There was a photographer there who told the kids to look like they were holding something in their hands and looking surprised. Maybe they're supposed to be holding the castle? I missed that part. But Cooper sure knows how to put on his surprised face! :)
Hopefully more pictures to come soon!
Then we had our Christmas morning. Here are Cooper and Jackson posing with their Uncle Chris and Uncle B.J. Ryan got the guys these shirts as a gag gift. You should have seen the one he got me, oh my!
The kids were very spoiled with all of the presents they received! Here Jackson is on a Buzz Lightyear car. This was definitely a favorite! Cooper loved it too.
Another favorite, the Blues Clues dog.
This was one of Cooper's favorite gifts, a kid computer! For all of you with kids, this is a really cool activity, it teaches math, reading, art, science, etc... but all on the computer and Cooper has lots of fun with it. It's called Computer Cool School and is made by Fisher Price.
Gma and Gpa got the boys these matching vests. Aren't they so cute??
The whole family!
Silly Cooper hamming it up!
Katie's two sisters came into town to visit us. It was so great to see them.
We didn't get to see nearly as many friends as we would have liked to, it's so hard when we're there only for a few days. But we were lucky enough to see a few of our high school and college friends. Unforunately I didn't take many pictures, but I did get one of my kids with Maya and Nolan (Gretchen and Darin's children). They turned two just about a week ago. They both had Elmo dolls like Jackson, so we had to get a picture of all of the kids with their dolls!
We had such a great time in KS, we always wish we could stay longer!
Then they got busy decorating!
Here are the kids playing a BINGO game.
The kids posing with their candy cane ears.
Cutie Jackson outside while the boys all bounced in the bounce-house. They went a little nuts!
Christmas Eve we let the kids each open one present. Of course Cooper picked the biggest one. It's a fire station set and he LOVES it. It squirts real water, which he demonstrated to me as I was laying down today! (he got me right in the face, quite a surprise!)
Here is my attempt at getting a picture of the boys with Lily. Poor Lily.
Awww...
Christmas morning! Had to show this picture at our sad tree. After only being up about a week the top 2/3 of the lights went out! We could not fix it so we spent a few weeks with a very poorly lit tree :).
Cooper finding his stocking.
and Jackson getting into the presents!
Jackson loved the shopping cart Santa got him...
and Cooper LOVED the bakugans (spelling??) Santa got him! Love this face. They're these Japanese anime things (I don't even know if I'm spelling that right!) but he likes them because they're balls, and when you throw them they open up to a little character. A friend had them and he loves them.
Inside his stocking was a giant chocolate football. He of course had to give it a try.
Jackson tried it too!
This is just a funny story. A week or two before Christmas we realized we had squirrels in our attic. Fun fun. We had some people come out to catch them and came out a bunch of times before we finally caught one. Well, another one was still getting in, so they left a few traps around for a few days. Well of course, Christmas morning, what do we hear?? A squirrel caught in a trap outside! We didn't want to call the pest control people since it was Christmas day, so Ryan and my dad drove it to a nearby park to let it go. At least we caught the thing!
After the squirrel episode we went to my parents' house for another Christmas. Yes, those presents behind them are pretty much all for the kids. They're very lucky (and kind of spoiled :))!
Jackson was in love with this reindeer and carried it around the entire morning.
Cooper loved this dump he got. He's very into Toy Story 3 right now.
Oooh, another favorite! His personalized cape from Uncle Ross! I love this face, he is ready to save the world!
Jackson even got a cape but I couldn't get him to pose with the kids.
This was Jackson's big present, a kitchen! I love it, Ryan made a little fun of it, especially with Jackson wearing this slightly girly outfit. I happen to think it, and him, are adorable! :)
Christmas morning family photo. Jackson doens't look too thrilled but I promise, he had fun!
Two days later we were on the road to Kansas! I'll post those pictures next.
Eliz and Grandma!
Laura, me, and E after the Nutcracker.
Here are the boys with Santa! Jackson wasn't so sure but he didn't cry and I was so proud of him! (he is a severe mama's boy)
After Santa we took a few family photos.
Kayson and Ashlynn came over (and their moms of course). We had a great time hanging out with them as always!
Cooper, Jackson, and I made ornaments out of construction paper and water. Unfortunately it was a big bust or I'd post pictures of it!
And some of the guys.
Now the kids!
Some of the kids relaxed and watched a movie that night, I thought this was cute.
December was a fun month! More to come hopefully tomorrow.
