together or they will be sad."  Here they are wearing the little outfits we bought them for Thanksgiving.  So fun to look at and buy little girl clothes--especially when the only clothing worn by my kids these days seems to be varying shades of neon.

Happy Father's Day

Adam spent his special day coaching first base for Owen's baseball team.  Even though we got home too late on Sunday night, it was a fun way to spend the day.  They bought him some new Nike shorts and gave him a back rub.  They are so lucky to have such a great dad!

Our friend Michelle took this picture a couple of weeks ago--I love it!  Perfect for Father's Day!

Happy Easter

After the early mass this morning we headed to Lebo to spend the day with family.  We were so lucky to have such a nice day--Miles had been worried about where we would hide eggs if it was raining.  The boys made out like bandits!  The Easter Bunny actually brought them each a practical gift (baseball bag or shoes) since he knew how much candy they would get elsewhere.  Grandma Jean scored points by finding them more Nike socks in some cool new colors (and in sizes for Miles).  Aunt Nancy came prepared with 150 Easter eggs full of candy--not to mention the baskets from grandparents and aunts/uncles.  

 Graham totally understood what to do this year and managed to fill his bucket twice.

 The boys and cousins, McKinley and Maggie, waiting for the official "Go" to get started hunting eggs.

 This is as fancy as we get around here--neon collared shirts for Easter Sunday.

 Scoping out the next egg...

After emptying out the eggs, they played "Egg-Pong."