Surfer Girl

Will was assisting Reesy surfing on his new sled.

Cousin Love!

The boys have had a blast playing with Owen. Will and Owen went on a bird hunting excursion with Luke, Matt, and Nolan yesterday morning and came here after to play. They played so well together. Matt and Stacy came over last night but the boys wanted him to spend the night so he stayed over and then left early this afternoon. They had so much fun and all got along really well. I love this because Stacy and I grew up close and still are. Cousins are the best! 💕

Someone's being a little clingy during present wrapping today.. ❤

Hearts

Will was so disappointed this morning when he found out that the hearts inside our bodies don't really look like the hearts we draw on paper.

We were at the vet getting Reesy's stitches out from her spay and they had a model heart sitting there. He was equally disappointed and disgusted. 

Dane

His wording is just too precious and I'm so grateful he still says these things I know he's literally turning into a boy before my eyes.

The other day when we were ringing the Salvation Army bell he, out of the blue, said "what if someone can't get home on this dark starry night?"

We were recently driving home at night and a cell phone tower was blinking its light.  Dane pointed to it and asked if it was God's car.

My sweet, sweet boy.

Another craft time from Opa and Oma :) Clay creation by "Dane and Mama"

Craft time!

One of their Christmas gifts from Opa and Oma.  They built their tractor and bulldozer and are now painting them.

Getting ready for bed. Sweet boys.

Christmas kitty Missy

Nana left the boys a note on their chalkboard after she spent the night one night last week :)  Will read it by himself, by the way. 
And they happen to both be wearing the cutest jammies ever that she got them! 

Santa!

Dane hopped up and was deep in conversation with Santa by the time I convinced Will to go up and talk to him (and had to escort him).  He almost had stage fright but in the end Santa got him to open up and ask for his most desired toy :)  Will told me he knew it was the real Santa because he saw the hair attach to his face.

Best in Show

Brinkley was staying with us and I walked through the living room and saw this.  When I asked about it,  Dane said Brinkley was awarded Fastest Dog.  Apparently we were hosting Payton Dog Show and Games  .

Had such a great trip up to Michigan with my mom this weekend. It was a quick trip: Friday after Will got out of school and back on Sunday. But it was so wonderful.

Dane Dane

In my book, it gets no cuter than this.  Period.

Big Boy

Dane is finally NIGHT potty trained now!
It's been a challenge, and he's so proud.  He was day potty trained before he was 2 1/2, but night has been a challenge.  I have him take his last drink of the night at 8, then I also get him out of bed and take him to the bathroom around 11.  I've been taking him around 11 for a couple of months now and he was waking up dry more and more. So we included the no drinks after 8 and that did the trick! He's had about a week of underwear and dry nights now!  So proud of him. And happy for him. :)

Eggs=Poison

Dane protesting his breakfast this morning..

Snowy Glowy

Our Elf, Snowy Glowy was iffy this year.  Last year he abruptly left our home days before Christmas because he was knocked off his perch for the day, the cat tower, by Dane.  Approaching the holidays this year the boys were talking quite a bit about whether he would come back this year.  They were worried.  They decided to take it to the next level and write a letter of apology and include some peace offerings. 

Here is Dane's letter:

Alas,  Snowy Glowy came back.  He wrote the boys this letter.  Also, Dane left some suckers and Will got him a tin of mints.  Snowy Glowy was appreciative and ate the mints and part of a sucker.

Thanksgiving 2014

We had a really nice Thanksgiving.  Usually we go to Michigan but this year Luke went on his annual hunting trip to South Dakota that week, so the boys and I went down and spent the day with my Mom, Chuck and the Riveires.  It was a nice day of cooking and relaxing.  Also, we got to meet new baby Jack. 

Will holding baby Jack for the first time.