Last weekend we had some very special guests at our house!

Auntie Jess, Nick and baby Tyler came over and spent the day with us!
It was our first time meeting baby Tyler,
and oh is he a cutie!

so quick to smile.
Mommy misses that stage.


They came in full attire to cheer on the Packers.

I think they were in the house for a matter of minutes
before Hannah had him on her lap and was feeding him
(very similar to what we see on a daily basis with her dollies).

I got a few turns as well...

but I had just as much fun bonding with him and watching football.

cheering on the Pack...

discussing game strategies...

Ty opened up some belated Christmas gifts...

ate some more...

(After looking at these pictures, you would think that baby Ty
would be a linebacker - since every other picture we have in here
has a bottle in his mouth!)

cuddled with Hannah...

and then, well...

I'm not sure if Tyler was telling us
"I've had enough of these little people"
or if he was really getting tired....

Thank you friends for coming and spoiling us with sweet Ty!

MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas day was a nice blend of crazy excitement,
simple yummy food,

and restful family time.

Surprisingly, we let mom/dad sleep in til 7am plus.

I woke up first, with a little struggle to wait for the others...
but it was all worth it!

First were the stockings...

then the santa gifts...

the mimi and papa gifts...

and the big smiles for my bro and sis!

followed by immediate, energetic thank you hugs!

Next came -

playtime!

Mommy feels ok so far with "tricks" being done on the carpet!
Not so sure she'll feel the same way when springtime comes
(a.k.a. pavement!)

We took a little break to go outside and try out our new hats -
help daddy shovel away the pretty dusting of snow
that fell over Rudolph's footprints....
and get some use out of Noah's new sled.

Elijah was a little under the weather,
so he stayed inside and gave us lovin through the sliding door.

don't feel too badly for him (well, ok - you can, but...)
he had enough energy/spunk to be a little rascal and
spend the day testing his sister by playing "toy thief"....
as he enjoyed the new dolly accessories almost as much as she did!




Noni and Papa got us this awesome table/chairs set,
which we broke in right away
with a popcorn and movie night.

Despite all the pictures of gifts and toys -
we reminded each other throughout the day,
by singing happy birthday and thanking God
for giving us his ultimate gift - Jesus!

Tomorrow or next week the stockings will be tucked away,
the Christmas tree will be at the curb,
and the lights will come down...

BUT - Jesus is our gift the whole year round!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was a fairly simple day...

spent with family, presents, and play time!

Drew and I were our usual selves...
goofy mixed in with a bit of wild



a time for giving...
and a time for receiving.

even Haley and Bridger were treated with a playdate...

there were group presents...

and then there were presents that we thought were for the group.

(thanks for sharing your sled, Drew!)