Sledding

The perfect day for sledding:

Mason's first time sledding:

Grandma & Kate

Grandpa & Parker

Kenzie & Aunt Heidi

Action shot of Anthony & Kate

Anthony, Kenzie, Kate

Christmas in Utah

 It has been 6 years since we have been able to spend Christmas with Anthony's family in Utah.  We are having so much fun:

Kenzie decorating the Christmas Tree:

Mason undecorated the Christmas Tree:

All the kids eating Christmas Dinner:

All the adults eating Christmas Dinner:

Santa made a special visit Christmas Eve:

Train Ride

Anthony's mom got us VIP tickets on the North Pole Express.  The girls both wanted to sit by Aunt Heidi:

Parker got to sit with Aunt Marissa & Uncle Brandon:

The Conductor punched everyone's tickets:

Each kid got a special visit from Mrs. Claus:

The elves fed everyone hot chocolate & chocolate chip cookies then stayed busy keeping everyone entertained:

The trip ended with a special visit from Santa:

 

It was so magical, the kids loved it.  It was even more special that Mrs. Clause was Grandma, so Kenzie got some extra loves:

Yeah for vacations, it is always nice to have Anthony around:

Kenzie's 5

We spent the day spoiling her rotten, she loved it.

Trophy Ceremony

Parker had another great soccer season.

Parker is the AR Star

Parker was the AR(Accelerated Reader) Star of the month for his classroom.  This won him a trophy, a special ceremony with delicious desserts, and most important a picture with his principal.

Longest Soccer Season Ever

Kaitlynn begged me and Anthony to put her in soccer.  She went to one practice and decided she hated it.  Anthony and I made her follow through with her commitment and took her to every game and practice, it was torturous.  Kaitlynn stood on the field with her saddest grumpy face and rarely kicked the ball.  I tried to bribe her with the world, but she wouldn't have it.  No snack, tv show, movie, game, play date or present was worth it to her to play.

At the 2nd to last game a miracle happened, she played the whole game.

She didn't make one goal but she ran with the pack of kids (not caring too much about the ball):

She may be trouble, but she couldn't have been any cuter all geared up for her soccer game:

As for Parker, he rocked it.  He is getting good and likes to play.  December is the perfect soccer weather in Florida.

McKenzie's Picture

McKenzie is obsessed with belly buttons, she puts one on every person she draws.

Mason's Birthday

 Mason is 1

Here are his stats:

Height:  29 inches

Weight: 21lbs 6 oz

Head:  18.18 inches

My favorite things about Mason is he randomly rests his head on things.  He often walks up to Anthony or me and, if we are sitting he rests his head on our lap, if we are standing he gives our leg a hug and keeps his head rested on our leg.  He will randomly rest his head on a couch or another person.  Occasionally when he falls he will be about to get up then decide to rest his head on the ground for like 20 seconds, when he is done he jumps right up and plays.

He knows how to:

Clap

Wave

Give 5

Drink from a straw

He can't hold still for more than 2 seconds unless he is eating or sleeping.

His favorite foods are: banana, warm bowl of oatmeal & chicken nuggets.

He is full of smiles and is a very content kid.

His favorite past times are throwing things down the stairs, shutting doors(and by so doing he locks himself in rooms) then screaming until someone opens it, throwing things in the toilet

It is crazy how many changes can happen just because he is one:
No more bottles

Face forward in the car seat.

He can eat peanut butter, eggs, honey

He hand feeds himself and no more baby food.

Last but certainly not least isn't his sweater adorable?  Anthony's mom hand made it, she is amazing.

Stop man

Parker had the whole week off for Thanksgiving.  One day all his siblings were napping, so this is how he kept himself busy.  He made a stop sign with a matching stop hat, then walked back and forth across the road stopping traffic.  Thank goodness we live in a cul-de-sac so not too many people had to stop while he crossed.

Thanksgiving

 We spent Thanksgiving in Madison Alabama with Anthony's amazing uncle & aunt.  Aunt Kristi made 10 pies, we couldn't have eaten more if we tried.  The night before we left I snapped this cute shot of Kristi reading to all the kids:

The kids had a blast playing with their 2nd cousins:

Playing at the park:

Kaitlynn

Somedays I wonder if she is ever going to think inside the box:

 She is a joy:

Fishing

Anthony finally has enough spare time to take up fishing again.  He went fishing in the Gulf for the first time since we moved to Florida.  This was the first fish he caught.  He is hoping that after a little practice he will be catching fish as big as Parker:

 Parker caught his first fish with no help:

 Our friend Kevin caught the next 3 fish, but let all the girls take a turn reeling them in:

 Kenzie's fish:

 Kate is one of a kind.  She carried her fish around kissing it (it was still flopping around).  She said "I love my fish."